If you are thinking about having LASIK eye surgery consider the fact that some people may be unsuitable for this operation. LASIK surgery should possibly not be conducted on you if:

Your career could be subsequently placed on the line as a result of an eye operation. Various jobs implicitly state that eye modifications are prohibited, therefore it is imperative that you talk with your employer first.

Money is hard to come by at the present time. Currently, the majority of medical insurance doesn’t pay for surgeries of a refractive nature. Costs appear to be falling but still remain very high.

You are adverse to taking risks. A number of patients always receive particular complications. Additionally, since no long-term studies on LASIK have been performed you are effectively a guinea pig.

Your eyes are still changing yearly. If your glasses prescription has been modified within the last year constant surgical revisions would prove too costly and damaging to the eye. Eyes that are typically still changing are found in people 20 years of age or younger, those with diseases like diabetes that cause hormone imbalances, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and people taking medication that affects their clarity of vision.

You are an active contact sport participant. Wrestling, boxing or martial arts involve many strong hits to the face and in particular the eyes.

You have a disease or medications that mean any wounds you receive will heal slowly. Particular ailments like states of immunodeficiency (e.g. HIV), autoimmune disease (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, lupus), and some medications (e.g. steroids and retinoic acid) can stop an eye healing after refractive surgery has been administered.

Your age is not 18 or older, since under this age this procedure is illegal.

Surgical safety and efficacy has not been established with people who have particular diseases. Talk with your doctor if you have a potential medical background associated with:

Keratoconus glaucoma, ocular hypertension, or glaucoma suspect past eye surgeries or injuries

herpes zoster (shingles) or herpes simplex

disease of the eye (e.g. inflammations of the eye; iritis/ uveitis)

If you are considering having eye surgery your doctor will need to run tests to see if you have other risk factors like:

Thin corneas. This clear covering over the iris of the eye is what is generally modified in refractive surgery since it holds the most power with regards to the eyes ability to focus. If thin then complications that could result in blindness increase in probability.

Dry eyes. This condition tends to be promoted by LASIK surgery.

Blepharitis. This inflammation of your eyelids and associated crusty deposits on the eyelashes can further your chances of getting an inflamed and infected cornea during the post-op recovery period.

Past refractive surgery such as PRK, RK or LASIK may prohibit further surgery to the eyes. When this is the case you have to consult your doctor about your specific situation.

Oversized pupils. Evaluations should be made in professional dark rooms. People who are young or are on particular medications may under dim lighting have larger than normal pupils. Such eyes are prone to symptoms such as halos, starbursts, glare or double vision (ghost images) following surgery. For some patients these visual complications can end up being highly debilitating.

VISX Star 4

VISX Star 4 is the fourth Excimer laser from VISX approved for use in LASIK corrective vision surgery. With the addition of the CustomVue treatment using Wavefront technology, VISX Star 4 is among the most accurate surgical lasers in use today. Wavefront technology is VISX’s diagnostic tool for accurately measuring the shape of the corneas. Using Fourier transform algorithms, the Wavefront system creates a very accurate model of the cornea and the reshaping necessary for complete vision correction. According to VISX, over 94% of the population needing vision correction for hyperopia (farsightedness) or myopia (nearsightedness) can get completely accurate vision correction with Wavefront-guided VISX Star 4 laser treatment. The VISX Star 4 laser then ablates the cornea according to the model constructed by the Wavefront software. In addition, the Wavefront software models how patients see point sources of light to minimize the glare and fuzziness people sometimes see when driving at night after LASIK treatment.

The only real down side of the VISX system is that it does not correct vision for patients with higher-order aberrations, which can cause vision problems such as glare and halos, and for high myopic astigmatism, the astigmatism actually increased following CustomVue treatment.

LADARVision

LADARVision is another brand of Excimer laser approved by the FDA for LASIK laser vision correction. As a counterpoint to VISX’s CustomVue treatment, LADARVision offers CustomCornea. Similarly, LADARWave is a cornea-mapping system similar to Wavefront in all respects. LADARVision treats all forms of vision defects treated by the VISX Star 4 laser, with the addition of higher-order aberrations. While the VISX system has been shown to be either ineffective or harmful for higher-order aberrations, the LADARVision system has been approved to treat these deviations from perfect vision.

Bausch & Lomb Zyoptix Technolas 217z

Bausch & Lomb’s Zyoptix system purports to be a personalized vision correction system. The system measures the imperfections in the eye and comes up with a precise, computer-controlled laser to ablate the surface of the cornea, providing 20/20 or better vision in 91.5% of all patients. Like the LADARVision and VISX system, the Zyoptix system has an eye-tracking routine that prevents the procedure from being impaired by the reflexive eye movements of the patient. It is also approved to treat higher-order aberrations, like the LADARVision system. Recently, this system was also approved for use in treating mixed astigmatism.

