Health Care and Medical Blogs » Lasik

Lasik – Get your 20/20 vision back with Lasik Surgery

admin — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 09:32:49 +0000

Refractive errors are optical imperfections that prevent the eye from properly focusing light, causing blurred vision. The primary refractive errors are nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Refractive errors can usually be corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses, or they can be permanently treated with Lasik and other refractive surgery. Eyeglass lenses and contact lenses are fabricated with precise curves to refract light to the degree necessary to compensate for refractive errors and bring light to a focus on the retina. Vision correction surgeries such as Lasik aim to correct refractive errors by changing the shape of the cornea, so that light rays are bent into a more accurate point of focus.

Lasik surgery uses an instrument called a microkeratome to cut a flap in the surface of the cornea, which is then folded back rather than removed, and a laser (excimer laser) is used to change the shape of the cornea. When the laser work is finished, the flap is folded back down to its original position and kept in place by natural suction. Lasik is an outpatient procedure and is perfectly safe. The actual Lasik surgery usually takes less than five minutes. The Lasik Surgeon uses a computer to adjust the laser for the patient’s particular prescription. The patient is asked to look at a target light for a short time while the laser sends pulses of light to painlessly reshape the retina.

The key difference between Lasik and contacts or glasses is that Lasik improves vision so that the user doesn’t have to worry about prescription lenses most of the time. At the very least, Lasik can correct vision so that visual disturbances are minimal. That means for all the bulky eyeglass wearers out there, there is hope that they can correct their vision well enough to finally buy the feather weight glasses they always wanted.

If considering Lasik Eye Surgery, ones’ first step should be to choose a good Lasik Surgeon who can evaluate if Lasik is right for the person or not. Lasik Surgeon Los Angeles examines a patients’ eyes to determine his/her health, the kind of vision correction needed, and how much laser ablation (corneal tissue removal) is required. Doctors at Lasik Los Angeles also ask about any health conditions that may disqualify one altogether from Lasik surgery.

LASIK – What to expect from a Lasik procedure

admin — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 07:31:55 +0000

LASIK stands for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. It is a computer controlled laser to change the shape of the eye’s cornea. Lasik can be used to correct or improve short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism, thereby reducing a person’s dependence on glasses or contact lenses. The procedure is generally safe, effective and has very few side effects. The lifestyle benefits of Lasik can be tremendous for active and social people. These benefits can enable people to move more freely and pursue their hobbies, sports activities or career options.

Lasik Los Angeles offers advanced technology and the most experienced Lasik surgeons in
Los Angeles. It has helped many eye care patients get the right vision correction to suit their personal needs. At Lasik Los Angeles, each patient is treated based on his/her unique set of vision requirements. By scheduling a consultation, the process of determining ones’ vision correction candidacy is begun.

During Lasik surgery, the surgeon creates a thin corneal flap using a device called a microkeratome. The corneal flap is lifted up, and the laser beam is applied to the exposed inner surface of the cornea to reshape the tissue. The laser can ablate corneal tissue precisely, without causing shrinkage or scarring of the surrounding tissue. This makes it possible to change the refractory strength of the cornea specifically and to adopt it to the length of the eye and the required optical length of the eye. The amount of reshaping depends upon the degree of deformation which is etched into the computer. In less than 60 seconds, high energy pulses from the laser reshape the inner cornea with an accuracy of up to 0.25 microns, or 1/4000 of a millimeter. The flap is then replaced over the treated area. This corneal flap serves as a natural bandage which eliminates the discomfort associated with other types of refractive surgery, and expedites the healing process. The entire process usually takes just 20 minutes to complete. After just a few hours sufficient visual acuity is achieved so that one no longer requires glasses or contact lenses. Vision stabilizes within four to eight weeks.

Lasik Surgeon specializes in Laser Eye Surgery, or Lasik. His mission is to provide the finest quality Laser Vision Correction, utilizing the latest technology that promotes excellent, safe and long-term results. Lasik surgeon is very much aware that patients value their vision highly, and always keeps their safety and outcomes in mind. Lasik surgeon and his staff pride themselves for their reputation of providing outstanding laser vision correction results and experience, and of their personalized and comprehensive approach to patient care.

