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

Having Problems With Your Vision? Try These Corrective Laser Eye Surgeries For A Permanent Solution

By Gary T

Who would have thought that a man without legs can walk again? Yes, with articial implants, a person who has lost both legs can still walk today. That's the wonder of modern science. The same goes for those who have bad eyesight. Corrective laser eye surgeries can help you see clearly without the need for eye glasses or contact lenses anymore. Although this does not mean that the blind can see, it is still a miracle of sorts.

When we talk laser eye surgery, we usually think LASIK (Laser-assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) but there are also other refractive eye surgery such as : -

1) Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) - laser is used to remove tissue found in the surface of the cornea, which is the cause of vision problems.

2) Conductive Keratplasty (CK) - a small probe the size of one strand of hair is used to change the shape of the cornea by shrinking the surrounding tissues.
3) LASEK(Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis), which is a hybrid of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and LASIK.

Whatever it is, laser eye surgery will help people who have astigmatism, near or farsightedness, see better.

Due to surging demand, the price for these procedures has gone up in recent years. A reason for the huge demand is the benefits of having good eyesight without the use of cumbersome glasses. A survey of more than 3 million Americans who have had laser surgery claim to live a better life after the operation.

These benefits of corrective laser eye surgeries are :-

i) ability to see well without the use of eyeglasses or contact lenses

ii) makes one look better, thus improving self confidence and esteem

iii) can perform better in certain sporting and other physical events

iv) ability to see clearly when waking up from a nap or after good night's sleep

v) can treat eye diseases like glaucoma, presbyopia, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

vi) no maintenance needed

If you have to wear glasses daily, you will no doubt want to get rid of it. Imagine being able to see thing clearer and not get blurred vision without something hanging on your nose and ears. Even being able to go for a relaxing swim and not bump into something or someone accidentally. Laser eye surgery can make this a reality for you.

Before going for a laser eye surgery, you will be examined by a doctor who will find out the extent of work that needs to be done on your eye. This usually take less than 5 minutes, that's it. And the good thing is that almost anyone can quality for such procedures.

During the operation, you will not experience any pain since anesthesia will be used. However, the doctor will probably prepare you for any case of itchiness post operation. Some people have the urge to scratch when it itches. This should be avoided so that there will not be any disruption in the healing process that will happen after a few days.

If you are suffering from bad eyesight, it may be time to seriously consider laser eye surgery to remove the need for glasses or contact lenses. Depending on your problems, your doctor may perform LASIK, LESEK, PRK or CK on you. But it is a relatively minor operation and you should be able to return to work after the procedure.

Gary Toh is the owner of BlogBelle.com, a site dedicated to cosmetic beauty and info on lasik eye surgery. Get free articles, tips and info on lasik laser eye surgery and general beauty here

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

An Introduction To LASIK

By Wade Robins

With the Baby Boomer generation now reaching their retirement years, the number of Americans who need some sort of corrective lenses may be even higher than the earlier estimated one in two who will require them at some time during adulthood.

As a result, any medical procedures which can enhance defective vision are receiving considerable attention, and at the head of the pack is LASIK. LASIK has nothing to do with high blood pressure, and is actually the acronym for Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis. Now you know, but you don’t know much.

LASIK surgery is designed to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. It may also help with a number of less common optical defects, which can remain hidden for years without affecting a person, and require a professional optical exam to discover them.

How LASIK Procedures Work

While LASIK surgery is not cheap, it is usually amazingly fast. It requires the eye surgeon to cut a flap in the first or first two, layers of the cornea, lift the flap, and expose all the tiny tissue irregularities that accumulate over time within or beneath the cornea. These bumps, fissures, and wrinkles will hinder the proper refraction of light entering the cornea, and poor vision is the result.

If the accumulated tissue forces the cornea into a steeper than normal angle, shortsightedness ensues. If the cornea is too flat, farsightedness ensues. And if the excess tissue is just clogging thing up without reshaping the cornea, astigmatism, accompanied by halos, starbursts, ghost images, and poor night vision, ensues. Depending on the condition being treated, the eye surgeon will either reshape the cornea, or clean it out.

The obvious benefit to having LASIK surgery is that your sight will be so improved that you can give up your eyeglasses or contacts. And the entire procedure, amazingly, normally takes less than sixty seconds, one little minute, per eye.

The Cost Of LASIK Procedures

All that magic, of course, has its price. As the technology of the lasers involved in LASIK surgery advances, so does their price, and so does the amount you’ll pay for a LASIK procedure. In parts of the US, LASIK surgery can be as much as a thousand dollars per eye. But if there is an older procedure which will work for you, and you’re not someone who feels comfortable only with state-of-the-art technology, you can have LASIK surgery at a much reduced price.

You should also educate yourself on the side effects which sometimes come with LASIK surgery; they range from dry eye and inflammation to infection, oozing, and even a reappearance of the original defect. But the incidences of all LASIK surgery side effects have decreased greatly over the past decade, as LASIK surgeons gain experience in the workings of the human optical system.

Finally, you’ll need to determine if you are a suitable candidate for LASIK surgery, Anyone under eighteen is not, because the human eye continues to change its shape for at least eighteen years. Expectant mothers also may experience pregnancy-related vision problems which correct themselves after delivery. The only way to determine if you qualify for LASIK surgery is to consult with your ophthalmologist.

You can also find more info on LASIK Eye Surgery and Lasik Cost. 2020lasikeyesurgery.com is a comprehensive resource to get information about LASIK eye surgery.

