Laser Eye Surgery - Weighing Up The Pros And Cons

Poor eye sight is something which afflicts most people at some point in their lives. While for some people this means nothing more than wearing reading glasses as they approach middle age, there are many more people who have been wearing glasses and contact lenses on a regular basis for so long that they can no longer recall what life with perfect vision was like. For these people laser eye treatment ? where the cornea is reshaped by a laser ? may be an interesting proposition.

However, as laser eye surgery is an expensive and permanent procedure it is not a decision to be taken lightly and there are many factors which need to be considered when weighing up the pros and cons before opting for treatment.

There is no doubt that laser eye surgery can change a person?s life in a very positive way. For around 90% of patients, laser eye treatment means that they no longer require use of their glasses or lenses. After wearing glasses for many years, simple things such as waking up in the morning and being able to see the time on the alarm clock without reaching for your glasses first, can bring a lot of pleasure. It should be noted, however that poor night vision and seeing a halo effect around lights are a normal side effect of laser eye surgery which can make driving at night dangerous without using glasses. However, most patients consider this a small price to pay for perfect vision in the daytime.

Other than poor night vision ? which may even be worse than it was prior to surgery ? there are further negative factors which need to be considered when deciding whether to commit to laser eye treatment. Common side effects include dry eyes, although after a six month course of eye drops most people find this condition improves. A minority of patients, if they underwent Lasik, may also develop corneal infections. In some instances this may develop in the small flap which was cut in the cornea to allow the laser to reshape the tissue. Corneal ecstasia can occur if the cornea is weakened, as pressure can build up causing an unnatural bulging. Further surgery will be required to prevent vision loss.

There is also the risk of problems arising during surgery, although the likelihood of these occurring is very small. For instance, in Lasik the corneal flap may become detached. In most instances this can be reattached once laser treatment is complete. In a rare number of cases damage occurs to the flap which prevents this. Vision loss is possible in a failed operation, but thankfully is extremely uncommon.

Another factor in your decision should be your expectations. If you believe laser eye surgery will give you 20/20 vision and you would not be satisfied if glasses were still required after surgery, the procedure may not be for you. Although the result is usually sufficient for the patient to go without their glasses ? except perhaps at night time, as previously mentioned ? the result is not always perfect. Under correction or over correction can occur and it is much harder to achieve ?perfect? sight in patients whose vision is very poor. However, for some patients a substantial improvement in their sight is enough to justify surgery, even if they can?t quite see the bottom line on the optician?s sight chart.

The best way to make your decision is to research laser eye surgery very thoroughly. Consulting your optician or contacting a vision clinic which specialises in this treatment is a good way of obtaining information and finding out if it is a good choice for you.

Leanne has had several articles published o the subject of laser eye surgery, including Lasik

http://www.lasereyesurgery.about-beauty.net

Laser Eye Surgery: The Real Percentages

Laser eye surgery is not laser perfect. Although there are a number of people that will get the best possible results, there are also a few that won?t have the best results. If you considering an eye surgery that will provide you with the tools that you need to stop wearing glasses, or even better to stop have to deal with the problems of contact lenses, you need to know the truth. How often is it possible for patients to get 20/20 vision with the use of laser eye surgery?

The problem with getting a straight answer is that you often have to understand what the options are and what the likely outcomes are. You see, there are a number of factors that play into what your results will likely be. For example, there are a number of different, FDA approved lasers that can be used to treat eye conditions. Each of these has a different success rate. In addition, the extent to which you have an eye condition also matters as well as the eye condition in the first place. Each has a different benefit possibility.

You can visit the FDA website to learn about the specific benefits and results based on a number of these factors if you like. The best way for you to find out what your benefits are likely to be is to talk with your doctor. Doctors can examine your eyes, see what your specific needs and conditions are, and then access your specific possibilities. While you can get some basic information from that website, your doctor will know better about your condition.

Laser eye surgery is something that you can consider, but you should know the benefits you are likely to earn. You?ll find that many individuals will have excellent results. Talk to your doctor to learn what he can offer to you.

