The Laser Surgery

New Lasik treatment uses the same kind of laser used in PRK or photorefractive keratectomy. PRK is the first surgical procedure developed to reshape the cornea by sculpting using the laser. It was only later that new Lasik was developed. The major difference between the two surgeries lies in the way that the stroma, the middle layer of the cornea is exposed before vaporized with the laser. In PRK, the top layer of the cornea called epithelium is scraped away to expose the stromal layer. In new Lasik, a flap is cut in the stromal layer and then the flap is folded back. The first refractive laser systems approved by the FDA were excimer lasers for use in PRK to treat myopia and later on to treat astigmatism. Later, doctors began using these lasers for new Lasik to treat other refractive errors. Over the last several years, new Lasik treatment has been used by doctors to treat myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. Over the past ten years, there have been major developments in laser vision correction technology and the understanding of the procedure. The improvements include improved eye tracking systems during the laser procedure, larger treatment zones, and improved mechanical and laser microkeratomes which reduce flap complications. However no development has caused more excitement than the recent FDA approval (June, 2003) of CustomVue LASIK from VISX utilizing wavefront guided treatment. This will be the predominant form of new LASIK treatment. Wavefront guided custom new LASIK differs from conventional LASIK treatment in the way the eye’s optics is measured. Accurate measurement of the optics of each eye is essential for a good visual outcome from the new LASIK procedure. It is this series of numbers/calculations that is used to program the laser for reshaping the cornea. Before wavefront guided new LASIK, the surgeon objectively measured the eye with a handheld instrument or an automated measuring device then asked the patient to subjectively refine the measurement. The reality is that the eye’s optical system is not uniform throughout the central 6mm of measurement. The new Lasik wavefront can precisely measure the optics of light from minute areas over the central 6mm of the cornea. While conventional LASIK was and still is very effective treatment, the wavefront guided new LASIK procedure has given surgeons the ability to provide patients with improved visual results than conventional LASIK. Custom wavefront guided new LASIK uses a waveprint of the eye’s optical system as the guide for laser reshaping. The waveprint is 25 times more precise than an averaged measurement because data about the eye’s optical system is collected from hundreds of separate points over the central 6mm area of the cornea. Rather than using an averaged measurement from the central 6mm to reshape the entire cornea, the cornea reshaping is customized at each of the hundreds of points from which measurements are taken.

Lasik vision correction may help improve your sight. But just like any other surgeries, you can experience Lasik side effects too. One of the possible Lasik side effects is experiencing temporary irritants. After the procedure, your eye may burn, itch, or feel like there is something in it. You may experience some discomfort, or in some cases, mild pain and your doctor may suggest you take a mild pain reliever. You can relieve this one of temporary Lasik side effects by putting eye drops after undergoing the procedure. Another one of Lasik side effects is you may also experience some watering of the eyes, and your eyesight may be a little hazy after the procedure. But these irritants are just temporary and will soon disappear. Both your eyes may tear or water. Your vision will probably be hazy or blurry. You will instinctively want to rub your eye, but don’t! Rubbing your eye could dislodge the flap, requiring further treatment. In addition, you may experience sensitivity to light, glare, starbursts or haloes around lights, or the whites of your eye may look red or bloodshot. These Lasik side effects should improve within the first few days after surgery. One of the possible Lasik side effects is under-correction. That means the doctor may not correct your vision to where he or she thinks it ought to be on the first attempt. If this were to occur, your doctor would simply have you in for another treatment for more correction. Other possible Lasik side effects are over-correction. That means if you’re nearsighted now, it’s possible to over-correct your vision so you become farsighted. This is possible, but unlikely because your doctor will try to avoid over-correction by being conservative on the initial procedure. If over- correction occurs, it can usually be corrected using an appropriate procedure. Serious complications as possible Lasik side effects are extremely rare. Infection is the most troublesome complication and it can usually be eliminated with antibiotic eye drops. Finally, Lasik side effects could occur if you were to displace your flap and not let your doctor know right away. The doctor will minimize this possibility by having you wear eye patches when you take a nap or go to bed at night, during the first week after the procedure. To avoid possible Lasik side effects, you should contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe pain, or if your vision or other symptoms get worse. See your doctor within the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery and at regular intervals after that for at least the first six months. At the first postoperative visit, your doctor will remove the eye shield, test your vision, and examine your eye.

At the start of the Lasik procedure, you need an initial evaluation by the eye doctor. You will be advised to stop wearing contact lenses and be made to switched wearing glasses full-time. Before the Lasik procedure, you should be informed about the possible risks and benefits of undergoing such treatment. Weight your options before signing the informed consent form. The day before surgery, stop using creams, lotions, makeup and perfumes. These products may increase the risk of infection after undergoing Lasik procedure. On the day you undergo the Lasik procedure, the doctor may give you some medicine to make you relax. As part of the Lasik procedure, you should tell your doctor about your past and current medical and eye conditions. Another part of the Lasik procedure is to inform your doctor about the medications you are taking and any medications you are allergic to. The entire Lasik procedure takes about thirty minutes to complete. During the Lasik procedure, you are to lie in a reclining chair. A drop will be placed in your eye and lid speculum will hold your eyelids open. A ring is placed on your eye causing very high pressures to create suctions on your cornea. The suction will cause dimness to the vision while it is on. Microkeratome which is a cutting instrument is attached to the suction ring. It will be used to cut a flap in the cornea. Then the suction ring and microkeratome are removed. You will be asked to stare at a light coming from a laser to keep your eye fixed on one spot once the laser comes in. When your eye is in the correct position, the doctor will start the laser. After the pulses of laser energy vaporize the corneal tissue, the flap is put back into position. A shield will be placed over your eye at the end of the Lasik procedure which serves as protection. After the Lasik procedure, you may feel some discomfort. Do not rub your eye after the lasik procedure. You may experience other symptoms after the Lasik procedure such as sensitivity to light. But these symptoms will improve a few days after Lasik procedure. If after procedure you experience severe pain, contact your doctor immediately. It may take three to six months for your vision to stabilize after the Lasik procedure. Wait until eye measurements are consistent for two consecutive visits at least 3 months after undergoing the Lasik procedure.

