What are the Long Term Results of Lasik Surgery?

By Darrell Van Zyl

Recent encouraging news about the long term results of lasik surgery will no doubt please the 1.4 million Americans who elected to have Lasik vision correction surgery last year.

The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is still cautious; it believes that laser companies have not yet presented enough evidence to enable final conclusions about the effectiveness or the safety of enhancement surgery.

However, the recent news is encouraging. The American Academy of Opthalmology was told at its annual meeting in November 2006 a follow-up study of people who had undergone lasik and PRK (photorefractive keratotomy)10 years earlier was very positive.

The researchers found that while there had been some regression, on average patients had maintained 20/25 vision.

A 2005 Irish study of patients who had had lasik surgery in 1998 and 1999 was also positive. There had been some regression, but surgeons had been able to correct eye defects with a great deal of accuracy, and there was a high level of patient satisfaction.

The popularity of the lasik option for people who depend on eyeglasses or contacts therefore appears to be wellfounded, and the results can often be dramatic.

Some 95 % of all patients report improved vision almost immediately. Quite often eyesight improves to 20/40 or better.

The first modern Lasik surgery was performed in America in 1991, so many surgeons now have nearly 20 years experience, and equipment and techniques are continuously improving.

Still, the FDA is cautious. Its website notes that "Long-term data is not available. Lasik is a relatively new technology. The first laser was approved for Lasik eye surgery in 1998. Therefore, the long-term safety and effectiveness of Lasik surgery is not known."

Lasik surgeons agree, and caution that lasik is surgery, and therefore some risk.

The FDA list of potential problems is sobering:

Some patients lose lines of vision (on the eye chart) that cannot be corrected with glasses, contact lenses or further surgery;

Some patients have troubling side effects that can include glare, halos or double-vision. Situations of low contrast, such as driving in fog or at night, can become a real problem for those who lose some visual acuity ("sharpness"), even if they have 20/20 vision;

Patients may be over- or under-treated, which may require further surgery, called enhancements, to correct;

Patients may develop severe "dry eye" problems;

Results are generally not as good in patients with very large refractive errors - although this is an issue that most surgeons will highlight at the very first examination, and will probably recommend against lasik in such circumstances.

The FDA is worried that the benefits of improved vision may not be permanent. While the recent studies support the view that there may be a gradual regression, but it does appear to be just that - gradual.

There is always the possibility that even with the surgery, a patient may still need to wear glasses; this will be particularly true of older patients.

On balance, therefore, the new findings suggest that as long as you have investigated the issues properly, you have chosen your surgeon carefully, you understand the potential side effects, and you are a good candidate, you can count on achieving good lasik long term results.

For more information on lasik risks , or on lasik eye surgery , you can visit Darrell van Zyl's site at http://www.lasikeyesurgeryanswers.com

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How to Turn Your Negative Thoughts Into Positive Opportunities and Personal Growth

By Lynn Zingel

Thoughts are powerful things; whatever you put your focus on will grow. Imagine that your mind is a garden. You can fill your mind with beautiful flowers or let it become overgrown and out of control with weeds. What is it to be? We can't have two opposing thoughts at the same time! If you want a flourishing garden; out must come the weeds.

Positive thinking leads to a positive attitude. Maintaining a positive attitude is really a decision to be happy, it's your choice. Buddha summarized how to remain happy no matter how bad things may seem when he said, "Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us be thankful.

Positive thinking is not easy to achieve as we are geared from a young age to think the worst of most situations. Look at the daily news headlines, its all doom and gloom.

Positive thinking is something we can all profit from and we need to be reminded of this often. It might be reading a quote every morning or getting up each morning and saying, "Today I will think positively". Positive thinking is quite literally just that. Replace thinking about the things that could or have gone amiss, with the things that you have executed well or those things that have worked out as you anticipated or better. It will become an actual lifestyle that is the basis for everything that you do.

Positive thinking is like a pair of eyeglasses. Having the right pair can make all the difference. There is a technique called reframing. I guess it is taking that pair of glasses off and putting on another pair. Reframing would be choosing to interpret the situation in a positive way which you would previously be looked at in a negative way.

