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| How To Combat Epithelial Ingrowth After A Lasik Surgery
June 10, 2009 at 3:21 pm
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| One well known complication of Lasik Surgery is Epithelial Ingrowth. Epithelium is the very fast growing cell layer that covers the eye. Actually, there is an epithelium that covers every part of the outside of your body. It is rapidly growing and constantly shedding and renewing itself throughout your lifetime. The epithelium should remain on the very outer surface of the body, but at times we can see it grow beneath the surface where it becomes trapped and cannot properly shed and renew itself. On the skin, epithelial ingrowth appears as a cyst or bump and has only a cosmetic consequence.
Epithelial ingrowth can happen on the eye after Lasik surgery as well. The act of creating the flap creates a space beneath the corneal surface into which epithelium can potentially grow. Epithelial ingrowth is actually very uncommon after an initial Lasik surgery but the risk increases with a second treatment. Lifting the flap again generally requires more manipulation of the flap edge which may lead to the increased risk of introducing epithelial cells beneath the flap. Surgeons are generally very careful to examine the cornea bed and under-surface of the flap to look for signs of epithelium, but still some cases of ingrowth will occur.
If there is significant epithelium growing beneath the flap, it may have to be removed. The traditional way to remove epithelium is to lift the flap and use a surgical spatula to scrape it out. Some surgeons use alcohol to treat the area as well to kill any microscopic remnants. If the epithelial ingrowth has a tendency to recur, it may be necessary to place sutures in the area to try and seal off a tract or pathway that has formed where epithelium is passing under the flap. Unfortunately, the act of lifting the flap itself is a source for potentially more epithelium ingrowth in the same or other spots.
Sometimes, there is a simpler method to kill the epithelium even without lifting the flap. Laser energy from a YAG or Argon laser can be directed at the area of the ingrowth. The epithelium absorbs the laser energy and is disrupted by it. In many cases, depending on the amount of epithelial ingrowth, it can be disrupted enough to cause it to stabilize or regress entirely. These lasers are different than the lasers used for the actual Lasik surgery and have been around for many decades before Lasik was even conceived.
The technique of using laser energy on epithelium is actually many decades old and was used as a method to whiten or delineate epithelial ingrowth in cases when it grew deep inside the eye itself rather than only beneath a corneal flap. The advantage of using a laser technique to treat the epithelial ingrowth is that no flap lifting is required. This tends to be gentler on the flap keeping it smoother and more regular in appearance. It also minimizes the risk of new ingrowth at other adjacent areas. Although the laser technique doesn't always work, because of its simplicity, it is usually worth the attempt prior to trying more invasive methods.Dr. John Suson MD is an ophthalmologist and a clinical instructor at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Currently, Dr. Suson is in private practice with his sister at their Suson Eye Specialists Clinic. Laser eye surgery is only one of the many procedures that Dr. Suson offers. Eye health and care are both a family tradition and lifelong passion for Dr. Suson. Article Source: ArticleSpan |
| Explaining The Flap In Lasik Eye Surgery
June 10, 2009 at 3:00 pm
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| Refractive surgery has evolved greatly over several decades. Surgery to correct nearsightedness first took root and began to flourish as Radial Keratotomy (RK) during the 1970s and 1980s in the United States. This surgery required full thickness cuts with a diamond blade through the cornea. As technology developed, the laser was developed and the era of refractive surgery was born.
Today, Laser refractive surgery has reached its pinnacle in Lasik. Lasik has been termed the "flap-and-zap" surgery because it requires the creation of a flap of corneal tissue. This flap is gently lifted out of the way and the laser "zaps" the remaining cornea to reshape it and eliminate the patient's nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.
Although, Lasik surgery has now become the most common refractive eye surgery, many people do not understand why the flap is so important and how it came into practice. Originally, Laser refractive surgery came into being as PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy). PRK is simply Lasik without a flap. To perform PRK, the outer cellular layer (epithelium) of the cornea is stripped off of the eye by mechanical or laser scraping, or by use of alcohol. Over the course of a few days after the procedure, this epithelium grows back to provide a protective layer and a smooth optical surface.
