Am I a Good Candidate for Lasik?

So many people are interested in the Lasik vision correction procedure, and
want to know the benefits, the risks, and how the Lasik procedure works. One of
the first things to consider is what requirements a person should meet in order
to have a successful Lasik procedure. Though each individual case should be
discussed with a qualified Lasik physician, here are some guidelines to see if
you are a good candidate for Lasik vision correction.

First, the eye should be properly matured. This means that anyone under the age
of 18 really needs to wait before a Lasik procedure is done, for it is likely
that the shape of their eye will continue to change for several years. If the
eye shape changes after the Lasik operation is done, the clarity of vision will
be affected. Some Lasik physicians recommend waiting until age 25 in some cases.

In addition to an age cutoff, the vision prescription for the Lasik candidate
should be stable for at least one year, and preferably for longer than that.
This is for the same reason as above, that the Lasik procedure will only
continue to be effective if the eye shape remains constant after surgery.

One comment about age cutoffs should be made with regard to Lasik surgery.
There is no maximum age, as many patients in their fifties to their eighties
have had a very successful Lasik procedure. The main consideration in these
cases is enough tear production for successful healing and lubrication after
the Lasik vision correction.

The eyes of the Lasik candidate should be healthy. This means that any person
undergoing a Lasik procedure should have had no eye infection or injury for at
least a year, and must have no scarring on the cornea of the eye. In addition,
they must not have any recurring eye problem, such as a history of herpes
infection in the eyes.

The medical history of a prospective Lasik client also plays an important part.
Some chronic conditions, such as autoimmune disorders like Lupus, will prevent
some people from being able to schedule a Lasik procedure. You should be very
clear about any and all medical conditions that are current, or even completed
ones in the past. Also, women who are pregnant or nursing should wait to have a
Lasik procedure scheduled.

A good Lasik physician will also not schedule people with dry eye syndrome for
Lasik vision correction. Having sufficient tear production is important, though
for minor problems this may be aided by medication during the healing process.
In addition, those people with eyes that dilate very widely are not good
candidates for Lasik.

These are most of the most common reasons that a person should look at some
other eye improvement choice other than Lasik. Most generally healthy people
with standard vision problems benefit greatly from a Lasik procedure done by a
trained, professional Lasik physician. Look for a good Lasik center in your
area and discuss your individual case in detail.

Eliminate Your Fears of Lasik!

Thinking about eye surgery using a Lasik procedure is a big step, and many
people are a little hesitant to ask the questions that they have. The Lasik
procedure, though widely talked about, is not discussed in detail, and people
tend to fear the unknown. This report addresses some of the more commonly held
fears, and talks about the experience for the vast majority of people that
undergo a Lasik procedure.

A most common fear when thinking about a Lasik procedure, or really thinking
about any surgery in general, is the possibility of pain during or after the
operation. Since the Lasik surgeon works on patients that are conscious, this
is a widely held apprehension. In every operation the Lasik surgeon applies
numbing drops into the eyes before the procedure starts, and the patient is
also given a mild sedative to relax them and make sure that they are
comfortable. Though a small pressure to the eye may be felt during the Lasik
procedure, the process itself is relatively pain free.

The surgeon does use a laser in the eye to help reshape the cornea during the
Lasik procedure. Many folks are worried about the laser being shone directly
into the eye, or that they might look away and, due to this, develop a serious
complication with their eyes and the Lasik laser beam effects. In actuality,
the laser is only active for ten to fifteen seconds for each eye, and the Lasik
machine has a tracking system that allows the beam to be on only when the eye is
in the correct position.

Another general fear for people contemplating a medical procedure is fear of
"the scalpel". Any Lasik procedure uses only a very small microkeratome blade
to approach the eye, or some more recent Lasik innovations have the laser
itself created the flap and avoid using any hard surface at all. There is no
reason to be concerned about a scalpel, for the Lasik physician does not use
one.

Many wonder about the horror stories they hear about this or any other
operation, and wonder about serious consequences like going blind. According
the government statistics taken by the FDA, there are no reported cases of
blindness due to a Lasik operation. Actually, the risk of a serious permanent
complication due to the Lasik procedure is less than 1 percent, and the risk of
any permanent complications even if not serious (such as light halos) is 3
percent or less. It is extremely rare for a patient to not have improved vision
after a Lasik procedure.

If the thought of being awake and having your eyes open during the Lasik
procedure bothers you, remember that you will be given a mild sedative for the
procedure, and that your eyes will have numbing drops administered to them. If
the thought of actually seeing the Lasik physician's hand approaching your eye
is bothersome, be comforted that the surgeon applies drops to the eye that
blacks out the vision in that eye for ten to fifteen seconds, which is long
enough for the procedure to be done for that eye.

This introduction has hopefully addressed the most common fears about the Lasik
procedure. For anyone that might gain a better life quality with improved
vision, please visit your local Lasik clinic and discuss the procedure in
detail with the professionals there.

Choosing a Good Lasik Surgeon

Improving your vision with a Lasik procedure could be one of the greatest gifts
you could get for yourself. However, as my mother used to say, "Your eyes are
precious." It is important to entrust the Lasik operation to a doctor that you
trust and have confidence in.

Let's begin with three factors that should NOT be the sole reason you select a
doctor for the Lasik procedure. The location of the office is not particularly
important, and a number of people travel long distances to have the Lasik
procedure done, for a truly professional doctor will only need to be visited
two or three times. Also, cost or the type of Lasik technology used should not
be the sole factor. The range in surgical skill for a Lasik operation does
vary, and there is the old saying "you get what you pay for." Further, though
the newer types of Lasik procedures do have their benefits; many eye doctors in
a large metropolitan area often offer two or three Lasik variants.

There are several ways to determine which is the best doctor for you in your
area. One of the qualities to look for in a good Lasik physician is someone who
can accurately assess your situation, and advise you if Lasik is even a good
choice for you and your lifestyle. A physician that takes the time to discuss
your own physical condition and situation with you is a good indicator that
this is a Lasik physician that you can rely on.

Look for a Lasik doctor which has a solid reputation in the area, and has a
good track record. A physician that advertises in a magazine is not a
sufficient recommendation to put your trust in that doctor, and needs more
investigation before agreeing to have him do your Lasik procedure. Sometimes a
Lasik center with a large advertising campaign and discounted prices may be
indicating that the quality of the surgery is not excellent, and this could be
a red flag to avoid that center.

A good Lasik doctor should be involved in the entire Lasik process. As
mentioned above, he should take time to assess your particular case and discuss
it with you. Not only should he do the exam, but he should also perform most or
all of the preoperative exam, and also should meet with you personally to
monitor the success of the procedure at the dates for checkup. There are
stories from some Lasik centers of the patients never seeing the physician
again after the operation until they complained strenuously of some particular
problem.

Make sure the physician is honest in their assessment of the general Lasik
procedure, and his track record in particular. Ask for individual examples of
patients that the physician dissuaded from having the Lasik operation, and why.
Ask how many Lasik procedures the doctor has done in total, and how many in the
last two years. An experienced surgeon should have performed in the
neighborhood of 1000 Lasik procedures, with at least 500 of those in the last
two years.

Use these questions as a starting point to investigate the Lasik centers in
your area, and even the highly recommended ones in nearby major metropolitan
areas. It will be time well invested, and the first step to a clearer future.

What is True About Intra Lasik?

Now that Lasik vision correction surgery has been accepted for a number of
years, there are several popular options for the procedure. One of these is
IntraLasik, or Intralase, or bladeless Lasik. As the name implies, there is no
cutting of the eye with a blade, instead the flap in the eye is made using a
laser. Since bladeless Lasik is a newer procedure, there are a number of
opinions around about how well this procedure works. Let's look at several of
these and determine which of these are true or false.

