LASIK: Breakthrough Eye Surgery Procedure

By Shannon Brown

LASIK, one of the biggest breakthroughs in eye surgery, is a surgical procedure that uses non-thermal technology to change the shape of the cornea in order to improve vision. LASIK, which is actually an acronym for Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis (though few people ever know about it), meaning “reshape the cornea with laser.”

There are other kinds of refractive surgical procedures, but LASIK is the most advanced. Although LASIK and PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) use the same type of laser, their procedures are different with the way the stroma, the middle layer of the cornea is exposed. In PRK, the top layer of the cornea is scraped to espose the stromal layer while in LASIK, only a flap is cut in the layer and then folded back.

LASIK involves a two-step procedure. The first step involves the creation of a micro-thin flap of corneal tissue with the use of a disposable blade through microkeratome or with a laser, through IntraLase. Throughout the procedure, a small area of the eye is left untouched at one end to keep it attached to the eye. The second step involves the folding back of the flap and using an excimer laser to treat the corneal tissue. The excimer laser corrects myopia by flattening the cornea, hyperopia by steepening the cornea and astigmatism by making the cornea more symmetrical.

In addition, LASIK also corrects presbyopia, which is a condition that often occurs with old age. Presbyopia is the inability of the eye to see things clearly or to focus sharply on nearby objects. LASIK, however, can only correct one eye for clear distance vision and the other eye for clear near vision. This is called monovision.

The Excimer laser, which is the secret behind the procedure was actually originally developed by IBM for computer chips. The technology makes use of a cool beam of ultraviolet light, meaning that most of the heat generated dissipates quickly. This cooling property makes Excimer laser very ideal for eye surgery because it can vaporize corneal tissue without damaging the eye tissue through heat.

And because it is originally developed with computers in mind, the laser is extremely precise, with an accuracy of 0.25 microns. That is less than one one-thousandth of a millimeter. For most procedures, one need only to remove or correct 50 microns of thickness, which is as thick as a single human hair.

Aside from it being a safe procedure, LASIK also allows for rapid visual recovery and little post-operative discomfort unlike other kinds of surgery. There is also less chance for corneal haze and scarring as well as fluctuations of vision.

As “perfect” as the procedure may seem, LASIK, like any other surgeries, can still result in complications and may involve several risks.

Some temporary conditions that could occur are:

1. Dry eyes

2. Sensitivity to bright lights

3. Glare or streaks around bright lights

The following conditions are also possible, but very rare:

1. Under-corrections and over-corrections that require an enhancement, which has about 10 percent risk

2. Wrinkling of the corneal flap that requires repositioning of the flap, which is really infrequent

3. Permanently blurred vision that may not be corrected by eyeglasses, contact lenses or any other enhancements; and infection of the cornea that leads to the scarring and permanently blurred vision.

Knowing these conditions can happen, it is important that before a person decides to undergo the procedure, he or she consults with specialists. Doctors also provide surgical consent that patients must sign before undergoing any procedure.

Shannon Brown is the editor of EasyLasik.com. This site caters to Lasik enthusiasts. You can visit the site at: http://www.EasyLasik.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shannon_Brown

See Your Dreams Clearer With Acuvue Contact Lenses Today

By Bob Simons

Whether either your eyesight recently started to blur or you’re tired of the inconvenience of constantly wearing eyeglasses, or you simply want a new color shade for your eyes, then it’s time for you to consider getting Acuvue contact lenses.

But before getting a new pair of contact lenses, it is advisable that you visit an optometrist and get a prescription. Hence the you can be sure that the contacts will not worsen or cause permanent damage to your vision.

Acuvue contact lenses are manufactured by the Johnson & Johnson Vision Care company, a trusted company when it comes to eye care products. Acuvue contact lenses are the first reliable disposable contact lenses that can last being worn for up to a week. In addition, all Acuvue contact lenses are made with the optimum ultraviolet ray protection.

Acuvue contact lenses are prescribed for daily use and for vision correction. Daily usage contacts are made of soft materials that are made of 79% water content. They are easy to wear and are very comfortable on your eye even for first time wearers. Other contacts are made of the Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) material. This type of contact lens is more durable and are designed for long lasting usage. And although RGP contacts take time to get used to using, they are resistant to dust and grime build ups between your eye and your contact lens.

The time frame for wearing Acuvue contact lenses depends on your needs and the replacement schedule of your prescribed contacts. Acuvue contact lenses offer different replacement time frames such as 1) daily disposables, 2) extended wear disposable contacts which last from one week to one month, and 3) frequently replacement contacts which can last from one month and longer. At this time, the innovative trend is to use continuous wear contacts. These are made up of materials which permit the passage of oxygen to avoid cataracts developing. Hence this type of contact lens can be worn even when you’re asleep guaranteeing both your convenience and safety.

