Understanding The Lasik Procedure

By M. Xavier

Lasik eye surgery – one of the most popular elective procedures performed today – continues to grow in popularity as more and more people choose to leave their eyeglasses and contact lenses in the dust and embrace clearer vision through advanced surgical procedures.

The Lasik procedure is one that had its start in a myriad of technological breakthroughs dating back to the late 1940s but did not come together into the procedure we know today until 1990. The Lasik procedure as we know it today was first performed in the United States in 1991.

Lasik itself stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis and is a combination of several technologies developed throughout the years. It essence, Lasik is refractive eye surgery wherein corrections are made to the way in which our eyes refract – or bend – light.

In a normally functioning eye, light is received through the lens of the eye – the segment located directly behind the colored part – or iris - of the eye. Once the lens receives light it then refracts or bends to the retina of the eye – found in the grouping of cells lining the back of the eye. From there, the retina converts these light signals into a message that it can deliver to the optic nerve in our brain. The optic nerve receives these signals as a visual image or picture.

Through heredity, illness, injury, or aging our eyes can experience refractive difficulties in the way of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, among other conditions. When this occurs light is not refracted properly and eventually the message or signal that the optic nerve receives is translated into a blurry image.

During the Lasik procedure surgeons use laser technology to resurface the cornea – the transparent covering of the eye – thus clearing the way for crisper, cleaner refraction of light. The Lasik procedure should always begin with the proper choosing of a surgical center through comprehensive research. The surgeon who will perform the procedure will ordinarily begin with one or two pre-operative visits during which time candidacy for the procedure is determined and overall health is assessed.

The Lasik procedure itself begins with the numbing of the eye with the use of eye drops. Once the eye is numbed, the patient is asked to lie on his/her back and the eye itself is held open with a speculum that is placed on the upper and lower eyelids. The eye is then immobilized with the use of a corneal suction ring. Once the eye is immobilized the surgeon makes a very small incision in the top layer of the cornea in order to create a flap.

The flap is then folded back to reveal the mid-section of the cornea – known as the stroma. The surgeon then used low-powered laser technology to resurface the stroma after which the flap is replaced over the eye. The procedure itself takes very little time – usually no more than 10 minutes for each eye.

Healing begins immediately and happens naturally. Most patients report little to no discomfort during the Lasik procedure and only mild discomfort following it – which generally disappears within 24 hours following the surgery.

http://www.TheLasikZone.com brings you the latest on Lasik. Lasik is very popular, and we want to bring you the most up to date information online! Be sure to check out our latest information page on Lasik.

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Refractive Errors and Laser Vision Correction

By Aric Resnicke

About 120 million people in the United States wear eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. This article will outline some refractive errors that cause people to wear vision correction devices, and may lead to their decision to have laser eye surgery.

The vision disorders, called refractive errors, occur when the curve of the cornea is incorrectly shaped (too steep or too flat) for the length of the eye. When the cornea has a correct shape and curvature, it bends light onto the retina with precise focus. However, when the curve of the cornea is not correct, it bends the light so it is not sharply focused on the retina, making images appear blurry. By placing corrective lenses, either glasses or contacts, in front of the cornea, the light is bent slightly to compensate for the refractive error of your cornea.

Myopia, or nearsightedness, affects more than 25 percent of all adult Americans. When the cornea is curved too steeply, or if the eye is too long, faraway objects will appear blurry because they are focused in front of the retina.

Hyperopia, or farsightedness, is the opposite of myopia. Distant objects are clear, and close-up objects are blurry. With hyperopia, images focus on a point beyond the retina. Hyperopia results from an eye that is too short or a cornea that is too flat.

Astigmatism is a condition in which the uneven curvature of the cornea blurs and distorts both distant and near objects. A normal cornea is round, with even curves from side to side and top to bottom. With astigmatism, the cornea is shaped more like the back of a spoon, curved more in one direction than in another. This type of curving causes light rays to have more than one focal point and focus on two separate areas of the retina, distorting the visual image. Two-thirds of Americans with myopia or hyperopia also have astigmatism.

