Castervision

The most commonly performed laser vision correction surgery is Lasik. Lasik surgery is known to be very safe and highly effective for several refractive problems. During Lasik eye surgery the surgeon will reshape the cornea in a fast and painless procedure. The procedure generally takes no longer than fifteen minutes and is done with machinery. Some patients say claim they feel a bit uncomfortable because of the drops and tool to keep the eyes open, but no pain at all. The Lasik procedure reduces the patient’s dependency on corrective eye wear often leaving the patient with 20/20 or 20/40 vision. Although the Lasik procedure has great success rates it is conducted on a very delicate part of the eye where several things can go wrong especially if one is not a candidate.

A patient should always understand the importance of a thorough screening and maintain realistic expectations about their procedure. There are people who do not fit the required medical criteria to ensure that Lasik or another laser vision correction Los Angeles procedure can be performed with success. In some cases patients who are deemed as not being good candidates for Lasik due to the current technology may be able to have the surgery in the future, as technology makes significant advances and techniques are further perfected. Anyone interested in undergoing Lasik eye surgery must go through an examination where a Los Angeles eye surgeon will determine if he or she is a candidate for surgery; each candidate will fall into one of three categories. These categories are:

The ideal Lasik Candidate:

• Eighteen years of age and has had a stable prescription for glasses or contacts for two or more years.

• Must have sufficient corneal thickness. Lasik patients must have a cornea that is thick enough to allow the surgeon to safely create a clean corneal flap of appropriate depth.

• Are affected by one of the most common refractive errors, nearsightedness, farsightedness, astig-matism or a combination of three. Many lasers are no approved by the U.S. food and drug administration as safe and effective for Lasik, but the scope of each laser’s approved indication and treatment range is limited to specified degrees or refractive error.

• Does not suffer from any disease vision or non-vision related because it still may affect the effectiveness of the surgery or prevent the eyes from healing properly.

• Are properly informed about the risks and reward of the surgery had realistic expectations and understanding.

The less than ideal Candidate:

• History of dry eyes – The chances that the condition may worsen after surgery is too high.

• Have scarring of the cornea

• Under the age of eighteen

• Being treated with medications such as steroids or other medications which may prevent the healing process from properly taking place.

• Are pregnant or nursing

• Have a refractive error to severe which make the cornea to thin and too risky to operate.

• History of herpes

• The Non- Lasik Candidate: There are conditions that may eliminate an individual from undergoing Lasik with the current technology to protect their eye sight from being further damaged.

• Disease such as cataracts, advanced glaucoma, corneal diseases, corneal thinning disorders, and other types of disease that threaten the vision

• Do not signed consent allowing the surgeon to perform Lasik. Patients must understand the risk and procedure in detail. Signed consent is required to perform the surgery and verify that the patient clearly understood.

Unrealistic expectations. Often times when patients have unrealistic expectations they are very disappointed although the Lasik doctor Los Angeles may have done an impeccable job.

Lasik vision correction surgery is one of the most popular ways to treat to treat vision errors among many people especially those people who hate to struggle with glasses and or contacts. The cost of Lasik eye surgery however increases every as the surgery gains more popularity every year. When compared to other daily gadgets that help a person see clear in the moment the cost for Lasik is relatively high.

The cost of Lasik has several determining factors. The first thing that comes into play for Lasik cost is the cost is location. Individuals may find that Lasik varies from price not only in different states but also in different cities. If one chooses to have Lasik in a city such as Beverly Hills he or she should expect for the cost to be significantly higher than in several other areas of California. The second cost that comes into play is the cost of equipment, which greatly varies because there are several clinics with greatly advanced equipment that certainly cost more. Thirdly, surgeon fees always vary in price. Certified surgeons with large amounts of experience are going to cost a lot more than those starting out and those who are not qualified. Make sure to search for a Los Angeles eye surgeon who is qualified and experience, no matter what the cost is your eyes are worth it.

Although there are several factors that contribute to the cost of Lasik there is still a reasonable range for Lasik. Most Lasik Doctor Los Angeles charge about $2500 per eye, this is the average Lasik cost in 2010; however, this cost inflates yearly. This is generally expensive for most patients and because it is an elective procedure it is not covered by insurance. Lasik cost is most often financed or is worked out with the surgeon on a sort of payment plan that makes Lasik eyes surgery more affordable for patients. Although this surgery may sound costly to some its long term benefits keeps individuals interested in the procedure.

If one is interested in vision correction surgery he or she should consult with a Lasik eye surgeon such as Andrew caster, to find out if he or she is a Lasik candidate and learn more about the procedure. Lasik is one of the safest and simplest ways to regain ones in some cases completely, but some illness may disqualify an individual from obtaining the procedure. If one is in overall good condition and looking in to Lasik he or she should educate themselves on the procedure and all it entails.

Significant visual impairment is a serious risk for older populations, with roughly 6.75% of adults ³60 years of age defined as being visually impaired or having best-corrected vision less that 20/40. As many as 1 in 3 men and women ³65 years of age will experience age-related vision loss. By comparison, the risks of the same age group’s developing prostate and breast cancer are about 1 in 6 and 1 in 9, respectively.