Frank Montes has written amazing articles on laser eye surgery. Read these articles and find out everything that you need to know about laser eye surgery, vision correction, contact lenses and a lot more.

You can read more of Frank?s articles about laser eye surgery at http://www.lasereyesurgeryplanet.com

What Is Laser Eye Surgery And How Can It Help You?

Laser eye surgery is the most prevalent corrective eye surgery. Scads of people have undergone laser eye surgery with a high success rate, often resulting in a significant improvement in vision. Laser eye surgery wields superlative technology and provides excellent results more often than not. Peruse this article to have a clear understanding of how this fabulous technology could help you.

The corneal tissue plays a major role in providing you crystal clear vision. Basically, light rays are refracted (bent) by the cornea so that they fall on the retina (a layer of light-sensing cells). In a patient with a refractive error, these light rays don?t exactly converge on the retina, and hence the patient?s view is rather blurry. Depending on how the rays are refracted, a person may suffer from nearsightedness or farsightedness.

Now, laser eye surgery aims to correct this error by carving the corneal tissue with the aid of a high-precision laser, the Excimer. After reshaping the cornea, the light rays fall on the retina and the patient can again experience crystal clear vision.

Laser eye surgery is the preferred choice for correcting several types of vision impairments. Since the surgery has gained popularity, you could easily find an experienced laser eye surgeon in your vicinity.

Laser eye surgery, like any other surgical procedure, does have its complications. However, unlike other surgeries, laser eye surgery has a minimal complication rate ? a mere 5%. Therefore, laser eye surgery is a relatively safe and technologically advanced procedure.

Laser eye surgery does have a few side effects, such as eye irritation, under-correction, over-correction, and other minor complications. These normally wear off within a few weeks, and crystal clear vision is restored. Although rare, a few patients might require enhancement surgeries to accomplish accurate vision. All in all, laser eye surgery presents itself as a safe procedure, and is the choice of many.

After all, who wouldn?t want to throw away those awkward looking spectacles?

Nicola Kennedy publishes articles and reports and provides news, views and information about laser eye surgery at Your Lasik Information http://www.Your-LASIK.info. The LASIK Surgeons Directory http://www.find-lasik-surgeon.com is a useful resource. This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included.

Laser Eye Surgery: What Happens And Why

Laser eye surgery often called lasik eye surgery, is a procedure that allows your eye sight to be corrected. There are actually many different types of this surgery and the equipment often changes from one doctor to the next. What the overall benefit is, though, is simple. By adjusting the shape of your cornea, you can improve your eye sight considerably. Like any other surgery, there are risks involved. But, the benefits are there for most that have laser eye surgery.

The cornea of your eye is the film of tissue that covers your pupil. In a normal eye with no vision problems, it has a very specific shape that is even and rounded. In an individual that has near sightedness or far sightedness, the cornea is misshapen to some degree. By bowing out or changing shape in just a bit or a lot of area, the cornea distorts your vision, which leaves you with problems like not being able to see things that are far away or being unable to see things up close.

With the help of laser eye surgery, though, this can be changed. The doctor will remove part of the cornea from your eye on only three sides, creating a flap. From here, he will use a high powered laser to change the shape of the stroma, which is the tissue that lies under the cornea that?s been removed. By shaving that to the desired level, he improves your vision. When the cornea lays back over the eye, it now lays there correctly, with the right curve which ultimately improves your vision.

The laser eye surgery procedure is one that should be carefully considered because there are some risks. But, if the procedure goes correctly, within some time after healing has been complete, your eyes can actually improve in vision. Some individuals gain excellent eye sight. Others improve. Talk to your doctor about the benefits that can come from your improvements.

Frank Montes has written amazing articles on laser eye surgery. Read these articles and find out everything that you need to know about laser eye surgery, vision correction, contact lenses and a lot more.

You can read more of Frank?s articles about laser eye surgery at http://www.lasereyesurgeryplanet.com

How Much Does Laser Eye Surgery Typically Cost?

