Castervision

Just another Sleddoggin.com Blogs weblog

Lasik : Common Lasik Questions

October 25th, 2010 by andrewcaster

LasikLasik eye surgery is the most commonly performed laser eye surgery in America. Every year the number of people who desire Lasik eye surgery and the number of people who undergo the procedure increases in large numbers. Many people are aware of the procedure is out there and know what the goal of it but are not sure how the Lasik procedure is performed and have several questions which are common for prospective Lasik candidates.

The Lasik procedure beings with the creation of a hinged corneal flap. After the Los Angeles Lasik surgeon has set drops of anesthesia in the eye, he creates the flap on the outer surface of the eye to expose the underlying cornea. The cornea is then reshaped using an excimer laser and the flap is replaced. After the surgery some patients experience immediate improved vision, but the vision can take up to six months to stabilize.

Here are some of the common questions asked about Lasik eye surgery:

Is Lasik safe?
Lasik and all other laser vision correction Los Angeles procedures are safe provided that one is a good candidate for the surgery. Lasik eye surgery holds a success rate of about 95% for most experienced Lasik eye surgeons. One must always do their own research apart from what the surgeons says to identify if he or she is a good candidate. Remember that if one undergoes such procedure and is not a good candidate the risk of having bad side effects run high.

What are the risks associated with Lasik?
One’s Lasik surgeon Los Angeles should discuss the risk of Lasik eye surgery with the patient prior to the procedure andmay even give them a sheet with a list of side effects. The risks include:

  • Starburst
  • Difficulty with glare and night vision
  • Foreign body sensation
  • Ghost vision
  • Blurry vision

Most of these side effects are temporary and do past within a few days and sometimes weeks after surgery. Approximately one to two patients have permanent side effects.

Is Lasik eye surgery painful?
Because there is a very small amount of tissue involved in the procedure it is usually painless for most patients although some patients do complain of some discomfort. Other patients say it feels as if pressure is being applied to the eye; however it is not painful.

What Results should I expect from Lasik?
Although many surgeons say they can ensure 20/20 they cannot. Statistics show that every patient does not have applied 20/20. One should expect better vision and in most cases reduced or no dependencies on corrective eye wear.

Category LASIK | No Comments »

Lasik and Lasik enhancement surgery

June 25th, 2010 by andrewcaster

Lasik eye surgery is proven to decrease and several cases eliminate the use and dependency on eye glasses. Although Beverly Hills Lasik surgery has extremely high success rates few times patients find themselves having Lasik enhancement surgery. Most patients experience a change in vision daily after surgery usually seeing great improvement soon afterwards. If the patient isn’t completely satisfied with surgery three to six months afterwards then he or she may ask their Lasik surgeon what else can be done.

In order to be truly satisfied with Lasik surgery there are several deciding factors.

  • The health and characteristics of ones corneas
  • Type of refractive error
  • The amount of prescription needed to correct the refractive error
  • Amount of tears produced
  • Age
  • Expectation

Young adults with mild refractive errors generally have the best results from Beverly Hill Lasik eye surgery. The patient’s expectations prior to surgery play a key role in how satisfied they will be with the out come of the surgery. If a patient has unrealistic expectation it is likely that he or she will not be pleased with the outcome. Patients generally agree that they now can see better than they ever did with glasses and if not just as well. For some patients leading Lasik surgeon Los Angeles may suggest Lasik enhancement.

Lasik enhancement is a follow up procedure done if the first procedure is less than satisfactory or a complication occurs. This enhancement surgery is rare and in recent studies it shows that more than ninety-five percent of sixteen million people have had successful Lasik eye surgery, but the Lasik Doctor Los Angeles will inform one prior to surgery that not everyone is lucky to obtain 20/20 vision after surgery. Before rushing to have Lasik enhancement surgery it is critical to wait because several fluctuations happen to the eyes in the upcoming months. Also, the Lasik eye surgeon may have a less invasive method of providing the patient with better enhanced results.

During the enhancement surgery, the surgeon will lift the existing flap and cut out the corneal surface at the location of the original flap. The Lasik flap adheres to the stroma, it can still be lifted, thereby averting the need to create a new flap. Because the laser technology and experience of surgeons has increased greatly it is rare that this procedure is done but when done carries very little chance of complication. Lasik enhancement surgery is not a thing to fear since it is much like the initial Lasik surgery and the surgeon will generally go through every step in detail.

Category Beverly Hills Lasik surgery | No Comments »

Laser Eye Surgery And Dry Eyes

October 28th, 2009 by andrewcaster

Los Angeles eye surgeonEveryday, a large number of people live with an actual, medical condition referred to as dry eye. When an person’s eyes don’t generate a sufficient amount of tears to maintain adequate lubrication, dry eye occurs and there are many ways people experience this condition depending on the individual. Los Angeles eye surgeons explain that individuals with dry eye may experience a feeling of scratchiness in the eyes, a burning sensation, large amounts of mucous, sensitivity to wind and smoke, and increased light sensitivity. Oddly, individuals with dry eye may also experience excessive tears as the lacrimal glands, which produce tears, try to compensate for the lack of lubrication.

Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis, also known as Los Angeles Lasik eye surgery, is a procedure to correct vision in patients who experience myopia or nearsightedness, hyperopia or farsightedness, and astigmatism.

Among most people who undergo this surgery by a qualified, experienced Lasik surgeon Los Angeles patients end up with 20/20 vision or better without complications, however, LASIK can sometimes leave some patients with dry eye. This is especially true if the patient had dry eye prior to the surgery. In those cases, candidate screening was inadequate and the surgery should not have been done.

During Beverly Hills Lasik eye surgery, the surgeon cuts a thin corneal flap so the cornea can be reshaped underneath the flap using a laser. Creation of the flap inevitably cuts some of the corneal nerve fibers related to tear production. The lacrimal glands are beneath the upper eyelids and just below the eyebrows. They produce tears which flow through a drainage system and flush debris from the eyes. When these nerves are disrupted by flap creation, tear production is reduced and this happens in all Lasik procedures. In most cases the nerves regenerate within a few months and tear production becomes normal. In the meantime, moisturizing eyedrops are prescribed.

Usually dry eyes are a disqualifying condition for Lasik. But an eye surgeon will assess each individual and make a judgment call. It can be treated or managed. Prescription eyedrops can help. Your eye surgeon may insert plugs into the tear duct openings (the puncta; singular is punctum). These openings are in the inner corners of the eyes and allow tears to drain from the eyes into the nasal passages. Punctal plugs reduce tear drainage to keep the eyes better lubricated. Special lubricating drops may also be prescribed for people with mild dryness prior to Lasik surgery to minimize potential complications.

When considering Lasik eye surgery, be sure to inform your Lasik surgeon of your medical history, including any previous diagnosis of dry eye, as well as medications you are currently taking. This will help the surgeon provide you with the most effective, comfortable post-op experience possible. To find out if you are a candidate for Lasik eye surgery, the first step is to contact an experienced Lasik surgeon to learn more.

Category Los Angeles eye surgeon | No Comments »

Answers: Advanced Surface Treatment LASIK Without A Flap

August 26th, 2009 by andrewcaster

Many of my friends have had Lasik. Why do you sometimes recommend “Lasik without a flap”?


According to a top qualified Los Angeles eye surgeon, there are certain people for whom “Lasik without a flap” is the preferred technique. In the following situations, “Lasik without a flap” is the safer choice: moderate to extreme dry eyes, very thin corneas, thin corneas combined with large corrections, irregular topography (curvature test) that may indicate an inherent weakness in the cornea, or hobbies or professions (such as boxing) where there is a very high likelihood of being hit in the eye. Safety needs to be our most important consideration, and for these certain people, “Lasik without a flap” is safest.

What Are The Disadvantages Of “Los Angeles Lasik Without A Flap”?

There are two disadvantages. The main disadvantage is that “Lasik without a flap” takes longer to heal. The vision is often around 20/40 to 20/50 during the first week. 20/40 vision is required to legally drive a car. You will certainly have adequate “walking around” vision to perform most daily tasks, but it is certainly possible that you will not see well enough to legally drive or see clearly enough to work at a computer or read extensively during the first week. Although most people choose to have both eyes treated on the same day, some people choose to have “Lasik without a flap” one eye at a time, and then they can work during the first week while the eye is healing. With Lasik, most people return to work the very next day. The second disadvantage is on and off discomfort during the first week, which is very well controlled with “comfort” drops as well as anti-inflammatory pills.

Do you perform other forms of laser vision correction in addition to
“Lasik without a flap”?

Among the many services provided by your experience Lasik doctor Los Angeles patients have all the variations of laser vision correction, including Lasik, IntraLasik (Lasik with a laser flap), and “Lasik without a flap” available as possible laser eye correction options.

I want the Custom Wavefront treatment. Can I have that with “Lasik without a flap”?

Yes, we can perform the Custom Wavefront treatment with Lasik, IntraLasik, and “Lasik without a flap”.

How is “Lasik without a flap” performed?

As explained by a top Lasik surgeon Los Angeles without a flap uses the exact same laser as Lasik or IntraLasik. However, instead of creating a flap (which is the thickness of a human hair) and then performing the treatment on the part of the eye under the flap, the treatment is performed near the surface of the eye. This is why this technique is often referred to as Advanced Surface Treatment. The thin layer of material covering the surface, which is very soft, is wiped away, and the laser treatment is then applied to the firmer material underneath.

Which gives better results: Lasik, IntraLasik, or “Lasik without a flap”?
In our hands, the final vision is the same with each of these variations. Lasik provides the most rapid return to excellent vision, followed by IntraLasik, and then “Lasik without a flap”. We want to make the recovery as easy and quick for you as possible, but our main concern is which technique will be the safest technique for your particular situation.

What care is required after “Lasik without a flap”?

A special contact lens, which we put in and later take out, is worn for 5-7 days. You will need to take antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops, and we will give you anti-inflammatory pills.

Is “Lasik without a flap” very common?

About 10% of the laser treatments in the United States are “Lasik without a flap”. It has been performed since 1995, and very significant improvements have taken place over the years. Advanced Surface Treatment is becoming more popular each year, as doctors understand that for certain groups of people it is the safest choice.

Category Los Angeles eye surgeon | No Comments »