LASIK Surgery & Laser Eye Surgery Surgeons Blog

What Cost is Too Cheap?

2012-01-31T09:03:00.000-05:00

Cheap LASIK Surgery may not be worth the cost. LASIK Vision Correction is surgery and should be considered carefully-including its cost. In today’s economy everyone needs to “watch their pennies”-and their dollars as well! Having LASIK Vision Correction is top of mind for a great number of people who need to have it for their jobs or even more often, just don’t want the dependence, hassle or inconvenience of wearing glasses or contacts all the time to see clearly at distance. Thus there is a balance between wanting LASIK today and being able to afford it and trying to get the “best deal” thinking that cheap LASIK is good LASIK. Unfortunately there is an assumption that potential LASIK patients actually know what to ask and what they are “shopping” for. Here are some guidelines-HOWEVER-they are NOT a substitute for the fact that finding the best LASIK Surgeons has NOTHING to do with looking for the best LASIK price which implies cheap LASIK.

When thinking about going after that “$295 LASIK” advertisement YOU NEED TO KNOW that you are setting yourself up for a “bait and switch” high pressure sales scheme potentially loaded with deceptive sales tactics-similar to what you would expect from a shady used car dealer.
Each time the LASIK Surgeon performs a LASIK Surgery procedure THEY MUST PAY THE LASER MANUFACTURER A LICENSE FEE FOR THE USE OF THE SOFTWARE THAT RUNS THE LASER. Typically the fee ranges from $150-$250. The only way to avoid this fee is to use a NON APPROVED LASER-only that has not been scrutinized and passed through the FDA approval process-can you say “safety hazard and increased risk?”
LASIK is surgery and thus the procedure requires the use of surgical supplies. Surgical supplies COST MONEY. Typically the actual LASIK surgery supplies can cost $25-$50 PER EYE at a minimum.
Let’s assume that the LASIK Surgeon and the staff work for FREE. Sure…let’s say they actually like doing FREE LASIK. Most of us like to get paid for working and doing our job….but let’s say its FREE LASIK.
The very basic cost of LASIK is $175-$300 PER EYE before the facility pays its rent, electric bill and other costs such as insurance-AND THAT IS WITH EVERYONE WORKING FOR FREE. Do you think folks who work for free are inclined to do an A+ job with YOUR EYE SURGERY?
The very basic cost of LASIK is $175-$300 PER EYE before the facility pays for the cost of laser SERVICE and UPKEEP. Do you think folks who have little or no profit are inclined to keep the laser serviced so it operates at ITS BEST PERFROMANCE FOR YOUR EYE SURGERY?

Thus what happens is that patients considering LASIK who shop for the best LASIK price and the cheap LASIK doctors MOST OFTEN FIND THAT THERE ARE MANY “UPCHARGES” including:

Extra charges for the “complete eye exam and consultation” which isn’t covered by the cheap LASIK price!
Extra charges for “your prescription”, which isn’t covered by the cheap LASIK price!
Extra charges for “follow up care”, which isn’t covered by the cheap LASIK price!
Extra charges for “enhancements”, which isn’t covered by the cheap LASIK price!

And on and on…so that after you have gone through the entire process your actual cost of LASIK isn’t so cheap-AND ALL YOU GOT WAS A CHEAP LASIK SURGEON WORKING IN A CORNER CUTTING CORPORATE RUN DISCOUNT CENTER THAT COULD BE GONE TOMORROW!

LASIK Vision Correction requires the skill, dedication and experience of top LASIK Surgeons using reliable and well serviced instruments as well as top experienced staff members. This costs money. Don’t be fooled or drawn to the best LASIK price that is too cheap. As with most things in life-if it looks too good to be true –IT USUALLY ISN’T!

LASIK Facebook Contest in Birmingham

2012-01-30T16:28:00.001-05:00

Announcing an “Awful Glasses LASIK Contest”, Birmingham LASIK Surgeon Marc Michelson, M.D. of Michelson Laser Vision commented, “LASIK Surgery is serious business-but it doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun along the way helping people as they wonder what it would be like to not have to wear glasses to see clearly at distance without them. To that end we thought it would be fun to have people interested in LASIK share photos of themselves wearing their most awful glasses. We have quite a community of Facebook fans who have “LIKED” us and so we felt that Facebook would be a great place to socialize with folks.”

Michelson Laser Vision invites anyone over the age of 21 to participate in their “Awful Glasses Contest” by going to www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision and locating the Awful Glasses Contest tab on the left hand navigation bar. Upon clicking and loading the contest page you can LIKE us and you will be asked to provide a photo of yourself with your “Awful Glasses” and are encouraged to write a little statement about why they are so awful. “We will be accepting entries throughout the entire month of February,” noted Michelle Michael, Practice Administrator. “Then beginning on March 1, 2012 we will open the contest to allow your friends and relatives to vote for you. Whoever has the most votes by their friends and relatives will get to have LASIK at Michelson Laser Vision complements of our center!! So-be sure to tell your friends that you have entered and that they should vote for you.”

There is no entry fee or cost of any kind to enter the Awful Glasses Contest at Michelson Laser Vision. However, if you win you must come in for a no charge consultation and be deemed a suitable LASIK candidate by our medical staff. In the event you are not suitable you will be able to give your LASIK to someone of your choosing who is medically suitable.

Michelson Laser Vision is a leading Laser Eye Surgery Center in Birmingham staffed by a team of specialists including eye doctors who are fellowship trained cornea specialists-all board certified Ophthalmologists-as well as Optometrists, technical and administrative staff who provide examination, consultation and treatment including LASIK, Bladeless LASIK and other types of Laser Eye Surgery for the correction of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

To learn more about Michelson Laser Vision visit www.michelsonvision.com. To enter the Awful Glasses Contest visit www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision

For additional information, contact:

Michelle Michael
Alabama Eye & Cataract Center
1201 11th Avenue S., Suite 501
Birmingham, Alabama 35205
michellem@alaeye.com
1-205-930-0930

SOURCE: Medical Management Services Group, L.L.C.

Best LASIK Vision Results & Wavefront Treatments

2012-01-26T09:35:00.000-05:00

“Getting the best vision results for my LASIK patients in San Antonio requires a careful evaluation, examination and consultation including measurement of the wavefront refraction which we do routinely at every consultation to be certain we are getting the most accurate analysis of each patient’s vision,” commented San Antonio Texas LASIK Surgeon & Corneal Specialist Lisa Martén, M.D. of the South Texas Eye Institute. “Further, for the best LASIK results that are consistent and predictable I routinely perform custom wavefront laser eye surgery treatments for virtually all patients as a matter of course. As a corneal and refractive surgery specialist, the patients who visit us tend to have high expectations-and we want to deliver the best results. ”

“We too find that it is quite worthwhile to take the extra time at the initial consultation to measure the details of the aberrations of the eye using wavefront analysis. Patients appreciate the effort when we do any and everything as part of the consultation to be sure we are working to get the best LASIK results and vision for them,” agreed Leslie Doctor, M.D., a Connecticut LASIK Surgeon & Cornea Specialist at Doctor & Associates with offices serving Fairfield County in Westport, Wilton and Norwalk. “We know that refractive surgery, such as LASIK in particular, has been shown to induce changes in corneal asphericity-especially in the treatment of higher nearsighted prescriptions-so we really need to minimize or eliminate the spherical aberration as part of our routine corneal laser eye surgery procedures.”

Eye Surgery & Vision Correction Perspectives 2012

2012-01-24T10:29:00.000-05:00

“It is truly amazing how our perspectives on vision correction eye surgery have and continue to evolve,” commented Connecticut eye surgeon Leslie Doctor, M.D. “Laser Vision Correction was an almost surreal procedure in 1993 when I was a Fellow performing some of the first vision correction eye surgery procedures with the laser and studying corneal and refractive surgery.”

“As a Clinical Investigator for the FDA trials of Laser Vision Correction in1991, it was somewhat of a challenge for us to even explain to patients the concept of using a laser to reshape the cornea and correct nearsightedness,” explained Birmingham eye surgeon Marc Michelson, M.D. “We would explain that up until that time we typically could help nearsighted patients see clearly with spectacle vision correction or contact lens vision correction-and that by participating in the study they could have Laser Vision Correction so they could see.”

“Now, my challenge in offering consultation to patients who wish to become less dependent on eyeglasses is to explain that their age may make them better candidates for another type of vision correction surgery-other than LASIK-as they have entered the age of presbyopia where they have blurry vision for far, but also have near vision problems as well”, said Dr. Leslie Doctor. “For the 50’s set I help them understand the continuum…we used to have just spectacle vision correction and contact lens vision correction-then in 1995 we were able to offer patients an alternative to correct their blurry vision at distance-Laser Vision Correction or LASIK. In 2012 we have lots of patients who need to have both dista

nce and near vision corrected-and they don’t want to be dependent on

eyeglasses, so we can offer them Lens Implant Vision Correction.”

“For that group of 50+ folks who need help with both distance and near vision and who want an unencumbered lifestyle, we too tell them how we have evolved from spectacle and contact lens vision correction-to Laser Vision Correction and now to Lens Implant Vision Correction,” agreed Dr. Michelson. “With careful patient selection through detailed examination and consultation we are able to recommend advanced technology accommodating and multifocal lens implants to more and more 50+ folks who need help seeing far and near and just don’t want to worry about glasses all the time.”

If you wish to learn more or would like to schedule a consultation to see if you might be a candidate for lens implants for vision correction you may contact Leslie Doctor, M.D. at the Doctor & Associates offices in Westport, Norwalk or Wilton, Connecticut or you may contact Marc Michelson, M.D. at Michelson Laser Vision in Birmingham, Alabama by calling 877-871-3937.

New Texas City Eye Care Office Opens

2012-01-23T08:49:00.000-05:00

“We felt that eye care and eye surgery patients in and around Texas City would appreciate having convenient access to our team of ophthalmologists in a new comfortable and convenient state of the art facility,” stated Bernard Milstein, M.D., Founder of The Eye Clinic of Texas. “We are really pleased to be able to see patients for eye health and vision needs including cataract evaluations at the new Texas City office location at 7111 Medical Center Drive in Texas City,” commented Ophthalmologist Dr. Da-Thuy Van. “In addition, patients looking for eyeglasses or eyewear of any type will enjoy the personal service and selection of fashion frames and advanced technology eyeglass lenses. The Texas EyeWear staff in Texas City is happy to guide you through the process of finding that perfect fitting eyeglass frame and help you select the best lenses for your own individual needs,” note Co-Founder Allan Fradkin, M.D.

The Eye Clinic of Texas is a leading eye care practice serving the greater Houston, Galveston, League City and Texas City area that provides all aspects of general, medical, surgical, laser and optical eye care services. Our Board Certified Ophthalmologists perform Laser Eye Surgery such as LASIK, Cataract Surgery & Lens Implants using advanced technology IOLs to correct complex problems such as astigmatism and near vision focusing problems including presbyopia, diagnosis and management of glaucoma, diagnosis and management of diabetic retinopathy, diagnosis and management of Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Pediatric Ophthalmology. Texas EyeWear at The Eye Clinic of Texas provides personalized consultation and fitting of eyeglasses and eyeglass lenses for greater Houston, Galveston, League City and Texas City area patients.

To learn more about The Eye Clinic of Texas you may visit http://www.ecot.com/ or http://www.facebook.com/ecot.lasik.