The cost of laser eye surgery can vary greatly depending on the type of surgery to be performed, the patient?s prescription, the equipment used, and the doctor or surgical provider in question. There are also notable regional differences in the cost of laser eye surgery, with some parts of the United States charging higher fees than other regions of the country. Nonetheless, there are several trends in the cost of laser eye surgery that appear to be consistent regardless of the type of surgery performed, the individual provider, and the location.

First, all laser eye surgery prices are quoted at a cost per eye. This is due to the fact that some patients do not require surgery in both eyes. Patients who are seeking surgery in both eyes must keep in mind that the price they are quoted will need to be doubled if the surgery is to cover both their left and right eyes.

Another trend shows that laser eye surgery prices have been on the rise for the past several years. Technological advances resulting in innovative new equipment and procedures have increased the success of laser eye surgery and reduced the incidence of side effects resulting from the procedure. However, these advances require surgical providers to purchase expensive new equipment and enroll in costly training courses that increase the provider?s expenses. This cost increase is frequently passed along to the consumer, with the result being an increase in surgery prices. For example, LASIK procedures using IntraLase technology, a method in which the corneal flap is created with a laser instead of a microkeratome, generally increases the cost $250 to $500 per eye. Customized procedures which use wavefront technology to more effectively map the surface of the eye also increase costs.

In fact, studies have shown that the average national cost of laser eye surgery has been rising at a rate of about 15-20% each year for the past 3-4 years. Currently, the average cost for LASIK surgery is $1,800 to $2,000 per eye while LASEK surgery costs $1,700 - $2,000 per eye. A PRK procedure costs $1,200 - $1,800 per eye.

Laser eye surgery becomes more costly as the patient?s prescription worsens. Individuals requiring minor corrections to their sight frequently only require a single brief procedure. Patients with strong prescriptions have a much higher risk of needing multiple procedures in order to get the desired results, as well having a greater risk of complications such as visual disturbances. For this reason, many laser eye surgery providers charge based on the prescription strength.

As briefly mentioned above, there are regional differences in the cost of laser eye surgery in the United States. Although the average cost of the procedures varied little from region to region, the differences between the minimum and maximum fees varied greatly depending on the location in which the surgery was performed.

A study performed by the national publication Review of Ophthalmology showed that the Southern and Northeastern U.S. averaged a slightly higher cost for LASIK and LASEK surgeries, at approximately $1,900 - $2,000 per eye, than procedures performed in the Midwest or West, at approximately $1,800 to $1,900 per eye. Yet the Northeast, Midwest, and West regions have large price ranges. The minimum price per eye in the Northeast was $1,250 while the maximum cost was twice the cost at $2,500. Prices in the Midwest ranged from a low of $1,300 per eye to $2,400 per eye. Most shocking though were laser eye surgeries in the West: the lowest cost provider charged just $900 per eye, while the most expensive provider charged a whopping $2,750 per eye ? a difference of $1,850 per eye. There were little price variations in the Southern United States.

Individuals interested in pursuing laser eye surgery should pay close attention to what costs are included in their provider?s quote. There is little standardization in the industry in regards to how procedures are priced, so patients may find that a lower cost provider advertises a nominal rate only to hit them up for extra fees later on. In the end, the final cost often works out to be the same, if not more expensive, than other all-inclusive providers.

When interviewing a provider, patients should inquire about the following charges:

- Pre-operative testing
- Initial exam charges
- Supply fees (surgical gowns, masks, gloves, temporary contact lenses, etc.)
- Doctor?s fees
- Equipment rental fees (for doctors who rent or lease their equipment)
- Medication costs
- Follow-up visit costs
- Charges for any necessary follow-up procedures or enhancements

Finally, keep in mind that many providers offer financing programs for individuals undergoing laser eye surgery. This may be a solution for some individuals, so patients should be sure to inquire about available options if paying for the procedure in a lump sum will cause financial hardship.