For general maintenance of your Acuvue contact lenses, make sure your hands are clean when putting in your contacts. Remember that you are dealing with a sensitive organ so it’s important to wash your hands first.

For first time wearers, start wearing your contact lenses gradually. This means that you should start wearing them for couple of hours in the first day and subsequently increase it to twelve hours and more in the succeeding days. This will condition your eyes to density changes and to the feel of wearing them. Also, store your contact lenses in their specialized containers with special contact lens solution to assure their safety and extending their life as long as possible. Everyday, you will have to change the solution you’ve used the previous day. When experiencing eye irritations or possible infections, do not use your contact lenses, otherwise this will aggravate the discomfort and any possible infections. These basic hygiene measures for your contact lenses should be followed for absolute healthy eye care.

Acuvue manufacturer’s goal is to provide excellent eye care and comfort to all contact lens wearers. Thus, they advise patients to follow their doctor’s instructions on wearing usage schedule, replacement schedule, care regimen and related precautions. And before replacing your contact lens wearing schedule, discuss it first with your eye specialist. It’s good to familiarize yourself with the various risks and benefits that you may realize.

With Acuvue contact lenses, you can be sure to have crystal clear vision even in the most challenging situations.

For more helpful information and advice about Acuvue contact lenses try visiting OurContactLens.com that gives you more information about soft contact lenses, buying contact lenses online, discount contact lenses, PureVison contacts and Ciba contact lens.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Simons

Contact Lenses or Eye Glasses?

By Amy Nutt

And so the debate goes on as to whether contact lenses or eye glasses are the better choice. Both have their advantages over the other and both have their disadvantages and it is important to review these advantages and disadvantages because the eyes are very important in this seeing world that requires vision for proper function. If we cannot see properly, then we easily miss things, have difficulty reading, or can become seriously injured when in hazardous conditions. This is why it is necessary to carefully evaluate the contact lenses versus eye glass debate and figure out what side you are on.

Contact lenses

Contact lenses certainly have their advantages, which is why many choose them over their eye glasses. It is fair to say that when contacts were invented, they opened up a whole new world for those who had been wearing glasses for quite some time. When wearing glasses, we become used to how we see and we do not think anything of it. But throw in a pair of contacts and the eye glass wearer may wonder why they did not try contacts sooner. Here are some advantages of contact lenses:

• Contact lenses allow for a wider field of vision. The frames of glasses block a person's peripheral vision and contacts are able to restore that because there is no frame in the way. Glasses are smaller than they used to be, so those who wear glasses now have even more issues with peripheral vision.

• Contact lenses allow for the wearer to see things more naturally. Because the contact lens sits directly on the cornea, everything looks the correct color, size, and nothing is distorted.

• Those involved in sports love their contact lenses because they can run and jump without the contact lens moving. The contacts remain stable, which means an athlete can keep a clear view of what they are doing.

• Contact lens wearers can wear sunglasses. No more clip-ons on the glasses that don't look very stylish. A contact lens wearer can buy the latest styles of sunglasses.

Eye glasses

Although it may seem that eyeglasses don't hold a candle to contact lenses; that is not true. There are many reasons in which eye glasses are needed. In fact, the contact lens wearer should have a pair on hand because they never know when something is going to happen that they must fall back on their glasses in order to see. Here are some advantages of eye glasses:

• Some people simply do not have an interest in contacts because they aren't very excited about putting their finger in their eye. They may not be able to do this like some do and prefer to stay with their glasses.

• Allergies can play a big role in whether or not someone can wear contacts. Many with allergies are unable to wear them and, of course, glasses do not have an influence on allergies.

• Glasses offer eye protection in work environments in which debris and fumes may be an issue. Any time that a person is in a hazardous environment that needs eye protection, glasses come in handy.

• Some contact lens wearers get eye infections, may lose, or run out of contacts, so their glasses are always there to save the day.

So as you can see, both have their advantages over the other. Contacts are not fool proof, but they are nice to have. Then again, the glasses are there to save the day if something goes wrong with the contacts. The debate may continue with some, but it is obvious to see that they can work hand-in-hand.

Clearly Contacts is the premier online contact lens provider with over 100 million pairs delivered worldwide. Also boasting the largest online selection of eye glasses and sun glasses at the lowest guaranteed prices and even offering a "buy now pay later" program.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_Nutt