Presbyopia commonly affects people as they enter their 40s, and it occurs as the lens inside the eye becomes less flexible and the muscles controlling the lens weaken. People with presbyopia may experience blurred vision when performing everyday "close-up" tasks, such as reading, sewing, or working at the computer. This is why some people with presbyopia need reading glasses or need to hold objects farther away to see them.

Correcting the curvature of the cornea is different for each condition previously mentioned. Glasses and contact lenses are designed to compensate for the refractive errors caused by myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. Many people, however, want to reduce their dependency on glasses and contacts. The reasons people find eye glasses or contact lenses are diverse.

There are a number of highly advanced surgical procedures available that effectively reduce the need for glasses or contact lenses. However, not everyone is an ideal candidate for these procedures. It is best to consult an experienced laser eye surgeon in your area to see if you are a good candidate. For more information read another article of mine titled "Different Types of LASIK."

Aric Resnicke is President of the Pacific Laser Eye Center Group. Their 13 experienced LASIK surgeons are in 5 convenient Northern California locations of Sacramento, UCBerkeley, Danville, Santa Rosa, and Stockton. Only appropriate candidates should consider a medical procedure. For more information see the main website at LASIK Sacramento or call toll-free at 1-888-722-2020. Local office information such as LASIK Santa Rosa, can be found on the office pages.

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Finding A Reputable Lasik Eye Institute

By Samantha Davis

For the over one-million people who have undergone Lasik eye surgery in the United States – since it was first performed here in 1991 – the procedure is one that has transformed their life. For most people, a successful outcome has freed them from dependence on pricey and inconvenient eyeglasses and contact lenses.

But success surely comes as a result of careful consideration when choosing the location for your procedure. Finding a Lasik eye institute that is inline with what you expect, and holds a strong reputation in the industry, is paramount to a successful outcome.

Lasik surgery is considered a refractive laser eye surgery; its name is an acronym for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. Considered a relatively new procedure by consumers, the technology involved in Lasik has actually been around for quite some time – beginning in the late 1940s – and has evolved over the years until it became a seamless procedure performed on a daily basis. In fact, Lasik eye surgery is one of the most popular elective surgeries performed today – with centers devoted to the procedure continuing to crop up around the world.

A Lasik eye institute is a medical facility focused on performing the Lasik surgical procedure. Initially, it is important to find an institute that is close to your home as you will have to make several visits to the center. But logistics never supersedes reputation.

It is vitally important to thoroughly research any Lasik eye institute in which you are considering having your procedure. Examine their history, investigate their reputation – including if they have any complaints lodged against them, speak to patients who have had the procedure performed in that location, and visit the institute yourself to get a feel for their patient care, cleanliness, organization, and friendliness. This is not a procedure that is normally covered by most health insurance plans which means that patients are putting money out of their own pockets. You should be given a variety of financing and payment options by any center that you choose; and you should always feel that you are getting your money’s worth in care and quality.

A reputable Lasik eye institute will normally begin with a pre-surgical visit or two to determine your candidacy for the Lasik procedure and your overall health. You will have the opportunity at this time to meet with the surgeons who will be performing the procedure and you should feel that your questions are being thoroughly answered with the utmost respect. Get to know your surgeon; it’s not a bad idea to research the particular surgeon with whom you will be working; including education, experience, and reputation.

The procedure itself is mildly uncomfortable but most patients report that it is a painless experience. A reputable Lasik eye institute takes very seriously the comfort level of their patients before, during, and after the procedure. Make sure that you ask about aftercare so that you know what to expect following Lasik surgery. Your surgeon should want to see you for a follow-up examination to assess your comfort level and ultimate results.

http://www.TheLasikZone.com brings you the latest on Lasik. Lasik is very popular, and we want to bring you the most up to date information online! Be sure to check out our latest information page on Lasik Vision Institute.