Gray Rollins is a featured writer for MyEyeSurgery.com. To learn more about the cost of lasik and laser eye surgery prices, visit us.

The Different Types Of Laser Eye Surgery

When most people think of laser eye surgery, they automatically think of LASIK. While it is true that LASIK is a type of laser eye surgery, there are a number of other laser procedures that can produce equally successful results for individuals suffering from myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. In fact, there are actually four different types of laser eye surgery: PRK, LASIK, Customized LASIK, and LASEK.

PRK, or photorefractive keratectomy, makes use of a specialized cool laser beam, called an excimer laser, to remove excess corneal tissue. The removal of this tissue corrects the shape of the eye so that light entering the eye can be properly focused on the retina. The outer surface layer called the epithelium, is removed to expose the underlying corneal tissue. Once this tissue is revealed, the excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea. The main distinction between PRK and LASIK is that PRK does not make use of a corneal flap. Instead, the epithelium is allowed to gradually heal through the body?s natural healing process. To protect the exposed cornea, surgeons fit patients with a lightweight contact lens to serve as a bandage for the eye. The contact lens also reduces discomfort. The lens is usually only worn for a few days, two to three days post-operative, at which time the eye is allowed to heal as normal with no bandage.

LASIK is the most widely known and performed type of laser eye surgery in the United States. LASIK stands for Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis, which literally means to "reshape the cornea from within using a laser.? LASIK differs from PRK in that a small flap is made in the stroma of the eye. This flap, made by either a microkeratome or IntraLase, is then peeled back to expose the underlying corneal tissue. An excimer laser is then used to reshape the cornea to correct any refractive errors. Once the cornea has been reshaped, the cornea flap is put back into place and smoothed out. The flap acts as a natural bandage to help the eye heal and protect the delicate cornea. The benefit of LASIK is that the use of the flap helps the cornea heals more quickly than it would using the PRK technique, and reduces much of the discomfort felt during the healing process.

Many ophthalmologic surgeons are now offered the next evolution in LASIK surgery, which they called Customized LASIK. The general procedure used to correct refractive errors is the same as is used for traditional LASIK procedures, with the addition of wavefront devices used to map the unique surface of the patient?s eye. The wavefront device passes a narrow ray of light through the systems and into the eye, measuring any optical distortions that result as the light exits back out the eye. Any irregularities identified are then fed back into the system so that the laser can automatically correct for aberrations on the surface of the eye. Proponents of Customized LASIK claim that the use of wavefront technology enables surgeons to treat higher order aberrations that can contribute to low-light visual disturbances such as halos and glare not corrected by traditional LASIK, eyeglasses, or contact lenses. Customized LASIK can provide patients who suffer from higher order aberrations with an increase in visual clarity.

The final type of laser eye surgery is LASEK, or Laser Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratectomy. LASEK is especially helpful for patients who have a thin or flat cornea, making them questionable candidates for LASIK and Customized LASIK procedures. During LASEK, a small trephine blade is used to cut into the outer skin of the eye, called the epithelium. Once the cut has been made, the eye is bathed in a mild alcohol solution to allow the edges of the epithelium to soften. This permits the surgeon to gently tease the epithelium flap out of the way to expose the underlying tissue. An excimer layer reshapes the eye under the flap to correct any refractive errors, after which the flap is replaced over the treated cornea. As with LASIK, the replacement of the flap in LASEK speeds up the natural healing process and serves to minimize discomfort resulting from the procedure.

Although the end result of PRK, LASIK, Customized LASIK, and LASEK is the same ? the reduction of refractive errors ? the method by which these corrections are made differ. Each procedure has its advantages and disadvantages and is best suited for certain types of patients. Individuals who are considering laser eye surgery to correct their vision and reduce dependency on corrective lenses are urged to contact their ophthalmologist to inquire about available options and learn if they are a strong candidate for one of more of these procedures.

Gray Rollins is a featured writer for MyEyeSurgery.com. To learn more about Laser Eye Surgery and Lasik Eye Surgery, visit our site.

