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.

Different methods of laser eye surgery use unique types of lasers, but for corrective eye surgeries, the excimer laser is almost always what surgeons prefer. Excimer has the advantage of being the most modern and innovative type of laser currently available. Unlike other lasers, the mechanism of the excimer laser allows it to cut or remove tissues without having to heat up or damage other surrounding tissue. Thus, it was nicknamed as the “cool laser.” In addition, the excimer laser exhibits such precision that it is able to cut 0.5% of the width of a human hair. This fact is enough to convince some patients that excimer lasers are no joke. Rather, they are the real deal and they can produce very real improvements in their vision.

This LASIK technique is also receptive to more innovation and technology advancement, making it a dynamic technique that evolves according to the times. Because of its precision, more and more patients prefer LASIK laser eye surgery to other corrective surgery treatments. The operation room during a LASIK procedure is typically occupied by the patient, the LASIK surgeon or ophthalmologist, and a technician who can manipulate the laser beams according to the needs of the patient.

Vision is one of the senses that can give us the most information about the world. It is undoubtedly important, and vision problems may hinder our capability to perform simple tasks, or even effect our decision making. Thus, a person must take the utmost care of their eyes, and choose the procedure that can guarantee little or no side effects. LASIK gained its popularity precisely because of the minimal risks of side effects and the reliability of the procedure over time. If you plan to address your vision problems through LASIK, contact your ophthalmologist first to seek his or her expert opinion about what laser eye surgery treatment will work best for you.

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.

Farsightedness, or hyperopia to the medical community, is a vision problem that prevents a person from seeing objects at close distances while having no problem perceiving objects that are far away.  In normal eyes, light naturally flows into the cornea and is projected directly onto the eye’s retina. In hyperopia, light is focused behind the retina. This can be attributed to several factors, such as shorter eyes or flat corneas.

Is it really practical to treat hyperopia with laser eye surgery? While the decision is up to you, this article will briefly present the advantages of having surgery (either LASIK or CK) as treatment so that you can weigh your options.

CK is an abbreviation for Conductive Keratoplasty, a procedure approved by the FDA where a very thin probe (the human hair is actually thicker than the probe used) releases RF, or radiofrequency, energy. These RF waves move in a circular pattern on the outer layers of the cornea so that it can reduce the size of selected corneal tissues. Because of the reduction, the procedure creates a band that constricts some parts of the cornea so as to give it a curvier shape.

In LASIK, or Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, the LASIK surgeon cuts a small flap on the cornea so that an excimer laser can enter and remove selected parts of the cornea. This is a very precise procedure wherein only very tiny pieces of tissue are removed, thus leading to an altered shape. Both CK and LASIK are excellent treatments for farsightedness, but which is better?

LASIK has the advantage of being an older technique and thus, more practiced, as compared to CK. The FDA approved the latter just recently in 2002. In addition, the time it takes to complete a LASIK operation is very short, only 15-45 seconds per eye, and the patient can often detect some improvement within 24 hours.

However, CK is undoubtedly the more novel and innovative method of approaching farsightedness. Modern technology has enabled it to become more stable. Plus, it is non-invasive, thus greatly reducing the anxiety that some patients may feel at the prospect of something cutting or being inserted into their eye. It only follows that lesser complications may probably arise. It takes 15 minutes to complete the operation, and improvement can usually be seen within a week following the procedure.

If you do choose laser eye surgery as treatment, consider carefully what procedure you would like to take. Ask for advice from experts and friends, and do in-depth and exhaustive research on each option. Take into consideration your lifestyle as well and the time you’re willing to spare for the operation. Your ophthalmologist can provide guidance on the best method on treating hyperopia.

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.

In laser corrective eye surgery, a circular flap in the cornea is created using a microkreatome.  After the flap has been cut, the LASIK doctor folds the flap and removes some corneal tissue. This is done using an excimer laser that uses ultraviolet light beams to remove very small pieces of tissue. After the tissue is removed, the cornea is reshaped so that it can better focus light into the eye and the retina. This results in clearer vision than before the LASIK procedure. The flap is then put back into place to cover the area where tissue was removed.

LASIK surgery is a quick and relatively painless procedure.  Patients remain awake during the surgery and are able to walk out right after it. It’s painless because of the eye drops that anesthetize the eye before the surgery begins. Some patients who are apprehensive about the LASIK procedure can be given mild sedative to relax them.

A special device that has a suction ring to pressurize the eye and keep it open is then used.  Once the LASIK procedure begins, it only takes a minute for the surgery to take place.  You might be able to hear the clicking sound of the laser and smell a slightly acidic odor caused by tissue removal. The surgeon has complete control of the instrument and can be stopped anytime. If both eyes need to be done, the surgeon may choose to wait a little while before operating on the other eye. This can be done a week or more after the first procedure.

Wavefront LASIK is generally considered the best type of LASIK procedure.  It is considered as the most trusted because it can be customized for every patient. It gives better results with a 94% success rate in achieving 20/20 vision as compared with 80% in conventional LASIK surgery.  This procedure also decreases the risk of post-surgery complications such as “halo” or night glare.