What does the future hold for LASIK eye surgery?
Q. I'm going to school to become a commercial pilot. Obviously my career depends on being able to see 20/20 with or without correction (I'm 20/200 without contacts, slight astigmatism). I'm 30 years now but have considered eye surgery my entire life. (even RK back in the day). Obviously technology has improved by leaps and bounds. When LASIK rolled out I thought how could it get better than this? My best friend is a MD and he told me to hold off for a few years (this was 4-5 years ago) and now we have custom wavefront LASIK. I have had friends who've had both done with excellent results. Now with wavefront LASIK advancements, what else is on the horizon??? Are some stellar new techniques currently being developed that will roll out in the next 4-5 years?
My eye doctor is suggesting PRK. Night vision problems could also end my career. I've heard there is less chance of reduced night vision (halos /startbursts) with PRK. The NAVY only allows PRK surgery for their pilots.
My eye doctor is suggesting PRK. Night vision problems could also end my career. I've heard there is less chance of reduced night vision (halos /startbursts) with PRK. The NAVY only allows PRK surgery for their pilots.
A. You are right about the side effects. Thats whats stopping me from doing the procedure so far. There are a lot more but the main side effects are halos and dry eyes. I saw some more mentioned here http://lasereyesurgerytruth.com/vision/latest/be-aware-of-these-laser-eye-surgery-complications-2.html
I had radialkeratonomy 25 years ago and now need cataracts taken off?
Q. I'm concerned because the doctor/hospital that I had the RK's done at got rid of all my original cornea measurements and my current opthamologist says they will do the best they can to get my lens prescriptions right. Has anyone with RK's had cataracts removed and did they do anything special to make sure their vision was correct - any special tests, special doctors, etc. My current doctor does do RK's and laser eye surgeries.
Just to clarify, my doctor is NO longer doing RKs but he has in the past so is familiar with the problems with it and cateracts.
Just to clarify, my doctor is NO longer doing RKs but he has in the past so is familiar with the problems with it and cateracts.
A. A cataract means that the natural lens within the eye has become cloudy. Cataract surgery is the process of removing this defective lens and replacing it with a clear intraocular lens (IOL). The new IOL will have a refractive power that would reduce or eliminate the need for glasses. The new IOL does not change forcus, so your vision will be set for only one distance. Most people opt for distance vision (20 feet to infinity) and use reading glasses for near vision.
Do you happen to have an old prescription from before your RK? Do you happen to have an old pair of glasses from before you had RK? Does one of the optometrists who examined you or one of the dispensing opticians who provided you a pair of glasses have your old prescription? Did you ever order contact lenses through the mail? Most people leave a long and wide trail that can be searched for preoperative information. A little detective work may provide what you need.
Absent preoperative measurements, your current doctor will use all available calculations and a bit of educated guesswork to determine what power of IOL needs to be implanted. These formulas and tools are available to virtually all cataract surgeons, but you may want to find a surgeon who has successfully done a few dozen cataracts after RK. You can contact me for recommendations, if you�d like.
If the IOL power is a little off after implantation, you will be able to wear glasses or contact lenses to correct the difference. If the power is way off, the IOL can be removed and a new IOL of the proper power may be replaced.
Do you happen to have an old prescription from before your RK? Do you happen to have an old pair of glasses from before you had RK? Does one of the optometrists who examined you or one of the dispensing opticians who provided you a pair of glasses have your old prescription? Did you ever order contact lenses through the mail? Most people leave a long and wide trail that can be searched for preoperative information. A little detective work may provide what you need.
Absent preoperative measurements, your current doctor will use all available calculations and a bit of educated guesswork to determine what power of IOL needs to be implanted. These formulas and tools are available to virtually all cataract surgeons, but you may want to find a surgeon who has successfully done a few dozen cataracts after RK. You can contact me for recommendations, if you�d like.
If the IOL power is a little off after implantation, you will be able to wear glasses or contact lenses to correct the difference. If the power is way off, the IOL can be removed and a new IOL of the proper power may be replaced.
What is your opinion on laser eye surgery to correct nearsightedness?
Q. I've done my homework on the subject and am going in for a consultation visit, however I'm just curious about others' opinions on the idea and if it worked for you? More importantly, if it didn't work for you?
I've worn glasses for 20 years and I'm ready for the change.
I've worn glasses for 20 years and I'm ready for the change.
A. Whether or not you should get Lasik is a very complicated question. I've been sitting on the fence for 5 years now, and still haven't decided. I posted all my research on a blog including the post below which talks about whether people should or shouldn't try Lasik:
http://www.wika-lasik.com/2007/08/when-is-lasik-n.html
When is LASIK not for me?
You are probably NOT a good candidate for refractive surgery if:
You are not a risk taker. Certain complications are unavoidable in a percentage of patients, and there are no long-term data available for current procedures.
It will jeopardize your career. Some jobs prohibit certain refractive procedures. Be sure to check with your employer/professional society/military service before undergoing any procedure.
Cost is an issue. Most medical insurance will not pay for refractive surgery. Although the cost is coming down, it is still significant.
You required a change in your contact lens or glasses prescription in the past year. This is called refractive instability.
In their early 20s or younger,
Whose hormones are fluctuating due to disease such as diabetes,
Who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are taking medications that may cause fluctuations in vision, are more likely to have refractive instability and should discuss the possible additional risks with their doctor.
