What Is Important When Choosing A Laser Eye Surgery Clinic?

It is quite confusing for people looking at where to go for their laser eye surgery treatment. Especially so in London, UK where there are many laser eye clinics to choose from.

In other cities you can usually find one or more of the big three chains: Optical Express, Ultralase and Optimax and these centres are probably doing about 80% of all laser eye surgery in the UK, simply because of their wide geographical footprint and so easy access for many people.

Most people really are not sure what to look for in a laser eye surgery provider. They don't understand the difference between different laser systems and they don't have easy access to the true performance or knowledge about individual surgeons.

So most people default to the 'look and feel' of the website and clinic if and when they attend for a consultation. Most of the brochures are pretty interchangeable, all making the same claims about experience, technology etc. You could swap the company name and not really notice the difference in brochures!

I found several brochures particularly unhelpful from a patient's point of view (although all suffer from the same problem) as they simply list procedure after procedure over multiple pages. How on Earth is a patient supposed to be helped by all of that? It only leads to confusion and possibly a decision to defer until things are clearer.

There are FOUR key points to look at when choosing a clinic:

1. The laser technology
2. The surgeon
3. The clinic
4. The price

Let's look at these in more detail:

1. Laser technology

The improvements in success rates and safety of laser eye surgery, including LASIK and PRK, have been mainly down to improvements in sophistication of the laser technology. The lasers are dramatically better than they were even a few years ago.

NOTE: not all lasers are made equal, so you MUST look at the US government FDA trial results to get accurate performance information. These data are available on the results page of the Focus Laser Vision clinics website.
Also note that each clinic makes a claim that they have the best technology, but this of course cannot be true. They can't ALL have the best laser equipment, as they all have different systems. We at FOCUS bought the WaveLight Allegretto system from Germany as it had the best overall FDA clinical results in extensive trials.

2. Surgeon

Equally important for your result and safety is the surgeon who will perform the procedure and assess your suitability for treatment. The most important decision is who NOT to operate on! In the UK you can look for one or more of the following points in your surgeon: 1. NHS Consultant appointment, 2. Fellowship training in refractive surgery and corneal disease, 3. Extensive experience in treating your kind of prescription, 4. Has performed more than 5000 procedures, 5. Works in refractive surgery on a full-time basis or at least two days every week if involved in other areas of ophthalmology (the more time in refractive surgery, the better), 6. Teaching and presenting on refractive surgery skills, vision outcomes and research.

3. Clinic

Look at the support that each clinic will offer to you. Individual independent clinics can usually offer excellent continuity of care so you see the same clinician each time, but may not be as well geographically placed as some of the nationwide chain centres. Ask if you will get your surgeons private phone number after treatment in case of problems or advice being needed. This number is very reassuring for patients.

4. Price.

Last of all, look at the price. You want the above three factors to be the best you can get first of all. If you are completely satisfied you have not compromised there, then you can look for the best price, but ONLY then. High price is not a guarantee of quality, of having the best laser technology, of getting the best surgeon. It may give you these things, but you have to look and make sure for yourself.

In summary, look for yourself and ask the right questions. I have more information of the FOCUS Laser Vision clinics website on this and other related topics.

Dr. David Allamby is medical director at FOCUS Laser Vision, a specialist laser eye surgery clinic in London, UK.

Lasik Or Lasek - Which Laser Eye Surgery Procedure Is Right For Me?

What is the difference in the two main laser eye surgery procedures?

There are basically two laser refractive procedures to correct myopia (short sight), hyperopia (long sight) and astigmatism: 1) LASIK and 2) LASEK. [You might also have come across the PRK laser procedure. You can consider LASEK and PRK as basically the same procedure for most discussions - they are both forms of ?surface? laser eye surgery with pretty much identical results].

LASIK is a two stage procedure. Firstly a superficial flap is created in the top part of the cornea (the clear window at the front of the eye). The vision correction laser is then used to reshape the inner part of the cornea and so eliminate the need for glasses. The first flap creation stage used to be carried out with a mechanical blade device, but modern clinics are now using a special so called 'femtosecond' laser to prepare the flap in a safer and more accurate way. There will be grittiness for 3-4 hours only and vision is usually fairly clear within several hours.

In the LASEK procedure, there is no structural flap made as in the LASIK method. In LASEK, the surface skin cells are brushed to the side, the laser applied to correct the vision, and the cells brushed back into place. A contact lens is then placed on the eye. This procedure is painful for the first 2-3 days and vision recovery takes 4-7 days.

Both LASIK and LASEK procedures are very safe and will give you the same final results. It can be quite confusing if you are thinking about laser vision correction and want to know which procedure would be best for you. While both LASIK and LASEK can give you excellent vision in a safe and reliable way, some surgeons prefer one or the other, or may indeed only offer one type anyway!