First, more Lasik clients get 20/20 vision or better using IntraLasik. Any
Lasik procedure cannot guarantee perfect vision for every client, though more
than 90% get results to at least 20/40 vision. However, it is true that the new
techniques of IntraLasik do get even better statistics for giving clients clear
vision.

Some are concerned that the laser that makes the corneal flap is standard, and
cannot be tailored to each individual eye like can be done by the Lasik surgeon
when using a blade. This is not true. The Lasik physician has control over the
use of the laser for each individual in the same way that he can control the
microkeratome blade.

IntraLasik can be used for both a standard and a custom Lasik procedure. This
is true. Custom Lasik procedures using Wavefront technology (another somewhat
recent advance in Lasik vision correction) can easily be used with a laser
making the initial flap. This custom Lasik procedure, though more costly, is of
great benefit for people with unusual eye shapes or problems.

Some have heard that using the laser is less accurate than the standard Lasik
procedure. This is not true, since lasers can be controlled to micron level
accuracy. This gives the Lasik physician extreme control to create exactly the
flap needed for this particular individual eye: the precise size, shape, and
depth for successful completion of the Lasik procedure.

Another common fallacy is that IntraLase has not been around long enough for
trusted Lasik physicians to have confidence in it. On the contrary, many of the
most honored Lasik physicians strongly endorse IntraLase due to the track record
of very good results from the Lasik procedures. In addition, the quality of the
machines and the precision that they give these Lasik physicians is very
impressive. Many of the top flight Lasik doctors recommend this as a procedure
of choice, assuming cost is not a significant variable in the decision of which
Lasik procedure to use.

Similar to the objection above, some people think that Intralase is not a
sufficiently test Lasik procedure option. On the contrary, more than one
million of these procedures have been performed, and the impressive track
record for this Lasik procedure has been discussed above. More and more Lasik
physicians are trained in this option, and we will see many more such Lasik
procedures in the future.

We hope that this discussion of bladeless Lasik has given more accurate
information to those considering this Lasik technique. Please discuss this
option with the professionals at your local Lasik center.

Statistics for Lasik Surgery Patients

The Lasik operation can be a wonderful, life-changing option for many people
whose vision is less than perfect. There are several different types of Lasik
operations now available, from the original and well documented procedure to
Lasik procedures done with three dimensional wavefronts, or done entirely with
lasers. Each of these variations of the Lasik procedure should be discussed
with the physician that is to perform the operation. Like any surgery, Lasik
does have the potential for side effects.

Sometimes reading the horror stories of the outcomes of a Lasik procedure can
deter people from seriously considering such a choice. It is also true that the
vast numbers of people who have a successful, trouble-free Lasik surgery tend
not to report a long and detailed story of their experience, unlike those that
have experienced trouble afterward.

However, it is good to know what the possible side effects of the Lasik
procedure are, and also the likelihood that one of these side effects will
occur for a particular patient. Just like any medicine we take, each has a
possible number of side effects, but we generally assume that the likelihood of
a serious side effect is small, and we take the medicine anyway. This article
will hopefully put concerns of the prospective Lasik patient into perspective
so that they can calmly and thoughtfully ponder having a Lasik procedure done
in the future.

More than one million Lasik procedures are done in the US every year, according
to the FDA. This arm of the national government has accumulated the following
statistics for the most common side effects of the Lasik procedure. These
statistics will also vary by the physician performing the surgery, so make sure
to get as much information on the prospective Lasik physician as possible.

After Lasik surgery, 1.7 percent of patients experience some glare or
sensitivity to light after the operation. This varies by patient, but this
sensitivity is especially noticeable when looking at a bright light, such as a
streetlight when walking at night, or other strong light and dark contrast.
Another light related side effect is a halo around a light, and this occurs in
3.5 percent of Lasik patients.

The new, corrected vision can be noticed quickly by some Lasik patients, in as
little as a few hours after surgery. Most patients that have undergone the
Lasik procedure find the change is permanent within a few days. In 2.6 percent
of clients that have had a Lasik procedure done, there is persistent visual
fluctuation within at least a part of their sphere of vision.

Finally, some patients do not get a fully corrected sphere of vision after
their Lasik procedure. This happens with a small number of clients, and the FDA
statistics are that only 3 percent of patients have this effect. In all or
nearly all cases, the physician in charge will perform an additional Lasik
procedure to improve this.

This detailing of the major permanent side effects of the Lasik procedure
should put any personal horror stories into perspective. Notice that none of
the percentages are above 3 percent, and this should bring comfort to most
prospective Lasik clients. However, it should also motivate them to look
carefully at the Lasik physician's personal record.

What is the Initial Lasik Eye Exam Like?

The first significant step before the Lasik surgery is to have a comprehensive
eye examination, in order to be sure that you are a good candidate for the
Lasik procedure. A map of your eye will be created during this exam. This map
is used in order for the Lasik physician to determine how to reshape your eye
to give you the clearest post-operative vision possible.

This eye exam will do several things. Your eyes will be dilated in order to see
if there are any irregularities within the eye itself. The thickness of the
cornea will be measured, and a precise map of the cornea will be generated. The
"refractive error" (or the reason why your vision isn't currently perfect) will
be accurately analyzed in order for the Lasik procedure to get the best results
possible. Finally, how your eyes generate tears will be closely looked at, as
good tear production is essential for the health of every eye.

Before or after these measurements, the Lasik physician will discuss your past
medical history to see any previous operations or any ongoing health problems.
A few chronic conditions may make the Lasik procedure not a good option for
some people, and also women currently expecting should wait for some time after
delivery. The physician also will discuss the expectations the Lasik client has
about the operation and subsequent changes in their lifestyle.

Though most people pass through this Lasik eye exam with flying colors, be
prepared for some suggestions or serious discussion. Your eye map may indicate
that a newer form of Lasik procedure might be better, such as one that
generates a three dimensional waveform for each eye. Tear production issues may
indicate that the Lasik procedure is not the best option for you, and the Lasik
physician may recommend another solution.

If all goes well and the Lasik procedure is scheduled, the physician will
review the treatment plan and what the client should do to prepare for the
Lasik surgery. This plan may vary slightly between patients, but in general
will look something like the schedule below. Always follow the recommendations
of your Lasik physician closely. First, contact lenses should be avoided for
several weeks prior to Lasik vision correction, since contacts can slightly
affect the shape of your cornea. It is important to let your eyes rest in order
to get the most accurate Lasik vision improvement possible. Hard contacts should
be avoided for a month, soft contacts for at least two weeks.

Stop using any lotions, makeup, or anything else that could possibly get into
the eye the day or two before surgery. It is important to have your eyes as
rested as possible before the Lasik operation. Also, arrange for someone else
to drive you home after the Lasik procedure itself.

These are the most common steps to prepare you for an easy and successful Lasik
procedure. Make sure you give the doctor all information needed for your case,
and follow his directions closely. The Lasik procedure will give you a new
outlook in life!

What is a Wavefront Lasik Procedure Like?

Let's walk through what a client experiences when attending a Lasik center for
a Wavefront Lasik procedure. The procedure itself generally only takes between
five and ten minutes for each eye in total, and both eyes are done during the
same procedure. The actual time to reshape the eye with the Lasik excimer laser
is usually less than 15 seconds per eye.

Any person's vision problems are generated by small "aberrations" within the
eye that prevents the light from focusing objects as they should. The Lasik
equipment locates and classifies these aberrations and then processes them so
that the Lasik physician will correct these and allow the light to focus
properly once the eye has healed.

In a Wavefront Lasik procedure, the patient stares at one point while a light
is sent into the eye, which is reflected back and read by a Lasik Wavefront
sensor. The distortions in this reflected light are mapped using a small
computer within the Lasik system, and then this information is used to guide
the laser that treats the eye. Once the light creates the map for the eye, the
Lasik surgeon has to create a small flap to access the cornea. This is done
using a laser (this type of Lasik procedure is known as IntraLasik, or
bladeless Lasik) or a small blade known as a microkeratome.