Getting Pregnant after LASIK

2012-01-22T17:10:00.000-05:00

Question: I'm 35 years old and eager to have LASIK done and I am trying to get pregnant at the same time. I have met with an experienced LASIK surgeon that I feel good about and he told me I can have the surgery done as long as I'm not pregnant. However every web site online tells me that I should avoid being pregnant up to 6 months after LASIK surgery due to hormonal changes that make effect my recovery. I questioned my surgeon on this but he reassured me that is not the case, that I can be pregnant soon after surgery and it will not effect my healing process. So I'm confused at this point and would really appreciate your advice. Will becoming pregnant soon after my surgery effect my healing process?

Answer: There is a conservative school of thought that suggests waiting to have LASIK until you are 6 months post partum and even 6 months after the discontinuation of nursing in order to avoid any variations that might occur due to the hormonal changes. This was pretty much required with PRK but current thinking is that if you are indeed a good LASIK candidate and have the procedure and THEN become pregnant some time thereafter, the likelihood of impacting healing is pretty small. However, what you should know is that LASIK very often causes a temporary reversible dry eye-pregnancy also can cause dry eye symptoms, thus there is a good possibility you may encounter dry eyes which in and off itself usually can be tolerated. But, if the dry eye is extreme it can cause physical discomfort as well as visual discomfort and instability AND you will NOT be able to use the prescription eye drops that help relieve the symptoms while you are pregnant. This should be discussed with your LASIK Surgeon in order to be sure that your tears are sufficiently healthy and of sufficient quantity to minimize any dry eye risk that might make you uncomfortable or induce transient blurry vision.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on www.seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of http://www.seewithlasik.com/ is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

NJ LASIK Surgeon Welcomes Eye Doctors

2012-01-19T09:16:00.000-05:00

Corneal Specialist and NJ LASIK Surgeon Joel Confino, M.D. welcomes two NJ eye doctors and specialists to The Eye Care & Surgery Center with offices in Westfield, Warren and Iselin, New Jersey.

Roslyn Stahl, M.D., is a Board-Certified and Fellowship trained New Jersey Ophthalmologist who specializes in Cataract Surgery as well as the medical, laser and surgical treatment of glaucoma. Dr. Stahl is a graduate of The University of Michigan and earned her Medical Degree Magna Cum Laude from the State University of New York (SUNY)-Downstate Health Sciences Center. She completed a Residency in Ophthalmology at The University of Michigan-Kellogg Eye Center in Ann Arbor as well as a Fellowship in Glaucoma at Columbia University Edward Harkness Eye Institute where she remains on the teaching faculty for residents and fellows.

She is certified by and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology and is a member of the medical honors society, Alpha Omega Alpha, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society, New Jersey Academy of Ophthalmology and New York State Ophthalmological Society.

Baljeet Purewal, M.D. is Board-Certified and Fellowship trained New Jersey Ophthalmologist who specializes in Cosmetic Eye Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Purewal earned her Medical Degree from the State University of New York (SUNY)-Downstate College of Medicine in New York City and completed a Residency in Ophthalmology at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center followed by a Fellowship in Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the New York Eye & Ear Infirmary in Manhattan. Dr. Purewal holds the academic appointment of Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center where she has trained residents and fellows in ophthalmic plastic surgery.

Dr. Purewal is a specialist in the cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the face, eyelids and structures around the eyes. She performs cosmetic eye plastic surgery including "eye lifts" or blepharoplasty. Dr. Purewal has specific expertise and a special interest in facial and skin rejuvenation as she is facile with non-surgical cosmetic treatments such as BOTOX® Cosmetic, Sculptra® Aesthetic, Dysport® treatments and injections, fillers to smooth fine lines and wrinkles including Restylane®, Juvéderm™ and Radiesse® Injections as well as Latisse™ eyelash enhancer. Dr. Purewal is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is the author of numerous publications on reconstructive and cosmetic facial surgery including eyelid surgery and facial and skin rejuvenation.

The Eye Care & Surgery Center offers a Free Consultation for those seeking LASIK in New Jersey with NJ LASIK Surgeon Joel Confino, M.D. and may be contacted at 800-504-1083, or by visiting http://www.newjerseyvision.com/ or facebook.com/eyecareandsurgerycenter

LASIK Surgeon Joins Michelson Laser Vision in Birmingham

2012-01-17T08:45:00.002-05:00

Corneal Specialist and LASIK Surgeon Tyler Hall, M.D. has joined Michelson Laser Vision in Birmingham, Alabama. Marc Michelson, M.D., Medical Director of the specialist laser eye center in Birmingham welcomes Dr. Hall who earned his medical degree at Wright State University School of Medicine and completed a residency in Ophthalmology at the University of Alabama (UAB)-Birmingham Medical Center followed by a Fellowship in Cornea, External Disease and Refractive Surgery at Emory University prior to returning to Birmingham.

Dr. Hall offers a Free LASIK Consultation to patients from throughout Alabama seeking LASIK in Birmingham in order to help them determine if they are candidates for Laser Eye Surgery for Laser Vision Correction of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Michelson Laser Vision can be contacted by phoning 877-871-3937, or visiting http://www.michelsonlaser.com/ or facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Laser Eye Surgery & Macular Degeneration

2012-01-16T10:26:00.001-05:00

Question: I've been thinking about having some sort of laser eye surgery for correction surgery but wanted to ask if I was even a candidate due to the macular degeneration in my left eye. I'm only 36 years old and my eye is currently stable and has been for over a year since I underwent a year of treatments. That treatment being injections. I wanted to see if it was worth my time seeing a LASIK doctor or center, if I'm not even a candidate.

Answer: The answer is that it worth having a consultation with a top LASIK Surgeon in your area with some reservations and concerns you need to be aware of and prepare for. First, we do not know the cause of your macular degeneration. It may be important to the LASIK Surgeon to know the cause of your macular degeneration as whether it is due to some type of myopic degeneration, heredity degeneration, inflammatory process or other cause, may impact your suitability. Second, we do not know what you best level of corrected visual acuity is in the affected eye. This too may impact your suitability or at least your expectations as in MOST cases, LASIK or any Laser Eye Surgery for Vision Correction should be considered if the expectation and the intent is to improve the best level of correction in an eye with macular degeneration. All of these issues should be thoroughly discussed and your goals and expectations clearly defined. Then you need a complete explanation of what LASIK or any laser eye Surgery for vision correction can do or not do in your specific case. Schedule a consultation with the best LASIK Surgeon you can find in your area and listen to their recommendations

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Computer Use, Dry Eyes & Eyestrain

2012-01-15T11:52:00.000-05:00

Question: I had LASIK done 12 years ago and have not had one problem. It's been great. My new job requires me to be on the computer for 8 hours a day with some breaks but I am finding that my eyes are so dry, blurry and sensitive all of a sudden. Is the computer related to my issues I am having? Should I just use artificial tears?

Answer: LASIK does in fact cause dry eyes in the first several months after you have the procedure. The fact that you have changed jobs and intensified the amount of computer work and now have dry eyes is pretty indicative of the common complaints about computer use, dry eyes and eyestrain. There are some important things to know about computer and video display terminal use, your eyes and eyestrain. Staring at your computer screen, video game or other digital devices for long periods causes your eyes may feel dry and tired. Normally, you blink about 18 times a minute, but only blink half that often while using computers and other digital screen devices, whether for work or play. Reading, writing or other intensive “near work” can also cause eyestrain and dryness of a similar nature. Use the “20-20-20” rule. Every 20 minutes, shift your eyes to look at an object at least 20 feet away, for at least 20 seconds. It is also helpful to use artificial tears to refresh your eyes when they feel dry. Make sure that you take regular breaks from computer work, and be sure to get enough sleep at night. If the behavioral changes don't help with the dry eyes then see your eye doctor for a dry eye consultation as perhaps there are some other options that might enhance your tear film quantity and/or quality such as punctal plugs or even prescription eye drops called Restasis.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on www.seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of www.seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Baltimore LASIK Surgeon Receives FACS Designation

2012-01-12T09:47:00.001-05:00

Baltimore LASIK Surgeon Brad Spagnolo, M.D. of Baltimore Washington Eye Center has been accepted as a Fellow in the American College of Surgeons. Members of the American College of Surgeons are referred to as "Fellows." The letters FACS (Fellow, American College of Surgeons) after a surgeon's name mean that the surgeon's education and training, professional qualifications, surgical competence, and ethical conduct have passed a rigorous evaluation, and have been found to be consistent with the high standards established and demanded by the College. Dr. Spagnolo joined Baltimore Washington Eye Center in 2000 after completing his medical degree at Temple University School of Medicine followed by a residency in Ophthalmology at the George Washington University Medical Center and a Fellowship in Corneal Disease and Surgery at the Kresge Eye Institute.

Dr. Spagnolo is a Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology, a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS).

At Baltimore Washington Eye Center, Dr. Spagnolo specializes in LASIK Surgery as well Cataract Surgery and Lens Implants. For more information or to schedule an appointment Baltimore Washington Eye Center can be contacted by phoning 800-495-3937 or visiting http://www.bweyecenter.com/ or facebook.com/baltimorewashingtoneyecenter.

Houston LASIK Eye Surgeon on Cost of Surgery in 2012

2012-01-10T09:57:00.002-05:00

Houston LASIK Eye Surgeon Bernard Milstein, M.D. commented on the cost of LASIK Surgery in Houston-“While 2012 appears to still have significant challenges for our economy, a very healthy number of patients have elected to be treated in at The Eye Clinic of Texas during January. This is probably a reflection of a combination of factors including the availability of Flex Plan funds through employers, patients realizing that there is really good value delivered when one considers the cost of LASIK as compared to glasses and contact lenses and certainly to the pent up demand for LASIK created by economic uncertainty. At some point patients just say “lets’ do this already,” stated Dr. Milstein. “The cost of LASIK is pretty affordable for most patients who want it at our practice-especially when we help them with easy payment plans which are very popular.”

The Eye Clinic of Texas Laser Eye Surgeons Drs. Milstein and Van offer those thinking about LASIK in Houston a Free LASIK Consultation to help find out if they are candidates and whether LASIK Surgery or some other type of Laser Vision Correction is the best vision correction option for their personal goals. You can schedule an appointment for a Free Consultation at The Eye Clinic of Texas by calling 800-423-3937 or by visiting http://www.ecot.com/ or facebook.com/ecot.lasik.

Vision Recovery after LASIK Surgery

2012-01-10T09:22:00.000-05:00

Question: How long is the vision recovery after LASIK and when does the blurriness go away?

Answer: For the vast majority of patients having LASIK Surgery, the vision recovery is pretty quick and they see well enough to drive a car within a day or two after their Laser Vision Correction treatment. For some patients who have had LASIK and who had very high prescriptions that needed to be corrected, the visual recovery time can be somewhat longer-even as long as a week. In addition, each patient does heal slightly differently and there could be some slight residual swelling of the cornea that causes blurriness. There are a few short term LASIK complications that could also cause blurriness. You need to keep your follow up appointments and if by the end of a week or so after your LASIK Surgery you are not seeing pretty well you do need an explanation from your LASIK Surgeon. By the end of 90 after days after LASIK, you will most likely be seeing as well as you will see barring any complications.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on www.seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of www.seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK & Farsightedness & Near Vision

2012-01-06T11:18:00.000-05:00

Question: I am farsighted and have near vision problems and wonder if I am a LASIK candidate. I am a 49 year old male and started wearing eyeglasses when I was 40. I now struggle to see things up close as well and my near vision is a problem. I hate glasses. Am I a candidate?