Of these three lasers most commonly used for LASIK treatments, then, it seems the only one that suffers from any significant defect is the VISX system, and then only if you are suffering from higher-order aberrations in your cornea. When you consult with your ophthalmologist about your LASIK treatment, make sure and ask him or her about higher-order aberrations and make sure you are receiving a treatment than can address your particular vision problems.

You know a lot of people who have already had lasik surgery, but you are not sure that it is right for you. What do you need to know before making an informed decision? Start with a good eye surgeon and set up an appointment for an examination. The doctor will be able to tell you whether or not you are a good candidate for lasik surgery.

There are many reasons why you may not be a good candidate and the doctor will explain these to you. Listen to him carefully and know that he has your best interest in mind. You may find that you have:

* An unstable prescription — this means that your eye condition changes regularly.
* A severe refractive error — to correct your extreme nearsightedness or farsightedness, it will require too much deep sculpturing and cornea reshaping.
* Large pupils — if the pupil is too wide, then the laser beam will not be able to properly shape the eye.
* A thin cornea will not retain its structure and shape if the top layers of tissue are surgically removed.
* Abnoramally structured cornea — this condition is not treatable with Lasik surgery.
* Pregnant or nursing — these two conditions may change the measured refraction in your eye.
* Collagen vascular disease — affects the collagen-containing connective tissue.
* Glaucoma or cataracts. These eye diseases may cause complications for laser surgery.
* Active herpetic keratitis — a herpes infection in the eye.
* Diabetic retinopathy — a potentially blinding complication of diabetes.

These are just a few of the reasons why you may not be a candidate for lasik surgery. You should be honest with the doctor and work with him and his staff to make sure that you have no hidden problems.

Make sure you go to a reputable eye surgeon and not a small medical center that may disappear in a few years. Check into their credentials-how many lasik surgeries have they performed, were there any malpractice suits against them, and ask the Better Business Bureau about them. The eyes you have are the only ones you get-a medical error would be disastrous.

You probably know someone who has already had the procedure done. Talk to them and see what they have to say-they have first-hand experience about what to expect and they may or may not recommend their eye surgeon.

If everything is okay, you will have your lasik surgery and go through your recovery period. It will take a few weeks for a complete recovery, but your eyes should get stronger and your vision clearer.

Take your time, think about your options and then make an informed decision about your lasik surgery. You may end up with 20/20 vision and never have to wear glasses or contact lenses again. Or, you may find out that you do not qualify for this surgery. Either way, you took the time to learn about the procedure and are a more informed consumer because of it.

Can everyone who has a problem with their eyesight apply to have LASIK? Clearly, LASIK has got great potential and benefits but just like with any new procedure there are risks associated.

The risk of complications or impaired eyesight after LASIK vision correction can be greatly reduced if you make an effort to establish if you are a good prospect to have LASIK surgery. Not everyone who wants their vision corrected is necessarily a good candidate to have LASIK surgery. Here are a few things to consider before you decide on LASIK:

? If you are risk averse, you probably shouldn’t have LASIK laser surgery. There are possible complications that can come about as a result of LASIK that you should consider before having the procedure done.

? Does your insurance cover LASIK vision correction? How would LASIK laser surgery or possible complications affect your career? If having this procedure would impact your life negatively you might consider another alternative.

? Although the cost of having LASIK done is getting cheaper, it is still quite expensive and you’ll want to make sure it isn’t prohibited by your employer.

? A requirement for LASIK vision correction is that you must be an adult with refractive stability. Refractive instability is common among patients who are 20 or younger with fluctuating hormones. This is caused by several conditions including diabetes, pregnancy or breastfeeding or taking medications that cause fluctuation in vision.

? People who regularly engage in contact sports or suffer from a condition or disease which may affect the healing of a wound might have to consider an alternative to the LASIK vision correction surgery.

There are a number of other situations one should discuss with your doctor prior to deciding on LASIK laser surgery. If you suffer from conditions such as herpes or shingles that affects the area around the eyes, you should disclose that information. Also, any other conditions, including glaucoma, ocular hypertension, eye diseases, eye injuries, previous eye surgeries, or keratoconus should also be discussed.

Please ask your doctor to screen you for the following conditions prior to LASIK eye surgery:

? Blepharitis

? Large pupils

? Thin corneas

? Previous refractive surgeries

? Dry eyes

Only once you have considered and cleared all of the above conditions or discussed them with a LASIK surgeon, can you determine if you are an excellent candidate for LASIK laser surgery.