This flap is then opened to allow the cornea to be reshaped by the Lasik
system.The excimer laser actually reshapes the cornea, which is the crucial
part of the Lasik procedure. In order to determine exactly how to reshape it,
the map created earlier by the Wavefront sensor is used to direct the beam of
light accurately. The Lasik physician uses these precise tools to get the
clearest vision results possible.

This custom Lasik procedure can not only correct such standard problems as
nearsightedness, but can also address aberrations that create light halos,
glare, haze, or starburst patterns. Once the Lasik physician determines that
all relevant aberrations have been eliminated, he replaces the flap in its
proper position, where it adheres normally and will heal naturally.

As mentioned earlier, this entire Lasik process takes between ten and fifteen
minutes per eye. A patient gets a mild sedative and eye numbing drops to make
the procedure both relaxing and painless. Most people notice an improvement in
vision due to Lasik almost immediately.

Once the Lasik procedure is finished, you will get some eye drop medication to
lubricate and protect your eyes. This medication (and the liquid in the drops
themselves) may cause some blurring, and so for this reason (and to avoid any
eyestrain) you should arrange for someone else to drive you home. It is also a
good idea to go to sleep as soon as possible after the Lasik operation in order
to promote even faster healing.

To promote optimal healing the Lasik physician often gives a plastic shield to
wear over your eyes for the first night or two. Follow closely any
recommendations by the Lasik physician. Do further investigation into this
great new Lasik procedure, and get a clearer focus on your future!

What Happens After the Lasik Procedure?

After you are fully prepared, the Lasik procedure takes less than fifteen
minutes to complete for both eyes. This will seem a remarkably short time to
have a permanent change to your vision, and in this regard Lasik seems almost
too good to be true. In addition, most Lasik patients notice improved vision
immediately or within a few hours after the Lasik procedure has been performed.

This does not mean that you should expect to walk out of the Lasik clinic with
perfect vision and without any need to treat your eyes carefully for the next
several days. It also means that some Lasik patients will need more time to see
the total results for the Lasik procedure, sometimes as much as six months for
their vision to stabilize permanently. Anticipate good vision, and take the
time and care for the operation to produce its best result.

Usually the Lasik physician will give the post-procedure patient a protective
shield for their eyes. This should be worn as long as the physician specifies,
and usually only at night for one or two nights. He may also recommend
sunglasses during the day if you experience sensitivity to light after the
Lasik procedure is done. Discuss these options in detail at the Lasik center
before the operation, so you know how to best take care of your eyes.

Many patients at the Lasik centers often get eye drops to keep their eyes moist
for some time after the Lasik procedure is done. Again, this varies by patient
and by physician, so ask about your particular situation, especially if you are
prone to eye dryness on an occasional basis even before the Lasik procedure.
Also, it might be helpful to keep any ceiling fans or other air circulation
devices off in the household for the first few days.

Most clients can return to work and normal daily activities the day after the
Lasik procedure is done, and do not require any extra assistance from other
friends or family members. There is usually little to no post-operative
discomfort after Lasik has been performed. It is recommended that patients go
to sleep as quickly as possible after the Lasik surgery in order to minimize
any post-operative discomfort. Upon waking, improved vision from the Lasik
corrections should already start to be visible.

This improved vision may not be the final product of the Lasik procedure. The
improvement to nearsightedness after Lasik is usually quick and dramatic,
though there may be some problems in reading easily for the first few days
after the Lasik operation. This is perfectly normal, and should clear up before
the week is out. Patients that use Lasik to improve their farsightedness usually
find a dramatic improvement the day after the Lasik surgery. It might be that
there is a temporary blurring of objects in the distance, but this will resolve
itself. If this condition remains for more than a few days, the Lasik physician
can recommend and prescribe temporary glasses until vision is stabilized.

These are all typical post-operative recommends for a Lasik patient, in order
to feel comfortable with what to expect after the Lasik procedure. As with any
medical treatment, get all of your questions answered by the staff of your
Lasik center for your individual case.

Talking to Your Lasik Surgeon

For anyone considering a Lasik procedure to correct vision, it is crucial to
find a physician that is reputable and caring. It is also very important that
they are experienced and knowledgeable in the Lasik procedure, and that they
have a track record of patients that are happy with the treatment they received
and the results that they got.

This guide gives a number of basic questions that you should ask when deciding
on which Lasik center and which doctor to select for your Lasik procedure. The
comfort you have during the process, and even the results that you receive, may
depend on getting good answers to these questions. It is important to realize
that the answers to these questions will vary from physician to physician.

The first question to ask is "How many years have you been performing this type
of Lasik surgery?" There are several variations of the Lasik procedure, and the
doctor should have a track record of at least three years in doing Lasik
procedures. This amount of time also allows the doctor to watch his patients
and the long term success of their Lasik procedures.

Next, ask the physician for the number of Lasik procedures they have performed
in the last two years. The physician should do the operation frequently enough
that he is well versed in current procedures. Also, he should be successful
enough that prospective Lasik patients feel comfortable in coming to the Lasik
center. The physician should perform at least 500 Lasik surgeries in the last
two years.

At this point, ask what percent of his clients that underwent Lasik surgery
ended up with 20/40 vision or better. Notice that not all patients will achieve
20/20 vision, and that is acceptable. However, it is important that 90 percent
of the patients get at least a 20/40 correction after the first Lasik
procedure. Claims of much more than 90 percent might make him seem much better,
but in this case ask for evidence that that number is true. There are some
exceptional physicians out there, but also a few Lasik doctors that make
unfounded claims. Asking the doctor what percentage of Lasik patients achieve
20/20 should run about 50 percent. Again, if the number is greatly higher, ask
for evidence.

Finally, ask about post-Lasik complications. The percentage of patients that
experience complications after 6 months is complete should be 3 percent or
less. If the physician claims that complications are so rare that he doesn't
keep records, you should be very suspicious and ask for evidence, if any. No
doctor is perfect. Similarly, when asked the percentage of patients that
require an additional operation to achieve clear vision, the number should be
less than 10 percent.

To wrap up the interview, ask the physician what types of Lasik procedures he
recommends and practices, and under what circumstances he denied a Lasik
procedure to a patient. Not all vision challenged people are good candidates
for a Lasik operation, and the doctor should at least have a few examples of
people he dissuaded from the operation.

Finally, ask about the cost of the operation and if financing plans are
available through the Lasik center. A physician that is willing to sit down and
discuss these questions is often a physician that will address any other medical
issues that come up, and is a good prospect to perform your Lasik procedure.

Thoughts From an Experienced Lasik Patient

I have noticed that more people I work with are talking about, or undergoing,
the Lasik vision correction procedure. I don't know really know why Lasik has
suddenly become more popular in my company, but I do know that there are a
number of rumors about Lasik that I am not sure are true. Let me just talk
about my long term experience with Lasik.

It has been more than eight years since I had the Lasik procedure, so I was one
of the early and brave pioneers! Perhaps I wasn't that brave when considering
Lasik, for my vision in each eye was worse than -9. Even now, Lasik physicians
consider that a very strong case and do caution prospective clients that the
Lasik process will likely improve their vision, but may not eliminate the total
need for glasses.

The Lasik operation itself had mild pressure and some unusual feelings, but no
real discomfort or pain. This is still true in modern Lasik procedures, and
hopefully they are even better at keeping the client comfortable. I do notice
that now Lasik physicians also give a mild sedative mainly for psychological
reasons, which I think I would have appreciated back then.