Answer: From your description it sounds as if you are both farsighted and presbyopic and thus have reached a point where both your near and far vision are impacted by the two different focusing problems. Further, it sounds as if the vision is changing which is typical of hyperopic or farsightedness as you transition through your 40's. If you had healthy and plentiful tears, a healthy cornea of a normal shape and thickness and had good motivation for LASIK, you would be a marginal candidate at best because of the changing vision and somewhat because of the near vision focusing problem. Near vision focusing problems can be managed with Monovision LASIK in many instances, but is not a good choice if the vision is unstable.

Hyperopic patients who also suffer from presbyopia actually do much better with Lens Replacement Surgery using lens Implants for Vision Correction. If you hate glasses, you may wish to consider the possibility of lens Implants for vision Correction using a Multifocal or Accommodating Lens Implant. It is worth the time to have a consultation with a top LASIK Surgeon who is also Cataract Surgeon, also called a Refractive Cataract Surgeon and get their opinion. You may be a bit on the young side but maybe not.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on www.seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of www.seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK Surgeons Suggest 2012 Flex Plan Use Now

2012-01-03T08:59:00.000-05:00

This is the time to use your 2012 Flex Plan for LASIK Surgery to make the cost most affordable. Many patients thinking about LASIK don’t realize that beginning on January 1, 2013, the amount each employee will be able to withhold in their Flexible Spending Account (FSA) at work will be limited to $2,500 per year.

Since a significant number of patients seeking LASIK take advantage of FSAs, 2012 is when individuals wishing to have LASIK Eye Surgery can maximize their benefit while it is still at the $5,000 limit. Patients really appreciate that having their employer take a small amount of money out of each paycheck-especially since it is before taxes-is a great way to have LASIK with extra savings and easy payments. You can find top LASIK Surgeons in your area at http://www.seewithlasik.com/.

LASIK Surgery New Year’s Resolutions from Eye Surgeon Ray Gailitis, M.D. in Ft. Lauderdale

2012-01-02T10:27:00.000-05:00

New Year’s marks the time we can make exciting resolutions about our eyes, vision and LASIK Surgery for 2012. Here are some resolutions Ft. Lauderdale LASIK patients shared with Dr. Gailitis over the years at The Center for LASIK.

”I want LASIK this year so I can get up and get moving in the morning without searching for my glasses-my boss will appreciate this so I am not late for work!”

“My hubby surprised me with a gift card for LASIK for Christmas-I can't wait to lean over in bed and see him without being an inch from his face.”

"I am having LASIK now, so my 2 year old doesn't destroy another pair of glasses by pulling them off my face.”

"I’ve got the money-my Flex Plan for LASIK kicked in-let’s get it done.”

Eye Surgeon Ray Gailitis, M.D., F.A.C.S. has been caring for the eye health and vision correction needs of patients throughout the greater Ft. Lauderdale, Miami and West Palm Beach area for almost two decades. Dr. Gailitis is a Corneal Specialist, Cataract & Refractive Surgeon and is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, is a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and is a Diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners. In addition Dr. Gailitis has been selected by his peers as a "Florida Super Doctor". For additional information or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Gailitis please call Ophthalmology Consultants-The Center for LASIK at 954-969-0090 or visit http://www.bestvision.com/.

LASIK after Retinal Detachment

2012-01-02T10:13:00.000-05:00

Question: Can I have LASIK if I had a retinal detachment and a scleral buckle surgery and then a lens replacement surgery?

Answer: There are a number of considerations that might or might not permit you to be a good LASIK candidate at this time based on your history of retinal detachment surgery and lensectomy and lens replacement surgery. First, your Retinal Surgeon must give clearance regarding the stability of the Retina. Assuming he or she does, then your Cornea must be of sufficient thickness and healthy enough to sustain another surgery as well as you must have a healthy and adequate normal tear film.You should also have a sound reason for, as well as realistic expectations for LASIK at this time as one would need to understand your motivations vs. wearing glasses. Another consideration is the location and the condition of the scleral buckle. Sometimes the buckle can interfere with the placement of the suction rings needed for LASIK when a microkeratome is used or even the suction device when a femtosecond laser is used to create the flap during LASIK Surgery. It might just be that if all other factors are acceptable, your LASIK Surgeon suggests that a Laser Eye Surgery such as PRK might be a better choice in order to avoid any difficulties with a suction device. Your firstep is to obtain clearance from your Retina Specialist. Then if he or she approves you should find a LASIK Surgeon who can review your entire history carefully and after a thorough examination and consultation tell you whether the outcome is likely to be as you desire.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on www.seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of www.seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Ghosting Vision after LASIK

2012-01-02T10:07:00.000-05:00

Question: I had LASIK performed 2 years ago. All seemed well, until a few months ago when I started noticing changes and bothering effects with my vision. It first appeared in dry eyes, which I treated with drops and punctual plugs...but as the dry eye cleared up, I started noticing more problems with ghosting images/blurry vision/problems seeing on the computer and watching TV, as well as constant dizziness and depth perception problems. Its been a nightmare. I am going in on Monday to talk with the LASIK Surgeon who performed the procedure...as I went last week and talked to another doctor and she didn't seem to have any answers for my problems. Regardless of what my LASIK Surgeon says, I would like a second opinion. Any advice on what options/things I should consider for these problems? I kept measuring 20/15 on eye tests, but the vision quality is poor (ghosting images all the time). I went to another eye doctor for an exam, as I was desperate, and he measured ed me as -.25 in each eye. I ordered glasses for this mild change, picked them up today, and have been wearing them for the last few hours. I have noticed a small improvement in sharpness/the quality of my vision, but the ghosting and sensitivity to light is still here and bothering me. I just need to know what options I can take.

Answer: It is really impossible to provide much information about your situation without having many details of your eye examination and current overall eye health and vision as well as having access to some testing data. That said, there may be some things to consider as you go forward. First, you do not indicate whether you have had conventional LASIK, Custom Wavefront LASIK or Custom Wavefront Optimized LASIK. Depending on which type of procedure you had, it is possible that while each one would fully correct your primary refractive error, each could treat different types and amounts of what are called "higher order aberrations-or not. Higher order aberrations do indeed cause patient symptoms of "ghosting". However it is unclear why these symptoms are just being manifest now, if they are the cause-but it is possible. These aberrations are directly measurable as part of you examination using an instrument called a wavefront analyzer or aberrometer and thus this can usually be ruled in or out. You do not state your age and it is possible that mild changes in the crystalline lens could also cause these aberrations to occur after some time where previously you were not symptomatic. If you have not already had at least a screening visual field test you may be asked to have one based on the symptoms you report. There are many other reasons that may or may not be related to your eyes directly that could contribute and you should probably consult your primary care physician as well.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on www.seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of www.seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Dry Eye, Contact Lenses & Video Terminals

2011-12-15T16:19:00.000-05:00

The use of video terminals by contact lens wearers may very well lead to dry eye according to researchers reporting in the December 2011 American Journal of Ophthalmology. Wearing contact lenses in an office environment and spending more than 4 hours at a visual display terminal may result in lower tear film volume with significant dry eye symptoms. The study determined contact lens wearers and long-term visual display terminal workers had significantly worse tear film than those who did not wear contact lenses or worked for shorter periods on visual display terminals. The type of lenses worn had no real effect on the severity of the dry eye however the presence an air conditioned environment did seem to worsen the symptoms.

Not a LASIK Candidate

2011-12-14T09:43:00.001-05:00

Question: I was told I was not a LASIK candidate and want to find out if anything has changed. 5 years ago I had a LASIK consult and told me that my cornea was to thin and my eye "too football shaped" to be a LASIK candidate and to check back in 5 years as there are many advances in the field of laser eye surgery. I have had glasses very thick glasses since I been 5 and I am now 31. My eyes have always been magnified like I drank 200 cups of coffee with glasses and I would really be happy to just not even lose the glasses but maybe reduce the thickness of my lenses or make it so contacts are an option. I am very self conscious about my glasses and have lacked confidence due to my glasses. I have always felt people look at me cause my eyes are too big. Have they come up with anyway of fixing or improving my vision yet? I am very anxiously waiting for some kind fix for my vision. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Answer: It is difficult to really know whether you are a candidate for any of the options for helping become less dependent or even independent of eyeglasses without knowing more about your prescription and eye health. But here is some information that may be helpful. It sounds as if you are extremely farsighted and possibly have considerable astigmatism from the description that you have given--although the fact that your cornea was too thin does not fit with this exactly. If you are in fact extremely farsighted or hyperopic, and if you have a moderate to a high amount of astigmatism, you would NOT be a good LASIK candidate or perhaps for any type of Laser Eye Surgery such as LASIK. People with prescriptions such as this do much better in terms of outcome and long term results with Lens Replacement Surgery with a Toric Lens Implant to correct the astigmatism.

IF-big IF-you were indeed a candidate for this you would STILL need to wear eyeglasses for reading and seeing arm's length and close vision as the Toric Astigmatism Correcting Lens Implants do not yet correct presbyopia....but WILL in the relatively foreseeable future. IF on the other hand you are extremely nearsighted with astigmatism it may be possible to use a Visian™ ICL which works like an implantable contact lens and could be combined with a correction for astigmatism with LASIK to give you the best result. In any event, your next step is to find the best LASIK Surgeon in your area who is also a top Cataract and Lens Implant Surgeon and to schedule a consultation so that together you can determine what, if any, of these options might be worthwhile for you.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

AcrySof® IQ Lens Implant Confusion

2011-12-13T08:19:00.001-05:00

Question: I am a bit confused by the different types of AcrySof® IQ Lens Implants for Cataract Surgery. I have seen information about the AcrySof® ReSTOR® Intraocular Lens for implantation after Cataract Surgery but my Cataract Surgeon provided a pamphlet about the AcrySof® IQ. What is the difference so I can make a wise choice of lens implant?

Answer: Indeed the choice of Lens implants for Cataract Surgery can be a little confusing but here is what you need to know. AcrySof® IQ Lens Implants for Cataract Surgery are available in three different types or designs: AcrySof® IQ Aspheric Lens Implant (IOL), AcrySof® IQ Toric Lens Implant (IOL) and AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® Lens Implant (IOL). The AcrySof® IQ Aspheric IOL corrects distance vision only after Cataract Surgery using aspheric optics to minimize spherical aberration so that patients experience crisper distance vision especially in dime illumination or under low contrast conditions such as overcast rainy days or at dusk. It does not correct arm's length or near vision. The AcrySof® IQ Toric IOL corrects distance vision including astigmatism after Cataract Surgery using toric optics. It does not correct arm's length or near vision. The AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® IOL corrects distance vision AND arm's length and near vision after Cataract Surgery and is considered a Multifocal Lens Implant (IOL). Hope this helps.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on www.seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of www.seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK & PRK for Low Myopia

2011-12-10T13:58:00.000-05:00

Question: My eye surgeon says I can have either LASIK Surgery or PRK. I have low myopia and astigmatism. Which is better-which should I do?

Answer: With careful patient selection, realistic goals and expectations and an experienced and skilled LASIK Surgeon, the results from both LASIK and PRK are virtually identical. LASIK patients tend to have a quicker visual and somewhat more comfortable initial few days after their treatment-but the final visual results are the same. Because LASIK requires the preparation of a "flap" it is a two step procedure and thus has a slightly higher side effect and potential complication rate. Ask your LASIK Surgeon to help you decide by asking what he would have in a case like yours.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on www.seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of www.seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Lens Implants instead of LASIK

2011-12-10T13:52:00.000-05:00

Question: I have been told to have lens implants instead of LASIK. I have been examined by many eye surgeons for LASIK and have been told that they cannot do LASIK surgery because my cornea thickness is less than it needs to be. They have suggested doing a lens implant. Is this possible and what are the disadvantages?

