Disadvantages We Should Know About Lasik Eye Surgery

Though LASIK eye surgery is reported to have several merits, such as no pain, less complications, higher successful rate and shorter recovery time, it also has disadvantages just as a coin has two sides. So before deciding to take this surgery, we must make ourselves fully notice these disadvantages, or else, we maybe dissatisfied with the treating result. Therefore, the following will introduce some disadvantages of LASIK eye surgery in order to help people to know more about it.

The first disadvantage is people may need to take repeat surgeries. After the first surgery, it may not achieve a satisfied treating effect, so people need to take follow-up procedures to further improve peoples vision. The advantage for the repeat surgeries is peoples vision can be further improved. And the down side is people have to face the pressure of repeat surgeries, and of course pay more money for the surgeries.

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What We Should Know About Lasik Eye Surgery?

Though a large number of people worldwide have been benefited from LASIK eye surgery, it is a pity that there are still some people who do not know much about it but want to take it. We know we can resort to LASIK eye surgery for help to get rid of our glasses or contact lenses in our later life. However, we dont know not everyone can be suitable for the surgery and the surgery can not treat all the eye problems. So before we decide to take LASIK eye surgery, what should we pay attention to?

No doubt that LASIK eye surgery can help us a lot with our eye problems, but this does not mean everybody can be suitable for the surgery. If we want to be a good and qualified candidate for LASIK eye surgery, we should bear in mind the following points:

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Important Information About Laser Eye Surgery

It seems as though there have been millions of seemingly successful procedures since laser eye surgery was first introduced in the United States in 1991. I see commercials for procedures all the time. I have not yet heard about any horror stories involving laser eye surgery nor have I heard about any class action lawsuits filed against the laser eye surgery industry. Unfortunately, I think that they will likely come one day. Like many people, I need a bit more convincing before I sign up for something that sounds as drastic as shaping your eyeball with a laser in order to see better.

You see, I have a light prescription for nearsightedness and would probably make a good candidate for this kind of procedure. I am still waiting for more evidence that this procedure is completely safe. It simply sounds illogical that a laser can be used to shape an eyeball without causing any residual damage. I am going to wait a good while to see if, even after decades, laser eye surgery causes any damage to the patient's eyes. I think that there should be many years of research and analysis completed before any procedure can be deemed harmless.

Laser eye surgery, like all surgeries or medical procedures, does have its complications. Some people experience double vision or a halo effect after the surgery. An important thing to keep in mind while trying to decide whether or not to go through with the procedure is that eye laser surgery is irreversible. There is no going back, folks. If getting laser eye surgery leaves you with unwanted or intolerable side effects, you may be stuck with them, forever.

Since its introduction, laser eye surgery has become more and more affordable which is a sign of a competitive market. It may also be a sign of waning standards in the young industry. Where I come from, you get what you pay for and this motto has served me well. I think that you are just asking for trouble if you sign up for any discount surgery. Those savings come at a price one away or another. Exactly what did they skimp on to save you money? That is one question that potential patients ought to ask themselves and their doctors.

I think that it is a good idea to wait a few more years before I give laser eye surgery much confidence. This is just one of those new things that have to have a while to sit before we can feel that we know all that we need to or should know about it. Laser eye surgery may be the lifesaver that many claim it to be but I think I'll wait a bit longer before I buy into it or bet my sight on it.

searchrankpros
http://www.articlesnatch.com

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How Lasik Came to Be

Some people believe that the use of Lasik procedures has only occurred in very recent times. To most people Lasik and its associated technology are still novel concepts. However, Lasik's success is the result of improvements made on prior procedures.

Vision correction surgeries can be traced back over fifty years to when some of the first procedures were carried out. In 1948, Dr. Jose Barraquer developed a technique we would describe as barbaric and unethical by today's health care standards. Dr. Barraquer, who practiced in Bogota, Columbia, would remove and then freeze more than 50% of the patient's cornea. A lathe would then be used to carefully sculpt the surface of the cornea to increase the quality of vision. The cornea was then sewn back in place once it was redesigned.

The outcomes of this technique, which was known as MKM, or freeze myopic keratomileusis, were extremely variable and thus clinically unreliable. It could also be a very complicated and intricate surgery to perform. The technique seems barbaric, but Lasik's history is dependent upon the knowledge gained from those who came before. Today's Lasik can thank MKM's use of the basic version of microkeratome for advances in the industry.

Helping the development of the concept of vision correction was the understanding of some of the problems surrounding MKM. ALK was created over a decade later. To correct refractive errors, this technique used a modified microkeratome to create a flap at the front of the eye and then removed a wedge of corneal tissue. As happend with Doctor Barraquer's way of performing the surgeries, the effects of ALK could not be guaranteed.

Not long after the development of the automated lamellar keratoplasty method, a procedure known as radial keratotomy, or RK, was invented by a Russian physician. Doctor Fyodorov modified the prior procedure a little to produce more consistent results with a higher percentage of successful vision corrections. In an RK procedure, the cornea is sculpted using common, non-specialized surgical tools. Reshaping the cornea involved removing portions of the cornea in order to correct refractive errors, myopia (nearsightedness), and astigmatism.

Doctor Fyodorov's RK technique was more difficult but produced better results. However, it still produced poorer results than today's Lasik. His results were more reliable than previous techniques but still useless for refractive errors other than astigmatism or slight problems with nearsightedness.

For thirty years after Dr. Fyodorov's technique was applied to use in the eye, lasers were developed and used in correcting eye problems. The use of the excimer laser for the removal of corneal tissue was first described by the Steven Trokel in 1983. The laser was used in a procedure known as photorefractive keratectomy, which can now be used to treat up to 80% of the myopic population. PRK changes the shape of the anterior central cornea using a laser. PRK preceded the invention of Lasik, which affects the inner tissue of the cornea.