You have a disease or are on medications that may affect wound healing. Certain conditions, such as autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis), immunodeficiency states (e.g., HIV) and diabetes, and some medications (e.g., retinoic acid and steroids) may prevent proper healing after a refractive procedure.
You actively participate in contact sports. You participate in boxing, wrestling, martial arts or other activities in which blows to the face and eyes are a normal occurrence.
You are not an adult. Currently, no lasers are approved for LASIK on persons under the age of 18.
Precautions
The safety and effectiveness of refractive procedures has not been determined in patients with some diseases. Discuss with your doctor if you have a history of any of the following:
Herpes simplex or Herpes zoster (shingles) involving the eye area.
Glaucoma, glaucoma suspect, or ocular hypertension.
Eye diseases, such as uveitis/iritis (inflammations of the eye)
Eye injuries or previous eye surgeries.
Keratoconus
Your doctor should screen you for the following conditions or indicators of risk:
Blepharitis. Inflammation of the eyelids with crusting of the eyelashes, that may increase the risk of infection or inflammation of the cornea after LASIK.
Large pupils. Make sure this evaluation is done in a dark room. Younger patients and patients on certain medications may be prone to having large pupils under dim lighting conditions. This can cause symptoms such as glare, halos, starbursts, and ghost images (double vision) after surgery. In some patients these symptoms may be debilitating. For example, a patient may no longer be able to drive a car at night or in certain weather conditions, such as fog.
Thin Corneas. The cornea is the thin clear covering of the eye that is over the iris, the colored part of the eye. Most refractive procedures change the eye�s focusing power by reshaping the cornea (for example, by removing tissue). Performing a refractive procedure on a cornea that is too thin may result in blinding complications.
Previous refractive surgery (e.g., RK, PRK, LASIK). Additional refractive surgery may not be recommended. The decision to have additional refractive surgery must be made in consultation with your doctor after careful consideration of your unique situation.
Dry Eyes. LASIK surgery tends to aggravate this condition.
http://www.wika-lasik.com/2007/08/when-is-lasik-n.html
When is LASIK not for me?
You are probably NOT a good candidate for refractive surgery if:
You are not a risk taker. Certain complications are unavoidable in a percentage of patients, and there are no long-term data available for current procedures.
It will jeopardize your career. Some jobs prohibit certain refractive procedures. Be sure to check with your employer/professional society/military service before undergoing any procedure.
Cost is an issue. Most medical insurance will not pay for refractive surgery. Although the cost is coming down, it is still significant.
You required a change in your contact lens or glasses prescription in the past year. This is called refractive instability.
In their early 20s or younger,
Whose hormones are fluctuating due to disease such as diabetes,
Who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are taking medications that may cause fluctuations in vision, are more likely to have refractive instability and should discuss the possible additional risks with their doctor.
You have a disease or are on medications that may affect wound healing. Certain conditions, such as autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis), immunodeficiency states (e.g., HIV) and diabetes, and some medications (e.g., retinoic acid and steroids) may prevent proper healing after a refractive procedure.
You actively participate in contact sports. You participate in boxing, wrestling, martial arts or other activities in which blows to the face and eyes are a normal occurrence.
You are not an adult. Currently, no lasers are approved for LASIK on persons under the age of 18.
Precautions
The safety and effectiveness of refractive procedures has not been determined in patients with some diseases. Discuss with your doctor if you have a history of any of the following:
Herpes simplex or Herpes zoster (shingles) involving the eye area.
Glaucoma, glaucoma suspect, or ocular hypertension.
Eye diseases, such as uveitis/iritis (inflammations of the eye)
Eye injuries or previous eye surgeries.
Keratoconus
Your doctor should screen you for the following conditions or indicators of risk:
Blepharitis. Inflammation of the eyelids with crusting of the eyelashes, that may increase the risk of infection or inflammation of the cornea after LASIK.
Large pupils. Make sure this evaluation is done in a dark room. Younger patients and patients on certain medications may be prone to having large pupils under dim lighting conditions. This can cause symptoms such as glare, halos, starbursts, and ghost images (double vision) after surgery. In some patients these symptoms may be debilitating. For example, a patient may no longer be able to drive a car at night or in certain weather conditions, such as fog.
Thin Corneas. The cornea is the thin clear covering of the eye that is over the iris, the colored part of the eye. Most refractive procedures change the eye�s focusing power by reshaping the cornea (for example, by removing tissue). Performing a refractive procedure on a cornea that is too thin may result in blinding complications.
Previous refractive surgery (e.g., RK, PRK, LASIK). Additional refractive surgery may not be recommended. The decision to have additional refractive surgery must be made in consultation with your doctor after careful consideration of your unique situation.
Dry Eyes. LASIK surgery tends to aggravate this condition.
How much does ortho k cost compared to regular contacts?
Q. Ive had myopia since around 6th grade. Granted, its not that bad, I think -1.5 on one eye and-2.25 in the other or something like that. I read about Ortho-K, and I wonder how much ortho-k treatment costs compared to my regular yearly supply of contacts?
A. Orthokeratotomy is a type of treatment used for patients with keratoconus, which is a progressive disease where your cornea becomes misshapen and resembles a cone. Ortho K is wearing rigid gas permeable contact lenses overnight in the hopes of halting and perhaps reversing the progression. I think you meant to ask about RK or LASIK surgery, which are surgeries where a part of your cornea is removed by a blade or laser to correct your refractive error.
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Title Post: What does the future hold for LASIK eye surgery?
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Rating: 98% based on 3217 ratings. 4,8 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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