Two or three days after the Lasik operation I was astounded to find I had VERY
clear vision in each eye, at least 20/20. Considering my previous prescription,
you can imagine how fervently I thanked my Lasik physician. However, I did also
have temporary symptoms of considerable dryness in each eye (which was helped
by eye drops), and also halos around lights at night.

A few months after the Lasik procedure I noticed my vision changing a bit,
though very slightly. The best way I can describe it is that the crisp edges no
longer looked exceedingly crisp, but each object still seemed to be in focus. At
my one year Lasik correction anniversary my physician said that one eye was
still at 20/20, but the other had changed slightly to 20/40. However, I was
still a great statistic for the Lasik correction procedure, and we were both
still happy with the results.

In the years between the original Lasik procedure and now, my vision is still
20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in the other. I do have a pair of glasses and one
contact lens for that eye, but rarely bother with them unless I am doing
something like watching a movie. My long track record after the Lasik procedure
has given hope to a number of other people in my office. I do want to say though
that I was over 35 when I had the operation, and my Lasik physician said that
the stability of my eyes and my age were good indicators that the Lasik results
would be long term.

I hope this encourages people with bad vision to talk to a local Lasik
physician about scheduling a Lasik procedure. Find a physician that has a good
track record, and one that you trust, and I hope that your long term Lasik
results will be as good as mine!

Tales From the Lasik Waiting Room

As an experienced Lasik patient I thought I might give a glimpse into the worst
part of the Lasik procedure... the waiting room. I have had a Lasik procedure
twice, the second being a follow up since one of my eyes needed additional work
after the healing procedure was complete. I was distinctly less nervous about
the second procedure, and observed and talked to a number of the other Lasik
clients that were waiting with me.

One was a young woman in her early twenties who talked incessantly trying to
keep her mind off of any of the Lasik brochures and information on the table.
She had been thoroughly oriented to both the Lasik operation and post-op
procedures, but had brought along a few stuffed animals to keep her company
during the operation. Most Lasik physicians recommend a minimum age of 18 due
to sufficient maturity of the eye, but maybe waiting for some emotional
maturity might be another factor.

On the other hand, I wondered what I looked and sounded like waiting for my
first Lasik operation.

Talking to a few of the other Lasik clients, I realized I was not the only one
in for a second Lasik procedure. Two others were like me in that they did not
get sufficient improvement in their vision to satisfy themselves or the Lasik
surgeon.

In all of our cases, our first Lasik procedure of several months earlier went
well, and none of us were particularly nervous.

It did surprise me, considering that it was 6:30 AM, of the variety of clothing
styles of the Lasik clients. Most of us, considering the hour and the rather
frigid temperature of the Lasik operating room and the waiting room, were
dressed in snug and warm sweat suits or other comfortable wear. One Lasik
patient was dressed in formal business attire with full makeup.

This puzzled me for at least two reasons: any makeup, lotions, or other things
that could get into the eye are forbidden for at least 24 hours before the
surgery, and it is highly recommended to go home and sleep as quickly as
possible after the Lasik procedure. The only thing I could figure out was that
she wasn't actually getting a Lasik procedure, but no one else is there at 6:30
AM. Her dominating and withering look made me decide that any pre-Lasik
conversation with her was better left unsaid.

I was probably the fourth person escorted into a waiting room for a final
discussion on Lasik post-op procedures, but I could not tell how long I had
been waiting. I think they avoid clocks for a very good reason. The lady two
seats down from me was calm enough about her Lasik procedure to go back to
sleep while waiting, which seemed like an eminently sensible idea.

Each patient is offered a mild sedative before the Lasik procedure starts. It
is mainly for psychological purposes, as my first Lasik experience was not
painful at all. I did take it for my first experience, but my own Lasik history
and the others I have heard in the waiting room make me think that I don't need
it. But I take it anyway, just in case.

I hope that this window into a Lasik waiting room helps give the attitude that
for most people it is not a dreaded procedure, and for those of us that have
had Lasik done, a rather uneventful one.

My Questions about the Lasik Procedure

Many people that wear glasses or contact lenses have listened to the claims of
how Lasik can give them perfect vision. They have also heard great Lasik
success stories, as well as stories from people that were not sure they had
given the decision enough thought. This guide lists the most common questions
asked by people who are considering Lasik vision correction, and answers given
by reputable physicians.

The first and most important question asked about Lasik is, not surprisingly,
"Is Lasik safe?" The answer is that it is normally quite a safe procedure, with
success rates above 95 percent for good, experienced Lasik surgeons, and 90
percent average over all physicians that perform the Lasik procedure. This
statistic about Lasik success assumes that the patient is a good candidate for
Lasik surgery. The requirements have some specific details and should be gone
over with the physician that will perform the Lasik procedure.

It is a very good idea to ask the Lasik physician which patients he has
declined to perform the Lasik procedure on, to make sure that the particular
physician has and operates with good standards. Any Lasik practitioner that
tries to imply that everyone that comes in to his office is a good candidate
for Lasik vision correction should be viewed with some skepticism. In any case,
it is wise to interview several different physicians that perform the Lasik
procedure before deciding on one.

A second frequently asked question about Lasik is "What are the possible
complications from Lasik surgery?" Common side effects are starbursts or halos
when looking at a light, sensitivity to light and difficulty with glare and
night vision, and some sensation that a foreign body is in the eye. Most of
these effects will pass within a few days after the Lasik procedure. Between 1
and 3 percent of patients will have a lasting side effect such as halos or some
vision fluctuation.

It is a very good idea to discuss your particular situation with the Lasik
physician to determine if you might be prone to any complications. There are
also variants of the standard Lasik procedure, one of which uses additional
waveforms to map out an individual eye, or techniques that only use lasers
rather than a scalpel and a laser.

One question we all hesitate to ask is "Will the Lasik procedure be painful?"
Since our eyes are one of the most sensitive parts of our bodies, it is
comforting to know that having Lasik vision correction is usually nearly
painless. There is often some mild discomfort after the procedure, but this is
effectively controlled with medication.

"Will I have 20/20 vision once the Lasik correction is done?" Though many
patients do get nearly perfect vision, not all patients have their vision
totally corrected. You can definitely expect to have improved vision and
minimized dependency on any glasses or contacts.

"What is the cost and how do I pay?" A typical Lasik surgeon charges between
$500 and $2500 per eye, depending on the patient and the surgeon. However, a
Lasik physician should be selected on experience level and track record, not on
the lowest price. Insurance rarely covers the cost of Lasik, but many Lasik
centers have a type of financing program offered to their clients.

Find several Lasik physicians in your area using the Internet feature DocShop
and make a point to interview several on your list. Consider Lasik as one way
to significantly improve the quality of your life.

My Day for Lasik Surgery

This story is for my family and friends who wonder what it is like to go
through a Lasik vision correction procedure. I've shared my experiences with
one or two colleagues at work that have also had Lasik done, and there are
enough variations to give insight to those who are trying to choose between
different Lasik physicians or different Lasik centers.

First, my Lasik procedure was scheduled for 4 PM in the afternoon, which was
fine with me. One of the directions for patient that has just had a Lasik
procedure was to go to sleep as soon as possible, in order for the healing
process to begin as quickly as possible. And usually by the end of the
afternoon I am too tired after working all day to be very nervous. Well,
usually anyway.

I had only been there a few minutes when I was called into a room to prepare me
for the Lasik procedure, and to get instructions (again!) on how to care for my
eyes once the Lasik vision correction has been done. They offered me some
Ativan, which is a mild sedative just to keep me calm during the Lasik process.
The lasers themselves monitor any head or eye movement and turn themselves off
when it occurs, so it isn't that the sedative is for anything other than
psychological reasons. I took it anyway. All of my colleagues at work also took
it, though none of us really felt any different than we did before. Apparently
it is a VERY mild sedative.