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Remove Those Glasses Through The Aid of Lasik Eye Surgery

By Sarah Wilson

Getting treatment for any minor or major disease has become easier because of the sophistication and advancement in the field of medical sciences. However, people are still apprehensive about getting treatment through these procedures especially when one has to undergo lasik eye surgery. In fact, it is gaining popularity amongst many people who want to get rid of their eye problems immediately.

Lasik is a type of refractive laser surgery for correcting various eye conditions like myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. With the help of it, the patient feels lesser pain in comparison to the conventional surgeries. Many patients choose it as an alternative to wearing corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses. Hence, lasik eye surgery is getting popular for its hassle-free treatment. It is in fact, a surgery that usually takes less than one minute per eye and also helps in reshaping the cornea. It is ideal for people who are dependant on glasses or contact lenses. But before the person undergoes surgery, many things have to be taken are of. The patient has to be above 18 years in age with healthy eyes, stable refraction of the eye, not on prescribed drugs, and even pregnant or nursing mother are taken into consideration. It is not recommended for people who suffer from various degenerative and autoimmune diseases.

However, a patient should inform the doctor about his or her medical history before opting for this surgery. The preparation for lasik eye surgery begins well in advanced at least two weeks before the surgery. It is mandatory to stop wearing the soft and hard contact lenses before the initial check-ups. In fact, usage of creams, lotions and cosmetics on the face and eyes are strict no no prior to the surgery. Once the patient is ready for the surgery, then a computer along with a low wattage laser is used for scanning and mapping the cornea. This information creates a map of the cornea and it helps the computer to determine its exact shape. The surgeon uses this information to calculate the exact amount and depth of corneal tissue to be removed during the operation to give it a right shape. The doctor uses an antibiotic to minimize the infection before the procedure.

During the surgery, the patient is mildly sedated and rested in room that has a lasik laser system. Well the procedure is conducted in two steps, firstly a ring is placed on the eye and high pressure is applied to it in order to create suction on the cornea whereas the second step involves the use of eximer laser to vaporize the stromal tissue in an extremely controlled manner, in order not to damage the adjacent stroma. When a tissue is remolded, the flap is replaced in its original position and is held there through natural adhesion until healing occurs. But one has to take good care of the eyes post surgery by avoiding the rubbing of eyes and using contact lenses. The patient should be aware of the fact that this procedure is irreversible. However, the lasik eye surgery is safe and advancements have taken place since its invention.

Sarah Wilson is a tourism management expert with years of experience in overseas medical tourism management. If you want to know more about medical tourism, lasik eye surgery centre, gastric bypass surgery and more, you can visit http://www.surgeryunlimited.com

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Contact Lens - See The World In A Different Way

By Sharon Albright

Are you tired of wearing those rose-tinted spectacles on your nose all the time? Then you should start wearing the contact lens to see the world in a different way. Contact lenses are thin, curved plastic disks that are designed to cover the cornea, the clear front covering of the eyes. These delicate objects cling to the film of tears over the cornea because of the surface tensions. So try out contact lenses as a great alternative to those monotonous eyeglasses.

Who wears contact lenses?

Contact lenses are medical devices that need to be properly fitted by an eye care practitioner. So you should visit an optician before you want to wear a contact lens. Contact lenses are wonderful items that are used to correct eye conditions like:

• Myopia [nearsightedness]
  
• Astigmatism [distorted vision]
  
• Hyperopia [farsightedness]
  
• Presbyopia [need for bifocals]
  

Contact lenses are also used in therapeutic cases where an uneven cornea blurs vision, such as scarring or keratoconus.

Types of contact lenses

Many types of contact lenses are available to suit particular occasions. Whether you want to wear contact lenses for fashionable purposes or for medical purposes, you can wear any of the following types:

• Gas-permeable lenses – are lenses made of silicone and fluoropolymers that allow oxygen in the air to pass through the lens.
  
• Soft contact lenses – are plastic materials that incorporate water. The water makes the lenses soft and flexible, which allows the oxygen to reach the cornea.
  
• Extended wear contact lenses – last for continuous 2-4 weeks.
  