Reframing is an excellent way to break the negative attention cycle, and it helps prevent you from getting pulled into the negative downward spiral. Once it becomes a habit, the whole world and everyone in it are seen in terms of "what is right" rather than "what is wrong". It is a way of presenting old situations in another frame. It is seeing the glass half full; not half empty.
This requires practice! That right its a practice! This type of thinking is incredibly powerful.

You don't want to live next to an abattoir? It could be worse, it could be an ammunitions factory run by psyco's. It's a paradigm shift. It's looking at life and events in life in a new context. It's like looking at a painting - you can choose where to focus your attention and from there base what you will feel. Its a powerful stratagem. It changes our perceptions about the situation, and will therefore effect our actions.

In fact research makes it clear that positive thinking and attitude is more important than any other factor when it comes to ensuring success. Negative emotions may suppress the immune system for up to 6 hours following the negative emotional experience.

Positive thinking should be the mechanism we use to support good outcome in our lives. It will maximize positive emotions and therefore productiveness and therefore a better quality of life.

Lynn Zingel is the author and editor of http://www.icando.co.nz Here you will find words of encouragement, inspiration and challenge to change whatever you focus your mind upon.

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Searching for Lasik Orange County Facilities

By Chonticha Marijne

Lasik is the non-invasive surgical vision correction procedure that has taken the country, and the world, by storm. Why, people ask, should they have to deal with eyeglasses and contact lenses when Lasik procedures can correct such common vision problems as near and far sightedness and astigmatism, as well as other acuity and depth perception vision problems?

Finding a doctor or facility that performs Lasik procedures isn't difficult if you live in a city or on the east or west coast of the United States. Some of the more popular cities, Los Angeles, San Francisco, as well as facilities in Orange County, provide more than enough competition on the west coast to offer patients the best in pricing and experience. When seeking the right Lasik procedure or facility to take care of your vision problems, however, there are several things to keep in mind.

There are more than one type of Lasik surgeries performed in places like Orange County, such as PRK, LASEK and Epi-LASIK. Such procedures can be found in offices scattered throughout Orange County, California, such as Costa Mesa, Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo and Lake Forest, just to name a few. Keep in mind that there are different procedures, as well as experts, with each of those procedures. Whenever possible, try to get two or three different opinions from Lasik proficient surgeons before you settle on one or the other to make sure they have the experience that you need, at a cost that you can afford.

While any type of Lasik eye surgery isn't cheap, prices can be competitive, especially in large cities, so you may find deals that seem alarming, if not downright suspicious, in these areas. Usually, Lasik procedures cost roughly $1500 per eye, sometimes more, sometimes less, depending on the type of procedure you're having, as well as the severity of your vision problems, but if prices dip below $750 an eye, you may want to start asking yourself why. While it's hard to turn down a bargain, remember that you're talking eyesight here, which cannot be replaced.

The same goes for the reputation of your eye surgeon. Just because he's the biggest or most well known name in your community doesn't mean he has adequate experience in the type of Lasik procedure you need, so you have to balance cost with reputation and find a common middle ground. Always check out the credentials of any surgeon you intend to visit, and make sure that they are trained and proficient in the newest Lasik laser equipment and procedures possible.

A consultation will be your first step toward Lasik eye surgery, and again, it's a good idea to get more than one opinion on your vision problem, and suggestions by the eye doctor over which Lasik procedure is right for you. Finding a listing of qualified refractive surgeons anywhere in Orange County is as easy as looking in the phone book or on the internet, though take care to always check with the BBB or the California State Medical Association for complaints or lawsuits filed against any doctor on your list of possibilities.

For the latest information on Lasik Orange County facilities, check out http://LasikRevealed.com

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The Popularity Of Lasik Eye Surgery

By Candice Sabrina

There are few among us who, at one time or another, had not had to manage some level of impaired vision. Whether age has rendered us no longer able to see far away or up close, or we have suffered an illness or disease that has compromised our vision, it is likely that, if we have not already, we will someday need corrective measures to help us see at our best.