My eyes were prepared for the Lasik procedure by being dosed with eye numbing
drops and some kind of medication. I cannot be sure of the other pre-operative
steps, as I think I was trying very hard not to think about either Lasik or my
eyes. Perhaps the sedative was a bit stronger than I imagined it was.

At this point I was escorted into another room for some time, where I sat back,
listened to the piped-in music, and awaited my turn in the Lasik operating room.
There were two other people waiting with me in this room, so apparently my
doctor different setup for his Lasik patients than my colleagues. Both were
alone in their pre-op rooms until they were escorted into the room where the
Lasik procedure was actually performed.

As to the Lasik procedure itself, all of us have similar memories from this
procedure. Each of us felt some pressure when the various Lasik implements were
used on our eyes, though there wasn't any real discomfort or pain. There was a
blurring of vision for the eye being worked on, but the real sensation was
mainly audio -- the whirring and clicks of the machine. One of my colleagues
also remembers a distinct smell, somewhat reminiscent of hair burning. There
may have been a slight smell during my Lasik procedure, but it wasn't
significant enough for my attention to be focused on it.

After a short amount of time, my Lasik physician said he was done and that I
had been a good patient. In all of our Lasik experiences, the operation itself
was much easier than all of our worries about it beforehand. I hope this helps
those of you considering having a Lasik procedure done.

My Lasik Vision Story

I am putting this story on the web to encourage those who are interested in a
Lasik vision procedure, but have read so many horror stories that they are
getting ever more reluctant. I had to get off of the Internet to get enough
courage to even go down to a nearby Lasik center to have them talk about my
individual case. I am glad I went, and the people were very kind, professional,
and encouraging.

Let me begin with why I was even interested in Lasik. I have worn glasses for
thirty years, ever since I was a very little girl. I have very weak eyes, and
needed to wear my glasses from the moment I woke up until I went to bed. I have
a special spot where they are kept, and a number of backup pairs of glasses so
that I never have to go without them. I also have had some dry eye problems for
the last few years, which is often a reason that Lasik doctors do not recommend
the Lasik procedure for some people.

When I got to talk to the Lasik physician, he was encouraging but realistic. He
stated that one of my eyes would be a good candidate for total vision
correction, but the other eye would likely see only some (though possibly
major) improvement.
He stated that about one of his Lasik procedures per month are with clients
with the same level of poor vision of my worst eye.

I would also like to encourage those people with some problems to go ahead and
visit their local Lasik center to talk to the professionals there. As I
mentioned earlier, I have had some occasional problems with dry eyes. I also
have pupils that dilate easily. Both of these can be reasons to be dissuaded
from Lasik, but in neither case were my problems significant enough for the
doctor to consider me not a good Lasik client. Do go and discuss your
individual case.

I cannot say that the information I was given made me totally relaxed about the
whole procedure. I did talk myself into and out of the Lasik procedure several
times during the weeks before it was done. The only thing I was a little bit
surprised about was that I did not lose sleep over it, and that I actually
showed up at the Lasik center to get the procedure done!

I was given a mild sedative (as well as numbing eye drops) and the Lasik
procedure went without a hitch. Though I did feel a mild pressure during the
time on my eyeball, my hands were the things that hurt after the Lasik
operation was over (I must have had them clenched the whole time!). I was so
grateful to my physician who said things like "I'm using the laser for 20
seconds, 5 seconds to go, procedure done for this eye. Very successful." In
this way I was reassured that the Lasik operation was going quickly and
according to plan.

I followed all my Lasik physician's instructions to the letter after the
procedure, and I am so happy with the results! I could see much better even
directly after the operation was over, and things have continued to improve. I
personally do not have any of the problems that are often mentioned as effects,
such as halos around lights, etc. I would strongly encourage anyone to be brave
enough to go down to your Lasik center and at least talk about the Lasik
procedure with a knowledgeable professional.

I Remember My Lasik Procedure

I guess I am one of the "old hands" in any Lasik online forum, in that I had my
procedure more than three years ago now. I have noticed that most of the posting
are from people whose Lasik vision correction was recent and did not go
according to plan. I thought I might give my perspective on my Lasik adventure.

First, let me start with my current vision situation, and then work backwards
to the point before Lasik where I couldn't get around without a guide dog (no,
just kidding, but it seems like such a different world from where I am now).
Three years after Lasik, I have better than 20/20 vision in one eye, and 20/40
in the other eye. For those of you not familiar with Lasik, the procedure does
not guarantee that everyone will end up with perfect vision.

Most competent Lasik surgeons will take time to explain what realistic
expectations for the surgery are, in that vision is noticeably improved but not
guaranteed to remove any dependence on glasses or contacts. My Lasik doctor was
very clear on this, but I thought it would be sufficient to be able to look
around my kitchen and recognize the pot that I had left on the other side of
the room. My doctor said that that expectation was something he could almost
guarantee, and much better than that.

Three years after the Lasik procedure, I only have one permanent side effect
that I did not have before my Lasik vision correction (in addition to
astoundingly better vision, I guess I should add). I do see halos around bright
lights at night, but they are not really bothersome, and I have started to
consider them rather pretty -- kind of like the artificial twinkle TV shows can
put in people's eyes. I am glad that I am one of the more than 90% of Lasik
patients who had a very successful procedure and outcome.

For several weeks after the Lasik procedure I had blurry vision when trying to
focus on items very close to me (anything closer than maybe six inches, though
I don't remember precisely). I have asked my husband if he remembered me
talking about any other post-op problems, such as fluctuating vision or
sensitivity to light. Neither he nor I remember many problems after the Lasik
procedure, though I did sleep a LOT and used the eye drops exactly as requested.

Sleep is supposed to aid healing, and my Lasik physician recommended me to
sleep quite soon after the operation to get a good start on the healing
process. I think I took that to an extreme, but I wanted to rest my eyes as
much as possible after the Lasik procedure. I do remember my vision getting a
bit blurry after a long day (for a few months after Lasik vision correction)
which may have been another reason I though sleep was a great idea.

I have been a poster child for Lasik to my friends and family, and the great
results have convinced several others to schedule their own Lasik procedures.
As this is the story of my Lasik process, I will let others tell their own
stories. I can only say from my perspective that there were few bumps in the
road, and I would recommend the Lasik process to anyone interested in improving
their vision. One additional comment: choose the best surgeon in your general
area, you will be glad you did!

How is Wavefront Technology Used in Lasik Vision Correction?

The wonderful results of Lasik surgery have been improved by research adding
new methods, such as Wavefront technology. This technology gives a Lasik
physician the ability to see and accurately map even slight variations in the
surface of the eye. This gives the physician the ability to more accurately
tailor a Lasik operation to the individual, and result in even clearer vision.

The concept behind Wavefront technology was originally developed by
astronomers, in order to indicate if a mirror or a lens had slight
imperfections in it. It is very important in astronomy to get near perfect
optics in order to clearly see the small light sources million of miles away in
the universe. In the 1970s a sensor was created to electronically check these
surfaces, and a type of this sensor is now used in the Wavefront guided Lasik
procedures.

The idea to apply this technique, or to use this sensor, to the field of
ophthalmology and later to the specific area of Lasik vision correction, was
begun in Germany. The physician Josef Bille began using the sensor in his
practice, and this started others to refine the sensor and how it is used and
to apply it to Lasik technology. In 1997 the improved sensor, with greater
accuracy and speed, was announced to the Lasik laser manufacturers. This
allowed the companies that manufacture the Lasik equipment to develop tools
using the Wavefront concept for each of their own laser systems.

The FDA approved the first Wavefront guided Lasik vision correction system for
general use. Initially, the Wavefront sensor makes a map of the eye's
imperfections, and this map is sent to the laser that is used in the Lasik
vision correction portion of the operation. This allows for precise eye
alteration in order for Lasik to present the best vision correction possible.

