What with genes, the environment, and what we put in, or don't put in, to our bodies, one's eyes can take a toll in a myriad of ways. Glasses have been around for what seems like ever.
Contacts have been around for a much less amount of time, but they still help in a tremendous way and are often more convenient. A third option, known as laser eye surgery, has only been around for roughly a decade is risky, permanent, and more expensive, but the benefits, to most, can outweigh the downsides. Laser eye surgery has successfully improved the vision of millions of people worldwide.
The people who choose this type of elective surgery are those who want to end their dependency on glasses or contacts. Most of these people are satisfied with the outcome and feel that their quality of life has improved because of it. One of the most common laser vision correction procedures is known as LASIK.
LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. The surgery is pretty basic and straight forward: a flap is cut in the top layer of the eye and folded back so a laser can reshape the surface of the eye; the flap is then placed back where it was and the eye heals. This procedure permanently changes the shape of the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye, using an excimer laser.
New advancements in technology have added custom LASIK options for candidates, including the use of wave front technology and blade-free LASIK utilizing an IntraLase laser. While deciding if laser eye surgery is right for yourself, know the risks before making your decision. Some of those risks include vision loss; debilitating visual symptoms; glare, halos, and/or double vision that affects nighttime vision; and severe dry eye syndrome. Other risks include needing additional corrective surgery, eyes that require glasses or contacts even after surgery, and diminished vision with age.
Another path to decide when choosing laser eye surgery is whether or not to get both eyes done at the same time or to get each eye done on separate occasions. Ease and convenience should not outweigh health and safety, so talking to your doctor about the risks and benefits of bilateral simultaneous treatment as opposed to unilateral treatment can help you make a more informed decision. A great advantage to treating one eye at a time is being able to see how the first eye responds to surgery before treating the second eye. While completely surgery on both eyes at one time may seem easier, think about the recovery time and being partially blind for most of it.
Having loss of sight in one eye is manageable, but in both can be downright annoying and dangerous. Finally, the best laid advice is often what you find out on your own. Make sure to do your homework and read up on the doctors you're visiting for any type of laser eye surgery. Should the doctor give you papers to read, read them and ask questions should you have any. If you feel the slightest bit confused, ill-informed, or worried, put the surgery off until it feels right for you.
Contacts have been around for a much less amount of time, but they still help in a tremendous way and are often more convenient. A third option, known as laser eye surgery, has only been around for roughly a decade is risky, permanent, and more expensive, but the benefits, to most, can outweigh the downsides. Laser eye surgery has successfully improved the vision of millions of people worldwide.
The people who choose this type of elective surgery are those who want to end their dependency on glasses or contacts. Most of these people are satisfied with the outcome and feel that their quality of life has improved because of it. One of the most common laser vision correction procedures is known as LASIK.
LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. The surgery is pretty basic and straight forward: a flap is cut in the top layer of the eye and folded back so a laser can reshape the surface of the eye; the flap is then placed back where it was and the eye heals. This procedure permanently changes the shape of the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye, using an excimer laser.
New advancements in technology have added custom LASIK options for candidates, including the use of wave front technology and blade-free LASIK utilizing an IntraLase laser. While deciding if laser eye surgery is right for yourself, know the risks before making your decision. Some of those risks include vision loss; debilitating visual symptoms; glare, halos, and/or double vision that affects nighttime vision; and severe dry eye syndrome. Other risks include needing additional corrective surgery, eyes that require glasses or contacts even after surgery, and diminished vision with age.
Another path to decide when choosing laser eye surgery is whether or not to get both eyes done at the same time or to get each eye done on separate occasions. Ease and convenience should not outweigh health and safety, so talking to your doctor about the risks and benefits of bilateral simultaneous treatment as opposed to unilateral treatment can help you make a more informed decision. A great advantage to treating one eye at a time is being able to see how the first eye responds to surgery before treating the second eye. While completely surgery on both eyes at one time may seem easier, think about the recovery time and being partially blind for most of it.
Having loss of sight in one eye is manageable, but in both can be downright annoying and dangerous. Finally, the best laid advice is often what you find out on your own. Make sure to do your homework and read up on the doctors you're visiting for any type of laser eye surgery. Should the doctor give you papers to read, read them and ask questions should you have any. If you feel the slightest bit confused, ill-informed, or worried, put the surgery off until it feels right for you.
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