And for those who have long managed the expense and inconvenience of eyeglasses and contact lenses, the idea of corrective eye surgery seems most appealing. It's no wonder, therefore, that Lasik eye surgery has continued to grow in popularity since it was first performed in the United States in 1991.

Lasik is relatively new on the scene to us – the consumers; but in actuality the technology has been a long time coming. In fact, in 1948, Columbian ophthalmologist, Jose Barraquer first experimented with corneal procedures by actually surgically removing more than half of a patient’s cornea that he then froze. Once the cornea had been frozen to an appropriate temperature, Dr. Barraquer was able to reshape its surface thus removing barriers to clear vision.

Once the cornea had been reshaped it was replaced into the patient’s eye. Such technology evolved by the 1960s to the point where such corneal procedures could be done without removing the cornea from the patient’s eye; this procedure was perfected and performed in Russia and involved the use of a scalpel.

Lasik began to take shape in the early 1980s when a U.S. ophthalmologist made alterations to laser technology that had begun to be used by the U.S. military. But in 1990, Lucio Buratto and Ioannis Pallikaris developed the Lasik surgery that we know today by combining methods of two pre-existing techniques – keratomileusis and photorefractive keratectomy. Both keratomileusis and photorefractive keratectomy are techniques in which the cornea is reshaped with the use of an excimer laser or other technology.

The word Lasik refers to Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis and is a form of refractive laser eye surgery that was first performed in the United States in1991. During the procedure, the patient’s eye is immobilized with the use of a cornea suction ring after which the surgeon creates a flap through an incision made in the top layer of the corneal tissue.

The flap is then lifted back to reveal the mid-section of the cornea – known as the stroma. The surgeon then uses a low-powered excimer laser to resurface the stroma. The corneal flap made during the procedure is then replaced over the stroma; the healing process is natural and generally speedy. The procedure itself is very quick – usually less than 10 minutes an eye – and virtually painless. The most discomfort experienced by the patient is general anxiety in anticipation of the procedure.

Today, over one-million people in the United States alone have undergone Lasik surgery – generally with very good success. In fact, it is a very small percentage of patients – less than 6% - who have experienced any complications following their procedure. Such complications generally include light sensitivity, dry eye, double vision, and scarring. These incidences, however, are very rare and can be greatly reduced by having your procedure performed by a reputable and experienced surgery center.

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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What You Should Know Before Buying Contact Lenses

By Kelly Hunter

About 20% of Americans war contact lenses to correct their nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) or astigmatisms. Others prefer eyeglasses or refractive surgery. If you have been wearing glasses for a long time, you may not wish to be seen without them, because they have come to form part of what you and other people recognise as your face. They can be, after all, a fashion statement.

One major advantage of contact lenses is the all-round vision they provide, which is especially important for those who practice a sport regularly. You may be surprised to hear that contact lenses have been with us for almost a century. There have been many changes and advances since those early days and the chances are that if in the past you have been told you could not wear contact lenses, this is almost certainly no longer the case, because there are now contact lenses adjusted to fit just about everyone’s needs.To be assessed and fitted for contact lenses, you will need to see an eye care professional (ECP), such as an optician or ophthalmologist, to get a prescription. The kind of thinks an ECP will be assessing you for are your visual needs, the structure of your eye and your tear production.

Lens design and materials vary, as does the length of time you can wear them for. There are basically three types:Hard lenses, made from Plexiglas or Lucite, are all but obsolete because of the kinds of irritations they used to produce. Soft lenses, introduced on the market in 1971, are the most frequently prescribed. They are made from a gel-like substance which is a plastic containing water, and are slightly larger than the iris. More recently, silicon hydrogel contact lenses have become available. These are the preferred choice for ECPs, because they allow for a better supply of oxygen to the eye and do not cause dehydration. The lens of choice for presbyopia and high stigmatism are RGP lenses, made from rigid plastics, which are oxygen permeable. At about 8mm diameter they are smaller than your iris.