Answer: Successful LASIK Surgery does require an adequate corneal thickness for proper results and long term eye health. Depending you your prescription and the thickness of the cornea it is in fact entirely possible that you are not a suitable LASIK candidate. For some patients wishing to be less dependent or independent of eyeglasses and contact lenses for seeing clearly at a distance it is sometimes possible to use different types of Lens Implants to correct the vision. For moderate to highly nearsighted patients it is sometimes necessary to consider using a Visian™ ICL, which functions like and implantable contact lens-and we suspect this is what your eye doctors are recommending. With proper patient selection, the Visian™ ICL can provide good vision for nearsighted patients and outside the United States can also be used to correct both nearsightedness and astigmatism. Lens Implants are intraocular surgery and thus have the associated risks of any intraocular surgery which tend to be somewhat greater than those of corneal surgery such as LASIK. That said, if multiple eye surgeons are providing you with the same information it is most likely the case that you should consider other alternatives to LASIK in order to achieve your vision correction goals.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on www.seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of www.seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Military LASIK & Refractive Stability

2011-12-06T10:11:00.000-05:00

Question: I am currently deployed and know that with the military I get free LASIK Surgery. My vision two years ago was -5.00 and -5.25. I just took a eye exam before I deployed 2 months ago and my vision is -6.00 and -5.75. Is my eyesight too bad to get LASIK and how bad can your vision be until your not able to get LASIK.

Answer: First, THANK YOU for your service to our country and your dedication to the safety and protection of the United States of America and its citizens. With regard to your having LASIK, this is certainly an excellent consideration for someone like yourself who is likely to be hindered or even incapacitated by trying to wear eyeglasses or contact lenses under adverse and perhaps even combat conditions. At the current level of your nearsighted correction it is entirely possible that if your eyes are otherwise healthy in terms of the corneal shape and thickness and quality and quantity of the tear film-along with a normal retina and optic nerve-that your prescription is within the treatable range. However, what might exclude you from having LASIK at this time is the fact that your right eye seems to still be progressing and increasing in myopia a bit more than some LASIK Surgeons might be willing to accept. The best course of action is to schedule a LASIK consultation when you can at a Warfighters Laser Eye Center and the eye surgeon there will be able to make that determination for you.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Time Off Work after LASIK

2011-12-04T08:57:00.000-05:00

Question: If I work at the computer 8-9 hours a day how long would I have to be off work after having a LASIK surgery?

Answer: Assuming that you had a routine LASIK Eye Surgery treatment it would be normal and expected for you to return to work within a day or two with the following caveat. Dry eyes after LASIK are a very common and normal temporary post treatment complaint and for that reason patients are required to keep their eyes well lubricated with artificial tear eye drops and may also require insertion of tiny tear duct plugs or other prescription medication to help them produce enough tears during the healing period. Using a computer exacerbates dry eye complaints with or without LASIK because it slows down your blink pattern. So, find the best LASIK Surgeon in your area and fully discuss what your work at the computer requires. From that information and the findings of your consultation he or she will recommend the best course of pre and post LASIK care to help you get the best results.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Dry Eye Help with Restasis® & Artificial Tears

2011-11-29T08:02:00.001-05:00

Help for Dry Eye Syndrome which is also called Dysfunctional Tear Syndrome (DTS), is more readily achieved with the use of a combination of Restasis® and artificial tears than with artificial tears alone according to researchers reporting in the September 2011 publication of Eye & Contact Lens: Science & Clinical Practice. Dry Eye Syndrome is a disease of the tears and ocular surface that causes symptoms of discomfort, visual disturbance, and tear film instability with potential damage to the ocular surface. There are many approaches to managing Dry Eye Syndrome including avoiding adverse environmental factors, eyelid hygiene, artificial tears and lubricants, punctal plugs, tear stimulation and anti-inflammatory drugs. From this study it appears as if the combination of artificial tears and Restasis® is a helpful treatment for Dry Eyes.

Near Vision & LASIK Surgery

2011-11-22T10:46:00.004-05:00

Question: While reading, I see that LASIK surgery can correct issues with seeing up close (reading). Is this correct? At what age is it good to get this done? I am 47 now and my eyes haven't changed for several years, but I don't want to get the surgery and then have to wear reading glasses a short time afterwards.

Answer: It is impossible to really advise you as their are some key details about your situation that would need to be clarified. You do not say whether you currently wear any reading correction or bifocal correction and it is not obvious what type and degree of correction you wear for distance if any. LASIK Surgery is beneficial for patients who wish to be less dependent or even independent of eyeglasses and contact lenses for seeing clearly at distance. It is possible for some people with certain types of correction and with certain near vision requirements to have Monovision LASIK whereby some help with reading and near vision can be offered by adjusting the correction of the non dominant eye so that it focuses more effectively for intermediate arm's length and near vision and "blends" with the full far vision correction in the dominant eye. Your best next step is to schedule a consultation with a top LASIK Surgeon in your area and have the necessary eye health evaluation as well as refractive measurements taken to determine what your suitability might be.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on www.seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of www.seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK: How Long Does It Last?

2011-11-14T09:22:00.000-05:00

Question: I have a question about how long the effect of LASIK Surgery lasts. I am 22 years and my prescription is -7.5 D in both eyes . I want to know that LASIK can provide 20/20 for my prescription and whether my age is appropriate for LASIK or whether I should wait a year or two. I have also heard from many people that LASIK Surgery only lasts for 10 to 12 years and then have to go back to glasses again. Is this true?

Answer: First, the only way to know if you are a candidate for LASIK or any type of Laser Eye Surgery for vision correction is to have a thorough consultation with a top LASIK Surgeon. From a technical perspective -7.50 D is well within the treatable range of LASIK IF your eyes are healthy with an adequate corneal thickness and shape and healthy and adequate tear film. However, 20/20 should NOT be the expectation or goal. Deceasing your dependence on eyeglasses or contacts for seeing at a distance is a more appropriate goal. These are no guarantees of 20/20 for anyone-LASIK is surgery and each eye heals slightly differently. Your age is not a limit AS LONG AS YOUR PRESCRIPTION IS STABLE-the key element here is the stability of your prescription and not your age. The effect of LASIK does NOT diminish after 10-12 years. Your eyes may change for other reasons but the change in corneal shape from LASIK does not reverse-it is permanent. Your next step is to schedule a consultation with the best LASIK Surgeon you can find in your area.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK Surgery More Than Once?

2011-11-04T10:34:00.000-04:00

Question: Can you have LASIK surgery more than once?

Answer: If you have LASIK Surgery and at some point in the future your prescription changes necessitating a re-treatment or enhancement, it is possible to do so IF your eyes are otherwise healthy enough in terms of quantity and quality of the tear film, health and integrity of the Cornea especially regarding its thickness and shape AND you do indeed require a meaningful change to your prescription. Depending on how long after you have the primary LASIK procedure you need an enhancement it is often possible to simple lift the flap and apply the laser correction, or if a very long time may require a complete recreation of the flap.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK & Reading Glasses

2011-11-04T10:22:00.000-04:00

Question: I have a question about having LASIK instead of using reading glasses. I am a 51 year old male and I had great vision until I was 40. Now I wear reading glasses. My job has me using a computer at work and I use a computer at home as well. I find that the eye strain is exhausting. Can LASIK help with my vision?

Answer: LASIK Eye Surgery is primarily indicated for helping people who are nearsighted, farsighted and who may also have astigmatism become less dependent or independent of eyeglasses and contacts for seeing clearly at distance. It is most appropriate for people who wear their eyeglasses or contacts at the time for seeing far away. There are techniques such as Monovision LASIK that can help people correct BOTH far and near vision but in general LASIK for Laser Vision Correction of common refractive errors is for distance vision.

You do not state whether you are attempting to wear the reading glasses for working on the computer. If you are, they may not be the correct prescription for the "arm's length" vision that computer work requires. Further, working on the computer for prolonged periods of time is also known to cause dry eye problems that can make your eyes feel tired. Your best course of action is to schedule a comprehensive eye examination with your eye doctor and review the various distances you work at as well as the complaints you have identified. Chances are that LASIK is NOT a good choice at all but that several other alternative eyeglass options and dry eye management tools will be of great help.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Cataract Surgery after LASIK

2011-10-31T09:47:00.000-04:00

Question: If I get LASIK Eye Surgery now, can I have another eye surgery in the far future such as Cataract Surgery? My Grandmother had Cataract Surgery and was told if you have had LASIK Surgery, you cannot have Cataract Surgery.

Answer: If you have LASIK Surgery when you are younger and then develop a Cataract as part of the normal aging process when you grow older there is NO reason that you cannot have Cataract Surgery to correct your vision. It is helpful if when you have LASIK now, that you keep a copy of your preoperative measurements as these are quite useful to the Cataract Surgeon in doing the calculations for Lens Implant that is used as part of cataract surgery to correct your vision. having LASIK does make the measurement and calculations for Cataract Surgery Lens Implants (IOL) somewhat more difficult but using advanced imaging and measurement technology along with having the original pre LASIK eye exam results can reduce any difficulty a top Cataract Surgeon might experience.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on www.seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of www.seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Military LASIK & the Marines USMC

2011-10-31T09:43:00.000-04:00

Question: I am seeking information about LASIK surgery and being in the Marines (USMC). I am looking to enlist in the marine corps maybe 5 years from now. I am currently 17 and was wondering what time would be best to get LASIK, if at all. I've read there are many restrictions and waivers to be signed and I wouldn't want to disqualify myself from deployment if this surgery is prohibited. I've heard as well that age plays a major role in determining this operation's safety (21 seems to be the popular vote amongst forum frequenters). I wear currently wear contacts, -3.00 in my left and -2.5 in my right and would certainly not want to deal with glasses during BT. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer: Performing the duties of a Marine can indeed be a real hassle wearing contacts or glasses. The various environments, weather conditions, need to use night vision goggles, aiming devices and on and on make it tough to wear contact lenses or glaases. Having LASIK and being in the Marines (USMC) is generally not a problem. However there are several things to consider. People who are involved in activities where there is a great deal of facial contact-such as kick boxing, wrestling, possibly basketball-are often counseled to opt for PRK Laser Eye Surgery rather than LASIK in order to correct their vision. Depending on your role in the Marines (USMC) this may be something to consider.

The reason the age of 21 is regarded as a starting point is to allow for the prescription to be stable. Most people require until 21 for their prescriptions to stop changing. Some actually require that they wait until a later age to allow for their prescriptions to stop changing. You should note that certain schools such as Special Forces, HALO and SCUBA may have unique requirements and require waivers if you will have LASIK. You should also note that virtually any active-duty and activated National Guard and Reserve soldiers-Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines-are eligible for Laser Eye Surgery under the Warfighter Refractive Eye Surgery Program (WRESP) if they meet certain criteria. Your best course of action is to fully discuss the situation with the recruiter and a WRESP LASIK Surgeon.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK with Corneal Dystrophy

2011-10-20T11:36:00.000-04:00

Question: I was told by eye doctor that I was not a candidate for LASIK because I have a Corneal Dystrophy? What can you tell me.