How is the prospective patient supposed to decide?

What happens in practice is that patients are greatly influenced by what their particular clinician says, and understandably so. It is always worth seeking a second opinion and comparing the findings and comments of each centre. This shouldn?t threaten any clinic worth its salt. Some patients feel more confident with one person or another, based on perhaps only ?chemistry?, but it is very important to know the difference in the techniques.

About 90% of all laser eye surgery treatments are done with the LASIK method. The lack of pain and the very rapid vision recovery are very appealing to most patients.

There are some patients who are not suitable for the LASIK method, usually due to anatomical factors in the eyes and may be eligible though for a LASEK surface laser technique.

It is worth noting that with the arrival of femtosecond lasers, such as the Ziemer LDV system, that some patients who were previously pushed into the LASEK group due to e.g. thin corneas, can now still have dual laser blade free LASIK. This is because the femtosecond lasers can create a very thin predictable flap and so preserve corneal strength.

LASIK and LASEK are both very effective procedures and can be used to treat myopia (short sight), myopia myopia(long sight), astigmatism (irregular corneal shape).

However, for reading vision problems, please be aware that many clinics do not have the correct technology required to correct these vision problems, including higher levels of long sight.

Dr. David Allamby is medical director at FOCUS Laser Vision, a specialist laser eye surgery clinic in London, UK. You can find more information on laser eye surgery at Dr. Allamby's LASIK blog.

Spotting The Best Eye Surgeons For Vision Correction Surgeries

Visually challenged people fed up with not being able to see without the benefit of prescription lenses or contacts often turn to surgery for an alternative. But, finding the best doctor should be an absolute priority. To find the best laser eye surgery New York physicians can offer might take time, but it's worth the effort.

Before even beginning the search for a licensed eye surgeon to perform the procedure, the best thing to do is make sure you understand it. After that, decide if you truly want to pursue eye surgery and then begin looking for the best New York can provide.

Laser surgeries, such as Lasik, work by correcting structural problems within the eye that create vision issues. Those with nearsightedness, farsightedness and even distorted vision can see some remarkable improvements if the procedure is done correctly and success is the outcome.

Lasik itself works by having the surgeon use a laser and a knife to reshape the cornea. This is the covering on the front of the eye. During the surgery, the cornea is opened to reveal the stroma. A portion of this part of the eye is vaporized to create the correct shaping for better vision and the cornea is replaced.

Although relatively painless with few complications, laser surgery is a big deal. If a doctor isn't as skilled as he or she should be, problems can result. Inasmuch, patients owe themselves and their vision the favor of making sure the best doctor is hired. And, even if everything is done correctly, problems can still arise. This is where a skilled, practiced surgeon can make a real difference.

Considering the number of eye surgeons touting their services much like car salespeople hawk their vehicles, it's very hard for a patient to decide whom to turn to for this type of surgery. Going with the first surgeon that's spotted on a billboard or tevelevision commercial may not be the best idea. They can certainly be considered, but make sure that more than a friendly smile on the doctor is checked out before surgery commences.

Those in New York looking for the best laser eye surgeon can start with the ads or even the phone book, but more work should be done. One a doctor or doctors have been selected, go visit them. Check into their background and even talk to past patients. A long track record in performing eye surgery successfully should be a must. If possible, even check with the state's licensing boards to make sure no major complaints have been filed.

It may seem a little paranoid to check a doctor out like he or she is going for top government security clearance, but it's eyesight we're talking about here. Rely on trust alone for your plumber, maybe, but don't do it for a medical professional. Take advantage of free consultations, speak at length with the doctor about the procedure, check backgrounds and them make a decision.

Since we're talking about eyesight here and a genuine chance to improve it, it just doesn't make sense to settle for less than the best. The smart consumers will not settle for anything less than the best when it comes to having eye surgery. A little patience and some homework can absolutely net the best laser eye surgery New York has to offer.

Laser eye surgery.

http://www.lasersightsurgery.com

EyeLogic Media Announces New Press Release Division

Ontario, Canada, October 25, 2006 - Responding to the increasing demand for effective internet marketing techniques, Ontario-based EyeLogic Media has announced the launch of its new TeleBuzz division, aimed at providing businesses with professionally written press releases to increase visibility and recognition. "Press releases are a vital ingredient in a successful marketing plan," EyeLogic CEO Erez Domb stated, "yet many businesses lack the time or the staff to produce them." TeleBuzz aims to fill this need by providing affordable, professional press release packages, with various packages available to fit different needs.

With nearly 68 million American adults using the internet, online visibility is becoming increasingly critical to the success of a company, and focus is beginning to shift towards effective Search Engine Marketing (SEM) techniques. Moreover, a recent Middleberg/Ross survey shows that 98% of journalists go online daily, and 73% use the internet to find press releases. This demonstrates the importance of a strong media presence, yet few companies have the resources to address this need effectively or to distribute their releases to a wide audience. Firms such as TeleBuzz can help businesses fill the gap and increase exposure without tying up valuable resources.