Lasik was developed in order to avoid stripping off the epithelium by creating a flap of surface tissue that is lifted out of the way and then replaced after the laser reshaping. Although it adds an additional surgical step, it provides significantly faster healing, less pain, and a much speedier recovery of vision for the patient.
The original tool to create the flap is called a microkeratome and was used for many years in a surgery called Automated Lamellar Keratoplasty (ALK). In ALK surgery, the microkeratome was used to create a tissue flap and then a second microkeratome cut was made to remove corneal tissue to eliminate nearsightedness. The microkeratome uses a high speed vibrating razor blade and plates of varying thickness to make cuts in the cornea. The concept was very similar to Lasik except that there was no laser involved. In ALK, a mechanical microkeratome was used both to create the flap and also to make a "refractive cut," thus altering the optics of the eye. The marriage of the ALK flap making microkeratome with the PRK laser technology is what gave genesis to Lasik surgery.
ALK lacked the precision for the optics that could only be achieved with a laser. By uniting the flap technology and the laser technology, we were able to have surgical outcomes that were both relatively precise as well as fast healing.
Most recently, we have been able to do away with the mechanical microkeratomes entirely. The development of the femtosecond lasers like the Intalase FS Laser allowed us to have the same laser precision and safety for the creation of the Lasik flap as well as for the laser optical correction. The same logic that lead surgeons to abandon the ALK technology for the excimer laser also lead us to abandon the ALK technology for flap creation once the laser technology was fully developed.
Today, we are able to perform a "flap-and-zap" technique which is fully laser based without the imprecise mechanical razor bladed microkeratomes of old. This pinnacle of technology allows us to treat with a level of confidence and precision that was never dreamed of in the ALK era and could never be accomplished using that old style equipment. The benefits to patients are impressive. The all Laser era has truly delivered a faster healing, more precise, and safer refractive eye surgery.Dr. John Suson MD is an ophthalmologist and a clinical instructor at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Currently, Dr. Suson is in private practice with his sister at their Suson Eye Specialists Clinic. Laser eye surgery is only one of the many procedures that Dr. Suson offers. Eye health and care are both a family tradition and lifelong passion for Dr. Suson. Article Source: ArticleSpan | | | 
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| Wavefront Technology - Revolutionalising LASIK
May 14, 2009 at 5:56 pm
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| Many of us experience a loss of eyesight as we age. Many of us adopt glasses later in life or try contact lenses, but laser eye treatment has seen a massive growth in popularity recently, with celebrities endorsing the procedure and ever-increasing positive feedback from the treatment.
Now Wavefront technology has come along, promising to improve the accuracy and safety of LASIK (Laser in Situ Keratomileusis) treatments. Is Wavefront technology the next step in the acceptance of laser eye surgery?
Wavefront LASIK is a refinement of LASIK laser eye surgery, which is widely regarded as the best method of laser eye surgery. LASIK involves cutting a flap in the outer layer of the cornea (the epithilium) and then reshaping the tissue beneath with a laser. LASIK has become very popular in the past few years with celebrities like Denise Van Outen and Tiger Woods receiving the treatment, thanks to advances in technology and consumer confidence.
Wavefront technology allows specific mapping of an individual cornea. The hardware used was developed by astronomers to adjust telescopes and produce computerised maps. Now this technology is being utilised to create computerised maps of corneas. The prevision means that corneal abnormalities are detected and the laser can respond sensitively to individual corneas. Greater precision means fewer mistakes.
A range of different Wavefront systems have been approved for use in LASIK procedures. Clinics which use Wavefront LASIK can offer better results and the statistics back this up, especially in attaining 20/20 vision.
Wavefront LASIK does remove more corneal tissue than conventional LASIK, and for this reason might not be for everyone. Patients with thin corneas would be better to receive standard LASIK rather than Wavefront LASIK, as with the latter there is a greater chance of complications.