Lasik Eye surgery is a surgical process that is aimed at reducing a person’s dependency on glasses or contact lenses. The article provides basic information on LASIK eye surgery.

LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) surgery permanently changes the shape of the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye, using an excimer laser. A flap in the cornea is cut using an special knife called microkeratome. A hinge is left at one end of this flap. The flap is folded back revealing the stroma, the middlesection of the cornea. Pulses from a computer-controlled laser vaporize a portion of the stroma and the flap is replaced. This is just one of the techniques of Lasik.

Lasik Eye Surgery: Is this the right time?
Examine your eyes with your eye doctor to start with. You must be in good general health and should be over 18 years of age. You should not have any eye diseases of concern like cataracts or glaucoma. Laser vision correction can treat a very broad range of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

Does the Lasik eye surgery hurt? Is it painful?
The surgery may be a bit uncomfortable for a few patients. One good way to learn more about how it might feel is to talk to someone who has had the procedure, such as a friend or relative, or a staff member at the doctor’s office. Most of the times, its just the fear of the unknown. Anesthetic drops are used to numb the eye just before surgery begins and you may be given a mild sedative. After your procedure, your eye may feel a foreign body sensation or irritation for a few hours, but most patients are quite comfortable after taking a short nap. You will be given drops for your eyes to counteract the potential dryness you may experience for several days following the surgery.

Recovery period after Lasik
Most Lasik patients usually see quite well the day following their procedure and may be able to resume most of their normal daily activities, but patients with higher prescriptions may recover more slowly. Although the speed of visual recovery depends on personal healing patterns, most patients notice dramatic visual results within the first few days following their procedure.

What are the risks from Lasik surgery?
There are very few risks with the laser vision correction procedure. However, the chances of having a vision reducing complication have been documented in a number of clinical studies to be minimal. Do not forget that millions of people have had excellent results from laser vision correction.

Each eye is complex and unique and has its own shape. Small imperfections in the eye scatters light waves which cause vision impairment. The procedure is done by a qualified and skilled surgeon.

Lasik laser refractive surgery has become an extremely effective treatment in eye correction. The surgery is done as an outpatient procedure and takes about five minutes per eye. The results are dramatic. It is a refractive surgery to correct errors and reshapes the cornea of the eye. It is an effective treatment and enhances the ability to focus. Lasik eye surgery is the most common type of laser vision correction. The procedure is done by a qualified and skilled surgeon. The recovery is minimal and most patients are able to see without vision correction the next day.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 45% of adults over 50 have never had a dilated eye exam. 1 out of every 3 adults over 40 has a vision problem. A growing problem is the lack of concern to seek out preventative eye care. With that serious problems with the eyes can go undetected and cause permanent damage. Some threatening eye problems include: cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration and presbyopia.

Lasik surgery is refractive surgery to correct vision and eliminate the need for glasses and contact lenses. An initial baseline eye examination is needed with your eye doctor to see if you are a good candidate for Lasik eye surgery. If you wear contact lenses you should stop wearing them for several weeks before Lasik eye surgery since contacts change the shape of the cornea.

Lasik laser eye surgery correct most patient’s common vision problems as with Myopia or nearsightedness; Hyperopia or farsightedness and Astigmatism or distorted vision.

The total procedure takes less than 30 minutes. The laser system includes a large machine with a microscope and an attached computer screen. The laser is used to remove corneal tissue based on measurements taken at your initial evaluation. After the procedure your vision may be hazy or blurry.

This will improve considerably within the first few days. Plan on taking a few days from work until symptoms are gone. A follow up visit is scheduled within the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery to test your vision and examine your eye and regular scheduled interval check ups for at least six months.

Call your eye doctor or Houston Lasik surgeon for more information. Lasik laser surgery is available across America and in Texas in cities as Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio.

How exciting! You have decided to have LASIK surgery so you can throw away those horrible old, thick, heavy glasses! Of course, you have already found a qualified ophthalmologist who is experienced in performing laser vision correction. The two of you have talked about your vision correction needs and the proper procedure has been scheduled.

Next, you want to know what you can do to be prepared for your LASIK procedure. These before and after tips will help you ensure your laser eye surgery is a success.

Before LASIK Surgery

? You should have a complete eye exam including dilation of the eyes, glaucoma and retina tests and eye measurements.

? You will be asked to sign a consent form before the LASIK surgery can be performed. Don?t sign it unless you understand everything on the form. If you have any questions, ask them prior to signing the form.

