Lasik surgery has been around in some form for over 20 years. However, there have been many changes made to it, and it is not the same as it was in the past. This is a good thing, because the evolution of the procedure has made it much safer and much more precise. In the past, the Lasik procedure worked relatively well, but the complication rate was higher than eye doctors liked it to be, the cost was excessive and the results were not always as good as expected. The procedure was good, but there were improvements that needed to be made. Now, those improvements have been made and the Lasik procedure is safer and more effective than ever. Recent studies have even indicated that Lasik is safer over the long-term than wearing contact lenses — which were considered the standard for a long time among eye doctors and their patients.
New Technology — Bladeless Lasik
One of the most important technological advances where Lasik is concerned is the new style of bladeless Lasik. In the past, a microkeratome blade was used to make a cut in the cornea, which would allow a corneal flap to be folded back, exposing the inner corneal surface to the laser for reshaping. This is still used quite often, and is certainly not obsolete. However, the bladeless technology has been found to be safer and even more precise than the current style of Lasik, making it the wave of the future. Like Lasik itself, though, there is a learning curve, and it may be some time before bladeless Lasik is used more often than the standard kind.
More New Technology — CustomVue
The CustomVue system is able to give Lasik patients a much more customized experience. In the past, Lasik was done based on a person’s prescription and nothing else. This worked relatively well, but each person has some subtle nuances in his or her eyes that the Lasik could not adjust for. This meant that not everyone got the sharpest vision they could get, and a lot of that depended on whether their eye just happened to be ‘normal’ for that prescription — in which case their Lasik would generally have a better result. Now, with the customized Lasik option, a person can get that better result because the Lasik procedure is calibrated specifically for the contours of that individual’s eye. This is a significant change from the way that Lasik used to be performed, and it holds a lot of hope for an even better future for Lasik and the patients who choose to have it.
Future Advances Are Coming
Given the fact that CustomVue and bladeless Lasik have done so well, eye doctors and researchers, as well as Lasik surgeons, are all working toward new ideas for improvements and procedures. If individuals keep working in that way, the chances that Lasik will continue to evolve and improve are extremely high. No one really knows, however, what the future holds for Lasik. Since it has been around for a relatively short time, and it is still being perfected in the eyes of many people, there is no real knowledge of whether there will be long-term complications with the procedure. Only time will tell if the Lasik procedure changes much in future years or if the people that have had it continue to have successful vision correction throughout their lifetime.
The technological advancement Lasik surgery has undergone has not only led to new Lasik procedures but also the safety of the procedures, themselves, and reduction of Lasik surgery cost .
It is only when you start wearing glasses that you realize that you need a good pair that will not only be helpful but also ensures comfort, especially if you have to wear it constantly. Like regular spectacles, contact lenses too help to improve your eyesight and if you do not want to change the way you look by wearing glasses then contacts are the ideal solution.
Spend 8 minutes and hear an unscripted interview with a typical LASIK patient. Learn how she weighed the risks, benefits, and her concerns. Experience her laser vision surgery and hear the results. She how she decided to use James S. Lewis, MD as her LASIK surgeon at www.ihatemyglasses.com minutes from Philadelphia, PA in Elkins Park.
Is the procedure of Lasik surgery painful?
I’m 18 years old and I recently asked my dad for contacts, which he said yes to. But he gave me the suggestion on getting Lasik surgery. It has been a week now and he is strongly suggesting to get the surgery.
I’m afraid of pain and I really hate the idea of doing the surgery. I’m wondering if anyone can tell me what it’s like during the procedure and after. Thank you.
LASIK is done by lifting a flap out of the way and sculpting the eye to a desirable shape. Learn about LASIK for astigmatism, as well as for other eye problems, with tips from an optometrist in this free video on human eye problems and disorders. Expert: Dr. James W. Kirkconnell Contact: www.bec2020.com Bio: Dr. James W. Kirkconnell graduated from the University of Houston College of Optometry in 1984. Filmmaker: Dimitri LaBarge
Most people are likely familiar with the term “LASIK,” understanding it to be a form of eye surgery; however, many may not know what the acronym “LASIK” stands for, exactly what type of eye surgery it is, which techniques it involves, if this procedure is right for them, and how to find a LASIK clinic.
LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis, which actually translates to (and involves) reshaping the inside of the cornea – the clear “dome” that covers the eyeball – using a laser. Ophthalmologists, who are medical specialists and surgeons specifically trained to perform eye operations, perform this form of refractive laser eye surgery on individuals to treat a number of different eye-related medical conditions’ astigmatism (when an irregularly shaped cornea affects the vision), myopia (“near-sightedness”), and hyperopia (“far-sightedness”), as well as to provide an alternative to wearing corrective eye glasses or contact lenses.
But what does LASIK actually do? Basically, this surgery involves intricate procedures that change the cornea’s shape permanently, allowing it to better and much more accurately refocus light rays on the retina, thus enhancing and improving overall vision in the afflicted eye (or eyes).
A highly specialized device, called the excimer laser, is used for reshaping the cornea. Other devices commonly used include the microkeratome (a special knife that cuts a flap into the cornea) and a hinge, which is left at one end of the flap. Specific techniques and procedures can vary, depending on the LASIK surgery services and the particular surgeon performing the operation.
Not sure if you need or qualify for LASIK? Houston, Texas offers guidance through its private practices, clinics, and LASIK surgeons to help you determine whether or not this type of eye surgery is right for you. Not everyone with eye troubles needs or should undergo this intricate surgical procedure, but if you are near-sighted, far-sighted, have astigmatism, or would like to once-and-for-all get rid of your glasses or contact lenses, then LASIK is probably a good fit for you.
Whatever your eye troubles or problems, if you are considering LASIK, this city is home to a number of public and private practices either offering or dedicated to providing laser vision-correction services. While there are a number of LASIK Houston options for you, consider seeking out the services of a private practice or clinic that is dedicated to LASIK surgery and other laser vision-correction procedures and operations. This means that the medical specialists who work there specialize in eye-correction surgeries, including LASIK or, better yet, they may specialize in practicing LASIK surgery only. In this way, you can be assured you are receiving top-quality care from surgeons who not only know what they’re doing, but are highly trained, skilled, and experienced in LASIK surgery.
Besides specialization in LASIK surgery, there are other factors to consider when choosing a clinic or a specific LASIK Houston surgeon. You’ll want to find out what kind of equipment they use, what type of specific procedures and techniques they use, how long they’ve been in business, as well as the costs involved.
Ideally, you’ll want to choose to have the procedure done where they use only the latest, high-end, most technologically sophisticated diagnostic equipment, which helps surgeons to determine exactly how to reshape the cornea and how much of the cornea actually needs reshaping. Further, it’s best if you select a surgeon or LASIK surgery clinic in Houston that utilizes the best and latest technology to improve upon LASIK techniques and procedures for the actual operation. The latest technology available for this type of eye surgery is the highly advanced WaveLight Allegretto Excimer Laser System, officially named the “ALLEGRETTO WAVE Eye-Q Laser System.”
A good laser eye-surgery clinic will also work to match each patient with the right technique or procedure for LASIK surgery, since every patient has different needs. This individualization ensures that every LASIK patient receives the proper attention and care and receives the best possible outcome after the operation. Finally, make sure to check out how long a clinic has been in business, the qualifications of the LASIK surgeons, and how much the surgery is going to cost you.
Not sure how to find the right (or the best) LASIK services or surgeon? Check around locally in Houston, whether you live right in the city or close by, or head online to find out what’s available, and then research and compare each option thoroughly before making your decision so you can be sure you’ll be receiving the best LASIK Houston care possible for your vision correction.
At the International EyeCare Laser Center, our doctors practice LASIK only – we are specialists. Dr. Charles Moore is instrumental in the design and development of LASIK diagnostic and surgical equipment. For more information visit our site: http://www.texaslasik.com/
All of the fees involved with Laser eye surgery are certainly not an irrelevant number determined on from any surgeons. They are simply determined in accordance to a lot of components, which includes a doctor’s working experience, geographic location, and costs. Therefore exactly how much does Lasik amount to, and how much associated with this particular expense is usually taken care of by health insurance?
Bladeless Epi-LASIK (EpiLASIK) can be performed on patients not qualifying for LASIK. This surgery is less vulnerable to trauma and no flap complications have been reported. Many feel contrast sensitivity is superior to LASIK and that Epi-LASIK does not produce as much dry eye or other visual disturbances. Dr. James Lewis has performed Epi-LASIK for several years with excellent results.