For more information visit:

http://www.castervision.com/

Caster
Eye Center

9100 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 265E

Beverly Hills, CA
90212

Lasik Surgery – Is Spending the Money Worth It?

admin — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 04:57:41 +0000

There are several things that can be wrong with someone’s eyes. Most of those things are considered permanent, but are in fact reversible through a process called Lasik Surgery. This medical procedure is a very basic procedure that is relatively new in the medical field. It has been around for several years, but has not achieved widespread use until recently. There are a couple reasons for this, but the most important one is price. Lasik is a revolutionary procedure, but it also has an out of this world price tag to match. Sometimes it can be difficult to tell if it is worth paying for.

What you spend on your Lasik will be mostly paying for your doctor’s time and training on the laser that is used for the process. The rest of it will be for the actual use of the laser. Unlike other medical technologies that are being mass produced for common use in hospitals all over the world, Lasik is limited to only eye doctors. Not only to a few doctors have one, but few are trained in knowing how to perform an operation with the laser. More and more are learning and being produced, but not fast enough to make Lasik any cheaper for the time being.

Doctors love to work on patients that are well prepared to pay the money to keep their bodies in perfect shape. However doctors also know that many people are not financially prepared to undertake such a cost. One suggestion is to find a Lasik Surgeon in a big city that is used to working with people that cannot always afford the procedure. You have a choice of any doctor you would like to see, and do not have to default to your general eye doctor. Lasik surgery is a big choice and determining how much of a difference it will make will decide whether it is worth the cost.

You can get Lasik Los Angeles with one of those doctors that will work with you on the price. Go ahead and find one and see how much it will cost. Consider what needs to be corrected with your eyes before you make your final decision. Eye glasses do not bother you too much or you are happy with your contact lenses, then deciding to go with Lasik is not always the best idea. If you can live with your sight problem, then you can wait until the surgery costs much less. You can be happy without the addition of perfect sight to your life.

Laser Vision Correction Los Angeles – Say Goodbye to Your Glasses or Contact Lenses

admin — Wed, 18 May 2011 10:42:52 +0000

Seeing clearly is non-negotiable if you want to function normally in the world today. If you have bad vision, you can correct it with contact lenses or glasses. But glasses make it difficult to play sports, and contact lenses can irritate your eyes, especially during allergy season. The glare from the sun off your glasses can also make it difficult to see if the exit for Santa Monica Boulevard is this one or the next one. And constantly having to keep track of your glasses or take care of your contacts can be a real hassle. But you can have 20/20 vision again by getting laser vision correction Los Angeles. By having a simple laser eye surgery, you can say goodbye to glasses or contact lenses forever and still have perfect vision.

There are many ophthalmologists who know how to perform Los Angeles Lasik. As the surgery continues to grow in popularity, more and more laser surgeons are popping up all over Los Angeles, from the 105 Freeway to the 101 Freeway and everywhere in between. This delicate laser surgery is actually quite simple to perform, but it does require precision, as does any surgery involving the eye. You want to be sure that your surgeon has what it takes to make your surgery a success.

If you’re thinking about getting Lasik, you’re not alone. Thousands of people have had the procedure done, from professional athletes to actors and actresses to regular people like you and me. No matter what you do for a living or how active you are, being able to see clearly without the aid of corrective lenses is always going to be more comfortable than fumbling about with glasses or contact lenses. Once you have the procedure done, you’ll wonder how you put up with your corrective lenses for so long!

You shouldn’t just settle for the cheapest laser surgeon out there. You only have one pair of eyes to last you your entire life, so you want to make sure that you put them in good hands when you go in to have your vision corrected. You want to find a Los Angeles Lasik surgeon that not only has experience in performing this surgery, but also one who has a reputation for quality and excellence. When it comes to your eyes, you shouldn’t settle for anything less than the best. Fortunately, you can find the best laser surgeons in the world in Los Angeles.