Answer: In general, in order to be a LASIK candidate you should be in good overall health and have normal, stable eye health especially with regard to the health and condition of the Cornea. This means a Cornea free of disease, scars or conditions that might cause any sort of atypical healing of the Corneal. In addition the Cornea should be of normal and sufficient thickness and shape and you should have an adequate supply of healthy tears with a stable optical prescription. Corneal dystrophies present in many variations including Basement Membrane dystrophies, Map-Dot-Fingerprint dystrophy, Lattice dystrophy, Fuch's dystrophy and even Keratoconus represents a form of Corneal dystrophy-so there are a wide variety of Corneal Dystrophies. Generally patients with Corneal Dystrophies are not considered good LASIK patients but with some types that are called "Anterior Basement Membrane Disease" are sometimes candidates for other types of Laser Eye Surgery for vision correction. Your most appropriate course of action is to schedule a consultation with the best LASIK Surgeon you can find who is ALSO a Cornea Specialist. He or she will be able to provide a definitive diagnosis as well as lay out what options might be possible.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on www.seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of www.seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK Lifetime Guarantee & Monovision

2011-10-20T11:29:00.000-04:00

Question: I have a question about the LASIK lifetime guarantee and monovision. I had LASIK surgery around 7 to 10 years ago. I am now turning 45 and in need of readers all the time. I was never given the option of monovision LASIK at the time I did my surgery. Would I still be a candidate now? Would this be covered under the LASIK lifetime guarantee I paid for or considered a different surgery?

Answer: As we all enter our mid 40's we begin to develop a normal near vision focusing problem called Presbyopia. This condition is a normal and expected part of getting older and can often be helped using the technique of Monovision LASIK.

If you had LASIK in your mid to late 30's and your distance vision was well corrected, the fact that you need "readers" now at 45 is expected. It might be possible to "induce" a small amount of nearsighted correction in your non dominant eye with another Laser Vision Correction procedure such as LASIK or another Laser Eye Surgery. The only way to tell is to schedule a consultation with your LASIK Surgeon or another top LASIK Surgeon if you so choose who will be able to carefully assess the shape, health and thickness of your Cornea and quality and quantity of your tear film as well as your likely tolerance to Monovision. Whether or not a Monovision LASIK procedure would be covered under a Lifetime Guarantee is entirely at the discretion of your original LASIK Surgeon in accordance with the terms and conditions under which it was sold to you.

In general LASIK Lifetime Guarantees only cover enhancements for distance vision changes that are NOT due to other factors such as Cataracts. 95+% of all LASIK enhancements for distance vision are identified with the first 3-6 months after the initial LASIK procedure and thus paying for any sort of LASIK Lifetime Guarantee is somewhat of a scam as trusted LASIK Surgeons virtually ALWAYS provide any medically necessary enhancements with the first year after treatment at no charge.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on www.seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of www.seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK & Abrasions from Contact Lenses

2011-10-18T08:31:00.000-04:00

Question: I have a question about having LASIK as I keep getting abrasions from my contact lenses. I wear contacts mostly and glasses when I need them. I have problems with the contacts if I wear them when I sleep even though my eye doctor assured me this is ok for about a week at a time. So I try to give my eyes a rest and my contacts some solution once a week. Lately I have been getting abrasions on my left eye about once a month bad enough to not be able to wear my contacts for several days. I am not sure why it happens. So what to do? I am tired of being in pain, and as I drive for my job every day I have trouble the times where I am so light sensitive I can hardly crack an eye open. Then pain for several days. What can I do about this? Is LASIK right for me?

Answer: First, STOP wearing your contact lenses as you are doing as you are exposing yourself to a considerable amount of risk. The risk of sight threatening corneal infection with contact lens wear during sleep and with corneal abrasions increase exponentially. There is obviously something very wrong with your contact lenses, the health of your cornea, the health of your tear film, the condition of your eyelids, the health of they eye's surface or all or some of the above. One or more of these factors may have contributed to the to your current state of contact lens intolerance. Nonetheless at the moment you are at considerable risk to say nothing of the discomfort you experience. You need to find the best LASIK Surgeon in your area and eve perhaps find one who is a Corneal Specialist and get a careful examination of the health of your eyes and tear film. During this process they will be able to advise you as to whether and when LASIK might be an option for you. Your eyes need to have a stable prescription, a sufficient and healthy tear film, a healthy normal cornea with a proper shape and thickness and you need to be in good general health. Once these items have been evaluated LASIK Surgery might be a good option to help you be independent of eyeglasses and not have to wear contact lenses.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on www.seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of www.seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Find LASIK Surgeons for Flex Plan Benefits

2011-10-17T13:57:00.000-04:00

This is the time when you need to quickly find a LASIK Surgeon for your Free Consultation if you are having LASIK and want to use a Flex Plan Benefit or Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Flex Plans make LASIK cost affordable. They allow you to have pre tax money taken out of your paycheck a little at a time to pay for LASIK. This LASIK benefit is like having pre-tax interest free easy payment plan for LASIK from your employer! However you need to hurry because your employer only gives you a limited time to tell them how much to withhold---and that date is approaching! If you are considering LASIK you need to find a top LASIK Surgeon and schedule a Free Consultation to find out if you are a good candidate. Once you know if you are a candidate then you tell your employer how much to take out of each paycheck and then you can schedule your LASIK treatment date in January. The important thing to do right now is to find a LASIK Surgeon and schedule your Free Consultation.

Monocular Double Vision after LASIK

2011-10-17T13:52:00.000-04:00

Question: Our son had LASIK 1-2 years ago and now reported that he has been having blurry vision and double-vision off and on for about the last 4 months in his left eye. He didn't think too much of it at first, blaming it on tired or strained eye. He went to his eye doctor that did the LASIK Surgery, has had blood tests and an MRI-there was nothing seen behind his eye in the MRI. The problem is also that his left eye-ball sticks out about 3 millimeters more then his right-eye. That's reason for blood tests and MRI. He is to see his eye doctor on Tuesday to discuss result of all tests. Can you give me some insight as to what this problem he has could be?

Answer: Although it is impossible to really tell what might be causing the complaints without an examination or results of testing, it does sounds like the LASIK Surgeon your son is seeing is taking a careful thorough path to finding the cause. We do not know your son's age, but the onset of double vision or diplopia of any type is reason for concern. You state that the double vision is in the left eye. It does need to be confirmed that the double vision is occurring in one eye rather than when both eyes are open. Monocular versus binocular diplopia can have different causes. You state that you can physically determine that the left eye "sticks out 3 millimeters further than the right eye." Without examination and measurement we do not know whether the eyeball itself is actually protruding or it appears to "stick out" because the Cornea is too curved and protruding-these have different causes. So, the eye doctor your son is seeing will carefully evaluate the actual physical location of the eye in its socket, the pupils, the color vision, the eye muscles, the retina and especially the shape and thickness of the Cornea to determine if they are all normal and might be contributing to the problem. In addition the eye doctor will be looking at the blood work for any signs of systemic problems such as thyroid disease or diabetes that might be contributing as well as possibly ordering a visual field test to test the function of the visual pathway overall. So, as you can see it must be determined whether it is the eye itself, the visual pathway and nerves or a systemic problem that is causing the problem.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK for Accountants

2011-10-16T14:38:00.000-04:00

Question: I am 24 years old, planning to have LASIK. My work as an accountant demands lots of reading and long hours of working on the computer. Should I reduce my readings and computer after the LASIK, or is it irrelevant?

Answer: Working on a computer or reading for prolonged periods of time should not pose any increased risk or discomfort after LASIK as long as you were a good LASIK candidate prior to the eye surgery. You need to be sure that your prescription is stable, you overall eye, corneal and systemic health are good and you MUST have a sufficient quantity of stable healthy tears. Prolonged near vision tasks challenges the tear film as we simply do not blink often enough and are subject to develop dry eye complaints even without LASIK. Thus, make sure that you tell your LASIK Surgeon about your work so that he or she can consider the health of your tear film carefully and perhaps even take increased measures to keep your tear film healthy during the period after you have your LASIK Surgery.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on www.seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of www.seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Eye Problems LASIK Solves

2011-10-16T14:23:00.000-04:00

Question: I have a question about LASIK. What are the eye problems the LASIK solves? And, will I suffer from any of those problems in the future after the LASIK?

Answer: LASIK Eye Surgery is used to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism to help people see more clearly without being totally dependent on eyeglasses or contact lenses. In certain instances using a technique called Monovision LASIK, LASIK Surgery can help with some near vision focusing problems for those patients suffering from presbyopia which is associated with the normal aging process. LASIK is NOT a preventative procedure and thus if you were going to get more nearsighted you will get more nearsighted. If you were going to develop presbyopia you will still become presbyopic.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on www.seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of www.seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK and Increasing Nearsightedness

2011-10-14T15:10:00.001-04:00

Question: I have a question about LASIK and increasing nearsightedness. I am 25 years old and nearsighted. I understand this problem continues to increase until the age of 30. If I have LASIK now will my nearsightedness continue to worsen until I am 30 or should it stop after the LASIK?

Answer: The progression of nearsightedness or myopia typically ends closer to the early to mid 20's than 30. Although, depending on the type of work performed and other genetic and health factors it can increase into the 30's. In order to be a good LASIK candidate optical correction that is not progressing. LASIK does not really influence the progression of myopia and one should not expect the normal myopic changes that would have otherwise occurred to cease after LASIK.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK & Reading Glasses

2011-10-14T10:19:00.000-04:00

Question: I am nearsighted and wear contact lenses which work well to correct my vision. However, I must wear reading glasses to read if I have my contacts in. If I remove my contacts I can read, very well, up close. If I have LASIK surgery to fix my nearsightedness, will I need reading glasses?

Answer: If you have LASIK it will correct your vision just as your contact lenses do and so you will need to wear reading glasses unless you opt to have monovision LASIK. With monovision LASIK it is possible to slightly under correct your non dominant eye so that it helps with your near vision and arm's length vision. The most appropriate step is to find a LASIK Surgeon and schedule a consultation and discuss the monovision LASIK option.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK Monovision for Near Vision

2011-10-14T10:11:00.001-04:00

Question: I have nearsightedness of -1.75 each eye and starting to suffer from presbyopia and near vision problems. Is LASIK Surgery an option for me? I don't think I would be interested in a lens implant. Also, does insurance pay any cost towards the surgery?

Answer: While LASIK is primarily used to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism to help people be less dependent or even eliminate the need for glasses for seeing at a distance, there are applications of LASIK that are useful and pretty successful for helping with presbyopia and near vision correction. The most typical way is to employ a monovision LASIK procedure where by calculating a planned under correction in the non dominant or "near vision" eye it is possible to enhance the rage of arm's length vision and near vision. There are a number of complex presbyopic LASIK procedures that include using aspheric treatment shapes and multifocal treatment zones but these have gotten much acceptance due to considerable variability in results. Your next step is to schedule a consultation with the best LASIK Surgeon you can find in your area and from the examination and results they will be able to tell you more about whether the monovision LASIK might work for you. In addition they will be able to check your specific insurance plan to see if there is a LASIK benefit for you. It will be helpful when you attend your LASIK consultation if you could have a close approximation of the distances you need to see more clearly at for the eye surgeon to possible "test" this with contact lenses to see how you respond.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on www.seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of www.seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK Surgery for Trifocal Eyeglasses

2011-10-12T10:44:00.000-04:00

Question: I have a question about LASIK and trifocals. I am 53 years old. I have been wearing trifocal glasses for about 15 years. I went from not wearing glasses at all to trifocals. I have nerve damage in my left eye and it does not dilate properly. Am I a candidate for LASIK at all??

