While it is true that LASIK can make anyone’s life better by providing him or her with better vision, the success of LASIK still depends on the person’s age when he or she undergoes the surgery. Thus, age is used as a determining factor in assessing whether a patient is a viable candidate for LASIK surgery.

Among the five senses, vision is one of the tricky ones. Remember what they say about our eyes constantly deceiving us? It’s true! From adolescence until well into our twenties, our vision is prone to change (both literally and figuratively). Refraction typically stabilizes around the age of 18. For those suffering from myopia or nearsightedness, onset is from mid to late 20s. A person who undergoes LASIK prior to that age is just wasting precious bucks. When the prescription stabilizes, the patient will probably require another corrective surgery.

A preoperative eye examination, conducted before the age of 18, will probably result in incorrect measurements. Since this will be the basis for LASIK surgery, the correction will probably be applicable only for a short period of time until the patient’s vision changes again. Also, patients with a higher degree of astigmatism or myopia are advised to defer the surgery longer than others. Undergoing the surgery at the age of 21 or so is safe enough. In essence, a stable prescription for at least two years is the minimum requirement. For those who wish to go for custom LASIK, the minimum age requirement is the same as that for conventional LASIK surgery.

On the brighter side, it is good to note that there is no maximum age limit for LASIK laser eye surgery. Those in their 40s, 50s, and even sexagenarians may undergo LASIK surgery. LASIK can correct the refractive error of a myopic patient at any stage, provided that the patient’s eyes are otherwise healthy. That is, LASIK will impart clear distant vision to any person, regardless of age. However, age-related deterioration of the vision is still to be expected. For instance, almost everyone suffers from presbyopia, commonly referred to as “short arm syndrome”, by the age of 40. This condition is due to the loss of accommodation power of the lens. Thus, people who are in their 40s normally require reading glasses.

If you have the means and resources to undergo LASIK surgery, visit your ophthalmologist who will be able to provide you with more information on this procedure.

If you are not qualified for LASIK surgery, do not fret; there are other options to consider. Contact lenses and eyeglasses are readily available. Contact lenses these days are designed to fit eyes better and not irritate as much. They are made more durable and resistant to dust and sediment buildup. While some people may be sensitive to contact lenses, it is always a good option for those who have determined that they are not ready to undergo laser eye surgery.

However, if you do not want to wear eyeglasses or contacts, then you may consider lens implants. This is best for nearsighted or myopic patients. A small incision is made in the eye, and the lens is inserted. The lens is then secured by a special tool that will make it stay put without having to be cared for. If required, the lens can be taken out or replaced. The effect of having lens implants is not as permanent as undergoing LASIK surgery, but lens implants are easier to care for than eyeglasses or contacts. If something goes wrong with the implants, or if they are not as effective as expected, they can easily be taken out and replaced.

Another type of surgery is photorefractive keratectomy or PRK. It is a procedure wherein the cornea is reshaped by taking out tissue from its outer surface. This is done with the use of an ultraviolet beam of light. This procedure is quick; it only takes a few minutes and is not as invasive as lens implants and Lasik surgery.

Another option is laser thermal keratoplasty or LTK. This procedure involves removing parts of the outer cornea. In effect, the tissue around the cornea shrinks, allowing for better eyesight. This treatment is temporary as corneal tissue can easily grow back. But the good thing about it is that there is less risk involved in terms of possibility of eyesight loss or infection.

For those who are myopic, corneal ring segment surgery is available. In this surgery, plastic polymer pieces are placed in the cornea, reshaping the cornea. The cornea then becomes flatter and can focus light easier. This procedure is not permanent and is still being tested for its effectiveness.

If you require more information, see your ophthalmologist. He will be able to provide you with the benefits and risks of each option. Ultimately, you will be making the decision in choosing the best means to correct your vision.

The equipment used is so advanced that it can measure the unique ability of a patient’s eye to absorb and reflect light. It is capable of making 200 unique measurements that create a three-dimensional topographic map of the cornea. When comparing this to the three measurements that traditional LASIK equipment makes it’s quite impressive.

As valuable as wavefront technology may be for patients, the advanced capability of wavefront guided LASIK only accounts for a small portion of the wavefront LASIK costs. The main reasons are more a matter of practicality.

TIME. Time is money. Custom LASIK requires that the LASIK surgeon and staff spend extra time for preoperative tests and analysis. They will need to spend approximately one hour more with each Custom LASIK patient than with a traditional Lasik patient. The extra time is spent evaluating your condition to assess whether you are a viable candidate for wavefront LASIK. The pre-operative analysis, operating and monitoring the equipment during the mapping procedure and the actual procedure all take longer due to its complexity.

