There are a number of pros and cons when we consider laser eye surgery. Some people dislike wearing glasses and they refuse to wear contact lenses. If they are candidates for this surgery then their problem will be solved in a matter of minutes and their vision can be greatly improved.

Although laser eye surgery can be somewhat expensive it is often partially covered by insurance. On the other hand the cost of this surgery is a one-time only expense. If you consider the amount of money you will pay for glasses, or contacts, then this actually can be subtracted from the overall cost of the surgery and over the years this might pay for the procedure.

One of the concerns about laser eye surgery is the fact that it must be so precise. If the eye surgeon makes the slightest of errors it can cause permanent vision problems. One of the results from an eye surgery gone wrong is double vision; however, this problem often disappears on its own. If it does not then additional surgery can remedy the problem. The surgery can also result in what is called “dry eyes” or eye infections. These issues can also be solved by using eye drops or other medication. It is reported that one in six people who undergo laser surgery results in some type of eyesight issues. These include multiple vision, distortions of vision, and, as previously mentioned, double vision.

The risks involved in laser eye surgery are reduced with each passing year. This is due to the modern technology as well as the skill of the doctor. Many people see their vision improve to 20/20 without ever needing to wear glasses or contacts again. The other five out of six people generally come out of the procedure successfully. In the following days they immediately enjoy the experience of being able to see things clearly that they had not be able to do for many years. However, every candidate for the surgery should give it careful consideration and discuss the procedure, in detail, with their doctor.

Experience is very important when choosing an optometrist or eye care specialist. A person should take note of how many years the physician(s) have been in practice and he or she also needs to check for board certification. When checking online, it is also wise to look at the patient satisfaction rate.

photo credit: Sam Hames

Another important thing to take into consideration is the price. This is especially important because many vision clinics will charge an arm and a leg for an eye exam, glasses, or contacts. Additionally, many clinics do not accept all forms of vision insurance, so it is also important to take that into consideration.

The last thing to take into consideration when choosing a vision clinic is the style of glasses and/or contacts. This is something to consider because some clinics offer a wide variety of styles, while others are limited. Choosing an eye care clinic may seem like a simple decision, but it is not one to be taken lightly. Doing prior research on the experience of the eye care professionals, the prices, and the styles of glasses and/or contacts offered, will allow one to get an optimal experience at a vision clinic.

Both vision improvement procedures involve minimal pain. This makes both LASIK and PRK comfortable for patients to endure. Out of the two procedures, the most commonly used method is LASIK. Below, we discuss some of the pros and cons of both PRK and LASIK surgery.

LASIK

The LASIK procedure is a faster method with a shorter healing period than PRK. LASIK also requires very little post surgery care. If you are nearsighted, the LASIK will most likely be the best choice for you. If your vision is moderate you will probably be able to choose either procedure.

During the LASIK surgery, the surgeon uses an instrument called the microkeratome which helps the eye stay in place while proceeding. There will be at least a 5-6 hour discomfort during surgery. The cornea is being worked on throughout the surgery. Once completed, the microkeratome releases the eye lid to the normal position and finishing touches are in process.

One good pro about the Lasik procedure is there are no stiches are patches needed. An eye drop medicine may be given to you for the next week or so until your regular routine is resumed.

The term of the condition of your eyes is approximately 1-3 months.

PRK

The PRK procedure will include the similiar procedure. The top of the cornea is being exposed for the next 6 hours during the eye surgery. The pros are there are no needles or cuts taken place.

The surgeon takes every precaution with medications and contact lenses on the eye. This will prevent any type of infection or allergy to affect the eye. After about 2-4 days they are removed and your vision is more clear than before. The surgery is a success it will begin to heal immediately. Within about 3-4 months you will see a difference with your eyes.

When eye surgeons perform Photorefractive keratectomy, it requires the use of an excimer laser. This laser uses cool ultraviolet light aimed directly at the cornea and removes very small amounts of tissue from the cornea to reshape it. Reshaping the cornea allows more focused light to enter the eye, which provides clearer vision. This procedure is effective in the treatment of nearsighted and farsighted individuals. For farsighted people the cornea is reshaped to be steeper as with nearsighted individuals the cornea is flattened. PRK surgery is also effective in the correction of astigmatism, as the cornea can be smoothed, making it a more normal shape.

Eye surgeons all want to perform PRK surgery perfectly to achieve the desired results of the patient, but sometimes this procedure can cause overcorrection or under correction, which can cause vision haziness. It this is the case, the eye surgeon will normally choose to perform a PRK enhancement procedure to correct the problem. Because PRK surgery takes time for the correction to be noticed, most eye surgeons wait at least four months after the initial PRK procedure before performing the enhancement surgery. Most individuals who have PRK never need the enhancement surgery, but about 10% do require this procedure afterwards.

Eye surgeons who perform PRK surgery on their patients normally explain that visual recovery time can take 4 weeks or longer for complete recovery. During the first week after the PRK procedure individuals can expect their vision to greatly fluctuate. Most individuals after having this procedure can expect their vision to be 20/30 to 20/50 after the first few days following the procedure. If the patient’s vision is less than perfect after the allotted time, PRK enhancement may be required, as the desired results are then normally achieved.