Eyes are complex, and can be affected in a range of ways by eye surgery. Wavefront LASIK is more advanced than any other laser eye procedure, but no treatment is 100% safe. Most eye care specialists have welcomed Wavefront technology, agreeing that the benefits to patient's eyesight justifies the extra cost, and investing in the relevant technology to perform Wavefront LASIK eye surgery.
Although laser eye surgery might have achieved mainstream status, no medical procedure is 100% safe. Wavefront technology has greatly increased the accuracy and safety of laser eye treatment, although for some traditional LASIK is still recommended. Laser eye surgery has transformed many people's lives, and for anyone who works with their eyes, laser eye surgery is a good investment.FOCUS Laser Vision is a London Laser Eye Surgery Clinic consisting of consultant surgeons and optometrists who are amongst the most experienced in the field of laser vision correction, having been involved in laser surgery since 1991. Article Source: ArticleSpan | | |  |
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| Dealing With Dry Eye After Lasik Surgery
May 11, 2009 at 4:03 pm
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| Dry eye has been long recognized as a postoperative side effect of Lasik surgery. Studies have concluded that clinically detectable dry eye is present nearly universally following Lasik surgery, even when patients do not normally experience dry eye symptoms. There are a couple of causes of dry eye problems. First, when the corneal flap is created during the Lasik procedure, either a steel blade or a laser must cut through the corneal tissue and corneal nerves are disrupted in the process. The deeper this cut, the more likely the disruption to nerve tissue. The laser reshaping of the cornea further disrupts the nerve tissue. During the time while the nerve tissue heals and regenerates, the reflex to tear and blink is significantly diminished; thus creating the dry eye problem.
The quality and smoothness of the corneal surface and tear layer is important for quick recovery of good visual acuity. The tear layer is actually the first optical surface that light hits when it enters the eye during the Lasik procedure. If that tear layer is irregular or deficient, it can create a poorer visual image, with heightened "ghosting" or "fuzziness."
To maximize my patients' vision postoperatively, I suggest approaching the problem of dry eye with a basic regimen that includes the following:
1) A good preoperative evaluation for preexisting dry eye problems and maximizing the surface condition prior to performing Lasik
2) The usage of the Intralase FS lasers for making the initial Lasik flap rather than the steel razor blade microkeratome
3) The good use of artificial tears and gel lubricants postoperatively, even if the patient does not complain of dry eye symptoms
I also suggest that patients use cyclosporine 0.05% eye drops (Restasis) twice per day for one month postoperatively. Studies have shown that this regimen can improve visual outcomes and reduce the need for enhancements after Lasik surgery. It appears that the improved quality of the tear layer can actually improve a patients vision, so that they are less likely to feel the need for additional or touch up surgery. This not only improves the patients overall experience but decreases the possibility of any secondary side effects or complications that could occur with a second procedure, however rare that would be.
Ultimately, attention to detail with every aspect of surgery enhances the outcomes as well as patient satisfaction in the long run. That's why surgeons need to pay so much attention to new and innovative technologies and medications on every level as they are developed.Dr. John Suson MD is an ophthalmologist and a clinical instructor at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Currently, Dr. Suson is in private practice with his sister at their Suson Eye Specialists clinic. Eye health and care are both a family tradition and lifelong passion for Dr. Suson. Article Source: ArticleSpan |
| Avoiding The Five Hundred Dollar Lasik Gimmicks
May 11, 2009 at 4:03 pm
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| People will sometimes see ads for $500 Lasik and they'll think, "Wow, is that really possible?" Generally, Lasik surgery goes for around $2000 per eye, so people are shocked to see the difference. Obviously, the last pair of glasses you bought may have cost around that much, so it doesn't seem to make sense. How can a precise surgery like Lasik cost almost as little as a pair of glasses?
The obvious answer is that it can't. The ads are designed to get you in the door but are deceptive in many ways. Certain chain centers have even received warnings or disciplinary action from the Federal Trade Commission for deceptive advertising. To avoid an FTC warning, the advertised price is often a starting point to which thousands of dollars will be added before surgery can actually proceed.
One common tactic is to offer an older, very limited technology for cheap. In fact, many people that might qualify for this cheap surgery should be discouraged from having surgery because their vision is already fine. Alternatively, people with normal prescriptions are then told that they do not qualify for the prices advertised.