EQUIPMENT COST. Wavefront equipment is more expensive than equipment used in traditional laser eye surgery. Purchase, lease and maintenance of the wavefront equipment are higher, as well as the additional supplies that are required. The additional investment that is required by Laser clinics that enables them to perform LASIK wavefront surgery is often in excess of $100,000.00

Other expenses associated with the typical surgery include the following:

• Gowns, masks, gloves and other items
• Microkeratome blades, surgical solutions and medication used during the surgery
• Overhead costs for the surgical center, including office and surgical staff salary and benefits, rent, office equipment, and office administration
• Patient acquisition costs, which include advertising, seminars, and fees paid to other eye care practitioners for co-management
• Insurance to cover the facility, equipment and malpractice law suits
• Equipment leasing or purchase costs for other pieces of equipment used for associated procedures

ROYALTY. A royalty fee is also paid to the manufacturer each time the wavefront equipment is used. The royalty is between $140 and $250 per use (where use is defined as a procedure on only one eye). The price usually depends on the clinic’s arrangement with the equipment manufacturer. The royalty fee allows the manufacturer to recoup the cost of research and development for the technology.

It is for these reasons that Custom LASIK wavefront is priced higher than traditional LASIK surgery.

However, patients in their 40’s may not get the full benefit of corneal laser eye surgery because it is at this time that they experience presbyopia. In the early stage of presbyopia, your surgeon may offer you intermediate and near vision correction through monovision LASIK surgery. However, with the progression of presbyopia, it becomes more difficult for patients to maintain their ability to focus for intermediate and near vision. Presbyopia is a condition that begins when the crystalline lens inside your eyes lose elasticity. Thus, it is a problem of the lens and not of the cornea.  Because of this, the lens must be treated rather than the cornea if you have presbyopia

Presbyopia also affects just about every patient who has cataracts. In the past, patients who underwent cataract surgery still needed eyeglasses or reading glasses after surgery in order to have clear near distance vision. Lens Replacement Surgery can now offer cataract patients the opportunity to be free of prescription glasses after cataract surgery.

Some patients, instead of having corneal laser eye surgery such as monovision LASIK, Wavefront LASIK, PRK, or Epi LASIK, resort to a different type of surgery that can better help them achieve their goals of being less dependent on glasses for distance vision, arms length and near vision. This type of surgery is called Lens Replacement Surgery.

Similar to cataract surgery, Lens Replacement Surgery is performed in outpatient surgical centers. Your surgeon will numb the eye using anesthetic eye drops similar to what is used in LASIK surgery. He will then make a tiny incision at the outer edge of the cornea.  Through this incision, a microscopic instrument is inserted. Using ultrasound located at the tip of the microscopic instrument, the surgeon will gently break the crystalline lens into small pieces.  These are then drawn through the probe and removed from the eye. Once the natural crystalline lens has been removed, a permanent Intraocular Lens Implant will replace it. The new lens is inserted through the same incision through which the natural crystalline lens was removed.

There are actually two types of contraindications: absolute contraindications, and relative contraindications. The former are very strict conditions; if you have been found to have an absolute contraindication then you must not, under any circumstance, go on with the procedure. Relative contraindications are more relaxed. If you have been found to have this sort of contraindication, you may still proceed with the operation, but your physician or surgeon will take note of your condition and he or she may alter the treatment plan or procedure slightly. You will still have a high chance of success, but the results are relatively unpredictable as compared to patients who have no contraindications at all.

1. Thickness of the cornea. The procedure requires a certain amount of thickness of the cornea. LASIK involves altering the shape of the cornea, thus, if it is too thin, the physician will advise you not to go on with the operation because there might not be enough corneal tissue left that have not been altered. It could create more problems after the operation than before.

2. Health Condition. Some illnesses, such as diabetes, may be absolute or relative contraindications that may discourage the patient from having LASIK. The procedure requires the patient to have healthy levels of blood sugar for prolonged periods of time so as to facilitate healing.

3. Other eye conditions. The beginnings of the development of cataracts or lens clouding are considered to be absolute contraindications for LASIK because these conditions will only worsen over time, thus rendering the operation futile. Patients who are undergoing treatment for glaucoma are also discouraged from having the operation.