"With the internet becoming such a mainstay in the lives of so many Americans, it's more important than ever to capitalize on web marketing," says Domb. "A powerful press release delivers a company's message, increases brand recognition, and improves the overall perception of the company. Businesses that are unable to target this market will be missing out on an important opportunity to deliver their message to a wider audience."

About EyeLogic Media EyeLogic Media specializes in Search Engine Marketing techniques, a growing field in business marketing. Based in Richmond Hill, Ontario, EyeLogic performs extensive analysis of a client's business, its web presence and any current marketing efforts and identifies opportunities for improvement. Their marketing approach includes three main areas of focus: search engine optimization, link popularity building and pay-per-click management services. EyeLogic works with the client to identify their needs, analyze their current position, and develop an effective approach. For more information, visit www.eyelogicmedia.com , or call 905-508-3164 or email info@eyelogicmedia.com.

About TeleBuzz TeleBuzz provides affordable press release options to business, as well as distribution to target markets. From small businesses to multinational corporations, TeleBuzz has packages to fit any need and any budget. TeleBuzz distributes the releases to target markets, ensuring that the message gets to the right people, whether globally or worldwide. For more information visit www.telebuzz.net, email info@telebuzz.net or call 905-508-3164.

EyeLogic Media specializes in Search Engine Marketing techniques, a growing field in business marketing.

What Is Laser Eye Surgery And Can It Give Me A Better Vision?

The development of computer technology the recent years has had a huge impact on the medical science. Today this technology is used in every aspect of medical field. This is also true when it comes to eye surgery. Nowadays, there are many types of surgery available to correct a persons vision problems. Laser eye surgery is one of the most advanced, and is used especially for the correction of problems like myopia (near sightedness), hyperopia (far sightedness), and astigmatism (distorted vision).

Why is the reason such problems occur in the first place? The main cause of such problems is problems with focusing the image on the retina of the eye and the reason for that varies upon three different factors:

the distance from the back of the eye to the front of it,

the shape of the cornea which is the curved clear front surface of the human eye above the iris and the pupil. It provides approximately two thirds of the eye's ability to focus.

the shape of the lens.

The shape of the cornea is changed using special devices during a laser eye surgery. One such device is called excimer laser. What this procedure does is producing a laser beam that vaporizes tissue around the eye. It actually removes targeted areas of the eye tissue without harming the surrounding area. Therefore It also goes under the name if "cold" laser.

Laser Surgery Procedures

The most common types of laser surgery procedures are

PRK (Photo-Refractive Keractomy), available since early nineties and

LASIK Eye Surgery (Laser Assisted in situ Keratomileusis), first introduced in mid nineties.

The PRK procedure take small amounts of eye tissue on the surface of the eye and vaporizes it using a beam of light in this type of surgery. This procedure removes enough tissue to reshape the cornea and correct vision. The recovery takes a week or less.

The LASIK surgery procedure involves a series of steps that are considered complicated.

Step one is to cut a flap of the cornea and lifted.

Step two: the surgeon removes precise amounts of the inside layers of the cornea using a laser guided by a computer.

Step three: the surgeon puts the flap back in its place and the eye heals fast by itself.

What are the benefits and the risks?

Highly skilled and well prepared medical specialists perform the Laser eye surgery. For majority of the patients, the results are very good and their lives are significantly improved. They can throw away their glasses or contact lenses after a successful surgery.

Keep in mind the importance of having realistic expectations about laser eye surgery. In some cases it might be necessary to wear glasses for reading if the patient is over 40 years of age. The eyes continue to change after the surgery and you may have to wear prescription glasses or lenses at some point in your life. A second laser eye surgery is normally not ruled out if the first one is not entirely successful.

One side effect of PRK laser eye surgery, is that the patient may have a blurry vision throughout the healing process. Fortunately, this generally clears up later.

Regression is another side effect from such surgery. What happens is that the eye returns back to its' previous condition. This might happen within six months and if it happens you might need another surgery to correct it or you have to wear glasses or contact lenses.

The negative side effects are very less in a LASIK surgery. Even the healing of the eye is faster. Since a LASIK involves cutting of some tissues of the eye the complications and risks are a bit higher than the other eye surgery procedures we have mentioned.

Dean Brooks is an internet publisher who likes to publish eye surgery information. You can go to the website Eye Surgery101.net for more

Laser Eye Treatments for Vision Impairments

Laser eye treatment is the ideal solution for people who have been wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses for a long time. If you are tired of wearing contacts or eyeglasses, you may want to consider going for a laser eye treatment.