They also use the sales tactic of up-selling the patient with "optional benefits" that are not truly optional. The surgery itself is billed as one component, but the various parts of the preoperative evaluation and postoperative care are then added onto the price. It is impossible to perform the surgery without doing a complete examination beforehand and follow-up afterward, so the price skyrockets when everything is added up. Anesthesiologists used to have a joke: "The cost to put you to sleep for surgery is only $1, but if you want to wake up, that price rises." It's the same with these Lasik surgery chains, but the joke is really on the patient.
It is crucial to understand that the technology available for the extremely cheap $500 eye surgery is usually very old and doesn't apply to most people that truly need Lasik. These cheap centers continue to use the old razor blade flap cutting technology that all of the highest quality reputable Lasik surgeons abandoned years ago. Why would you want a high speed vibrating razor blade cutting your eye if you could have a high precision, high safety laser do the same thing?
Unfortunately, by the time all of this is revealed to the patient, they have been charged a significant, nonrefundable consult fee for an evaluation. To avoid these traps, only work with reputable surgeons who use the newer laser technologies and who don't try to lure you in with gimmicks. Remember, when it comes to your health, you should never try to cut corners.Dr. John Suson MD is an ophthalmologist and a clinical instructor at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Currently, Dr. Suson is in private practice with his sister at their Suson Eye Specialists clinic. Eye health and care are both a family tradition and lifelong passion for Dr. Suson. Article Source: ArticleSpan | | | 
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| Information on the Cost of Lasik Eye Surgery
April 20, 2009 at 4:35 pm
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| Laser eye surgery methods are becoming quite popular in the world today because of their effectiveness and the unbeatable convenience that the person does not need hospitalization in most of the cases. However, the one thing that is keeping away from turning toward laser eye surgeries like LASIK is their high costs. The convenience of the laser methods does come with its price premium. However, knowing what the costs are in advance may give you a better idea of whether you can afford them or not, or what kind of financial arrangement you need to make.
There are actually many factors on which the prices of laser eye surgery depend.
1. They depend on who you select for the job. A more experienced professional will charge more than a relatively new one.
2. The costs depend on the kind of procedure you need done. Remember that there are many different types of laser surgeries for the eye (your surgeon will advise you on them) and the costs will depend on that.
3. The costs will also depend on whether the treatment is needed for just one eye or both the eyes. Even if the laser eye surgery is done on both eyes on the same day, the treatment costs will be doubled.
4. Geography also matters. In some parts of the world, the prices of laser eye surgery are much cheaper.
5. New techniques are being implemented by some laser eye surgeons in their procedures. These increase the costs considerably. An example is the wave front analysis that is done with LASIK procedures in present times.
6. The extent of the laser used also matters. The option of using a complete laser approach is known as bladeless surgery, which is the most expensive of all laser techniques. This is most prevalently seen in LASIK. The bladeless option here uses a complete laser technique to prepare the flap which is used for the procedure. The flap is then rejoined using the laser technique.
Costs for the laser eye surgery procedures depend on these factors. However, you could expect a cost range between $1,500 and $2,500 for one eye.
There are options for cheaper laser eye operations, but keep in mind that this is a very sensitive procedure. You need to get the best treatment you can get in this case. Hence, whatever option you are looking at, make sure you take a very close look at it before you make your decision.Ron tells people about cost of lasik eye surgery and lasik eye surgery cost at his website. Article Source: Information on the Cost of Lasik Eye Surgery - ArticleSpan.com |
| All About Laser Eye Surgery and LASIK - Risks and Benefits
April 9, 2009 at 1:06 am
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| Laser eye surgery first became available in the UK around ten years ago, and now over 100, 000 people have laser eye surgery each year. In the hands of experiencing surgeons after having the procedure and its risks explained to you is a great way to get laser eye surgery.
The most popular type of laser eye surgery is LASIK, because it causes the patient the least discomfort and both eyes can treated at the same time. LASIK can be used to correct short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism.