Photorefractive Keratectomy Laser Eye Surgery

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is a laser eye surgery procedure that is carried out with the key intent to correct a patient?s vision. PRK permanently changes the shape of the frontal corneal tissue using an excimer laser, which is a high-precision ultraviolet chemical laser. The outer layer of the cornea (epithelium) is removed, and then a small amount of the corneal tissue is burnt off using the laser. Such an ablation renders the desired shape to the cornea and allows for optimal refraction.

PRK is a technologically advanced surgical procedure. For instance, a computer system tracks the eye position around 4,000 times per second, redirecting laser pulses for precise ablation. As mentioned above, the epithelium is removed prior to ablation. This does not hamper the patient?s vision, since the epithelium is a soft and regenerating layer, which is capable of completely replacing itself within a matter of days. However, the deeper layers, once burnt off, will remain that way because they possess limited regenerative capability. This theory is the cornerstone of the Photorefractive keratectomy surgical procedure.

PRK differs from LASIK in a way that the epithelium is removed in PRK and allowed to regenerate. On the other hand, LASIK does not involve epithelium removal. Instead it consists of cutting a flap in the cornea in order to make the desired incisions. Compared to LASIK, a patient who has undergone PRK experiences more pain and recovery is slow. However, both procedures are similar in the respect that they make use of a laser.

Photorefractive keratectomy is a viable procedure, but it does have possible complications. Apart from slow recovery and pain, the patient may experience glares and halos. As in any refractive surgery, there is a possibility of over- or under-correction. Eye surgeons typically perform PRK on one eye at a time, in order to gauge the results of the procedure and ensure its efficacy.

In a majority of cases, PRK has proven to be a safe and efficacious procedure to correct myopia. However, since the procedure is irreversible, it is recommended that the patient consults an eye doctor instead of jumping on a conclusion.

You will find the Directory of LASIK Surgeons http://www.find-lasik-surgeon.com useful. Nicola Kennedy provides news, views and information about alternatives to LASIK eye surgery at Your Lasik Information. Copyright http://www.Your-LASIK.info This article may be reprinted so long as the resource box and live links remain intact.

Critical Factors You Need To Consider Before Getting Laser Eye Surgery

The eyes are one of the most important and most used sensory organs we have. Thus it is absolutely vital you see things clearly. However, the eyes often suffer abuse, genetic defects, and diseases leading to poor eyesight. Most people use contact lenses and eye glasses as their normal way of lessening this burden. And recently, the latest eye ailment treatment has appeared. It is popularly known as laser eye surgery, a modern procedure to restore normal eyesight.

Some people might be old-fashioned and don?t want to try corrective eye surgery. They consider this actually unnecessary. It is because using eyeglasses and undergoing laser eye treatment provides similar results. Moreover, any adverse consequences are not yet fully understood from this procedure.

Undergoing laser eye treatment has great risks which include tissue scarring, infections and others. It is like gambling your sight without any assurance that it will be successful. So, people should also weigh the advantages and disadvantages together.

Laser eye surgery and laser vision correction seems and sounds very attractive compared to using the good-old-fashioned-corrective lenses. It?s a more exciting experience to undergo this surgery than having to wear eye-glasses. Just ask yourself if it is worth taking the risks with Lasik vision correction. People who are wearing eyeglasses usually don't have any troubles and inconveniences except that they are teased as looking nerdy. But it's not dangerous compared to a surgery which can damage your eyes permanently if something should go wrong.

Another thing to remember is that laser eye surgery can be very difficult for you. It can cause you financial problems. There are attractive advertisements offering affordable laser eye surgery but they cannot guarantee your eye safety. It can be a tactic to attract patients but in the long run, you must qualify their standards used to obtain the lower prices offered. It is key to ask questions and understand about their requirements based on the offered prices, consultation fees, type of surgery and maintenance costs after the surgery.

In addition, the cost of Lasik surgery and laser eye surgery depends on the procedures taken, as well as the surgery and testing equipment used. The latest technologies for tracking eye thickness of your cornea also have different prices. Your options to cut down expenses on eye laser surgery include financing options, tax deductions, medical insurance and flexible payment plans.

