Learning About LASIK



LASIK is a surgical procedure for reducing or removing a person's dependency on glasses or contact lenses. Infact LASIK is the vision correction surgery, (i.e. eye surgeries for improving vision, refractive surgery).

LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis.This procedure permanently changes the shape of the cornea. A knife microkeratome, is used to cut a flap in the cornea. A hinge is left at one end of this flap. The flap is folded back revealing the stroma, the middle section of the cornea. Pulses from a computer-controlled laser vaporize a portion of the stroma and the flap is replaced. a laser is used to reshape the cornea to alter the way light rays enter the eye for achieving focus.

, which requires more corneal tissue for success. It is a relatively new procedure. Epi-LASIK is like LASEK in that the flap is cut only in the epithelium, the surgeon only uses an epikeratome, a separator that creates an epithelial sheet. Patients feel less pain than alcohol procedures. All Laser LASIK An additional laser instead of a bladed instrument is used to create the flap in the front of the eye.

Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) an excimer laser is used to remove tissue from the surface of the cornea. This removal results in a new shape, and reduces vision problem. PRK takes less than one minute per eye. No flap is cut as occurs with LASIK.

A) Only three percent of LASIK procedures are performed for less than $1,000 per eye.

B) Read the fine print for possible hidden costs.

C) Florida's Attorney General has announced a settlement with Lasik Vision Institute about actual cost of eye surgeries as given in the company's advertisements.

In the first quarter of 2006 was $2,052.In 2002 it was $1,500 – $1,600. In 2003 it had risen to $1,700; and at the end of 2004, it was a little over $1,800; and in 2005 it was $2000.average price for LASIK is approximately $2,000. Average LASIK price increase is an increasing number of LASIK procedures:

A lot of care needed while choosing a surgen.

he or she should be associated with an academic medical center, such as a teaching hospital or one that is well-known for advanced technology. are more likely to keep up with current information, new procedures .Try to choose a doctor who is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. you can ask for a referral from your regular eye care practitioner, whether an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. Call refractive surgery centers in your area; you'll find them in the Yellow Pages.

Now while face to face talking to a surgeon, he can easily confuse you.

Here are the lists of some questions that you can ask. Really hard to

Ask but better if ask.

How with the same equipment, and the same refractive error, has he performed many refractive procedures?

Has he done more than 500 Procedures?

Has he performing refractive surgery procedures more than three years.

Can he provide the contact information of at least ten previous patients?

Have you ever had malpractice insurance coverage denied?

Have you been convicted of a felony?

License to perform refractive surgery revoked (should not be suspended or restricted)?

What percentage achieved 20/20 or better?

The laser treatment itself usually takes less than a minute, while the entire procedure takes around 15 minutes per eye.Most surgeons perform the procedure on both eyes at the same time; however, some patients prefer to wait a week between eyes.

But is it really safe.I mean some people don't want to take even 5%

Risk.difficulties such as dry eyes and nighttime glare is around 3% to 5%, while the risk of serious incidents such as lost vision is thought to be less than 1%. There are no known cases of blindness from LASIK or PRK.dry eye, starbursts or halos around lights this effect disappears over time in 98% cases.