? If you wear contacts, you will be asked to stop wearing them for a couple of weeks prior to surgery. Since contacts temporarily change the shape of the cornea, not wearing them will allow the cornea to relax and your eye surgeon can take an accurate measurement.

? A day before your procedure, stop using makeup, lotions and other items on your face. They can cause debris to get in the eye and that can adversely affect the laser surgery.

? Arrange for a ride to and from your laser vision surgery since you won?t be able to see properly immediately following.

? On the day of your LASIK surgery, eat a light meal and take all prescribed medications as usual.

After LASIK Surgery

? You probably won?t be able to see clearly right away and will be asked to relax and nap at home for a while.

? You may experience some discomfort of the eye. Using a mild pain reliever can easily take care of any soreness you feel.

? Wear sunglasses every time you are outside for a while.

? Avoid driving until your vision has improved enough that you can see fairly clearly.

? Do not allow water to spray directly into your face for the first 24 hours following your laser surgery.

? Do not rub your eyes. Wearing a protective eye shield at night for the first week is recommended.

? Do not use makeup and avoid smoking or smoke-filled rooms for the first week or so.

Be sure you adhere to the follow up schedule your ophthalmologist gives you. This will ensure that the healing process is going as planned and that no additional LASIK enhancements are needed.

Most of all, enjoy the world around you as seen through your own eyes and not glasses or contacts.

About 3 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with glaucoma. Glaucoma is a visual condition that causes damage to the optic nerve due to increased internal ocular pressure (IOP). Generally, patients with glaucoma feel no symptoms until they begin to notice vision changes.

A clear watery liquid called the aqueous humor baths the lens and cornea of our eyes. This liquid flows in and out of the area behind the cornea and in front of the iris, (called the anterior chamber) nourishing the structures inside the eye. When a patient has glaucoma, this fluid does not drain quickly enough out of the anterior chamber. Soon, fluid builds up, and the internal ocular pressure inside the eye increases. Left untreated, this increased pressure causes damage to the optic nerve, leading to vision loss and blindness.

Glaucoma is diagnosed with a thorough eye examination that measures eye pressure and includes a visual examination of the optic nerve and a visual field test. This complete examination measures whether loss of vision has begun.

Glaucoma is treated with medicated eye drops, conventional surgery and/or laser surgery.

Risk factors for glaucoma include:

? family history of glaucoma

? Negro ancestry

? high blood pressure

? diabetes

? smoking

? advanced age

? corticosteroid use

? previous ocular trauma

For an individuals considering LASIK surgery to correct any of a number of common vision problems, glaucoma poses some unique problems. Individuals with very high IOP or individuals at risk for glaucoma may not be good candidates for conventional or custom wavefront LASIK, All-Laser LASIK, or Epi-Lasik. However, other types of refractive surgery like PRK, LASEK, NearVision CK, P-IOL, or RLE may be more appropriate.

Some types of LASIK surgery involve the use of a microkeratome, a mechanical or laser surgical device used to create a flap of corneal tissue. Attached temporarily to the eye with a vacuum ring that creates suction, the microkeratome briefly but greatly increases the internal ocular pressure of the eye, negatively affecting the patient who has elevated IOP.

The Sacramento LASIK physicians of Griffin and Reed Eye Care insist on using the German engineered Hansatome Microkeratome instrument to create the corneal flap for the LASIK treatment. As a leading provider of LASIK procedures, Griffin and Reed Eye Care puts the needs of Sacramento LASIK patients at the forefront in selecting the very best, most technologically advanced equipment and procedures for every Sacramento LASIK treatment.

It?s important to note that, while glaucoma does not automatically mean refractive surgery is not possible, the individual?s glaucoma should be treated and the condition must be stable before refractive surgery can be undertaken.

PRK, LASEK, CK, P-IOL, and RLE are types of LASIK surgery that do not require a microkeratome and have not been shown to dramatically increase IOP. Discuss these options with your eye surgeon to determine if any one of these procedures is right for you.

If you are ready to choose an eye care professional to be evaluated for any type of refractive surgery procedure, it is highly recommend that you consider a physician who has been evaluated and certified by the USAEyes nonprofit organization. USAEyes provides objective Lasik information and lists Lasik doctors who meet specific patient outcome requirements and are certified by the nonprofit, nongovernmental, Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance.

The Federal Drug Administration offers an approved online glaucoma test you can take from the comfort and convenience of your own computer to help you determine if you have or are at risk for glaucoma. Visit the FDA?s online test, which may be helpful, but should not be used in place of a visit to your ophthalmologist at least once every other year.