The Wavefront technology used in Lasik can be described easily at an informal
level. A small, flat sheet of light (called a wavefront) is passed through the
eye, reflected off of the retina, and passed back through the eye and is
captured by the Wavefront machine. If the eye were perfect, the light would
return as a flat sheet and be captured that way by the Lasik machine. However,
any imperfections changes the way that the light returns, and this is detected
by the Wavefront part of the Lasik process.

A number of these small, flat sheets of light are sent into each eye from
various directions and the results returned generated a three dimensional map
of the eye to be used in the Lasik vision correction process. In addition to
the commonly known problems of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and
astigmatism, there are more than 60 other patterns that are known and can
possibly be corrected for.

All of this information generated by the Lasik sensor is converted by software
into a set of directions to be carried out by the Lasik excimer laser. Ask your
doctor about this exciting advance in Lasik vision correction, and see if this
procedure is right for you!

Good Post-Op Lasik Care

One of the most marvelous advancements using modern technology is the Lasik
vision correction procedure, where in the space of fifteen minutes many people
can reduce or eliminate their reliance on glasses or contact lenses. There is
very little preparation for the surgery on the Lasik patient's side, and the
Lasik procedure itself takes less than twenty minutes.

With current technology and an excellent Lasik physician, there is a very high
success rate for nearly all Lasik surgeries. Though not all patients get or
keep exactly 20/20 vision, there is a vast improvement in the Lasik client's
vision and dependence on corrective eyewear. The two most important factors
under the patient's control is the choice of the physician and good
post-operative care.

After visiting a few physicians or clinics that perform Lasik procedures, the
client should have a very good idea of how they will be treated as a patient of
that doctor. It is important to find a Lasik physician whose staff is responsive
to questions and worries, and who are willing to see a post-operative Lasik
client who is having a problem with their care.

This is one of the more common complaints of those folks that undergo a Lasik
procedure: insufficient information about post-operative Lasik side effects, or
a staff that simply says "Lots of people experience that, no problem," when the
patient actually should be seen by a member of the staff. A visit where the
prospective Lasik patient talks with both the physician and one or two members
of the staff will get an idea of how well a patient is welcomed once the Lasik
procedure is completed.

During this initial investigative visit, the client should ask the Lasik staff
for a list of common, temporary side effects that can be experienced after a
Lasik procedure. The staff member should describe any cases where the patient
should make a point of contacting the Lasik center, rather than just enduring
the side effect. Cases of pain, intense itching, or seriously blurred vision
may indicate an infection or other serious problem, and should be seen
promptly. It is truly very rare that any of these complications exist after a
Lasik procedure, but make sure that the center is willing to see the patient if
they think something is more than mildly wrong.

One of the more common side effects after a Lasik operation is some form of dry
eye, which often occurs during the nighttime while asleep. Not only is this
uncomfortable, but if the eyelid sticks even slightly to the eye itself, it may
dislodge the surgical flap done in the Lasik procedure, and delay healing of the
eye. If this occurs, the Lasik center has several different viscosities, or
thicknesses, of eye drops to alleviate this problem. The staff should be
promptly notified so this problem can be addressed immediately.

A good, responsive staff surrounding an excellent Lasik physician is the most
important component in how to select a doctor. Interviewing the physician and
staff about all aspects of the Lasik procedure, both the procedure itself and
post-operative care, is the best way to make an excellent choice.

Eye Care After a Lasik Procedure

A person that is considering a Lasik procedure to improve their vision has two
major responsibilities: selecting the best surgeon possible for their budget,
and understanding and keeping up with eye care after the Lasik operation is
done. Most Lasik procedures go very smoothly, and more than 90% of the patients
are happy with their improved vision and have no permanent side effects. Part of
this success is due to good care at home once the Lasik procedure is complete.

The first step in having the best care after a Lasik procedure is to understand
exactly what is directed by the Lasik physician. The prospective Lasik patient
should be given a good understanding of the entire process when they first
visit a Lasik center to interview the physician and the staff. On the day of
the procedure, a member of the staff should very carefully go over exactly what
steps should be done to encourage optimal eye health and healing after the Lasik
operation.

One thing that the patient should ask is what side effects are to be expected
directly after the Lasik procedure, how long they should last, and which
symptoms should be promptly told to the Lasik physician or member of the staff.
A number of symptoms, such as fluctuating vision or halos around lights, are to
be expected and are not a cause of worry. Ask the staff about any postoperative
symptoms that are unclear, to make sure that they are thoroughly understood.

Each Lasik physician has their own recommended procedures for their patients,
but here is a list of typical suggestions that most Lasik centers recommend.
First, get some sleep as soon as possible after the Lasik procedure is done.
This gives a great boost to the healing process. Second, avoid any contact,
bumping, or rubbing of the eyes for at least five days after the Lasik
procedure. Most Lasik centers have some kind of eye
guards to wear at night to prevent patients from rubbing their eyes in their
sleep.

Third, try to avoid eyestrain for some days after the Lasik procedure. It is
tempting to try to read all of the signs and words that were previously blurry,
but avoid this temptation at least for the large part. If any light sensitivity
or glare is noticed, wear dark sunglasses for several days until this problem
resolves itself. Some common Lasik side effects are temporary halos around
lights, especially when viewed at night, but this is not a problem to be
concerned with.

It is very important to keep the eyes well lubricated in the days following a
Lasik operation. Every Lasik physician will give eye drops to help this, and
patient should be especially aware of this before going to sleep. A Lasik
procedure may increase eye dryness temporarily, and during sleep this may make
the eyelid stick slightly to the eye. When the patient wakes up, opening the
eyelid is equivalent to rubbing the eye. The physician should be notified if
this happens, for there are other varieties of eye drops that will solve this
problem.

Taking these simple steps will give nearly all Lasik patients an easy
postoperative experience without any problems.

Meet a Lasik Pioneer!

One of the first publicized physicians that perform the Lasik eye corrective
operation was Dr. Boothe, of Dallas Texas. He has performed the Lasik operation
for a number of different clients, including members of the NFL Dallas Cowboys
football team. There are countless testimonials of how satisfied his Lasik
clients were with the surgery, even a number of years later.

One of the important considerations for any doctor is kindness, and Dr Boothe's
Lasik patients comment on this trait after their procedures. They all agree that
Dr. Boothe made them feel very relaxed about the procedure, and took time to
answer any and all questions that they might have. This is especially important
with the Lasik process, as eye health is crucially important, and confidence in
the doctor makes considering the Lasik option much more feasible.

Dr. Boothe became a specialist of the eye, and especially the cornea, in 1987.

He has performed more than 80,000 Lasik laser vision corrections in that time.
He has also contributed to the field of expanding Lasik practice, with the new
VISX three dimensional wavefront procedures. These procedures are especially
useful for those people with unusual configurations of their eyes.

One of the other newer Lasik procedures uses only the laser, instead of the
usual Lasik operation using both scalpel and laser. He is the leader in the
performance of this field, and has done more than 45,000 of these operations.
This type of Lasik procedure holds new promise for the field, and should be
investigated by anyone considering any type of Lasik procedure.

Looking at some of Dr. Boothe's background will help prospective Lasik clients
to look for a physician of similar quality in their area. Dr. Boothe's center
itself is located in the Dallas metropolitan area, but there are many fine
doctors that practice Lasik procedures in all parts of the country. He has
taught a number of other surgeons in the technique, and so one question that
should be asked is where the physician received his training in the Lasik
procedure, and which doctors taught the technique.

A most critical part of traditional Lasik surgery is using the microkeratome to
make and lift a flap in the eye. Dr. Boothe's love of medicine and absorption in
furthering the techniques used in Lasik make him a pioneer in the field of
ophthalmology. He is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology,
and emphasizes that any patient should check the board certification for any
physician they are considering for performing the Lasik procedure in addition
to standard medical certifications, such as the American Medical Association.