The main benefits of PRK enhancement are correction of haziness that can occur from the initial PRK procedure, the elimination of glasses or contacts that may have to used if the PRK was overcorrected or under corrected and the improvement of vision that the individual desired before the initial procedure.

Eye surgery is a very delicate operation. If anything goes wrong, the patient could end up blind in one or both eyes. The idea of virtual laser eye surgery has gotten its fair share of criticism the same as any other new idea always does. Since it’s conception in the early 1960′s, critics have often been concerned about there being higher risks with this type of training in the beginning stages of surgical training. Because of technological advancements, computer simulated training has actually been found to be far more superior to the traditional training on a live patient.

A three dimensional computer model that simulates the realistic structure of the eye, with all of it’s layers and veins was developed, and it has also helped in the furthering of research without any risk to the patient. Trainees can use the virtual model to not only practice but to take refresher courses throughout their career and improve their skills for eye surgery. The benefits of this type of training are great because the computer software is inexpensive and easily accessible. Other benefits are that the computer models can simulate many types of eye problems, test competency and comprehension and allow trainees to review the new techniques as they learn them. Virtual eye surgery is now used all over the world. As technology improves, so will the simulators, allowing trainees to improve techniques with it.

Upon completion of the PRK eye surgery, the surgeon will apply bandage contact lens that must remain on until the surgeon removes them. This is usually done four days after the procedure, during the second follow-up visit. Patients during PRK surgery recovery will also be given steroid drops and antibiotic drops that must be used diligently to prevent infection and minimize any possible complications. Patients should expect to be using these eye drops for at least four months. The proper healing process is imperative for the desired correction to occur. Unlike Lasik, PRK recovery timeline is long. Patients are usually advised to avoid any activities for at least two days following the procedure. They may also experience pain and may need a pain medication for relief. Since vision will fluctuate after surgery, many people become alarmed. This is quite normal, as is hazy vision, which can last up to six months following PRK eye surgery.

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Although most individuals who have PRK experience good results, there are some risks involved with this procedure. Some people may experience vision distortion, irregular astigmatism, glaucoma or a more common side effect of haziness. This condition is usually due to patients with aggressive healing processes where corneal scars develop causing the haze. Proper screening and the use of eye drops can often reduce this risk. If the surgery causes overcorrection or under correction, patients may need a second surgery called PRK enhancement to correct this.

Most patients who choose to have PRK can expect to have 20/40 vision afterwards. This improvement in vision can allow drivers who were required by law to wear glasses before surgery to eliminate this need. Other patients may still need glasses, but the new pair will not need to be as strong. Patients who have PRK before the age of 40 should be advised that if they develop presbyopia later in life, they might require the need for vision correction for reading or doing close-up work.

Nationwide, there are many medical healthcare professionals who will perform cataract-related surgery for free on older patients who have delayed the procedure because of worries about the cost. These doctors are able to perform cataract-related services at absolutely no cost to many individuals who need their help. You may be able to receive a comprehensive eye exam, cataract testing, eye glass prescriptions, and conventional or laser eye surgery, plus the necessary post-operative care, at no cost to you.

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If you do not have insurance and do not have the ability to pay, there are doctors who will donate their services to ensure that you receive the needed care and retain or recover your precious eyesight. If you have Medicare, or Medicare and supplemental insurance, the physician or clinic will bill Medicare and your supplemental provider, and there will be no additional charges for you to cover.

Is it possible to get free cataract surgery? The answer is a resounding “yes”. Instead of worrying, take action today to improve your vision. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if they know of a local program for seniors who can’t afford to pay for cataract surgery.

Lasik is a refractive surgery, performed by an ophthalmologist, which can be divided into three steps:
(1) cutting a slight flap in the patient’s cornea;
(2) re-shaping the corneal stroma through laser-remodeling; and
(3) re-sealing the flap.
There are two ways in which the flap can be cut, being with a blade and with a laser and, when the Lasik procedure is carried out by laser, it is called IntraLasik or “Bladeless” Lasik.

IntraLasik was developed during the mid-1990s and the first IntraLasik procedure was completed during 2002. In the IntraLasik, the type of laser used to cut the flap is known as a femtosecond laser as it emits extremely short pulses of light. Other than the three abovementioned conditions, the IntraLasik procedure can also be used to correct cases of presbyopia (difficulty in focusing).

There is no appreciable difference between the action of the blade in Lasik procedures and the action of the femtosecond laser in the IntraLasik procedures and both have their pros and cons. The Lasik procedure, however, sometimes resulted in irregularities in the cutting of the cornea, including improperly formed flaps, unattached flaps and partial flaps or could damage the eye tissue itself. It is highly unlikely for the IntraLasik procedure to create these kinds of irregularities, however, and some ophthalmologists will prefer to use the bladeless Lasik surgery for this reason alone.