Laser eye treatment involves correcting your vision with a laser so you can see better again without the need to wear contact lenses or eyeglasses. You can benefit from laser eye treatment if you have vision impairments such as far-sightedness, near-sightedness or astigmatism.

If you are interested in having laser eye treatment, you need to visit your optometrist to discuss the treatment. However, to help your optometrist to correctly assess your eyes, stop wearing your glasses or contact lenses four weeks before your visit. The contacts or eyeglasses can affect the shape of your cornea. Your optometrist needs to be able to give a correct assessment of your eyes before recommending the laser eye treatment.

List all the questions you have about laser eye treatment when you go in to your optometrist for consultation. He or she will be able to answer your questions and explain to you aspects of the laser eye treatment hat you may be concerned about. Remember, before deciding to undergo any kind of treatment, it is best to know everything you can possibly can about the treatment you will be receiving.

For more extensive information regarding LASIK eye surgery visit Vision-Doctor.com, a website that specializes in laser eye surgery information and helpul information on obtaining discount contact lenses at http://www.vision-doctor.com

Using Eye Exercises for Better Vision

Can eyesight really be improved? Well, MRI or magnetic resonance imaging coupled with the latest computer programs that map the human brain have been put to use to do research on the brain and how our eyes see. Though our eyes do ?see? what is around us, the images are sent to the brain and processed there. So sometimes, a glimpse of someone or something familiar, and though the eye does not see all of it, the brain recognizes the person or thing. So it is the brain that is the final decider on what you see.

Recognition of people and things begins soon after birth and is a process of associations. So what we experience and know influences how we see. Sight turns into perception only when we know something about what we are looking at. However, when the sight fails, especially if it is due to a condition like glaucoma, thanks to a decreasing ability to focus on the objects or people around, there is decreased interest as well. But the good news is that if you sharpen your powers of perception, it will help you ?see? better.

Let?s see what kind of exercises will help towards sharpening your perception. Before you begin any of them, however, do a bit of deep breathing. Through your nose, breathe in deeply right to your diaphragm or stomach. Then breathe out slowly through your mouth. Keep it slow and steady. Now begin.

Pick a building in your range of vision and observe it closely. Look carefully at the windows, the brickwork, the doors, the roof. In case you can see the number on the gate, look carefully at that as well. Make sure your eyes keep moving. Now do that to a friend. Look carefully at his face ? every detail of his eyes, nose, ears, mouth. Look like you are memorizing his face so you can draw it from memory later. You can look at a tree and follow the same routine.

Remember to blink often as it?s a great way to lubricate the eyes. Open and close your eyes slowly. With eyes closed, move your head back and forth, opening your eyes slowly for just a moment then shutting them again. Try blinking one eye at a time.

Take a sheet of blank paper and with a black marker, draw a large E. Prop up the paper and first look long and hard at the lower bar, then move your gaze to the upper bar, then the vertical bar and finally the bar at the center. Now shut your eyes and picture the E in your mind. Now move back so the paper is 5 feet away from you. Gaze at it again, then blink. Do this slowly. Now keep moving back and looking at it till you cannot see the E anymore.

You need to stimulate the cells that are mainly responsible for the peripheral vision. To do this, you have to extend your arms and wiggle your fingers. Look at them so you can see the movement. If you can?t, bring them closer till you can see your fingers.

Now close your eyes and see a large circle in your mind?s eye. Imagine that the end of your nose has a pencil attached to it. Now, draw a line around the circle, try and make the circle into an oval by squeezing it and then draw around the oval. Then, try making it into a figure-8 and draw around it. Now, try and write your name if you can. Then, put a piece of paper on your nose and tape it on the bridge. Put both your index fingers in front of your eyes and turn them, one clockwise and the other anticlockwise. Follow the movements with your eyes.

Get yourself an eye chart ? the ones they use to test eyes- and hang it up on a wall. Whatever you might be doing ? reading or just sitting, look at the chart once in a while. Or, look out of the window at distant objects occasionally. When you are reading, stop at intervals and try and remember what the last word you read was. Think of the word, the way it looked ? all black and then think of the white space around it and visualize that as well. Now look at the word once more. Just keep in mind that you should just look at it, not stare. Move your eyes around the word. This way, your eyes don?t get fixated on the page and do not get as tired.

What could also help is if you do a few exercises in order to relieve tension. Here are a few you can do. To relieve facial tension, yawn and massage your jaw. It doesn?t matter if you make a sound while yawning. Then, put your hands behind your ears and feel the muscle that goes from there to your neck and on to your shoulders. This is called the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Massage this twenty times. Now, rotate your shoulders, maybe ten times each one. Then move your head in a circular motion, clockwise, then anticlockwise ten times. This helps in minimizing the tension and in helping the circulation get better. Once the blood flow gets better, the optic nerve performs better too.

To find out more about computer vision syndrome and eye floaters and spots visit http://www.vision-care-guide.com/