• Daily disposable lenses – carry a very low amount of infection risk
  
• Toric contact lenses – available in soft and rigid materials, they correct moderate astigmatism.
  
• PMMA lenses – one of the old lenses that are very durable and allow oxygen from air to directly reach the cornea.
  

You should remove contact lenses at bedtime due to risk of infection.

Benefits of contact lenses

For those who lead an active style, contact lenses promise complete convenience and durability.
Following are the benefits of using contact lenses:

• Provides close to natural vision with no side effects
  
• Provides excellent peripheral vision for driving, and sports
  
• Contact lenses provide complete ease, comfort and convenience to eyes
  
• Contact lenses change the eye color to baby blues, heavenly hazels, gorgeous green and other different colors.
  
• Contact lenses make your eye power stable and prevent it further from increasing.
  
• Contact lenses are perfect for those who want to avoid laser surgery and its risks.

How to care for your contact lenses?

You should take proper care of your contact lenses to enjoy their best uses.
Following are the ways you can care for your lenses:

• Contact lenses must be cleaned, rinsed and disinfected to remove dust and dirt.
  
• Contact lenses should never be dissolved in homemade saline solutions.
  
• Do not sterilize your contact lenses; just throw them away when they become useless.
  
• Do not take your lenses in and out repeatedly for the whole day.

In case of any inflammations or irritations you should always consult your optician for best results.

Sharon Albright is the owner of Contact Lens Site. Read more articles on contact lens and visit her recommended resources.

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In The Ear Hearing Aids Delivers Excellent Sound Quality

By Mike Selvon

For a number of different reasons there are many people who dislike the idea of having to wear eyeglasses or use assistive listening devices. One of the main reasons is that people have a tendency to want to downplay their weaknesses and reliance on corrective devices. For those who have hearing loss and prefer that their hearing aids not be noticeable, small "in the ear hearing aids" are a very popular choice.

The hearing aids that are worn in the ear are a trend that is not likely to go away, as the advancements in technology has enabled hearing aid manufacturers to put the essential components of hearing aid technology into smaller and smaller packages. These tiny in the ear devices are also sometimes known as open ear or open fit hearing aids.

"In the ear hearing aids" do have one main drawback that is due to limitations of the size of the little devices. This limitation is that they cannot be effectively used by people who have severe hearing loss.

Instead, the hearing aids worn in the ear are better suited for people who have hearing loss conditions that impinge on their high frequency range and the normal to low frequency range. For these types of solutions, the open ear hearing aids can be quite effective while also being very discreet and often almost undetectable.

However, there have been some very recent advancements with the devices worn in the ear that is making them more capable of providing better hearing, even to people with severe hearing loss. The modification to these open ear hearing aids is what is known as SIE, or speaker-in-the-ear, and when properly fitted, this new wave of hearing aid can provide nearly invisible solutions even for those with severe hearing problems.

The speaker-in-the-ear type of aids are so tiny as to be virtually invisible when worn and are also very lightweight, making them comfortable to wear as well. These small advanced hearing aids actually consist of two main parts: the housing unit which is worn behind the ear and which contains the electrical components; and, the speaker which is connected to the main unit via a very thin clear tube.

With this type of hearing aid worn in the ear, there are two distinct types of severe hearing loss which can be corrected. These types of hearing loss are the high frequency sloping and the wide range hearing loss, which is generally considered the most severe type. One advantage of the speaker-in-the-ear device is that the speaker does not completely fill the ear canal and this allows the wearer to be able to more naturally hear their own voice and in general enjoy a more natural, auditory quality of sounds.

Many people are quick to want to go out and buy the most cutting-edge model of SIE "in the ear hearing aids" and while there is no problem with having the latest in hearing aid technology, it should be known that there are some companies that will take advantage of this and try to raise the prices. But, if you take the time to visit a few different hearing aid suppliers, then you will find that you can get the newest models while not paying much more.

Mike Selvon has some great hearing aids articles for the hobbist, where you can find out more tips on in the ear hearing aids. We appreciate your feedback at our hearing impaired blog.

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