One reason that Dr. Boothe entered the field of Lasik surgery was because a
good eye surgeon can dramatically improve the quality of life for his patients,
as is attested by his many thousands of satisfied patients. The doctor that a
patient selects for the Lasik procedure should have high standards for safety,
accuracy, and precision. This should be reflected in the results and opinions
of the patients that the doctor has. Lasik can be a life improving procedure,
and careful selection of a physician in the same mold as Dr. Boothe can make it
much more certain.

Even a Chicken Can Get Lasik Surgery

If you take the time to read any of the message boards or chat rooms on the
Internet about Lasik surgery, you will wonder how anyone could get the courage
to schedule a Lasik procedure, and why on earth they would want it. The various
Lasik clinics sound anywhere from impersonal to something similar to Dr.
Frankenstein's lab, and the Lasik procedure itself sounds, well, surreal. It
seems like the only people that would get Lasik are those with such bad vision
that they cannot get out of bed without their glasses on.

Well, let me give you my story of how I chose Lasik. First of all, my vision is
not good, but not terrible either. I can actually go to movies and see well
enough to enjoy the film without glasses, but I need glasses to drive in order
to read the street signs far enough away to act on the information. So for me,
Lasik was not necessary, but I figured would simplify my life. I am outdoors
very frequently, backpacking, climbing hills, and mountain biking. Glasses do
not last long with me, and I am frequently grinding into the dirt which is not
the best situation for contact lenses. For these reasons, Lasik looked very
appealing.

The paragraph above might make you think I am a "manly guy" (hope so, think
so!), so why on earth would I be afraid of a little Lasik scalpel? OK,
technically Lasik does NOT use a scalpel but rather a "microkeratome blade",
but it is still a sharp object approaching my eye as part of the Lasik
procedure. Nowadays Lasik physicians can get a laser to cut the flap in the
eye, which is more than a little better than a sharp blade. But anyway, I had
too many spills in my life to think any sharp object nearing my eye was a good
idea, even under the skilled hands of a Lasik physician.

After talking with three (yes, three!) independent Lasik physicians, they each
assured me that a 28 year old guy in nearly perfect health (OK, I exaggerate a
bit) with moderate nearsightedness was one of the very best candidates for a
successful Lasik procedure. I decided to schedule my Lasik procedure with the
one that had the best track record, and coincidentally took the most time to
explain everything about Lasik to me.

The Lasik surgery was not painful, though I accepted nearly everything they
offered to give me comfort, including a sedative and a teddy bear. (I even went
back to take a picture of me and the Lasik comforting teddy bear.) The only
strange thing I remember about the Lasik procedure itself was a smell,
something vaguely like hair burning. I suppose that was my eye. I am kind of
glad they didn't tell me to expect that before the Lasik procedure, I am not
sure I would have gone in.

After a few years, I guess I was a nearly perfect Lasik client, as my eyes now
have 20/20 vision and have remained stable long after the Lasik operation. I
say that if you are a good candidate for a Lasik vision correction procedure,
grab that teddy bear and go on in.

My Intralasik Experience

I wanted to investigate Lasik vision correction for myself, and found that
there were several options. After talking it over with a great Lasik physician,
I decided on using bladeless Lasik, or Intralasik, or Intralase. I cannot say
that I decided that for any great technical reasons, mine were mainly
psychological.

The advantage of Intralasik over a traditional Lasik procedure is that a laser
is used to make a flap in the eye. Every Lasik procedure needs to make a flap
in order for the excimer laser to be able to reshape the corner. In traditional
Lasik, the flap is made with a microkeratome, which is "a very small blade, not
a scalpel". Well, maybe to you. Somehow, even though both the laser and the
blade made the same flap, the idea of someone taking a sharp object to.....
well, you get the picture.

In addition (though there is a lot of argument and debate over this) using a
laser to make the flap might (let me emphasize might to be fair to everyone)
make the Lasik procedure have less chance of getting other cells underneath the
flap. I don't really understand all of the Lasik arguments with regard to this,
but I think you should discuss the various Lasik options with the physician.
They do vary in cost also.

Before I talk about the procedure itself, let me give a bird's eye view of
myself as a Lasik candidate. In short, spectacular! Seriously, all of the items
for a good Lasik candidate could describe me: a healthy guy in my mid-thirties,
with moderate nearsightedness and slight astigmatism, with good results on all
eye exam tests (thick cornea, no eye scarring or infections, etc.).

I did visit two different Lasik surgeons to get their independent opinions of
me as a candidate, and also their description of their services. One of the
Lasik surgeons is on the staff at the medical college in a nearby major
metropolitan center, so I was pretty assured that their opinions were valid.

On the day of the Lasik surgery I came in, paid my first payment for the
procedure, and had my eye prescription rechecked. I was given post-procedure
instructions on eye drops, no exercising (yeah!), and to go to sleep after the
Lasik procedure. I was given a relaxant, and the Lasik physician and I went to
the surgery suite.

The chair has padded pillows to rest and restrict head movement, and a teddy
bear to hold if I wanted it. There was a clamp to hold my eyes open, and a
suction ring, and then my vision in that eye went a bit dim. The first Lasik
laser made the flap, and I focused on a small light while the other laser made
the cornea changes. This took less than thirty seconds, or so I was told.

Mainly I was aware of clicking noises and some pressure, but no pain or real
discomfort. After the eye flaps were put back in place, I rested in a recliner
for about 20 minutes. I could see more clearly immediately after the Lasik
operation was over, but was told not to try and test my eyes for a number of
days, and rather concentrate on getting them healthy and healed.

I am surprised and immensely pleased it went so easily, well, and pain free. I
would recommend this type of Lasik procedure to anyone.

My Grandfather and Lasik

When I came home from college for the Thanksgiving holidays, I was very
surprised to hear that he had undergone a Lasik operation for his vision. It
came to my attention immediately, as he was wearing sunglasses on a rainy
Maryland afternoon. Apparently one of the possible temporary side effects of
the Lasik procedure is a sensitivity to light. After talking with him
privately, he hadn't actually had any of the side effects that his Lasik
physician had described, but was having a wonderful time making the family
think that he did. What a character.

Granddad is one that always enjoys new gadgets, people's sympathy, and the
chance to tell another story to anyone willing to listen. It almost seems that
the Lasik procedure was tailor made for him, especially since his Lasik
operation was essentially trouble free. In addition to the sunglasses, the
doctor that performed his Lasik surgery gave Granddad a pair of goggles to wear
at night so that he would not rub his eyes in his sleep. Granddad also wore them
at breakfast and for most meals, saying that a possible squirt in the eye from a
grapefruit or wine glass was not allowed in the Lasik manual. I should mention
that we don't usually drink wine, and that he was not given a Lasik manual.

Two of the more common temporary side effects after Lasik surgery are
sensitivity to light or to glare, especially at night, and some possibility of
fluctuating vision for several days after the Lasik procedure. I have never
seen a man milk so much out of a combination of one or both of these symptoms,
though he never had either one.

He couldn't clear dishes from the table because his fluctuating vision may have
him drop the plates, and he couldn't drive to the convenience store at night
because... well, you get the idea. I do wonder why I was told the real story of
his Lasik procedure, but I guess a secret partner makes the stories all the
sweeter.

As it turns out, the only real post Lasik symptom that he actually had was dry
eyes, and he had eye drops for that. As it turned out, he needed to get a
second type of eye drops from his Lasik physician since he needed a thicker
prescription to get through the night comfortably. Granddad was surprised that
he seemed to be a model Lasik patient at his age, though his doctor said he had
done a number of very successful Lasik surgeries for clients into their
seventies, and even a few in their eighties.

