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If you are considering becoming one of the many Canadians who undergo LASIK laser vision correction in Toronto each year, you may have questions regarding the procedure. Read on to learn the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about LASIK or contact a Toronto ophthalmologist today to schedule an appointment.
What does LASIK treat?
LASIK corrects the imperfections of the cornea that are responsible for producing the symptoms of myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism.
Who is a good candidate for LASIK?
To be a good candidate for laser vision correction, a person should be in general good health. His or her eyes should be free of any injury or
condition. A patient who has an eye condition such as glaucoma, cataracts, or keratoconus may be disqualified from having LASIK. The ideal candidate is over the age of 18 and has had a stable corrective lenses prescription for at least a year. He or she must also have a degree of correction that can be corrected with LASIK surgery. Women who are pregnant should wait until their eyes have normalized after pregnancy before having LASIK laser vision correction, since hormonal fluctuations may cause changes in the eyes.
What happens during the LASIK procedure?
After the patient’s eye has been prepared with soothing, anesthetizing eye drops, a speculum is positioned to hold his or her eyelids open. The next step is to create a corneal flap — a flap of corneal tissue that will is lifted aside while the surgeon reshapes the underlying tissue and replaced to form a natural bandage. The surgeon uses a sophisticated excimer laser to reshape the corneal tissue, correcting imperfections that cause poor vision. Once this is complete, the corneal flap is put back in place. The flap protects the surgical site and facilitates quick healing.
If you have been diagnosed with cataracts, you probably have quite a few questions about how they develop and how they are treated. This article will answer some of the most commonly asked questions about cataracts. For further information, talk to your eye doctor.
What is a cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye. The cataract itself is actually a clump of proteins that develop in the eye. Cataracts obscure vision and can eventually cause blindness if left untreated.
Cataracts only affect the elderly right?
Wrong. Cataracts can develop at any age. Certain medical conditions can lead to early development of cataracts, but it is true that most people will develop cataracts when they reach age 65 or so.
Are cataracts progressive in nature?
Yes. However, sometimes it can take years for a small cataract to progress. Many people live with cataracts for years, even decades without needing any treatment. It is only when cataracts interfere with vision that it becomes necessary to submit to treatment.
Can eyeglasses or medications treat cataracts?
Unfortunately, no. There is no medication that can eliminate cataracts or even stop their progression. Eyeglasses are completely ineffectual when it comes to cataracts. The only treatment option is surgical removal of the clouded lens and replacement with an artificial lens.
What happens during cataract surgery?
During cataract surgery the eye doctor uses ultrasound technology to break up the affected lens of the eye then it is suctioned out from the eye. The next step is to replace the missing lens with an artificial lens, either a monofocal or multifocal lens.
Is cataract surgery safe?
All surgical procedures have risks. The incidence of complications from cataract surgery is extremely low. There is a risk of infection and side effects include swelling, pain, and bleeding.
LASIK has helped millions of people achieve visual freedom and ditch their corrective lenses. LASIK is considered safe by all of the experts and has a very small incidence of complications; however, the one aspect of LASIK that has always presented a small risk is the creation of the corneal flap with a microkeratome. A microkeratome is a surgical cutting instrument with a metal blade, much like a razor. One of the risks associated with the use of the microkeratome is infection from the blade incision. Fear of infection has kept many people from undergoing LASIK surgery in the past. However, with the advent of all laser LASIK and the Intralase laser, LASIK has become even safer.
The Intralase laser has truly revolutionized LASIK surgery. The Intralase laser has quickly taken the place of the microkeratome and is now the preferred method of creating the corneal flap during LASIK. The laser works by creating precise incisions in the cornea. Not only has the Intralase laser made LASIK safer, it has also allowed more people to undergo the procedure, including people with thin corneas.
Of course, this does not necessarily mean that traditional LASIK should be considered an unsafe or outdated procedure. Traditional LASIK is considered extremely safe and has an excellent record of success. All laser LASIK with the Intralase laser should simply be considered a refinement of the initial LASIK procedure. Intralase LASIK is an advancement in technology, and as such, it comes with a higher price tag.
It is important to remember that even with the help of the Intralase laser, not everyone is a candidate for LASIK. The best way to find out which type of refractive eye surgery is right for you is to consult an eye surgeon in your area.
LASIK has become an extremely popular vision correction option for people suffering from refractive error. The reason LASIK is so popular is because it is considered both safe and effective. People who undergo LASIK eye surgery notice a dramatic change in their vision right away. This translates to a better quality of life. Despite the popularity of LASIK surgery, it is important to remember that there is as much misinformation about the procedure available as there is factually true information. Some of the misconceptions about LASIK are so widespread that they are accepted as the truth. This article will attempt to separate fact from fiction and debunk some of the most common LASIK myths.