Answer: You do not say whether you are dependent on the trifocals to see clearly at distance as a primary correction or whether the trifocals are primarily to help you arm's length and near vision. LASIK Eye Surgery is primarily used for correcting distance vision rather than replacing bifocals or trifocals. There are however Multifocal Lens Implants for vision correction used for Lens Replacement Surgery that might be more suitable in your situation. A good next step would be to schedule a consultation with an eye surgeon who is both a top Cataract Surgeon as well as a top LASIK Surgeon and have an evaluation so he or she can make recommendations regarding your options.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK Parameters for Nearsightedness

2011-10-12T09:43:00.000-04:00

Question: What are the parameters for which the LASIK surgery cannot be performed? I have nearsightedness of 1.75 diopters in the right eye and 2.00 in the left one. This eye problem happened over the course of the last 5 to 6 years, as before that my vision was perfect. I am now nearly 25 years old, so if I do have LASIK, to what degree can my vision can improve?

Answer: Good LASIK candidates are those people at least 18 years old with stable prescriptions who have good overall health, good corneal health, shape and thickness and who have healthy and plentiful tears. In addition good LASIK candidates have realistic expectations of LASIK Surgery and what can be achieved and they have personal vision correction goals that go beyond simply wanting to see better without glasses or contact lenses. Last, they thoroughly understand the potential risks, complications and side effects of LASIK. Your prescription is certainly within the customary treated range and one would expect a good result. The only way to really determine if you are a candidate and how well you will do is to find the best LASIK Surgeon you can and schedule a consultation.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Display Terminals and LASIK

2011-10-11T12:00:00.001-04:00

Question: I am 37 year old Radiologist with astigmatism and myopia 5.00. Consider my occupation and working in front of screen on CT and MRI for more then 10 hours a day do you recommend LASIK Eye Surgery.

Answer: If you and your eyes are otherwise healthy, have an acceptable corneal thickness, shape and curvature, adequate tear film quality and quantity you should be a good LASIK candidate. Many people spend their work hours on display terminals and do quite well with LASIK. But, the only way to tell is by having a thorough examination and consultation with a top LASIK Surgeon. The key will of course be your ocular health, condition and tear film integrity.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK & Near Vision Correction

2011-10-10T15:52:00.000-04:00

Question: Can I correct both my extreme nearsightedness (-9) as well as my recent presbyopia with LASIK Surgery?

Answer: The technical answer to whether LASIK can correct presbyopia is "sort of". First lets discuss whether you would be suitable for LASIK Surgery at all given your extreme nearsightedness. At -9.00 you are certainly within the programmable range of the lasers used today. However, whether you can have LASIK or any Laser Eye Surgery for vision correction is going to depend on the health and shape of your cornea as well as its thickness. A -9.00 correction requires a significant amount of tissue removal and this means that you have to have an adequate corneal thickness. Along with this of course you need a healthy and sufficient tear film and good ocular, retinal and overall health. Now-regarding the recent onset of presbyopia and near vision problems-it is possible to use a monovision correction for many patients even with high myopia to obtain a reasonable amount of presbyopia correction. You should approximate this with contact lenses first however. there are a number of "multifocal" laser procedures either in clinical trials or being used on an experimental basis throughout the world and the U.S. For some low degrees of myopia the results are "okay"-for a challenging highly myopic patient our counsel would be to avoid them at this time. Find the best LASIK Surgeon in your area and schedule a consultation-then you will be able to fully explore your candidacy and alternatives.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Good LASIK Candidate?

2011-10-06T14:27:00.000-04:00

Question: I have a question about whether I am a LASIK candidate. I am going to be 18 this coming December and have worn glasses since I was 8 or 9-they are thick. I am a boxer and I am going to join the military? Can I be a LASIK Surgery candidate?

Answer: Let's talk about your age first-being 18 is the really the absolute minimum age and what really matters is whether your eyeglass prescription is stable or changing. If it is stable then you are in good shape. You don't say whether your "thick glasses" are for farsightedness or nearsightedness. If they are for farsightedness it could be a problem-likewise if you are extremely nearsighted and your cornea is not sufficiently thick this too could make you a poor candidate. Various branches and schools within the military may have slightly different requirement however entering the military after LASIK is not a problem unless you are going into certain areas of SCUBA or HALO training or certain flight programs. That said it would be important to find the best LASIK Surgeon in your area and around your 18th birthday schedule a LASIK consultation at which time after a full examination or measurements it will be possible to tell if you are a good LASIK candidate or perhaps a candidate for another Laser Eye Surgery for vision correction. Because you are a boxer and subject to a fair amount of facial impact it is quite possible that you will be better off with another form of Laser Vision Correction such as PRK.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Will the maximum amount that I can contribute to my employer's medical flexible spending account shrink next year?

2011-10-05T09:22:00.000-04:00

Here's how to take advantage of an FSA before the amount you can contribute to one is lowered in 2013.

QUESTION: Will the maximum amount that I can contribute to my employer's medical flexible spending account shrink next year? I recall hearing that the contribution limits will change.

ANSWER: Actually, the rules won't change until 2013, when the maximum amount employees can stash in a medical FSA will be capped at $2,500 per year (that limit does not apply to employer contributions). Currently the maximum limit varies by plan, but many employers allow employees to set aside $4,000 or more in these pretax accounts for medical expenses. You can sign up for your 2012 contributions during open-enrollment season this fall.

In light of the impending change, however, you can make the most of your FSA in 2012. If you've been thinking of having an elective medical procedure done that's not fully covered by insurance — such as laser eye surgery for you or orthodontia for your kids — you might want to schedule it before the FSA limit changes, so you'll have access to more tax-free money.

And, if you plan carefully, you may have an even bigger stash of tax-free money to use for out-of-pocket medical expenses during the first 2½ months of 2012 or 2013. If your employer extends the deadline for using FSA funds to March 15 of the following year, rather than December 31, you can combine any funds remaining from the previous year with the entire amount you earmark for the current year — even though the full amount has not yet been deducted from your paycheck. If, for example, you have $1,000 left over from 2011 and you sign up to contribute $4,000 to your FSA for 2012, you may be able to use $5,000 in tax-free money to pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses from January 1 to March 15, 2012.

BY: Kimberly Lankford, Kiplinger's Personal Finance — 09/13/11

LASIK Cost Affordable with Flex Plan

2011-10-03T10:42:00.000-04:00

LASIK cost can be quite affordable by using employer sponsored Flex Plans or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). Flex Plans or Flexible Spending Accounts FSA) allow you to have money taken out of your paycheck over time to pay for LASIK. So-its like getting a pre-tax interest free easy payment plan for LASIK from your employer! Since the money is withheld tax free you even save more. If you are thinking about LASIK you need to find a top LASIK Surgeon and schedule a Free Consultation to find out if you are a good candidate. If you are then they can tell you how much to have set aside in your Flex Plan or FSA. Then you can schedule the actual date of your LASIK Surgery. The important thing to do right now is to schedule your Free Consultation so that you can see if LASIK is right for you. Your employer has a time limit on when you will be able to tell them to put money away for LASIK in January 2012 so get that appointment scheduled!

LASIK Enhancements-Should I have One?

2011-09-29T17:54:00.000-04:00

Question: I have a question about having a LASIK enhancement. I had LASIK 11 months ago. My original prescription was -3.50 in the right eye and -4.00 in the left eye. The procedure went very well but I had some dry eye and with Restasis is was okay. At the 6 month check-up I was 20/30 in my left 20/20 in my right eye and now after 11 months I am still 20/30 in my left. I just had a consultation with the LASIK Surgeon, who's reaction was "I can do a LASIK enhancement if it bothers you, but if you can tolerate it, my opinion is to just leave it be". I went through 2-3 years of my left eye being under corrected even with glasses, so it's annoying as all get out. I'm just not sure if it'll be worth it. I'm in a quandary. On one hand, I'm kind of miffed that I spent the money to see perfectly and am just slightly less clear in the left eye. On the other hand, it's not horrifically bad, just slightly less clear with like reading the digital clock and being able to see the speed limit signs. The one thing I'm scared about is the possible negative outcomes of an enhancement (over correction, epithelial in growth, halos) because the initial surgery went so well. It also seems that with every blink of the left eye, I get slightly different vision. I can be looking at the digital clock on the DVD player from the couch, cover my right eye, and hardly be able to make out the numbers. But other times it doesn't seem like there's very much of a difference. Can you offer me opinions PLEASE??

Answer: It sounds like you have a few things to think about.

First, is the notion that you "paid for perfect vision". If this is why you had LASIK it was an unrealistic expectation. LASIK is surgery. There is no guarantee of a so called "perfect" outcome. The use of Snellin Visual Acuity to measure "success" is not really appropriate. What is appropriate is asking yourself of you are better off being able to do virtually everything in your life without being dependent on eyeglasses or contacts to see at a distance? With the vision you have now it is a pretty sure bet you can do this. Further it is not normal to compare the two eyes-each eye heals slightly differently.

The second thing to think about is that you seem to have fluctuating vision with blinking that comes and goes-this is very often do to a continued dry eye or tear film problem that may be caused by LASIK or a mild inflammation or irregularity in the health or condition of your eyelid margins. You should fully investigate the cause with your LASIK Surgeon as this may simply require that you continue Restasis or have some treatment for your eyelid margins. If after this you still have 20/30-as you most likely will-then you should just accept it as this is an excellent outcome.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on www.seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of www.seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Should I have LASIK?

2011-09-19T09:06:00.000-04:00

Question: I am interested in LASIK but have a few concerns:

1) My vision has gotten progressively more near-sighted over the past several years. Small changes, but I started at about -2.00 in each eye in my early twenties, and now I am 28 and at -3.75. The changes seem to be slowing down, but it hasn't stopped. I heard that you should wait until vision is stable.

2) I have dry eyes. It is not usually severe, and much of the time it doesn't bother me. But, there are times when I have to use artificial tears (which don't seem to help much), and occasionally it gets pretty bad, and is extremely bothersome. I am confused about the information I've read about LASIK and dry eyes. Is the worsening of dry eye symptoms after LASIK permanent or temporary?

3) If I choose to get tear duct plugs, how much extra might that cost, and how effective are they? What are the downsides of getting them?

Answer: Your questions ascertaining your suitability for LASIK are excellent. First, if your vision has progressed from -2.00 to -3.75 during your early to late twenties it suggests that your nearsightedness is progressive rather than stable at this time. Over the past few years criteria for refractive stability have loosened up somewhat but a conservative approach might be to demonstrate that your prescription has not changed more than -.50 over a 12 month horizon. This would be a conservative approach to refractive stability and some LASIK Surgeons vary somewhat from this standard.

Regarding dry eyes, you certainly need to have a careful evaluation of yourr tear film as part of your LASIK consultation. Through this evaluation, the best LASIK Surgeons will be able to determine whether both the quality and quantity of the tear film will allow you to have the best possible results. If there is a deficiency in either it may be necessary to a) use artificial tears b) artificial tears + punctual plugs c) artificial tears + punctal plugs + Restasis prescription eye drops. Your LASIK Surgeon will want to treat ANY tear film deficiency PRIOR to your procedure. After LASIK it is very often the case that there is TRANSIENT dry eye whether or not you had a pre existing dry eye problem. Most often it is limited to less than 6 months after the LASIK Surgery procedure and will most likely treated with either punctal plugs and/or Restasis. If you should need punctal plugs the cost is usually covered by insurance. They along with Restasis are quite effective in dry eye treatment. Really there are no downsides to punctal plugs for dry eye should you require them.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK Surgery with Diabetes?

2011-09-14T11:47:00.000-04:00

Question: I have a question about having LASIK surgery if I have diabetes. I am a type one diabetic, would I be a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery?

