Health Care and Medical Blogs » Laser Eye Surgery

Lasik Surgery and Eye Surgery in Los Angeles

admin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 04:27:23 +0000

There are two fundamentally different types of laser eye surgery: Prk and Lasik. Under these two categories, there are several different modifications of each for example, Lasek with an “E” is just a resent type of Prk. All techniques are performed with the patient being awake and with the use of drops to numb the eyes.

All the types of laser eye surgery that fall under the category of Prk, all involve a surface technique designed to remove the cornea’s outermost layer called the epithelium. Rather than creating a flap via a cutting technique as used in Lasik procedures.

Lasik or laser assisted in situ keratomileusis uses a metal blade to cut the cornea flap and a laser to reshape the eye. After the procedure many residents of Los Angeles Lasik was able to restore their vision to near perfect 20/20. Lasik is painless for most patients, and unlike Prk techniques the vision is immediately corrected although there may be some blurriness present for the first 24 hours. But after that the vision will improve over the following few weeks.

Removing the epithelium is the first step of laser eye surgery the next step is reshaping the cornea by the use of the laser. The model of laser varies as do guidance or mapping systems associated with each model. Talk to your local Lasik doctor Los Angeles residents can gain near 20/20 vision. The more precise the mapping and reshaping system is the better the results will be. Most reputable centers for eye laser surgery will tell you that 20/20 vision from laser-corrected surgery may not be like normal 20/20 vision.

There my be some haze or other side effects that can result from laser eye surgery, though techniques and technology are always working towards eliminating these problems.

Laser Eye Surgery in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills

admin — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 04:25:19 +0000

Lasik procedures have been perfected in recent years since the technique was introduced. If you’re considering the procedure for your eye correction you should first find out if you are a good candidate and if your health provider may be able to cover some of the cost.

Laser eye surgery has been correcting bad eye sight for many generations. There are many procedures that involve the correction of the eyes, however the Lasik procedure is the most popular by far.

Los Angeles eye surgeons can perform the Lasik procedure in state of the art medical facilities specially designed to perform the procedure. Not all medical facilities are equipped with the necessary technology to perform the procedure, therefore the medical facility that can actually perform the procedure has to include the cost of equipment with the cost of the procedure.

For the resident of Beverly Hills Lasik procedures have been helping them see better. In order to have the procedure performed you must first be qualified for the surgery. Once you have researched which eye doctor will be performing the procedure you must then have an in office consultation to have a tests, to communicate with the surgeon about your medical background and to consider your payment options.

After your operation the surgeon will place a dressing over your eye, it may be required for you to have a short stay in an outpatient recovery area. You will need to use eye drops as prescribed by your surgeon and they may be used several times daily during the following weeks. You will also need to wear a protective eye shield and sun glasses to shade your eyes from bright light.

Depending on your medical history your recovery time will differ, but with the use of modern technology and techniques, recovery times have been shortening dramatically.

Refractive Surgery Eliminates Glasses for Many Astigmatic Patients

admin — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:20:22 +0000

Thanks to continued advances in laser eye surgery, refractive surgery tools and techniques, glasses and contact lenses are fast becoming obsolete for many patients with astigmatism. Patients with undetected astigmatism often experience headaches, fatigue, eyestrain and blurred vision at all distances. Because astigmatism may not be recognized as the cause of these symptoms, this condition may go undiagnosed and continue to affect sufferers. Astigmatism can also be present in children, affecting their ability to see well in school and while playing sports.

Characterized by an irregular curvature of the cornea, astigmatism can be detected by regular eye examinations and successfully treated using procedures such as laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK), photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK), laser thermokeratoplasy (LTK) and astigmatic keratotomy (AK; Table 1). An ophthalmologist can determine which type of procedure will work best for each patient.

Worldwide, >17 million people have undergone laser refractive surgery, and refractive surgery is one of the most commonly performed operations in the United States and by Beverly Hills LASIK surgeons. The newest laser-assisted procedures are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat up to 6 diopters (D) of astigmatism correction, which includes roughly 98% of all astigmatism patients. Advances in laser technology continue to improve treatment outcomes.

Guttman reported on a recent study by Barraquer, a private practitioner in Colombia, of 364 astigmatic myopic patients treated with a new generation “flying spot” excimer laser. Barraquer reported postoperative best-corrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better in 99% of treated eyes at 3 months. Astigmatic correction was achieved to within ±0.50 D in 92% of eyes.

Remember that for patients in or around Beverly Hills LASIK was used after the detection of astigmatism to treat it in its early and advanced stages. Because children may also have astigmatism, it is important that eye examinations be scheduled at regular intervals to detect any astigmatism early on.

Guttman C. Laser yields safe, predictable correction for astigmatism. Ophthalmology Times, Advanstar Communications, January 1, 2008;36.

Los Angeles Lasik Eye Surgery Success Rates

admin — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 07:55:29 +0000

Los Angeles Lasik Eye Surgery Success Rates

Over the years, laser eye correction surgery has become one of the most popular options to correct vision. Patients who have been wearing glasses and/or contacts for years have been turning to laser eye correction for unassisted vision and an improved quality of life. Some say that they hope this will totally change their lives, and many say that it has. Laser eye surgery itself is fairly straightforward; a laser is used to reshape the cornea, often reducing or eliminating the need for glasses and contacts. According to a ABC 30 News report, a Consumer Reports health survey shows about 80 percent of 800 Americans who’ve had laser eye surgery since 2001 that said they were “highly satisfied” with their results.