LASIK can Make People Go Blind
This is certainly a frightening misconception about LASIK. There really is virtually no risk of anyone going blind from LASIK surgery. As long as the surgeon is qualified to perform the procedure and the patient is a good candidate for the surgery. The source of this misconception likely has to do with some type of eye surgery gone wrong. Of course, when you have someone who is not qualified to perform eye surgery there is always a risk of terrible things happening during surgery. That is why patients have to be diligent about making sure they go only to accredited LASIK surgeons.
LASIK Guarantees Perfect Vision
LASIK gives millions of people freedom from corrective lenses, but there is no guarantee of achieving perfect vision if you undergo LASIK. The statistics show that 70 percent of LASIK patients achieve 20/20 vision and more than 90 percent achieve 20/40 vision or better. The success of LASIK surgery depends on the degree of refractive error as well as the skill and expertise of the surgeon.
Anyone Can Undergo LASIK
Unfortunately, this is not true. LASIK is effective for millions of people who suffer from refractive error, but there are a variety of things that can disqualify people as LASIK candidates. If you have thin corneas, an unstable eye prescription, dry eyes, or other eye conditions or health conditions, you may not be a candidate for traditional LASIK. The good news is that there are a variety of alternatives to LASIK surgery that are just as effective.
People with refractive error grow up wearing glasses and contact lenses. It is only when they become an adult that the opportunity to become free of correction eyewear presents itself. The surgery that allows men and women of all ages to ditch their glasses and contact lenses is called LASIK eye surgery. This procedure is performed on millions of people each year. Millions more are contacting their eye doctor as we speak to find out if they are a candidate for the LASIK procedure. The success rate associated with LASIK makes it one of the most popular and sought after elective medical procedures available.
People with nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism read about LASIK success stories every day. It seems like just about everyone is enjoying the benefits of LASIK eye surgery. But it is important to remember that not everyone is a candidate for LASIK. Before you get your heart set on undergoing the procedure, make sure you study the candidacy requirements and schedule a consultation with a LASIK surgeon in your area.
LASIK Candidacy
There are many factors that go into determining candidacy for LASIK eye surgery. People under age 18 are not considered good candidates for surgery because they are still experiencing changes with their vision. It is recommended that LASIK candidates have a stable eye prescription for at least a year prior to surgery. Pregnant women are also not seen as good candidates for the procedure because their vision changes due to hormonal flux.
LASIK is only appropriate for people with certain refractive error parameters. For individuals who have severe refractive error, LASIK will be unable to deliver the best results. Your eye surgeon can tell you whether your refractive error falls under the candidacy requirements for LASIK.
LASIK eye surgery is becoming more popular than ever. There are millions of men and women who suffer from refractive error and are seeking freedom from eyeglasses and contact lenses. However, the decision to undergo LASIK eye surgery should not be taken lightly. LASIK does have both risks and benefits. It is essential to learn as much as possible about the procedure before making your final decision. Finding out what happens during the LASIK procedure itself can go a long way toward reducing anxiety about the procedure. In this article we will discuss what to expect before, during, and after LASIK eye surgery.
The first step in the journey to LASIK eye surgery is to schedule a consultation with an eye surgeon. During the consultation the surgeon will be able to tell you if you are a good candidate for LASIK surgery and you will be able to discuss the risks and benefits of the procedure in detail.
When you come to the office on the day of your surgery, you will be given anesthetic eye drops to numb your eyes. If you are feeling anxious you can also request a mild sedative to calm your nerves. You will then sit down in a chair and the surgeon will place a shield over one of your eyes and use a speculum to hold open the eyelids of the other eye.
The first step of the LASIK procedure is the creation of the corneal flap. The surgeon will use either a laser or a microkeratome to create the flap. The flap is then folded over and laser treatment begins. Laser corneal reshaping lasts for about five minutes. The process is painless; you will feel pressure and you will smell tissue burning. When the laser reshaping is complete the corneal flap will be placed back over the eye. The procedure will then proceed on the other eye.
When the surgery is complete, you can leave the office. Your vision will be blurry so you will need someone to drive you home. For the next few days, your eyes will feel itchy and somewhat sore. This is completely normal. Your final results will be visible in about a week.
People with diabetes are at an increased risk of losing their vision. One of the leading causes of blindness in diabetics is a condition known as diabetic retinopathy. What are the causes of this disease and how is it treated? Learn more about diabetic retinopathy in this article.
Diabetic retinopathy tends to affect older individuals. Usually the longer a person lives with diabetes the higher the chance they have of developing diabetic retinopathy. In most cases, diabetic retinopathy appears after an individual has been suffering from diabetes for 10 years or more.
When blood sugar levels rise in diabetics, they can start to damage the eyes. The blood vessels in the eyes begin to break down and eventually start leaking fluid into the eye itself. This causes an increase in intraocular pressure, leading to the formation of fatty deposits in the eye. Eventually these fatty deposits end up as floating particles in the eye, obstructing vision.
The body’s natural response to this damage to the eye is to grow additional blood vessels. The result is that the new blood vessels will usually grow abnormally and can further obstruct vision. When the scars from these vessels get bad enough, they can lead to retinal detachment.
Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis
If you suffer from diabetes, it is important to visit your doctor regularly for check-ups and vision screenings. Doctors can diagnose diabetic retinopathy through the use of fluorescent dye and ocular photography. Diabetics should schedule a diabetic retinopathy screening once a year; if caught early, there are several treatment options available to avoid vision deterioration.
Every time a medical procedure hits the market, it follows that a few years later another version emerges that is usually safer and more effective (and of course, more costly). In the field of refractive surgery, there has been a lot of hype concerning custom LASIK, which is being touted as the evolution of traditional LASIK surgery. But is custom LASIK worth the cost? It is really better than traditional LASIK? This article will compare the two procedures.
LASIK and custom LASIK surgery are very similar, the primary difference involves accuracy and use of varying technologies. Both procedures rely on the use of a laser to alter the shape of the cornea. This changes the way light reflects on the cornea. Preparation for the procedure is the same and post-op recovery is also the same.
Here is where custom LASIK surgery differs. During custom LASIK procedures, the surgeon uses Wavefront Mapping technology to map the surface of the eye. That map is then fed into a computer and the laser used during surgery is programmed to make only the changes needed to the cornea. This makes the procedure more accurate, especially for individuals with severe refractive error. How much better are the results? With traditional LASIK, about 50 percent of patients achieve 20/20 vision. With custom LASIK, that percentage is over 70 percent. One of the primary benefits of custom LASIK is that it allows people with higher order visual abnormalities to successfully undergo LASIK.
Of course, this added technology comes with a price. Custom LASIK surgery is far more expensive than traditional LASIK. For individuals who cannot qualify for traditional LASIK, price is a small consideration. But for those with common visual errors who can choose between custom LASIK and traditional LASIK, price is often a determining factor.
If you have decided to undergo LASIK eye surgery, your first priority should be to find an experienced LASIK surgeon to perform your procedure. Cost should not be the sole determining factor in your choice of a surgeon. Of course, LASIK can be expensive, but when you pay a higher price for LASIK you are paying for the use of new technology and also paying for the experience of your surgeon. Always keep in mind that there are plenty of financing options available to cover the cost of the procedure. Don’t let a few hundred dollars keep you from seeking treatment from the best.
Choosing a LASIK Surgeon
One of the first things you should look for in a good LASIK surgeon is reputation. A quality LASIK surgeon will have a solid reputation in their community; start asking your friends, family, and neighbors if they know of a good LASIK surgeon. This is an excellent place to start your research.
When you start narrowing down your search, you cannot be afraid to ask questions. Here are a few things to consider asking any potential surgeon:
How many LASIK procedures have you performed?
Is your practice exclusively focused on LASIK?
Is the LASIK surgeon part of the surgical process from start to finish?
Does the surgeon offer enhancements?
Your LASIK surgeon should explain the surgical process completely and take the time to answer all of your questions.
It is usually in your best interest to consult a LASIK eye surgery specialist, someone whose practice focuses exclusively on LASIK surgery. Keep in mind that if the LASIK center has a super aggressive marketing campaign and offers deep discounts, this should be a warning. Deep discounts on LASIK can be deceptive; usually there are very narrow candidacy requirements to qualify for the discounted price. Discounted LASIK also does not take advantage of the latest technology like custom LASIK. If you choose your surgery center based on price, keep in mind that you may be sacrificing quality.
During cataract surgery, the surgeon removes the patient’s damaged lens and replaces it with a sophisticated artificial lens. This replacement lens is called an intraocular lens implant (IOL). There are two main types of IOLs: monofocal and multifocal. If you are planning to undergo cataract surgery in Lincoln, Nebraska, an eye doctor at the LincolnEye & Laser Institute can help you decide which type of lens is right for your needs.
Monofocal IOLs
The first intraocular lenses were monofocal. These lenses correct vision at one distance - near, intermediate, or far. To see clearly at other distances, patients with monofocal IOLs have to rely on prescription glasses. With the advantages multifocal lenses offer, monofocal IOLs are not as widely used as they once were.
Multifocal IOLs
Unlike their monofocal counterparts, multifocal IOLs can correct vision at multiple distances. Typically, the brain goes through a short adjustment period as it learns to use the visual information supplied by multifocal IOLs. A variety of options are available to patients who prefer multifocal IOLs.
Crystalens HD®
With Crystalens HD, patients can enjoy freedom from cataractsand presbyopia. The exciting technology behind this advanced IOL is based on the workings of the natural human eye. Like a natural lens, the Crystalens HD constantly adjusts to meet the patient’s vision requirements.
ReStor™
The ReStor multifocal IOL greatly reduces or eliminates patients’ need for glasses or contacts after cataract surgery. The key to its success lies in the structure of the lens itself. Multiple tiers corresponding to different ranges of vision allow clear vision at various distances.
ReZoom®
In order to provide quality vision near, far, and in between, as well as in various types of lighting, the ReZoom lens has five visual zones. One supports clear distance vision in bright lighting, while another aids focusing at a distance in when it is darker. Other zones handle near vision in a range of light conditions.