Answer: Type I Diabetes is not an absolute contraindication for having LASIK Eye Surgery but there are several considerations to be aware of.. Type I Diabetes is uusually diagnosed in children and young adults. As with anyone having LASIK or any type of Laser Eye Surgery for Laser Vision Correction your prescription must be stable. Typically refractive stability should be demonstrated over 1-2 years AND for anyone with Diabetes it would be important to make sure that there was refractive stability through the range of blood glucose levels experienced by the patient. That is, the patient should have pretty tightly controlled blood glucose levels.that do not cause any visual fluctuations. A thorough evaluation of the retina should document the presence and extent of any Diabetic Retinopathy so as not to confuse the visual results and outcomes of LASIK with any vision limitations caused by the retina. A careful evaluation of the cornea is done as part of any LASIK evaluation but specific observation of the corneal basement membrane is important in Diabetic patients as sometimes they have less than optimum basement membrane health and this might warrant recommendation of a different Laser Eye Surgery procedure for vision correction. MANY Diabetic patients elect to have LASIK and do so quite successfully. The key is to find the best LASIK Surgeon in your area and schedule a consultation. They will confer with your Internist or Endocrinologist to make sure that you get the best possible result.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Gene for Nearsightedness Identified by Israeli Researchers

2011-09-14T11:41:00.000-04:00

In an article appearing online in the American Journal of Human Genetics a Ben-Gurion University of the Negev research group led by Professor Ohad Birk has identified a gene whose defect specifically causes myopia or nearsightedness. "We are finally beginning to understand at a molecular level why nearsightedness occurs," Professor Birk relayed. The discovery was a group effort at BGU's Morris Kahn Laboratory of Human Genetics at the National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev and the Dayan Clinical Genetics Wing at Soroka University Medical Center.

Nearsightedness is the most common human eye disorder and is mostly a hereditary trait. Aside from being a significant public health concern, nearsightedness also leads to a higher incidence of other secondary eye disorders, such as retinal detachment, macular degeneration, as well as early onset glaucoma and cataracts. Despite decades of intensive research, the specific genes whose defects lead to nearsightedness have remained elusive. The defective gene was identified in a thorough study of severe early-onset myopia that is common in a specific Bedouin tribe in southern Israel. The gene encodes an enzyme that is essential for the final modification of collagen in the eye. In the absence of the active form of this enzyme, aberrant collagen is formed, causing the human eyeball to be longer than normal. As a consequence, light beams entering the eyeball focus in front of the retina rather than on the retina itself and myopia emerges.

Astigmatism and NFL Football-What's In Common?

2011-09-14T11:37:00.000-04:00

What do an official NFL Football and Astigmatism have in common? The Baltimore Ravens......The Washington Redskins.......The New England Patriots all certainly demonstrated laser vision precision in passing this week. But, the common feature is really that the shape of a football is very much like the shape of a cornea and an eye that has astigmatism! Fortunately today we can correct that football like shape with eyeglasses, contact lenses and LASIK Eye Surgery-and for those patients who have astigmatism and need Cataract Surgery we can even correct their astigmatism with astigmatism correcting toric lens implants. If you have an astigmatism and might wish to become less dependent or even free from the hassle of eyeglasses or contacts think about LASIK to achieve your personal vision correction goals.

LASIK with Retinal Hole Problem

2011-09-09T09:11:00.000-04:00

Question: I am interested in LASIK but I may have a retinal problem. Three years ago my eye doctor found a hole in my retina in my left eye. I have not had any problems with floaters, flashes of light or anything like that. The hole has also not changed in the three years since it has been discovered. Would I be a possible candidate for LASIK eye surgery?

Answer: Depending on the characteristics of the retinal hole and its stability you may or may not be a candidate for LASIK. If the hole is due to thinning from an elongated eye and is well attached at its margins without any associated tears or areas of "traction", it is very possible that you would be cleared to have LASIK. If the hole looks unstable in any way and might lead to a further tear or retinal detachment you would be excluded from having LASIK. The most appropriate next step is for you to find the best LASIK Surgeon in your area and schedule an examination and consultation. From the examination the LASIK Surgeon will be able to determine whether you are a suitable candidate. If there is any question about the integrity and stability of your retina, he or she will refer you to a retinal specialist to help determine any risk.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on www.seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of www.seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Joining the Military after LASIK

2011-09-08T12:33:00.000-04:00

Question: I am interested in having LASIK but I am joining the military. Do you know if LASIK is allowed if I was to be joining the military?

Answer: The types if environments and tasks military personnel are exposed to can make the wearing of eyeglasses and contact lenses somewhat of a challenge. LASIK can be a good alternative for military personnel exposed to dusty or muddy environments as well as eliminate any concern about losing glasses or contacts in combat conditions. The Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force all accept personnel who have had LASIK but there may be some restrictions in the types of training and services that are allowable for certain military service members who have already had LASIK.

Some things to consider are that the Navy and Marines will routinely grant a waiver for pilots or student naval aviators to fly after PRK, assuming preoperative standards are met, no complications in the healing process were encountered and passing their standard vision tests. Candidates who have had PRK can get a blanket waiver for the Special Forces Qualification, Combat Diving Qualification and Military Free Fall courses. PRK and LASIK are both waived for Airborne, Air Assault and Ranger schools. However, those who have had LASIK must enroll in an observational study, if a slot is available, to undergo training in Special Forces qualification. LASIK is disqualifying/non-waiverable for several United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) schools (HALO, SCUBA, SERE) according to Army Regulation 40-501. THE BEST THING TO DO IS CHECK FOR THE CURRENT REGULATIONS, REQUIREMENTS AND WAIVERS WITH A RECRUITER AND/OR COMMANDING OFFICER AS THEY ARE REGULARLY MODIFIED.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on www.seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of www.seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK Surgery with Nystagmus and Astigmatism

2011-09-06T17:19:00.000-04:00

Question: I have a question about having LASIK Surgery if I am albino and have astigmatism and nystagmus. With nystagmus is there any possibility of having LASIK?

Answer: In addition to the lack of pigment in the Iris and the Retina, ocular albinism is often associated with nystagmus and astigmatism. Nystagmus is an involuntary eye movement which can be present in differing patterns of movement. Depending on the type and severity of the nystagmus it is quite possible to have LASIK Surgery for vision correction. Today, most excimer lasers used for Laser Vision Correction use scanning and tracking technology to follow the position of the eye and deliver the laser treatment to exactly the correct location on the cornea. Scanning and tracking systems actually measure the position of the eye hundreds of times per second and adjust the energy delivery to the right position, thus can actually compensate for the involuntary eye movements of nystagmus in many cases. Your next step is to schedule a consultation with the best LASIK Surgeon on your area and have a thorough examination to see if you would be suitable candidate.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on www.seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of www.seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Corneal Erosion, Contact Lenses and Safety

2011-09-02T11:37:00.000-04:00

Contact Lenses are often trivialized with regard to safety as a result of their overall commercialization. However, according to researchers reporting in Contact Lens & The Anterior Eye-The Journal of the British Contact Lens Association, contact lens wear continues to be the highest single risk factor for microbial keratitis, particularly when worn in the extended wear modality. For microbial keratitis to occur, the presence of bacteria along with a break in the corneal surface is required. A break can occur from any form of corneal erosion both with and without contact lens wear. However the risk of infection is greater during contact lens wear as the lens can provide a source of bacteria.The causes of corneal erosion with contact lens wear are not completely understood but may be related to certain risk factors such as such as extended wear. Researchers are working to allow the appropriate diagnosis and effective treatment as well as the development of preventative strategies so as to further enhance contact lens wearer safety.

Dry Eye Patients Lose Work Productivity

2011-09-02T11:33:00.000-04:00

Dry Eye patients lose productivity at work according to a study published in Current Medical Research & Opinion. A cross sectional dry eye study was administered to more than 9,000 patients who were employed and had self reported and physician diagnosed dry eye symptoms. The researchers said the loss of productivity was more pronounced among individuals who work in an office environment where the make portion of the work day is spent using a computer or reading. This is consistent with the fact that if you take patients with dry eyes and place them in activities such as computer work where the blink rate is decreased by 50% or more you actually make the problem worse and even more symptomatic for patients.

LASIK for Blurry Far Vision with Multifocal Lens Implant

2011-08-29T19:20:00.000-04:00

Question: I have a question about LASIK Surgery for distance vision correction after a ReSTOR® Multifocal Lens Implant. I had a ReSTOR® Mutifocal lens put in my left eye 3 weeks ago. My intermediate and close vision is good, but far distance is very blurry. I have put off doing the right eye because of this. If I have the right eye done will they sync up and I will be able to see at a distance better? Would LASIK Surgery help with seeing better at a distance. I understand that it takes several months for brain and eyes to learn to work together. Am I expecting too much too soon. Would it be better to go ahead and do the other eye now?

Answer: In general patients having ReSTOR® Multifocal Lens Implants see pretty well at distance shortly after their surgery. The fact that you describe your distance vision as "very blurry" is a bit of a concern. There are several things to consider in concert with your Cataract Surgeon.

First, the nature of the optical design of the ReSTOR® lens does in fact cause some small number of patients to have difficulty with their distance vision-in some cases it gets better and in others is does not. They also sometimes experience a "smudge" in their vision or what they perceive as blurriness due to a disturbance in their contrast sensitivity from this type of Lens Implant. This type of optical problem usually goes away after a month or so and if it does not and it is the only reason for the reduced vision at distance may warrant exchanging the lens if it is that disturbing. LASIK Surgery would not be of any help in this situation. You also state that your intermediate and distance vision are in fact good. There is a possibility that you may be slightly overcorrected at distance which is causing the far vision blur and making the near and intermediate a bit "too good". Your Cataract Surgeon should be able to easily measure the refraction of your eye and determine whether this is the case. If it is the case there are several options including a) the ReSTOR® can be exchanged for a different power which requires another intraocular surgery b) wearing a mild eyeglass prescription for seeing at distance or c) as you have questioned, depending on the degree of correction to be altered you could be a candidate for a LASIK Surgery to achieve the desired distance vision. BUT-all of these options and their timing should be guided by you Cataract Surgeon IF and only if there is indeed a small residual refractive error that needs to be corrected. It is absolutely worth exploring this with your surgeon and if you do not get a satisfactory explanation and plan then consider seeking a second opinion with a top Cataract and LASIK Surgeon in your area.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on www.seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of www.seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Focusing Lens Implants to Replace Old Implant?

2011-08-19T10:15:00.000-04:00

Question: Has there been any research in the replacement of older lens implants with the new focusing lens implants?

Answer: If you have already had a Lens Implant some time ago using a basic monofocal design for seeing at distance and now wish to replace it with either an accommodating lens implant, such as the Crystalens® Accommodating Lens Implant, or a multifocal lens implant such as the ReSTOR® Multifocal Lens Implant or the Tecnis™ Multifocal Lens Implant, you will be quite limited in what is possible. A Lens Exchange of this type is an exceedingly complex surgical procedure that significantly increases the risk of complications and decreases the overall likelihood of success with the focusing or multifocal lens implant. While it is perhaps possible to do, this the general consensus among top Refractive Cataract Surgeons is that they are not at all anxious to offer this as an option to patients.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on www.seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of www.seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Astigmatism and Cataract Surgery

2011-08-16T11:55:00.000-04:00

Question: I have a question about astigmatism correction with eyeglasses and cataract surgery. I am facing cataract surgery have some astigmatism and do not wish to use the special toric lens implant. Will eyeglass correction for astigmatism provide the same result?