Multiple studies suggest the high risk of age-related vision conditions is due in part to a lack of proper screening and regular eye examinations. Because age-related eye diseases are often asymptomatic in their early stages and may progress slowly, an annual eye examination becomes a critical tool to detect and evaluate these conditions before they can cause loss of sight. Comorbidities, such as cognitive impairment, may also result in symptoms of vision loss being underreported by older adults. Additionally, many adults who wear corrective lenses wrongly believe regular examinations for visual acuity are sufficient when, in fact, to detect these eye diseases, a comprehensive examination is necessary.

Regular eye examinations can have an impact on more than eye health. Studies indicate that older individuals who are visually impaired are more likely to be in fair-to-poor health, with a significantly higher incidence of accidents, falls and hip fractures. Individuals with age-related vision loss also feel grief, anxiety, social isolation and depression more often that those without vision loss. These feelings can be exacerbated by a concomitant loss of mobility and an increased dependence on outside help to aid in the tasks of everyday living.

Because many age-related vision problems can be successfully treated or the progression of these diseases slowed when caught early, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends eye examinations for all adults ³65 years of age every 1 to 2 years.

To keep ones eyes healthy, one should schedule regular eye visits with an ophthalmologist such as Andrew Caster MD. Dr. Andrew Caster provides several services for the eyes and in one of the best Los Angeles Lasik surgeons. He has performed successful Lasik and many other vision correction procedures on many people including professional athletes.

Andrew Caster MD shares important information about patients at risk for developing glaucoma require special management when undergoing refractive surgery. Regular follow-up visits with an ophthalmologist can help ensure that these patients avoid potential complications later in life.

Diagnosing glaucoma requires an accurate measurement of an individual’s intraocular pressure (IOP). Dr. Andrew Caster believes when a patient undergoes refractive surgery, the thickness of the cornea is altered; as a result, the patient’s IOP may “read” lower than it actually is. While IOP is not the only factor used to diagnose glaucoma, an increase in IOP is arguably the most important risk factor indicating development and progression of glaucoma; an erroneous IOP reading – especially one that is artificially low — can cause a developing condition to be overlooked. Moreover, because treatment of glaucoma is aimed at reducing IOP, accurate measurement of pressure is essential for effective treatment of the disease.

Andrew Caster MD says, because refractive surgery can make it difficult for an ophthalmologist to set a target IOP for patients postoperatively, these patients must be followed closely, and additional tests must be used to monitor for changes in IOP. Although newer tonometers may prove more accurate in measuring IOP even in refractive patients, most ophthalmologists use other indicators to help determine if glaucoma is developing. These factors include changes in the optic disc, nerve fiber layer and visual fields. In addition, measuring the patient’s IOP prior to surgery and then again after the eye is stabilized may also be used as a new baseline.

Dr. Andrew caster says, patients undergoing refractive surgery should understand the possible changes that can result in an erroneously low IOP reading in future eye care visits. Also, they should be advised to let their ophthalmologist know during routine visits that they have undergone refractive surgery, so that the doctor may take extra precautions to carefully screen for the presence of glaucoma.

Millions of people suffer from refractive errors that prevent them from doing everyday things without difficulty. Those who suffer from nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism must like to know how nice it would be to wake up, play sports and swim without having to worry about breaking or chipping glass or struggling with contracts. Having to worry about glasses and or contacts can be hassle especially in summer time when one would like to go swimming but getting water in the eyes might be painful with contacts or cause dry eyes. If one suffers from a curved cornea which results in blurry vision and is unhappy with contacts and glasses he or she should consider having Lasik.

The Lasik is an outpatient procedure that is often referred to as simple and fast. During Lasik a Los Angeles eye surgeon will reshape the cornea with a laser. The cornea is the transparent tissue that covers the colored part of the eye the pupil and the dark part in the center of the eye. The cornea is a clear and smooth glass as tough and durable as plastic. The procedure generally takes about fifteen to thirty minutes. Numbing drops are placed inside the eye, so while some patients complain of an uncomfortable feeling others feel nothing but pressure on the eye. Reshaping the cornea results in improved vision, in fact over ninety percent of Lasik patients realize somewhere between 20/20 and 20/40 vision after surgery.

In order to consider having laser eye surgery the patient must be eighteen years or older, is in good overall health, have had a stable vision prescription for at least a year, have no eye disease, sufficient corneal thickness, and has available down time. Although Lasik eye surgery is referred to as simple and easy one must be a fully qualifying candidate to obtain minimal risk and have the best possible results. When undergoing any surgery one should be aware of all the possible side affects. After surgery the patient may be asked to wear a transparent eye shield to prevent rubbing. When it comes to laser vision correction Los Angeles surgery side affects are not permanent and generally only last two to three days. For Lasik eye surgery the ESEC places serious vision threatening problems at less than one percent. Other side affects that can be cured with medication include eye infection, chronic dry eye and Lasik cornea flap problems. After surgery some patients complain of blurry vision, dry eyes, discomfort or pain, pink or red patches on the white of the eye, ghost vision, star burst around light and scratchiness. These side affects generally disappear with the healing process; however, if the symptoms persist a second surgery may be required but is rare.