Safe Lasik Eye Surgery

admin — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 04:58:09 +0000

When undergoing surgery for any reason people always want to know the track record of the procedure and how safe the procedure really is. The experience of the surgeon will ultimately determine how safe ones procedure is, so one does not want to let any detail of the surgeon or the surgery itself escape when in search for Lasik. Lasik eye surgery is known to have the best track record of all laser eye surgery. The procedure is safe as it is mostly computerized and takes very little time to complete. In order for the procedure to be as safe as possible ones surgeon should be highly experienced, and one should be a candidate. One should verify the Los Angeles eye surgeons credentials and asks how many patients he/she has performed this procedure on.

A successful and experienced surgeon will have performed this procedure hundreds of times with great success. One should be able to verify where he/she went to school and how many years he/she has been in practice. This should determine weather or not he/she is well experienced enough to performs one surgery successfully. One should also, always ask for referrals from ones eye doctor, friends and family when looking for Los Angeles Lasik Surgeon. Next, is to find out what qualities one should posses to be a candidate for Lasik eye surgery.

In order to be a candidate for Lasik eye surgery one should be nearsighted or farsighted. Only some patients with a small hint of astigmatism may qualify for Lasik because of complications that may occur if one has severe astigmatism. One should not be a dry eye sufferer, if so this may also disqualify one from Lasik, because of fear of worsening the problem. Candidates for Lasik eye surgery should also be in good overall health. Some illness such as diabetes may disqualify a patient from Lasik surgery because their corneas are too thin which puts them too high at risks of complication.

Although some individuals do not qualify for Lasik eye surgery it is possible that they may benefit from other laser vision correction Los Angeles procedures. Other procedures may be less risky and provide the same results. Ones hopes for not depending on corrective eye wear should not be crushed because one can not have Lasik. There are several other different procedures which ultimately provide the same outcome with fewer risks to the patient’s ability to see. Complications of Lasik are rare but if one is not a candidate for the surgery the risks of complication is much higher and the odds are not favorable.

Lasik Before and After

admin — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 07:10:49 +0000

Lasik is eye surgery used to decrease an individual’s dependency on glasses. More people undergo the procedure every year as many patients and doctors both tell of it being the safest Laser Vision Correction Beverly Hills procedure. The procedure is very short lasting only about 15 minutes and is essentially painless with slight discomfort. Complications from Lasik are very rare, but this is only if the patient is a candidate for Lasik surgery. Before undergoing the Lasik procedure ones eye doctor or Los Angeles eye surgeon will do a full eye examine to determine this. Patients should be sure to mention all history of illness and current illnesses as well.

In order to heal fast and properly from surgery it is important to follow all of the Lasik eye surgeon’s orders before and after the procedure. In order to have a comfortable procedure one should start by getting a full nights rest. Eating a meal before surgery may be a good idea as it may help to calm the nerves, and most people are easily irritated when they are hungry so this will also help to put one in a better mood. Make sure to arrange for someone to drive one to and from the surgeons office. It is likely that one will be extra sensitive to light or have blurry vision which is only temporary, so one should not operate a vehicle until said so by the surgeon.

After the procedure one should not rub their eyes. Rubbing the eyes is always bad, but can do much more damage after surgery. Do not shut tightly the eyes after surgery either, this can damage the surgery as well. Leading Los Angeles Lasik surgeons recommend that one get much sleep after the procedure in order to rest the eyes, and one should be able to see better or feel more comfortable after resting. Some patients experience immediate improvement in their sight after surgery, but it is important to remember that one’s sight will still be adjusting for many months to come. The true results of Lasik surgery will not be completely visible to one and their surgeon till about 6 months after surgery, which is when the eyes should be done settling and changing. Some patients can experience a perfect 20/20 after Lasik; however, the goal of Lasik is not to give one perfect sight but better sight and decrease their dependency on glasses.

Lasik and Lasik side effects

admin — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 09:59:05 +0000

With the amount of vision correction surgeries out there it can be overwhelming to choose which one may be best. For some patients it’s not about which surgery is best but which will restore their vision enough to reduce or eliminate their dependency on glasses. One should do research to be well informed on all of the possible vision correction surgeries available to them. One should always be sure that he or she is the ideal candidate for such surgery and know all of the possible risks and side effects. Lasik is said to be the most popular and the most safe vision correction procedure.

