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The LASIK Directory Blog

Welcome to the LASIK Blog, a resource for people interested in LASIK surgery. This consumer-friendly blog is intended to be used as a central resource to answer common questions about LASIK and to point you in the right direction.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

How does LASIK Correct Vision Errors?

LASIK eye surgery improves refractive vision errors by reshaping an irregularly shaped cornea.

The most common refractive vision errors are:

· Myopia (nearsightedness)

· Hyperopia (farsightedness)

· Astigmatism (blurry vision at all distances)

Certain eye irregularities cause light to be incorrectly focused when it enters your eye. An irregularly shaped cornea does not bend (refract) light correctly, resulting in distorted and blurry vision. The vision disorders above represent the results of the most common abnormalities of eye shape. During LASIK surgery, a laser is used to painlessly reshape the cornea, thereby changing the way the eye bends light.

LASIK takes only a minute or two for each eye, and the entire procedure is completed in about five to ten minutes. As an ambulatory surgery, LASIK does not require you to stay overnight at a medical facility, and downtime is minimal because general anesthesia is not required. You will be conscious and awake during LASIK.

Some people experience 20/20 vision shortly after their LASIK procedure. Most people experience drastically improved vision, letting them live free from contact lenses and glasses. Some LASIK recipients still benefit from the use of glasses for certain up-close tasks.

To learn more about LASIK surgery, please contact an experienced ophthalmologist in your area.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

LASIK and Double Vision

Some LASIK patients may see double vision, also known as ghosting, after their eye surgery. Objects appear blurry or have multiple ("double") images. Most of the time, this will clear up on its own in a matter of days or weeks. This is a condition more common in the evening when halos can be seen around lights, and cause difficulty driving.

Ending double vision for LASIK patients requires an additional LASIK procedure. This LASIK enhancement should be done by your original LASIK doctor as part of a follow-up, and not cost you at all.

LASIK is the most common vision correction surgery, and a vast majority of the millions of people who have gotten LASIK are happy with it. LASIK is completely safe, but there are side effects and risks. Ghosting is one of these risks and should be part of the discussion with your ophthalmologist during your consultation.

LASIK is a good way to get to 20/20 vision, or extremely close to it, for decades. If you are tired of wearing glasses or contact lenses, and feel that LASIK is right for you, contact an experienced ophthalmologist in your area today.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Diagnosing Refractive Errors: Traditional vs. Custom LASIK

Traditional LASIK diagnoses refractive errors with a phoropter, the device used by your eye doctor during an eye exam. You look through the eyepiece and your doctor asks you to read a vision chart through a series of different lenses.

A phoropter diagnoses the lower-order aberrations, which are:

· Myopia (nearsightedness)

· Hyperopia (farsightedness)

· Astigmatism (blurry at all distances)

These lower-order aberrations come from just two different abnormalities of the cornea, when in fact there are a number of other possible abnormalities. Higher-order aberrations are vision distortions caused by subtle, unique eye irregularities that cannot be diagnosed with a phoropter.

In the custom LASIK technique, Wavefront technology uses laser light to measure the minutest irregularities in your eye. The straight beams of light pass through your eye structures, which distort the laser light.

Once the laser light reaches your retina, it is reflected back to the Wavefront sensor, which records the changes made to the light by your eye’s irregularities. Ultimately, Wavefront lets your eye surgeon plan a customized reshaping of corneal tissue.An experienced LASIK surgeon can determine whether you can benefit from custom LASIK.

To find out if you are a candidate for custom LASIK, please contact an experienced eye surgeon in your area.

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Friday, March 16, 2012

Dry Eye and LASIK

When your eyes are constantly lacking lubrication, you may be experiencing dry eyes condition. If your eyes do not produce enough tears, your eyes will feel dry, and may sting or burn.

Dry eyes are relevant to LASIK in a couple ways. First, LASIK may actually cause dry eyes. In most cases, this is a temporary side effect that will go away as your eyes heal. In other cases, dry eye can persist for several months or years after LASIK. Secondly, your eye surgeon may screen you for dry eye prior to your LASIK procedure so you can treat the condition before getting LASIK.

You should ask your eye surgeon about ways to prevent dry eyes after LASIK, which may include:

  • Ingesting omega 3 fatty acids, whether in supplements, salmon or other forms.
  • Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
  • Using any lubricating eye drops prescribed by your eye doctor.

If you have a preexisting dry eye condition before LASIK, your eye surgeon may recommend certain dietary changes or the use of lubricating eye drops. For severe cases of dry eye, an eye surgeon may suggest an alternative refractive eye surgery procedure like PRK.

To learn more about dry eye and other LASIK considerations, please contact an experienced ophthalmologist in your area.
 
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