Laser eye surgery and Lasik eye correction is similar to purchasing a car. The very low price may attract you but later on you will discover that other costs are involved like insurance, dealer delivery, stamp duty, and others. Keep this in mind so that you will not be burdened and stressed out when medical bills are presented to you after the surgery.

Another thing is the complexity of finding good Lasik eye surgeons. But finding appropriate eye glasses for you is very easy. You should obtain the right information to find a reputable Lasik eye doctor. The consultation should take enough time to assess the integrity of the surgeon and his/her staff.

Not everybody is qualified for a Lasik operation eye surgery. You need to pass the requirements and understand everything upon the consultation process.

Remember, the decision is all yours. If you are able to finance a laser eye surgery, why not try it but if not, it is not bad to stay with the more traditional eye-glasses.

You can easily discover the best Lasik doctor resources in your area, just visit JustLasikVision.com where you will find the best information about eye surgery facts, laser vision correction, top Lasik Boston doctors, custom Lasik and Lasik vision correction help.

Beverly Hills Laser Eye Surgery: Before Surgery

In Beverly Hills, laser eye surgery is something that is different from one patient to the next and from one doctor to the next. There are different types of equipment, different skills and of course each patient has their own set of needs. Nevertheless, there are some things that you can count on experiencing before you can have your laser eye surgery. You should go through a screening with your doctor to determine what will actually happen and your timeline, but here are some guidelines that you can take into consideration.

First, you will have a pre surgery consultation. This is the time the doctor will look at your eyes and test them in a number of ways. He or she will take a medical history from you, give you all of the information that you need and help you to answer any of your questions. This is also the time to discuss money and any concerns you have.

Before you can have laser eye surgery, you will need to have a number of tests that will determine what is happening in your eye and the procedure that will need to be followed. Your doctor will need you to not wear contact lenses or glasses for some time beforehand. In addition, he or she may give you a medication to take prior to surgery to help with fighting off possible infection later.

One of the best things about it in Beverly Hills laser eye surgery is that you can count on having some of the best care possible. Many of the eye surgeons in this area are skilled, experienced and capable of providing you with the help you need. When you meet with them, they will give you specific directions to follow that can help you to keep yourself on track for success.

Frank Montes has written amazing articles on laser eye surgery. Read these articles and find out everything that you need to know about laser eye surgery, vision correction, contact lenses and a lot more.

You can read more of Frank's articles about laser eye surgery at http://www.lasereyesurgeryplanet.com

Los Angeles Laser Eye Surgery: What Happens During Surgery?

Throughout Los Angeles, laser eye surgery has become a procedure that is quite sought after. There are countless companies offering these services and it seems like a very simple procedure. As you will learn, it is a straightforward procedure but there are some aspects that are quite worrisome to those that are unaware of what is happening. With a good Los Angeles laser eye surgery professional, though, the process will be quite and without flaw.

You should know what will happen during the surgery. Here?s a quick look at what happens.

? Your doctor will position you in a reclining chair with a ring over your eye. This ring will hold back your eye lid so that the doctor can clearly enter the eye. He will clean the eye and surrounding area and will administer a drop of medication into it to numb the eye.

? Then, he will use a high pressured tool that will create suction on the cornea. He?ll use a cutting instrument to remove the correct layer of cornea from your eye in a flap fashion so that it does not become completely removable.

? The eye surgeon will then use a light that your eyes will stare into. The laser will be a different light that will work over the course of the eye to remove the correct tissue. Most don?t feel anything at this point.

? The cornea is then put into place. No stitches are used but an eye shield will be put in place to hold the eye in place to allow time to heal.

The whole procedure will likely last about 30 minutes. Throughout Los Angeles, laser eye surgery procedures do differ somewhat, but you can count on finding results in most of these instances. Your doctor should walk you through the procedure thoroughly beforehand.

For more observations about laser eye surgery from Frank, click the link.