In order to undergo Lasik like all other Laser vision correction Beverly Hills procedures one must be an ideal candidate. One must be in over all good health with no serious or potentially fatal illnesses. In most cases individuals with diabetes are not candidate for Lasik surgery. This is due to their cornea being too thin which puts the individuals at higher risks for side effects.

When undergoing Los Angeles Lasik eye surgery the risks inherited are few and generally temporary however can be damaging if left untreated. As with any surgery the risks of infection is present when undergoing Lasik. If an eye infection is left untreated it can result in scaring of the cornea or significant and permanent loss of vision. Infection after Lasik eye surgery is very rare because the surgery is done so fast however antibiotic eye drops will be prescribed if it does occur and proper healing should take place rapidly.

The most common Lasik complications are small folds in the corneal flap; however, the Los Angeles Lasik surgeon can easily detect and remove this. Within the first few hours after surgery it is possible for wrinkles to form in the corneal flap because of shutting the eyes closed to tightly, but the surgeon will go in and re-lay the corneal flap. Although this is the most common complication of Lasik it occurs in less than one percent of patients and is generally noticed and corrected right away.

The key to a successful surgery is proper healing. One should be careful to follow all of the Lasik surgeon’s orders in order to heal correctly from the surgery and experience no side effects. Side effects that are generally temporary include blurred vision and ghost vision.

Lasik Eye Surgery: Know before you go

admin — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 10:22:23 +0000

Before undergoing any surgery one should always be sure and know exactly what their reasons are. There are reasons that are not good reasons to go under the knife. Although many people do not see Lasik eye surgery as a crucial procedure which one should do their homework, it is one very crucial procedure. Having bad vision is no joke one must wear corrective eyewear no matter where they may go and if one forgets their glasses or is in a hurry and can’t find their contacts they will definitely be uncomfortable all day long. Aside from being uncomfortable and struggling to see all day it is more than likely one will end up with a migraine.

Those who battle everyday with bad eyesight have the greatest reason to undergo surgery. There is several different Los Angeles vision Correction procedures one can choose from. The most common laser vision correction procedure as one may know is Lasik. Lasik eye surgery grows in popularity every year because of its track record. It is known to be the safest and fastest vision correction procedure out there. Although this information is true if one does not research their surgeon or if they truly are candidate for the procedure the outcome may not be a good one.

To be a candidate of Lasik one can have nearsightedness or farsightedness and a mild form of astigmatism. One must always share with their Lasik surgery there medical history. Patients with serious health problems and diabetes are not candidate for Laser vision Correction Los Angeles. There are examinations done to be certain but patients with these problems generally have a very thin cornea. This health problems puts them at high risks of having Lasik side effects. Side effects including; blurry vision, ghost vision, blindness and several other problems, one should speak to their Lasik surgeon about.

Finding the best Los Angeles Lasik surgeon is also crucial to the surgery. Patients who do experience bad side effects generally only experience them temporarily, and those who unfortunate have the side effects long term had their Lasik done by an inexperienced surgeon. Make sure to verify the surgeons credentials, experience, and where he studied. If possible find some past patients online you will be surprised what you hear. Picking the best surgeon also must mean that one feels comfortable and trust the surgeon for a job well done. Remember that one must follow their orders before and after surgery, and will be seeing this surgeon a lot so it is important.

Lasik : Common Lasik Questions

admin — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 07:33:29 +0000

Lasik eye surgery is the most commonly performed laser eye surgery in America. Every year the number of people who desire Lasik eye surgery and the number of people who undergo the procedure increases in large numbers. Many people are aware of the procedure is out there and know what the goal of it but are not sure how the Lasik procedure is performed and have several questions which are common for prospective Lasik candidates.

The Lasik procedure beings with the creation of a hinged corneal flap. After the Los Angeles Lasik surgeon has set drops of anesthesia in the eye, he creates the flap on the outer surface of the eye to expose the underlying cornea. The cornea is then reshaped using an excimer laser and the flap is replaced. After the surgery some patients experience immediate improved vision, but the vision can take up to six months to stabilize.