To undergo Lasik correction, you need to make necessary preparations for the procedure. What you can expect before, during and after the surgery may depend to a large extent on your doctor. As part of your preparation for the Lasik correction, you need to make a firm decision if you will go through with the Lasik surgery. You need evaluation by your eye doctor to know if you are a good candidate for Lasik correction before you sign the waiver. Before you undergo Lasik correction you should stop wearing contact lenses. You should switch to wearing glasses full-time prior to lasik correction for at least 2 to 4 weeks. This is because the contact lens can change the shape of your cornea. Leaving your contact lenses out for several weeks will enable the cornea to assume its natural shape which is essential for the surgery. In Lasik correction procedure during surgery, you will be made to lie down on a reclining chair. A numbing eye drop will be placed in your eye. A ring will be placed in your eye and very high pressures will be applied to create suction to the cornea. You will experience dimness of vision and some discomfort. A cutting instrument called microkeratome is attached to the suction ring. The blade will cut a flap in the cornea. This is essential for the Lasik correction procedure. The microkeratome and the suction ring are then removed. A laser light will help your eye get focused. When your eye is in the correct position, the doctor will start the laser treatment. After the pulses of the laser energy vaporize the corneal tissue, the flap is put back into position. A shield is placed over the eye as part of the Lasik correction procedure to serve as protection. After the Lasik correction procedure, your eye may feel some discomfort. Rubbing your eye could dislodge the flap, so prevent from doing so. The symptoms should improve after a few days. If you experience severe pain after a few days of Lasik correction then you should contact your doctor immediately. See your doctor within 24 to 48 hours after Lasik correction. Your doctor will remove the eye shield, test your vision and examine the eye. You may use drops to prevent infection. And you may be advised to use artificial tears to lubricate the eye. Contact lens should not be use used in the operated eye even if your vision is hazy.

Let’s all thank God for medicine and technology. Without the crafty and brilliant minds he’s provided us with, we’d never have such phenomenal cures, remedies and medical treatments. And believe me; we need these extraordinary procedures and drugs to make it these days. Just take a gander at all that ales us. I cannot begin to count all the sickness, diseases, disorders, and conditions that people are currently afflicted with. The truth is I have no idea how many even exist. Fortunately I don’t care to know. It would be rather depressing to say the least. Let’s consider one of the less fatal aspects of the great spectrum. Our skin. How many things can go wrong with it? Again, I can’t begin to guess. I’m certain there are a lot. One of these afflictions is known as rosacea. I’m sure you’ve heard of it, or maybe you’re burdened with it. Well, have you learned about laser treatment for rosacea yet? We’ve had so many breakthroughs with skin disorders. Probably the most common of these disorders is acne. 80 percent of the human race is afflicted with it at some point or another in their lives. That’s a lot! Then there are some folks who are burdened with more troublesome skin problems such as rosacea and eczema. These are particularly nasty because they are tough to remedy. Often simple medications won’t do the trick. This condition has to do with dry irritated skin. Many things can worsen the condition. Maybe your diet or the water you shower or bathe in. If it’s hot, it can certainly heighten the problem. Now, on the other hand, we do have laser treatment for rosacea available. A dermatologist can perform this treatment and get your condition in check. If you’ve tried a number of other creams and precautions, but they’ve failed you thus far, then laser treatment for rosacea is probably what you’re looking for. As with most medical procedures, laser treatment for rosacea is not free. Any time you’re looking for cosmetic treatments or enhancements, you can look forward to paying some hard-earned cash. That goes without saying. Consult a physician or professional prior to receiving new-age laser treatment for rosacea. They may have additional issues you should be concerned with.

A laser is a high-energy beam of light that can selectively transfer energy into tissue to treat the skin. Many surgical procedures are performed using lasers. General surgeons use a variety of laser wavelengths and laser delivery systems to cut, coagulate, vaporize or remove tissue. Some common surgical procedures use includes breast surgery, removal of the gallbladder, hernia repair, bowel resection, hemorrhoidectomy, solid organ surgery and treatment of pilonidal cyst. The advantages of using lasers are reduction of blood loss, decrease in postoperative discomfort, reduction of wound infection, decrease in spreading of certain cancers and better wound healing. Nowadays laser surgery is widely used in different areas of specialization such as dermatology, dentistry, head and neck surgery, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, podiatry, urology and in the treatment of certain cancers.

Corrective laser eye surgery costs vary widely depending upon the procedure. There’s also a wide variation in the cost of equipment used for testing and surgery. Technologies such as eye tracking tear film analysis and measurement of corneal thickness and the laser itself are available at different prices. The Purchasing or leasing of other equipment is also reflected in the procedure fee. There is a royalty fee of $100 to $250 per eye to the excimer laser manufacturer, depending upon the type of equipment used. Procedure fees also include expenses such as operation equipments, surgical staff fees and postoperative and preoperative care.