Lasik surgeries first appeared in 1991 when the procedure was first carried out in the United States. With this technique, predictable and accurate outcomes could be achieved for the first time. The first surgery to offer a speedy and often pain free surgery, Lasik can also boast a very short recovery period. Lasik's past has been a meaningful aid to the procedures we have today.

Joe Palerma
http://www.articlesnatch.com

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Corneal Replacement Surgery Is it Right for You?

These days, there are countless advancements in the field of corrective vision. People suffering from all manner of sight-reducing ailments can often find assistance or complete cures for their problems. Recently, additional discoveries in the once radical practice of corneal replacements have further expanded the potential for people to have clear and crisp vision. Even those with corneas beyond repair can experience the benefits of corneal replacement, and they can enjoy a world with near-perfect sight.

There are two main types of corneal replacement: DLED and DSEAK. PKP used to be the core transplant procedure, but has been somewhat outdated by these newer, more effective treatments. Both produce impressive short-term results, but as they are new procedures, long-term successes are not yet completely known.

The distinct advantage of DLEK and DSAEK lies in their ability to replace only a small section of the cornea. The specific layer of cells targeted in these procedures is responsible for regulating the transfer of fluid into the cornea, which is directly related to the ability to see. Since these processes only work to replace a small portion of this cell layer, the risk of damage and the likelihood of error is greatly reduced.

Likewise, these procedures are far less invasive and can often be performed in a fraction of the time PKP once required.

If you suspect you might be a candidate for corneal replacement, your best bet is a comprehensive exam with your eye care professional. This doctor will fully assess your eyesight needs, and offer you the viable array of procedures and treatments. If corneal replacement is a possible alternative, he will explain all the related risks and benefits, giving you the full arsenal of information needed to make such a serious, potentially life-changing decision.

Daniel Beasley
http://www.articlesnatch.com

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Corneal Transplant Surgery

The cornea is the clear front window of the eye. The cornea focuses light onto the retina, which is at the back of the eye. If the cornea is damaged it may become swollen or scarred. Scars, swelling or an irregular shape cause the cornea to scatter or distort light, which will result in glare or blurred vision. A corneal transplant may be needed when vision cannot be corrected satisfactorily using other procedures, or if painful swelling cannot be relieved by medications or special contact lenses. The following conditions may require corneal transplant: corneal failure after other eye surgery; keratoconus; hereditary corneal failure (Fuch’s); corneal dystrophies; scarring after infections; rejection after the first corneal transplant; or scarring after other eye surgery.

Of all the transplant surgery done today (hearts, lungs, kidneys, etc.) corneal transplants are by far the most common and successful.

Preparing for Surgery

Surgery is usually done with local anesthesia on an outpatient basis. You may be asked to skip breakfast, depending on the time of your surgery. Once you arrive at the operating room, you will be given eye drops and sometimes medications to help you relax.

Before a donor cornea is released for transplant, the eye bank tests the human donor for the viruses that cause hepatitis and AIDS. The cornea is then carefully checked for visual clarity. Your ophthalmologist may request that you have a physical examination and other special tests prior to surgery. If you usually take medications, ask your ophthalmologist if you should continue them.

During Surgery

The operation is painless. Anesthesia is either local or general, depending on your age, medical condition, and eye disease. You will not see the surgery while it is happening, and you will not have to worry about keeping your eye open or closed. After the anesthetic has taken effect, the eyelids are gently opened. Looking through a surgical microscope, your ophthalmologist will measure the eye to determine the size of the corneal transplant. The diseased or injured cornea is carefully removed from the eye. Any necessary additional work within the eye, such as removal of a cataract, is completed. Then the clear donor cornea is sewn into place. When the operation is over, the ophthalmologist will usually place a shield over the eye that has just received the transplanted cornea.

After Surgery

If you are an outpatient, you may go home after a short stay in the recovery area. You should plan to have someone else drive you home.
Follow-Up
Following your surgery, you will need to:
* Use the eye drops as prescribed;
* Be careful not to rub or press on your eye;
* Use over-the-counter pain medicine if necessary;
* Continue normal daily activities and moderate exercise;
* Ask your doctor when you can begin driving;
* Wear eyeglasses or an eye shield if advised by your doctor.
* Several postoperative visits are needed to check on the progress of the eye as it heals.

Potential Risks

Corneal transplants are rejected 5% to 30% of the time, depending on the reason for the transplant. The rejected cornea will cloud and vision will deteriorate. Most rejections, if treated promptly, can be stopped with minimal injury. Warning signs of rejection are persistent discomfort, light sensitivity, redness, or change in vision. Any of these symptoms should be promptly reported to your ophthalmologist.
Other treatable complications can include infection, bleeding, swelling, detachment of the retina, or glaucoma.

A corneal transplant can be repeated, usually with good results, but the overall rejection rates for repeated transplants are slightly higher than for the first transplant. Irregular curvature of the transplanted cornea (astigmatism) may slow the return of vision, but is treatable. Visual recovery takes at least a year after transplant surgery, and your vision may continue to improve up to two years after transplant surgery.

Even if the surgery is successful, any other underlying eye conditions such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, or diabetes (retina damage) may limit vision after surgery. Nevertheless, corneal transplantation may still be worthwhile. No other surgery has so much to offer when the cornea is deeply scarred or swollen.
Never forget that corneal transplant surgery would not be possible without the hundreds of thousands of generous donors and their families who have donated corneal tissue so that others may see!

www.springfieldclinic.com

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