Here are some of the common questions asked about Lasik eye surgery:

Is Lasik safe?
Lasik and all other laser vision correction Los Angeles procedures are safe provided that one is a good candidate for the surgery. Lasik eye surgery holds a success rate of about 95% for most experienced Lasik eye surgeons. One must always do their own research apart from what the surgeons says to identify if he or she is a good candidate. Remember that if one undergoes such procedure and is not a good candidate the risk of having bad side effects run high.

What are the risks associated with Lasik?
One’s Lasik surgeon Los Angeles should discuss the risk of Lasik eye surgery with the patient prior to the procedure andmay even give them a sheet with a list of side effects. The risks include:

Starburst

Difficulty with glare and night vision

Foreign body sensation

Ghost vision

Blurry vision

Most of these side effects are temporary and do past within a few days and sometimes weeks after surgery. Approximately one to two patients have permanent side effects.

Is Lasik eye surgery painful?
Because there is a very small amount of tissue involved in the procedure it is usually painless for most patients although some patients do complain of some discomfort. Other patients say it feels as if pressure is being applied to the eye; however it is not painful.

What Results should I expect from Lasik?
Although many surgeons say they can ensure 20/20 they cannot. Statistics show that every patient does not have applied 20/20. One should expect better vision and in most cases reduced or no dependencies on corrective eye wear.

Lasik Eye surgery Candidates

admin — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 07:27:47 +0000

The most commonly performed laser vision correction surgery is Lasik. Lasik surgery is known to be very safe and highly effective for several refractive problems. During Lasik eye surgery the surgeon will reshape the cornea in a fast and painless procedure. The procedure generally takes no longer than fifteen minutes and is done with machinery. Some patients say claim they feel a bit uncomfortable because of the drops and tool to keep the eyes open, but no pain at all. The Lasik procedure reduces the patient’s dependency on corrective eye wear often leaving the patient with 20/20 or 20/40 vision. Although the Lasik procedure has great success rates it is conducted on a very delicate part of the eye where several things can go wrong especially if one is not a candidate.

A patient should always understand the importance of a thorough screening and maintain realistic expectations about their procedure. There are people who do not fit the required medical criteria to ensure that Lasik or another laser vision correction Los Angeles procedure can be performed with success. In some cases patients who are deemed as not being good candidates for Lasik due to the current technology may be able to have the surgery in the future, as technology makes significant advances and techniques are further perfected. Anyone interested in undergoing Lasik eye surgery must go through an examination where a Los Angeles eye surgeon will determine if he or she is a candidate for surgery; each candidate will fall into one of three categories. These categories are:

The ideal Lasik Candidate:

Eighteen years of age and has had a stable prescription for glasses or contacts for two or more years.

Must have sufficient corneal thickness. Lasik patients must have a cornea that is thick enough to allow the surgeon to safely create a clean corneal flap of appropriate depth.

Are affected by one of the most common refractive errors, nearsightedness, farsightedness, astig-matism or a combination of three. Many lasers are no approved by the U.S. food and drug administration as safe and effective for Lasik, but the scope of each laser’s approved indication and treatment range is limited to specified degrees or refractive error.

Does not suffer from any disease vision or non-vision related because it still may affect the effectiveness of the surgery or prevent the eyes from healing properly.

Are properly informed about the risks and reward of the surgery had realistic expectations and understanding.

The less than ideal Candidate:

History of dry eyes – The chances that the condition may worsen after surgery is too high.

Have scarring of the cornea

Under the age of eighteen

Being treated with medications such as steroids or other medications which may prevent the healing process from properly taking place.

Are pregnant or nursing

Have a refractive error to severe which make the cornea to thin and too risky to operate.

History of herpes

The Non- Lasik Candidate: There are conditions that may eliminate an individual from undergoing Lasik with the current technology to protect their eye sight from being further damaged.

Disease such as cataracts, advanced glaucoma, corneal diseases, corneal thinning disorders, and other types of disease that threaten the vision

Do not signed consent allowing the surgeon to perform Lasik. Patients must understand the risk and procedure in detail. Signed consent is required to perform the surgery and verify that the patient clearly understood.

Unrealistic expectations. Often times when patients have unrealistic expectations they are very disappointed although the Lasik doctor Los Angeles may have done an impeccable job.