The surgery involves cutting a thin flap on the surface of the eye, and using lasers underneath the flap to reshape it. Patients remain conscious throughout the procedure and it takes about ten minutes per eye.
The patient's eyes are anaesthetised with drops and held in place using a suction ring. An eyelid retractor is used to ensure the patient doesn't blink. In cutting edge laser eye treatments the flap will be cut with another laser rather than a blade, which means the incision is more precise and will heal faster.
There are other new developments, such as Wavefront technology which creates a virtual 3-D map of a patient's eye, to help make surgery more accurate and successful.
The best results are achieved for people with moderate short-sightedness. Short-sighted patients with prescriptions of up to -10 and long-sighted patients whose prescription is less than +6 can have laser eye surgery done.
In a very small number of cases patients can experience some side-effects. Most side-effects are relatively minor compared with the benefits of being able to see clearly. Serious complications are very rare, but can threaten your eyesight altogether. Some people also talk about their eyes slowly regressing over ten years to the same point they were lasered. The treatment is so new that we have no idea of what the effects might be after forty or fifty years.
So make your own mind up. There are plenty of people who have had laser eye surgery and got 20/20 vision with minimal complications. As laser eye surgery becomes more established the treatment improves along with its success and safety.
A recent report conducted by Which? Found that UK high street laser eye clinics were not giving good enough advice about laser eye surgery and the possible side-effects and complications. Make sure you read up on LASIK and know the procedure and its risks before you commit.John McE writes articles on a number of subjects including optical treatments and laser eye surgery. For more about this see Focus Clinics. Article Source: All About Laser Eye Surgery and LASIK - Risks and Benefits - ArticleSpan.com |
| The Benefits Of Getting Lasik Eye Surgery
April 6, 2009 at 3:15 pm
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| Like all other surgeries, Lasik eye surgery has its rewards as well as its risks. When you know more about the pros and cons of Lasik surgery, then you will be able to make an informed decision on whether to go on with the surgery. However, in most instances, the risks will outweigh the potential risks.
Having a long, candid conversation with your doctor will ensure that you know the risks that are associated with the operation. You want to know the ins and outs of the operation so there will be no unwelcome surprises when you have completed the surgery.
The main reason that individuals get the Lasik surgery is in order to see more clearly and comfortably. For those of you who wear contact lenses and forgot to take them off at night, you have probably contemplated what life would be like with lasik surgery. Imagine the convenience of not having to put on your contacts or eyeglasses in the morning as you wake up.
Would it not be nice to have the comfort of not wondering whether you have enough contact lens solution to last the night? Furthermore, the cost of lasik eye surgery is getting more and more inexpensive. However, saving for the surgery is an important plan you would think about.
Also, check with your insurance company, and see if your provided health insurance will cover all or at least part of the cost for the lasik eye surgery. As the surgery becomes more and more popular and accepted in our society, the more the prices will decrease for the surgery.
There are several other advantages of getting the procedure done. The vision correction surgery will assist in reducing glares that you see from other cars when you are driving at night. Secondly, it will reduce the change of losing the quality of your vision or sensitivity to contrast.
A third reason to get the procedure done is that it takes less than thirty minutes from the beginning to the end. Many patients who have the procedure done are surprised that they can go out the same day and told that they can see normally within only one or two days.
These few days are important for allowing your eyes to heal and minimize possible trauma. The cost makes the risks very small when compared to decades ago. In fact, with competition between eye centers and the demand of the services, the prices are continually going down everyday!Ron tells people about the cost of lasik eye surgery and lasik eye surgery cost at his website dedicated to laser eye surgery. Article Source: The Benefits Of Getting Lasik Eye Surgery - ArticleSpan.com |
| How To Know If Lasik Surgery Is A Good Choice
March 8, 2009 at 9:31 pm
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| Laser eye surgery has revolutionized the way Americans see their world. In fact, millions of people worldwide have shed their glasses and contact lenses, rediscovering what it is like to see hassle-free. But laser and, specifically, lasik surgery is not an answer for everyone. Here's how to decide if it's right for you and if you would be a good candidate.