4. Eye Dryness. LASIK vision correction requires a prospective patient to have the capability to generate a sufficient amount of tears, so that their eyes can heal properly. People who have worn contact lenses for prolonged periods of time, take certain medication, or have other health conditions may have dry eyes as a result. For those that have these dry eye conditions they may want to look for other options because these are relative contraindications to LASIK.

LASIK’s invention had its first steps with Dr. Jose Barraquer during the 1960’s when he attempted to improve the process of refractive surgery. He was the one who developed the microkeratome blade. Its function in reshaping the cornea serves as the inspiration for LASIK. Later, Dr. Loannis Pallikaris (who also founded an alternative procedure called Epi-LASIK) and Dr. Lucio Buratto refined the process and came up with the actual LASIK surgical procedure.

There are already many variations of LASIK available today. Basically, visual enhancement will be achieved through LASIK using an excimer laser in restructuring the cornea. The aforementioned microkeratome plays a role in slicing off a tiny flap located in the cornea’s interior region, exposing the middle area, or stroma, in the process. The laser will then attempt to eliminate a section in the stroma, prompting the replacement of the tiny flap.

The patients undergoing LASIK surgery are given a mild sedative and several drops of anesthetic on the eyes because they are required to be wide awake. LASIK is not always perfect, and thus, a lot of comprehensive screenings and testing are done before the operation. It is one of the most vital phases, because the medical staff should make sure if the candidate is suitable (not all corneas can withstand the surgery), and they should also check if there will be post-operation complications. It should be noted that there is a significant percentage of patients that go through LASIK with absolutely no problems, reporting visual improvements afterwards. But according to research, if the surgery is not successful, it will result in further problems that would require repeated treatment.

In the study, it was revealed that double and/or night vision, halos and glares are but some of the negative aftereffects of LASIK surgery. Some patients were also represcribed eye glasses or contact lenses as part of the recuperation process. So, if you’re vying for this treatment, full participation in the eligibility tests is highly essential.

The most common payment options for LASIK Surgery are:

Credit Cards
Majority of patients opt to use credit cards to pay for their Lasik Surgery. Credit card companies often offer promotional interest rates as introductory offers. Some are very low and can even include zero percent interest for new customers. Most practices accept Visa, MasterCard, and American Express cards. Payment via credit card offers you the advantage of arranging your own payment schedule. Moreover, credit cards offer points or accumulate miles when used. Just imagine how great it will be to travel and see the world with better eyesight.

Flex Plans
Some companies have benefit programs that make elective surgeries an affordable option. These insurance plans are called Flex Plans or Alternative Health Plans. It allows you to withhold a pre-defined amount of pretax salary through payroll deduction to save up and pay for the LASIK procedure. If you are planning to undergo laser eye surgery, you should first consult with a doctor to determine if you are a good candidate. You can then advise your employer so the proper amount can be withdrawn through payroll deduction.

Insurance Benefits
Most insurance companies do not cover LASIK eye surgery. However, there are companies that offer a defined benefit to certain participants. These plans fall into 2 main types. The first type is Indemnity Plan, in which the company or the health insurance company pays the LASIK surgeon a part of the usual fee. Depending on the nature of the arrangement with the insurance company, you may or may not be required to contribute a portion of the payment. Any necessary deductable may apply. An Indemnity Plan is the best insurance an employer can give because it allows you to obtain comprehensive LASIK care at a minimal cost, if any.

The second type of is Discounted Fee For Service Plan. With this type of plan, there is an arrangement with the LASIK clinic to accept a discounted fee from you. This can be as low as 50% of the standard fee that the LASIK surgeon typically receives.

Affordable Easy Payment Plans
Another popular payment plan option is “No Money Down”. As the name indicates, no payment is required whatsoever in order to undergo the LASIK procedure. This is a good option for those looking to have LASIK surgery done right away even without cash on hand. Payment can be made in installments over a period of time. Make sure the interest rates are reasonable, though, as a costly LASIK procedure can get even more so when high interest rates are added.

LASIK is the abbreviation of Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. Beyond the dizzyingly complex words we see a procedure that is actually amazing in its simplicity. Basically, this surgery involves changing the cornea’s shape in order to address vision problems such as hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism, and nearsightedness. LASIK is so popular that very few people have not heard of it. It has spared many people from a lifetime of wearing contact lenses or eyeglasses for the rest of their lives just so they can perform simple tasks. LASIK is also popular because it immediately shows results. Patients who have had successful LASIK surgery report that they experience dramatic improvements in their vision within just 24 hours.