People used to have to take their contact lenses out at night, but since the introduction of extended wear in 1979, this is no longer the case. There are now three kinds of lenses, daily wear and extended wear, which can be worn up to seven days in a row, plus continuous wear, which can be kept n for a month at a time.

The reason contact lenses need replacing regularly is that tears naturally contain lipids and proteins. These can adhere to the lens, forming a build-up which can cause irritation and even lead to infection.Ocular hygiene helps and there are very good cleaning products for this purpose. Nevertheless, eventually the lenses will need replacing. So-called disposable lenses take care of this, whether they are replaced every day, once a week or every two weeks, or monthly. If you go to http://www.contact-lenses-reviews.com you will be able to find more information about contact lenses.

One final point is that bifocal and tinted contact lenses are also available. Your EPC will assess your vision and advise you on which kind of lens would be best for you.

Kelly Hunter operates http://www.contact-lenses-reviews.com and writes about Contact Lenses.

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Contact Lens History, Where Did They Come From?

By Penni Markle

While there are several people who thought of contact lenses, before they were ever made, there were also several people that improved and adjusted the lenses to the way that they are today. The contact lens history starts in the year 1508.

1. 1508

In the year 1508, Leonardo da Vinci first thought of lenses to help someone with bad vision to see better, without the use of eyeglasses. Although he was merely trying to figure out some kind of lens to improve one's eyesight, that lens turns out to be a contact lens.

2. 1636

By the year 1636, a man named Rene Descartes, took Leonardo da Vinci's idea and thought of the actual contact lens.

3. 1801

In the year 1801, Thomas Young actually took the idea of the contact lens, and made one to correct his own vision. While his lens that corrected his own vision must have been terribly uncomfortable at 1/4 inch in length, and heavy to say the least as it was a glass tube that was filled with water.

4. 1827

By the year 1827, Sir John Herschel, started to work filing down the lens so that it would fit comfortably on top of the eye.

5. 1887

Adolf Eugen Fick Announced that he was able to correct vision by using contact lenses in the year 1887. He then proceeded to make the contact lenses so that they would fit people.

6. 1889

In the year of 1889, Augusta Muller made improvements to the contact lens, so that they could be used by someone who was nearsighted.

7. 1948

The American Optometry Association finally recognized that contact lenses were being requested more and more by people needing some type of vision correction. The year 1948 is when the American Optometry Association allowed the contact lens fitting to be a normal part of an optometry visit.

8. 1950

An optometrist in Oregon, Dr. Butterfield designed a contact lens that would fit on top of the eyes cornea, and would form to the shape of the eye, rather than lay flat, in 1950.

9. 1960

By the year 1960, the first plastic contact lenses were made by Otto Wichterle and Drahoslav Lim.

10. 1971

In the year 1971, the soft contact lenses were made available for purchase in the United States of America.

11. 1981

By the year 1981, the soft contact lens was available for purchase with a tint of color. However, this tint of color that was on the contact lens at this time did not change the color of the eyes, but made it easier to find your contact lenses in the even that they were dropped.

12. 1982

In the year 1982, contact lenses were made for extended wear. This meant that contact lenses could now be worn for a couple of days at a time before removing them.

13. 1987

In 1987, quite a bit of contact lenses history was made. In this year, the first disposable contact lenses were available for purchase, as well as the first colored contact that would change the color of your eye.

14. 1992

By the year 1992, disposable tinted contact lenses were available to be purchased from optometrist offices everywhere.

15. 1996

1996 marked the year that the first contact lenses were available that would absorb the harmful UV rays of the sun.

While contact lens history is still being made today, they really have come along ways. Knowing that you do not have to go through the pain of the first contact lenses that were produced back in 1801, is great. Today contact lenses can be placed onto your eye, and they are hardly noticeable.

Penni has done extensive research on vision care including the development of the latest contact lenses as well as vision correction procedures. Visit http://www.thevisioncare.com to learn more about different topics such as discounted contact lens.

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