Los Angeles Lasik surgeons Advise Patients To Do Their Homework

For patients considering laser eye surgery Los Angeles experts say one of the best ways to protect yourself is by doing your research because every surgery carries risks. They tell us to look for an experienced board-certified ophthalmologist who has done numerous procedures, and to also go in with realistic expectations. Los Angeles Lasik surgeons also remind them that many people will need reading glasses when they reach their 40s.

Laser eye surgery, however, can be an effective step toward improving a one’s vision. And the most common regret from those surveyed was that the patients didn’t do it sooner. Still, not everyone is a good candidate for Lasik eye surgery; a reputable laser eye correction center will always prescreen patients. For more information about Lasik eye surgery, contact Andrew Caster MD at Caster Eye Center to learn more about laser eye correction options.

Considering in LASIK Eye Surgery?

admin — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 09:21:08 +0000

Lasik eye surgery was introduced to aid those who wanted better vision without the use of eyeglasses, bifocals and contacts. The main drawback to Lasik is the cost involved says Los Angeles lasik surgeon. As in most cases, this is one that you do not want to learn the hard way of “you get what you pay for.”Cost should not be the determining factor when you decide on a Los Angeles ICL procedure. However, the cost of the procedure has gotten a little easier over the years with advanced technology.

Today, the average cost of a Lasik Los Angeles procedure can be anywhere from $1000 to $2,500 per eye. You may come across “specials” offering significantly lower rates, but be sure to ascertain all of the details on the offer as well as the doctors credentials prior to committing. Not everyone qualifies for the rates listed nor are the doctors someone you want working on your vision.

To ease the financial burden inflicted with this surgical procedure, many patients are now being offered a payment plan or financing options. Whether it be through the eye surgeons office directly or through a medical loan company, new avenues for affording this life changing procedure are being welcomed by potential patients at large as well as the doctor’s that service them.

If you are interested in laser vision correction Los Angeles, contact a Lasik expert today for a free consultation.

What Should I Expect After Surgery?

admin — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 09:00:04 +0000

The post-surgery experience will vary from doctor to doctor and patient to patient. The US FDA provides a compilation of patient information developed by manufacturers and healthcare professionals, but cannot replace the dialogue you should have with your doctor. Read this information carefully and with the checklist, discuss your expectations with your doctor.

After undergoing laser vision correction Orange County patients may experience burning, itching, or feeling like there is something in it immediately after the procedure. You may experience some discomfort, or in some cases, mild pain and your doctor may suggest you take a mild pain reliever. Both your eyes may tear or water. Your vision will probably be hazy or blurry. You will instinctively want to rub your eye, but don’t! Rubbing your eye could dislodge the flap, requiring further treatment. In addition, you may experience sensitivity to light, glare, starbursts or haloes around lights, or the whites of your eye may look red or bloodshot. These symptoms should improve considerably within the first few days after Orange County intralasik surgery. You should plan on taking a few days off from work until these symptoms subside. You should contact your doctor immediately and not wait for your scheduled visit, if you experience severe pain, or if your vision or other symptoms get worse instead of better.

Seeing your doctor within the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery and at regular intervals after that for at least the first six months is very important. At the first postoperative visit, your doctor will remove the eye shield, test your vision, and examine your eye. Your doctor may give you one or more types of eye drops to take at home to help prevent infection and/or inflammation. You may also be advised to use artificial tears to help lubricate the eye. Do not resume wearing a contact lens in the operated eye, even if your vision is blurry.

It is a good idea to wait one to three days following your Orange County Lasik surgery before beginning any non-contact sports, depending on the amount of activity required, how you feel, and your doctor’s instructions.

To help prevent the risk of infection, you may need to wait for up to two weeks after surgery or until your doctor advises you otherwise before using lotions, creams, or make-up around the eye. Your doctor may advise you to continue scrubbing your eyelashes for a period of time after surgery. You should also avoid swimming and using hot tubs or whirlpools for one to two months.

Strenuous contact sports such as boxing, football, karate, etc. should not be attempted for at least four weeks after surgery. It is important to protect your eyes from anything that might get in them and from being hit or bumped. During the first few months after surgery, your vision may fluctuate.

And according to a top laser eye surgeon Orange County patients may need to wait up to three to six months for your vision to stabilize after surgery. Glare, haloes, difficulty driving at night, and other visual symptoms may also persist during this stabilization period. If further correction or enhancement is necessary, you should wait until your eye measurements are consistent for two consecutive visits at least 3 months apart before re-operation. It is important to realize that although distance vision may improve after re-operation, it is unlikely that other visual symptoms such as glare or haloes will improve. It is also important to note that no laser company has presented enough evidence for the FDA to make conclusions about the safety or effectiveness of enhancement surgery.

Contact your eye doctor immediately, if you develop any new, unusual or worsening symptoms at any point after surgery. Such symptoms could signal a problem that, if not treated early enough, may lead to a loss of vision.