Flap predictability, that is, how the ophthalmologist believes the flap will turn out, is also better with the IntraLasik procedure than with the Lasik procedure. One reason for this is that, with a laser, it is guaranteed that the flap will always have the same overall thickness while, with a blade, flap thickness varies depending on the curvature of the cornea. Overall, the bladeless Lasik has a reputation for creating flaps that are highly accurate as far as flap shape, flap thickness and flap size are concerned.

At the moment, there is no conclusive evidence as to which procedure has better results. Whether a patient’s defective vision is likely to show greater improvement after the Lasik or the bladeless Lasik eye surgery procedure will be largely determined on a case by case basis by a good eye doctor.

One thing is clear though, the patient will now be able to see the light.

While complications from laser eye surgery arise in only about 1-5% of the cases, it is always a good idea to be aware of the potential risks associated with laser surgery before you pick up the phone to schedule a consultation with an eye specialist. Some common laser eye surgery complications include:

Infection

The risk of infection is common with any surgery you may have on your body. However, when it comes to the eyes, an untreated infection can cause scarring on the cornea or result in a complete loss of vision. To combat possible infection, most doctors will prescribe antibiotics and schedule regular post-op visits to monitor the eye as it heals.

Under Correction/Over Correction

Since eyes are as unique as the individual they belong to, it is safe to say that the variables that dictate how laser surgery will affect the eye will vary greatly from patient to patient. Some factors, such as how quickly the eye heals and how much water is in the cornea, are beyond the surgeon’s control and can cause either an under correction or over correction of vision.

Treatment options are available if either of these laser surgery complications occur. Patients may be prescribed glasses or contacts to fix the problem. In extreme cases, patients may be pulled back under the knife for additional surgical corrections.

Astigmatism

Although rare, post operative scarring can cause the cornea to warp producing a condition called induced astigmatism – blurry or distorted vision as the result of laser surgery. Unfortunately, in these cases, patients will be required to continue using specially design contact lenses or glasses to correct their vision.

Presbyopia

Some patients view laser surgery as a cure all and are unpleasantly surprised when they are told they still need to wear glasses for reading. Laser surgery does not treat or prevent the decline of near vision as the individual nears middle age. Unless you are especially lucky, everyone will eventually need to wear reading glasses.

Despite the risks, most people get through laser eye surgery just fine and according the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, 93% of patients are happy with the results. Complications from laser eye surgery can be minimized if you are careful. Just be sure to take your time and choose a good eye surgeon. When it comes to your eyes, you only get one pair.

The first thing to be prepared for is being able to cover the expense of your procedure. Laser eye operations aren’t cheap. The doctor will be asking for anywhere from several hundreds or thousands of dollars for his work. If you can pay up front, the doctor will be happy to continue through the initial examination to the actual surgery. Some doctors even have a payment plan option that splits up the fees into 3 or 4 payments. Ask your doctor for details on financing and payment options. You should also be aware that after the surgery, it is recommended to take a few days off from work. If you don’t have any paid leave available, be prepared to lose 2 or 3 days pay due to not working. Ensuring that you are prepared and able to cover the cost of the surgery will help eliminate any extra stress at the time of your procedure. It can also help you avoid spending unnecessary time at consultations if you aren’t in a position where you can cover the cost of the procedure through insurance or your own finances.

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Next, if you wear contact lenses, you will generally be asked to discontinue using them for 2 or 3 weeks prior to your initial appointment. Contact lenses can change the shape of the cornea and bring blood vessels to the surface of the eye. Both of these situations may hamper or delay the laser surgery. Before the laser operation, eyes will be checked with a thorough eye exam. At this time, the doctor should also discuss the risks and benefits involved with your particular type of eye surgery. If you understand and agree to the terms, go ahead and sign the consent forms. Be sure to check with your surgeon for complete instructions relevant to your individual type of surgery. Your eye surgeon will be able to determine any additional specific things you need to do.

The day before surgery, patients are typically told to stop using any types of lotions, creams, or perfumes. If any of these foreign substances are present, the risk of infection grows greatly. Some doctors give specific instructions on how to wash or scrub the areas of the face around the eyes for the days prior to the surgery. Follow these directions for best results.

On the day of the surgery, you should have someone who can drive you to the doctor’s office and return you home when finished. A follow-up may be needed the next day and you will need a driver at this time also. It can take a few days to a few weeks for the eyes to adjust after the procedure. Directly after the laser eye operation, there will be some pain and discomfort but an over-the-counter pain reliever such as Advil is usually enough to take care of it. Ask your eye doctor for specific instructions. After most procedures, your eyes will feel like something is in them. It is only a feeling and you must resist any urges to wipe or rub your eyes. Most doctors will provide an eye shield to help prevent any disturbances. The shield will have to be worn for a few days up to a few weeks.

After the surgery, many surgeons recommend that you not wear make-up for two weeks. You may also be told to avoid sports and strenuous physical activity for three weeks. You will have to refrain from swimming or immersing yourself in water for eight weeks after most laser eye surgeries. After this, it may still be three to six months before your eyes are totally healed. Each type of procedure is different and your eye surgeon can provide you with more customized details of what to expect with your specific procedure. Overall, the most important thing is to follow the instructions given to you by your doctor. He or she will best know your individual situation and can give you customized recommendations pertaining to your procedure.