PRK is the abbreviation of Photorefractive Keractomy, which also has a very complex-sounding name that conceals a simple procedure. Like LASIK, it also aims to alter the shape of the cornea. Unlike LASIK, it does not need to create a flap on the surface so as to gain access to the underlying layers. Rather, a laser especially made for this procedure causes some tissues of the outer layers of the eye to disintegrate. While this may cause more discomfort and would thus require more time to rest, you can rest with the knowledge that nothing sharp had penetrated your eye. PRK is also a viable choice for people who are hesitant to go with LASIK because of the healing time that the corneal flap requires.

Both PRK and LASIK have satisfied clients that would readily provide testimonials about the effectiveness of each procedure. It is up to you to decide whether to have laser eye surgery or not. Seek the advice of your optometrician or ophthalmologist as to what procedure would best fit your unique needs.

Here are five things you should NOT do after undergoing LASIK surgery:

Do not drive. Your LASIK doctor will prohibit you from driving after the surgery. The restriction period may vary depending on how well you are healing. Most patients are allowed to drive short distances, 48 hours after the procedure. Some patients experience sensitivity to light, so they must wear sunglasses during the day. Depending on your line of work, you may also need to take a leave from work for four days following the procedure. Resting your eyes is important to the healing process.

Do not miss post-operative appointments. Make appointments with your LASIK surgeon for post-operative exams.  It is important to check the healing of the eyes. These appointments are usually made one week, one month, and three months after LASIK surgery. Keeping these appointments is critical to assess your progress.

Do not wear eye make up. Most LASIK doctors will advise you not to use any makeup for 48 hours after surgery. You may resume putting on eye make up after one week or whenever your surgeon gives you permission. Following this rule is important because make up can enter the eye and cause infection.  Worse, it can even damage the eye if you accidentally poke it with a make up applicator.  Patients may shower but should not use soap or any facial wash for two to three days after the surgery.

Do not touch your eyes. After LASIK surgery, your doctor will recommend that you not touch your eyes.  LASIK patients are generally given an eye shield to wear while sleeping. This helps prevent accidental poking or rubbing while sleeping. Touching the eyes may cause contaminants to enter them and increase the risk of infection.

Do not engage in strenuous activities. Normal activities may be done with caution 48 hours after LASIK surgery. Light workouts, such as golf are allowed about a day after LASIK.  Any outdoor activity should be done with protective eyewear. Reading and watching television are also allowed 24 hours after surgery.  However, these activities may cause drying of the eyes so eyes should be moisturized with eye drops. LASIK dry eyes are not uncommon after surgery. After seven days, you may resume with more strenuous activities. If you are an extreme sports enthusiast consult your doctor about when these sports can be allowed. Timeframe can be at least three months after LASIK surgery.

Here is an overview of different Laser Eye Surgery procedure as an addition to modern cataract surgery, and as treatment for age related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.

Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic Retinopathy is a complication of the systemic diabetes mellitus. The Background Diabetic Retinopathy (BDR) can occur at any point after the start of diabetes. Early on, this condition does not manifest any visual symptoms but it is characterized by dot and blotch hemorrhages in the retina, micro aneurysms, and leakage from fine blood vessels.

Age Related Macular Degeneration
Age Related Macular Degeneration or AMD has two primary classifications. Dry AMD occurs on around 90% of the cases and actually the gentler form of the disorder. Wet AMD, which is the second type, is more sight threatening and fortunately it only accounts for 10% of the cases. The Wet Age Related Macular Degeneration can be treated with different methods of laser eye surgery if diagnosed early on.

Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye disease associated with a pressure in the eye resulting damage in the optic nerve. This ultimately leads to vision loss. Glaucoma is usually left untreated until its late stages because patients do not have real symptoms until the disease has significantly progressed.

Most of us may not be well aware that glaucoma is a disease that affects the optic nerves. The good news is that the disease can be treated by different methods of laser eye surgery.

Cataracts
Cataract removal and lens implant surgery is one of the most common and most successful surgeries being performed today. Cataracts are removed using phacoemulsification. That is, the cataract is broken into small pieces and suctioned through a tiny incision. Once cataracts are removed, they never return. The posterior capsule is left in place to support the intraocular lens implant. In about 20 percent of patients, the membrane may become hazy or cloudy and may cause the vision to be blurred. The cloudiness of the membrane can easily be treated with laser eye surgery and almost always restores or improves vision.

Laser Eye Surgery opens up a world of possibilities for people suffering from diabetic retinopathy, age related macular degeneration, glaucoma and cataracts. Indeed, patients can look forward to better vision with LASIK laser eye surgery.