LASIK AND MORE!

There are many questions surrounding the topic of "Lasik"  So here are some general facts and thoughts about the procedure and others like it.


For starters, Lasik is not the only laser surgery available . There are others that have the same outcome but very different procedures. Lasik seems to be the poster-child of laser vision correction surgery due to the fact that there is a very short healing time. Generally, patients are able to see clearly within a few hours.  During a lasik procedure the cornea is cut and a flap is created. The flap is then lifted and laser treatment occurs from the laser then the flap is put back down where it will heal without sutures. Artificial tears are an imperative part of the healing process as most nerve endings that trigger tear production are severed during the creation of the flap. Other variations of this procedure including "LASEK" and "EPI-LASIK"are done but with different flap creation practices. Generally the same concept and the use of artificial tears is the still recommended. IF YOU GET THIS DONE.. USE UR DROPS!


PRK is another procedure that is used to correct vision. The United States Air Force requires PRK and prohibits Lasik as PRK Lasers are use to reshape the outer layer of the cornea. A great deal of discomfort and light sensitivity during the healing phase occurs but pain medication is usually recommended to endure what feels like multiple scratches on the surface of your eyes. The desired vision can take days to weeks to be completely attained.  Unlike Lasik there is no "flap" created which has the potential to become displaced at high altitudes of frequent flyers.  PRK is beneficial because research shows that regeneration of nerve endings occurs at a faster rate than those of Lasik. ALSO, for those people who are NOT a candidate for lasik becuase their corneas are too thin to cut and create flaps, PRK is an alternative solution!


There is yet another form a corrective surgery called "Clear Lens Exchange" This surgery is a much more invasive procedure yet is still one of the most safe procedures in medicine. IF a person is NOT a candidate for Lasik or PRK then removing the natural lens and an artificial lens with the corrective power can be surgically inserted.  This is the same procedure as Cataract surgery but this procedure is not covered by medicare.


If you are interested in Laser Vision Correction Surgery then a consultation visit is required to ensure that  you are a in fact a candidate. Cost of the surgery may be formulated based on age and the magnitude of your refraction. If corneas are naturally too thin or of one suffers from a corneal degenerative disease such as Karatokonus then most laser procedures will not be recommended and glasses and/or contact lenses can be used regularly. A stable prescription for 2 years or more decreases the possibility that the eyes will continue to change after the surgery. It is possible for the eyes to continue to change after the correction has been made by the laser. In most cases a "touch up" can be done. For more information contact an Ophthalmologist who does Laser correction surgery. Please post comments you there is additional information that was omitted or personal testimonials are requested!