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

Protecting Your Eyes from Sun-Rays

By Cathy Gates

Summer’s here and the beach beckons. You’ve detoxed, body brushed and moisturized your skin in excited anticipation. You plan your summer getaways and outdoor adventures, pull out your summer clothes, buy lots of sunscreen and slap it on ever so often. But this isn’t where safety ends this summer. It is the potentially harmful Ultra Violet (UV) rays of the sun that you need to watch out for, which can damage the long-term health of your eyes (laboratory studies have shown UV radiation as a causal factor for cataract) and the delicate skin surrounding them.

UV radiation can play a contributory role in the development of various ocular disorder, including age-related cataract, pterygium, cancer of skin around eyelids and photokeratitis. In fact, the eye may be at a greater risk from the sun than the skin. The skin has the capacity to adapt to UV radiation by producing melanin (tan) that protects against UV exposure. The eye does not develop a tolerance to UV rays, but becomes more sensitive with repeated exposure, and the effect on the eye is cumulative. It is important to note that reflective UV light, or glare from water, sand, snow and even the road can also have a debilitating effect on the eye. And even on cloudy days, up to 80 per cent of UV rays can pass through. So, the importance of protecting your eyes from UV exposure should not be overlooked, whatever the weather.

The natural reaction of the eye when exposed to direct or reflective light is to squint, as it tries to block out the glare, which is at best uncomfortable, and at worst squinting not only causes eye fatigue but also encourages the development of unsightly facial fine lines and wrinkles. Not particularly eye-catching!

Other cosmetic UV damage to the skin around eyes, otherwise known as “photo ageing”, manifests itself as dryness, sagging or loss of elasticity and mottled pigmentation. More seriously, the WHO estimates that 20 per cent of cataracts are primarily due to sun damage, and excessive UV exposure has resulted in the development of skin cancers, of which 10 per cent occur on the eyelids.

Hence appropriate eyewear and hats are not just fashion accessories but are essential. It is important to ensure that one invests good quality eyewear that blocks 100 per cent UV radiation. People who wear prescription glasses need not fret. They do not have to alternate between prescription glasses and sunglasses as they move around. Today, the market has photrochromic lenses (variable tint) which automatically adjust to the level of UV light they are exposed to, going from exceptionally clear indoors to sunglass dark outdoors.

The UV rays blocking eyeglasses provide the most complete and convenient eyewear to shield the eye from the harmful effects of the UV rays of the sun. While most prescription lenses offer some UV ray protection, not all are equally effective.

Use plastic photochromic lenses that block 100 per cent UV radiation and enhance visual comfort by preventing eye fatigue by reducing glare. Plastic photochromic lenses optimize visual clarity by allowing just the right amount of light to reach the eye. These lenses transition from clear to dark quickly when you move form indoor to outdoor and fade back just as fast when you move indoors from outdoors.

Anna Brandy also writes on Cure for Yeast Infection. More info: Symptoms-Yeast-Infection-Treatment.com

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

Night and Day Contact Lenses

By Ken Wilssens

There is a new idea in contact lenses, and it is catching on like wildfire with those who are busy or inconvenienced by contact lenses. Night and day contact lenses are contacts that can be worn every minute of the day, for a month or so. They are comfortable, very convenient, and almost a million people worldwide use them for their efficient and crisp definition eye care needs.

Night and day contact lenses are remarkable. You don't have to stop and take them out every day, and you don't have to constantly clean them and remember to carry your cleaning solution with you and to take them out every night. Have you ever had a long night out, and come home tired and forgotten to take out your contacts? You doctor will probably advise you that it is hazardous to your eyesight and can even cause some serious injuries. But if you wear the specially designed night and day contacts, you can forget about all those warnings because they will no longer apply to you.

These contacts are created with advanced technology to resist protein build up, so they are good for your vision. And they breathe and stay moist, making them a very healthy and long lasting alternative to old fashioned, rigid contacts. Night and day contact lenses are made to put in and forget about for a long time, allowing you to focus your attention on other, more important things in your busy schedule. They are believed to deliver more oxygen to the eye than ordinary easy wear contacts, and some studies cite that they deliver as much as five per cent more oxygen, while at the same time they keep the eyes moist and free from irritation of dryness, redness, and other strain normally associated with long wearing of contacts. In order to find out more about night and day contacts, you can contact your eye care specialist, who will be able to provide you with plenty of information, both technical and practical. The kind of lifestyle you lead may make you the perfect candidate for these 24 hour per day, seven day a week, week in and week out type of contact lenses. Many people just don't have the time or the luxury of stopping to change their lenses.

Many service personnel in the armed forces are advocates of night and day contacts, because they never know when they will be able to stop their duties and care for their lenses. Many wear protective goggles, making contact lenses a great alternative to traditional eyeglasses, and they want contacts that they can rely on in all sorts of adverse conditions and uncompromising schedules. Soldiers in combat or disaster relief operations, for example, have to work long and strenuous hours without a break for cleaning their eye contacts, and they have to sleep when ever they get the opportunity to take a quick nap or a few precious hours of sleep.

The last thing they have time to worry about is taking out their contacts to clean them, store them, and replace them at a later hour. These contacts are the ideal solution to that kind of rigor and demand, so you can just imagine how well they will suit you, if yours is a relatively normal lifestyle. Forget about the extra ritual morning and evening, of taking out or putting back in your contact lenses, and use that time for something more meaningful. Try these contacts, available through you eye specialist, and experience the difference.

For lots of information on contact lenses and related topics, visit Nr1 Contact Lenses at http://www.nr1-contact-lenses.com

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