I am surprised that Granddad bothered to look into a Lasik operation, for I
never noticed that he had a problem with his glasses. He says it was because
Lasik would reveal the handsome man he is more clearly to the ladies, though he
has been a widower for twelve years and seemed fine with that.

He did say though that the clarity of vision that the Lasik procedure gave him
is better than any he has had in over thirty years. Perhaps that is true, for
my post Lasik grandfather is more interested in things and more active than I
have seen him in the last few years. Perhaps Lasik is a part of that.

Solving a Lasik Post Op Problem

I had Lasik vision correction surgery two years ago, and am quite glad I did. I
think that my Lasik story might be helpful to some that consider that they might
not be a perfect Lasik client, and are concerned about side effects after the
Lasik procedure. I did have a significant side effect after my Lasik operation,
but have weathered it well, and still recommend the operation highly.

My operation went exactly as described, with no pain or real discomfort at all.
My Lasik physician was clear, stating each step that he completed so that I
would know the Lasik procedure was proceeding as expected, and more quickly
than I had imagined. I know that all of the discussion I had earlier with the
Lasik professionals stated the operation generally took less than twenty
minutes, but I was still surprised.

At the end of the operation, my Lasik doctor replaced the flap to its correct
position in my eye and covered it with some kind of clear goop. Even at that
time I could notice a distinct improvement in my vision. I was instructed to
wear goggles over my eyes for five nights in order to prevent me rubbing my
eyes while I was sleeping. I guess they assumed that any good Lasik patient
would not do that when awake.

In addition, I followed all post-op Lasik procedure instruction to the letter.
I slept immediately after the Lasik procedure was done (after I made it home,
of course), used the eye drops religiously, and did not try to strain my eyes
by reading everything that I could. I was amazed the immediate improvement in
vision that Lasik makes, just as if there was a set of weightless contact
lenses. Very impressive.

My biggest problem in Lasik procedure recovery was a result of epithelial
erosion. The flap that is made in the eye during the Lasik procedure is made
from epithelial cells. Once the flap is replaced at the end of the Lasik
procedure, these cells start to regenerate in order to fill in the line where
the flap has been cut. All of this is normal post-op Lasik healing. However, in
my case the cells would grow fine, but at night my eyes tended to dry out when I
was asleep. So, when I woke up, my eyelid would pull up some of the new cells
from their place where they belonged, where if my eye was sufficiently moist
they would have stayed in place.

I told this to my Lasik physician, who said this side effect just makes healing
a little longer and it was not a serious side effect. When I went for a checkup
to the Lasik center (which I highly recommend any time a Lasik client has any
post-op worries or questions) they decided that I needed a thicker, more jelly
like version of the eye drops to use at night. This worked well, and the rest
of my post-Lasik recovery went well. I am a strong advocate of the Lasik vision
correction procedure. I also strongly suggest interviewing a number of
positions, and do not put low cost as the highest priority. Your eyes are very
important, and a highly competent Lasik physician is the most important factor.

Should I have Lasik or ICL?

A number of people who are considering the Lasik procedure to correct their
nearsightedness or farsightedness have of some potential problems of Lasik, and
are wondering if there are other options. Though more than 95 percent of the
Lasik patients have a very successful procedure without any major side effects,
there are choices for people who wish to improve their vision. Let's compare
two, and discuss these choices with a reputable ophthalmologist.

Traditional Lasik surgery uses a scalpel to create a small flap in the eye, and
then a laser reshapes the eye in order to focus accurately. There are two more
recent forms of Lasik, one that entirely uses a laser and does away with the
scalpel. Another variation uses a three dimension waveform for people with
unusual eye shapes, and both of these are worth discussing with your
ophthalmologist.

Those people with very thin corneas or other issues that make Lasik not a good
candidate for their particular case can consider implantable contact lens
surgery. This is known as ICL in the eye surgeon's lingo, and is a good
alternative to Lasik to permanently correct vision. These lenses function in
exactly the same way as removable lenses, except that they remain permanently
in the eye. Like Lasik, they reshape the eye in order for it to focus
accurately. The patient will not feel the lens once the operation has been
performed.

Lasik and ICL are similar in several ways. Lasik can improve vision affected by
nearsightedness and astigmatism, and ICL can improve these vision deficiencies
also. Both Lasik and ICL also have some of the same risks, one of these being
that the correction is not accurate after the first operation is done. Lasik is
a much more frequently performed procedure, and less than 3 percent (according
to the FDA) of these patients need to undergo additional surgery to further
correct vision after the first Lasik procedure is done.

Like any operation, there is a chance of infection in either a Lasik procedure
or an ICL operation. Good post-operative care by the patient will minimize this
and regular checkups at the Lasik or eye care center will nearly always clear
this up without further complication. In a small percentage of the cases,
either Lasik or ICL patients may not achieve perfect vision and may need to
continue to wear corrective eyewear, though usually not at the same strength as
the original eyewear.

One advantage of ICL over Lasik is that ICL is a reversible procedure, where
the implanted lens can be removed later if that becomes necessary. Lasik
involves the reshaping of the cornea to bring objects accurately into focus,
and is permanent. However, for a typical, healthy patient either Lasik or ICL
will generally bring about the desired improvement in vision.

Lasik is generally a less invasive procedure, and this is reflected in the
current cost of the operation. The current price for a Lasik procedure is
between $500 and $2500 per eye, depending on the type of procedure and the
presiding physician. A typical price for ICL is between $1500 and $3000 per
eye. Do some investigation into the options offered, and select the eye
procedure that is best for your personal case.

Pros and Cons for Lasik with IntraLase

Those who have had a Lasik technique done, and those who are investigating
having a Lasik vision correction procedure, know that the first step of that
procedure is to create a small flap in order for the Lasik physician to reshape
the cornea. This flap is created by the surgeon, and can be done using a small
blade or using a laser. Using the laser is generally called a bladeless Lasik
procedure, or IntraLasik, or IntraLase.

For those that are considering a Lasik procedure, this review should be helpful
in order to determine the pros and cons of the Lasik procedure using IntraLase.
One comment to be made is that the risks and complications possible using the
small blade are well known and documented, since that procedure has been done
for years and has a database of millions of patients.

Granted, 90% or more of all Lasik patients have no serious side effects or even
minor lasting side effects, but it is true that a large part of the
complications from Lasik procedures stem from the flap made with the
microkeratome blade. Over the years additional techniques have been developed
to further minimize such problems from the standard Lasik procedure.

The introduction of the laser to create the flap is a new frontier in the Lasik
procedure. The laser is used in combination with state of the art software to
create a flap of a pre-programmed size at a specific depth and position. During
this process, a soft suction ring holds the eye in place, but this causes no
discomfort to the Lasik client. Generally the only effect noticed by most Lasik
patients is a dimming of vision in the eye being worked on for the duration of
the treatment of that eye.

The use of the laser creates very small bubbles of water and carbon dioxide
that serve as a good buffer between the flap and the cornea itself, and so this
Lasik procedure conserves the eye very carefully. The whole process of creating
a flap for one eye takes approximately one minute.

The advantages of using a laser to make the flap for the Lasik vision
correction procedure is that there is no way that the cornea can be abraded,
nor any chance of the wrong size or depth of flap, since it is all
pre-programmed with Lasik software. The exact vertical edges of the flap
produced using this Lasik procedure help healing, and also decrease the
possibility that the flap might slip or wrinkle if the eye is accidentally
bumped or rubbed during the healing process.

There are very few cons to using a laser to create the flap during a Lasik
procedure. One is that the process takes a bit longer, up to a minute. A second
reason is that the low level suction during this phase of the Lasik operation
does result in eye redness for about 5% of the patients, but this goes away
within a few days. The last reason is that there is still a difference in cost
between this and the traditional Lasik procedure, but hopefully that will
decrease as the years progress.

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