-- Are you over 18 years old? The eyes of persons who have not yet reached adulthood are not fully mature and are still growing. In fact, an ideal age to have surgery is between 23 and 25 years old. Many doctors won't even consider anyone under the age of 21 at all: you don't want to risk losing vision later on by having surgery too young.
-- Your vision problems should be caused by refractive errors such as myopia, astigmatism, hyperobia, or a combination of these. If you have cataracts, glaucoma, or some other corneal disease, laser surgery will not be the answer for you.
-- If you are considering the very popular lasik surgery, you need to have a thick enough cornea for the doctor to be able to cut a flap in it to make the necessary corrections. Only an ophthalmologist can determine if you are a good candidate for this particular procedure.
-- You need to be relatively healthy and, specifically, free from any condition which may slow the healing process or cause any kinds of complications. Although laser procedures are done on an outpatient basis, it is still serious surgery that requires healing.
-- Although the huge majority of laser procedures result in success, in rare instances vision may not be restored to the degree expected. If this were your case, would your ability to perform your job be seriously impaired by such an event? If you are in the military, for example, there are strict rules which govern whether or not you can undergo such procedures. To be on the safe side, it is probably best to check with your employer.
-- Of course, the only way to really know if you are a good candidate for laser eye surgery is to make an appointment with a reputable ophthalmologist who specializes in the procedure and have a frank discussion. Make sure to get referrals and recommendations from former patients and to do all other homework associated with choosing any kind of medical practitioner. Beware of those who promise to restore 20/20 vision to everyone, and select carefully.If you are interested in Salt Lake City lasik surgery, or lasik surgery in Utah in general, contact the professionals at the office of Davis Vision MD. Art Gib is a freelance writer. Article Source: How To Know If Lasik Surgery Is A Good Choice - ArticleSpan.com | | | 
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| What you need to know about corrective eye surgery
April 6, 2009 at 11:56 am
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| PRK or LASIK? RLE or ICL? No, these aren’t leftover letters from a Scrabble game, they’re just a few acronyms pulled from an ever-expanding menu of options for laser corrective eye surgery. Yes, 110,000 Canadians opt for LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis), each year in order to correct vision that, without surgery, requires them to wear eyeglasses or contacts. But more options also mean more confusion for consumers. And despite high praises from some, others are not so crazy about laser eye surgery. In fact, an expert panel in the U. S. last year recommended that patients be warned about the risks of popular laser vision corrective surgery–including persistent eye dryness and even vision disruptions. “About half the population wears glasses or contact lenses for some condition that could be corrected by laser surgery,” says Dr. Mark Cohen, co-founder of LASIKMD, a cross-Canada eye clinic chain. Many people who tire of reading glasses and the distortions common to progressive lenses opt for the surgery. “LASIK has a good track record, satisfaction record and safety profile,” he says. “It’s one form of laser vision correction and it uses an Excimer laser to reshape the surface of the cornea.” (click here for full story)       | Media Files
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| What you need to know about corrective eye surgery
April 6, 2009 at 11:56 am
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| PRK or LASIK? RLE or ICL? No, these aren’t leftover letters from a Scrabble game, they’re just a few acronyms pulled from an ever-expanding menu of options for laser corrective eye surgery. Yes, 110,000 Canadians opt for LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis), each year in order to correct vision that, without surgery, requires them to wear eyeglasses or contacts. But more options also mean more confusion for consumers. And despite high praises from some, others are not so crazy about laser eye surgery. In fact, an expert panel in the U. S. last year recommended that patients be warned about the risks of popular laser vision corrective surgery–including persistent eye dryness and even vision disruptions. “About half the population wears glasses or contact lenses for some condition that could be corrected by laser surgery,” says Dr. Mark Cohen, co-founder of LASIKMD, a cross-Canada eye clinic chain. Many people who tire of reading glasses and the distortions common to progressive lenses opt for the surgery. “LASIK has a good track record, satisfaction record and safety profile,” he says. “It’s one form of laser vision correction and it uses an Excimer laser to reshape the surface of the cornea.” (click here for full story) | Media Files
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