Answer: For patients having Cataract Surgery who have preexisting astigmatism, it will need to be corrected in order to get the best possible vision after their Cataract operation. There are three primary methods of correcting astigmatism for Cataract patients. These include astigmatism correcting toric lens implants, Limbal Relaxing Incisions (LRI) and eyeglasses. Another alternative is Laser Eye Surgery such as LASIK however with the popularity of toric lens implants this is not used much anymore. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. Astigmatism correcting lens implants probably provide the most normal and natural vision correction as they are placed right in the eye-they do cost a little more but generally provide very good vision such that patients typically no longer need to wear eyeglasses to see at distance after Cataract Surgery. Limbal Relaxing Incisions (LRI) can also be used to correct astigmatism but perhaps with a slight bit less precision than the Lens Implants. Astigmatism correction in eyeglasses after Cataract Surgery generally provides excellent vision correction-equivalent to toric lens implants-but does require the wearing of glasses to see clearly and thus creates the same inconvenience, reflection issues and barriers as any other eyeglass prescription.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on www.aboutcataractsurgery.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery of Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of www.aboutcataractsurgery.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK Recovery and Sunglasses

2011-08-09T14:51:00.000-04:00

Question: My 22 year old daughter is nearsighted with astigmatism wants LASIK surgery as she says the weight of her glasses frames gives her a headache. She says she can only do this in the winter as you have to wear sunglasses for a long time if you do it in the summer. Is she correct? Could she have LASIK without wearing sunglasses for a long time?

Answer: On general the recovery from LASIK is actually quite quick. The vast majority of LASIK patients typically experience mild grittiness and minor irritation for up to a couple of days after their treatment and some experience mild to moderate light sensitivity-however it is not typical for patients to have to wear sunglasses for prolonged periods of time. That said, the wearing of sunglasses for protection from UV light is a healthy and important practice for patients whether they have LASIK or not. The notion of winter treatment being preferable because there is less UV light is really not relevant as one also should strongly consider sun protection in the winter months. Your best next step is to schedule a consultation with a top LASIK Surgeon in your area and first and foremost determine whether your daughter is indeed a good candidate for LASIK or any type of Laser Eye Surgery for the vision correction.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Extreme Myopic Laser Eye Surgery

2011-08-08T11:54:00.000-04:00

Question: I wear -20.00 D power contact lenses. Am I a candidate for Laser Eye Surgery such as LASIK?

Answer: LASIK and other types of Laser Eye Surgery such as PRK are useful for correcting moderate and some degrees of high myopia. At -20.00 D you would be classified as extreme myopia. Most currently FDA approved excimer lasers for LASIK allow a maximum correction of -10.00 D-12.00 D with any degree of precision. In addition the real limitation is not actually just the laser programming but more importantly that Laser Eye Surgery for Laser Vision Correction is a "subtractive" procedure in that it removes tissue. It is highly unlikely that there would be enough corneal tissue to safely and predictably remove enough tissue to achieve a -20.00 D correction.

Depending on your age and the overall health of your eyes more appropriate choices might be the Visian ICL™ Implantable Collamer Lens or perhaps Lens Replacement Surgery. Your best next step is to schedule a consultation with a top LASIK Surgeon who is also a full scope Refractive surgeon and also performs Lens Implants and Lens Replacement procedures.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Age and LASIK Surgery

2011-08-04T08:55:00.000-04:00

Question: I am 68 and have no sign of Cataracts. Would LASIK work for me?

Answer: Age is not a limiting factor for having LASIK Surgery. If you are in good overall health, your eyes are healthy, free of Cataracts as you state and you meet the other requirements for LASIK including adequate healthy tears, normal corneal shape, thickness and health and wish to less dependent or perhaps independent of eyeglasses for seeing far away then LASIK is a possibility for you. Your next step is to schedule a consultation with the best LASIK Surgeon in your area so that he or she can provide the necessary testing and counsel to make sure this is your preferred vision correction option.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Success Rates with Monovision LASIK

2011-08-03T09:33:00.000-04:00

Question: I am over 60 years old and have been nearsighted almost all my life. I wear monovision contacts and have for many years. I am considering LASIK surgery and was told about 25% of patients try monovision surgery LASIK and about 10% of them are not happy with it. What are your views.

Answer: Our views regarding the success rate of monovision LASIK are much less significant than the actual published literature on the matter. The most recent carefully conducted study reported that about 28% of patients who had monovison LASIK elected to have an enhancement in order to neutralize the monovision effect. However, this was NOT in a population of previously successful monovision contact lens wearers. In a population of already adapted monovision patients who are successful, the dissatisfaction rate is likely to be MUCH lower and be in the single percentages at highest. The 28% dissatisfaction with LASIK is consistent with many other previous studies and so we believe it to be reliable. The fact that do well with monovision contacts bodes well for your success with monovision LASIK. The only question you need to consider is whether you have even the beginning of Cataracts in which case you should not have LASIK Surgery but should consider Lens Replacement Surgery which will address any newly forming Cataract, your nearsightedness and your need for help seeing up close.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK for Keratoconus

2011-08-02T10:24:00.000-04:00

Question: I'm 21 years old and I've been wearing gas permeable lenses for a few years now. I have Keratoconus and have been told that I pretty much don't have a chance at having LASIK Surgery. I was also told that I could not wear glasses and see correctly out of them, but when I bought some glasses, I actually wear them every day now and don't have a problem with them. I drive with them and everything. I'd really like to know if LASIK is an option for me because it would really help me out a lot in multiple aspects of life.

Answer: While their has been some controversy regarding the appropriateness of performing LASIK for Keratoconus patients outside of the U.S., Laser Vision Correction for patients with Corneal Diseases such as Keratoconus is not generally indicated for a number of reasons at this time. If you do in fact have Keratoconus it means the Cornea is structurally weakened and is thinning and "bulging" with resulting instability in the shape of the Cornea. Laser Eye Surgery for vision correction is a "tissue removal" procedure in which the Cornea is actually thinned further-this would no doubt accelerate the progression of the Keratoconus. In addition, the integrity of the collagen in the Cornea of patients with Keratoconus is compromised and it reacts very unpredictably to the application of laser energy in the way it heals. At the moment this is not a good choice for you. However, there are treatments for Keratoconus in clinical trials that may allow the application of Laser Vision Correction for Keratoconus in the future.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK for Corneal Neovascularization

2011-07-24T12:01:00.000-04:00

Question: I have blood vessels getting really close to my cornea due to lack of oxygen. I do wear contacts. I read that LASIK may be the best option to resolve this problem. Is there a LASIK center that specializes in this area of expertise.

Answer: Corneal neovascularization is not uncommon among contact lens wearers. It can occur as result of chronic hypoxia-or not getting enough to the cornea-from long wearing schedules of contact lens wear over time, from the chronic irritation of the contact lens edge or just the physical presence of a foreign body, such as contact lens, in the eye. It does usually resolve upon the discontinuation of contact lens wear. The presence of corneal neovascularization, depending on the location and severity, does require that the LASIK Surgeon use a bit of extra caution in performing the LASIK Surgery procedure. If yours is so severe that you wish to take additional precautions it might be worthwhile choosing a top LASIK Surgeon who is also a Corneal Specialist. Finding the best LASIK Surgeon in your area who is a Corneal Specialist should allow you to have a successful experience.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Monovision LASIK Near Vision Enhancement

2011-07-20T13:33:00.001-04:00

Question: I am 57 and had Monovision LASIK surgery in 2004. My distance vision remains good, however I'm now REALLY struggling to be able to read. Do I possibly have any options to have a 'redo'? If so, might I be facing this again in a few years as my vision continues to change.

Answer: Monovision LASIK is a good choice for some patients who suffer from presbyopia and need help with near vision and reading. Presbyopia is not static and the need for help with near vision continues to increase with age in most patients. Thus, what you are experiencing in terms of vision changes and the relative loss of effectiveness of monovision LASIK is to be expected over time. Whether you are able to have a LASIK enhancement to increase the effective reading vision is really dependent on the amount of additional correction needed, the shape, thickness and health of your cornea as well as the quality and quantity of your tear film in addition to other systemic factors that might impact the results-so it is possible. It is also possible that other options might be suggested that might be considered at 57 years old such as Lens Replacement Surgery. This may provide a more permanent solution whereby there is no additional degradation in near vision due to the continuing crystalline lens changes that cause presbyopia. Your best next step is to schedule a consultation with a comprehensive Refractive Surgeon who does BOTH LASIK Surgery and Cataract Surgery and Lens Implants as they will be able to fully assess the options with you.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Lattice Degeneration and LASIK

2011-07-18T16:15:00.000-04:00

Question: Is LASIK contraindicated for moderate-to-severely myopic individuals with lattice degeneration? If not, are there any special procedures, precautions or considerations that the surgeon and patient should observe in these cases to prevent complications?

Answer: Lattice Degeneration is not an absolute contraindication for LASIK Surgery in moderate-to-severely myopic individuals. However, moderate-to-severely myopic individuals by the nature of the anatomy of their eyes are more prone to peripheral retinal degeneration such as Lattice Degeneration and thus may be at greater risk for Retinal Detachment, with or without having a LASIK procedure.The presence of uncomplicated Lattice Degeneration does not interfere with visual function and does not constitute a high risk for future development of Retinal Detachment. Lattice Degeneration complicated by tractional tears as the result of an acute, symptomatic posterior vitreous detachment represents a high-risk situation for future Retinal Detachment and is an indication for a Laser Retinopexy with or without the consideration of a LASIK procedure. Lattice Degeneration and atrophic retinal holes complicated by progressively increasing subretinal fluid represents an additional indication for surgical intervention. Thus as you can see, "Lattice is not Lattice"-it can vary in it's risk profile. That said, the conservative approach would be for the LASIK Surgeon to have the patient seen by a Retinal Specialist for a thorough peripheral retinal exam whereby the Lattice Degeneration could be determined to be "complicated" or "uncomplicated" and a decision to treat the area(s) prophylactically, or not, could be made. Once the Retinal Specialist has given a clearance for LASIK Surgery, then the LASIK Surgeon should be able to proceed.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK Surgery for Crossed Eyes

2011-07-11T10:18:00.000-04:00

Question: I was wondering if there was a way to get LASIK Surgery and uncross my eyes?

Answer: LASIK Surgery is used to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and/or astigmatism to help people see clearly at distance. Crossed Eyes, or Strabismus is a condition related to a eye muscle imbalance that can have many causes-once of which can be farsightedness or hyperopia. LASIK Eye Surgery is not used to correct Strabismus, however in some cases of Accommodative Esotropia-eyes crossing due to high hyperopia-it is possible that LASIK could be used to correct the focusing error. Generally high hyperopia such as that causing Accommodative Esotropia is better corrected via alternative optical corrections as it often requires bifocals. In any other type of Strabismus or crossed eyes, it is not likely that LASIK would be an appropriate treatment.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

High Myopia, LASIK Surgery & The Military

2011-07-08T11:35:00.000-04:00

Question: I am a 26 year old male and have been rejected for military service because of my eyesight. My prescription in my left eye is -13.5 D and my left eye is -14.5 D. Does this disqualify me from having LASIK Surgery?

Answer: Good LASIK Surgery candidates need to have stable prescriptions, healthy corneas of adequate thickness, normal and adequate tear film, good overall eye health and systemic health, normal cornea curvatures and shape as well as several other factors tat we know contribute to good results and patient satisfaction. The extreme degree of myopia or nearsightedness that you have relayed puts you very much at the limits of what LASIK can treat with high levels of long term confidence. It is not an absolute contraindication but you should also consider other alternatives such as lens implants as they may provide you with a more predictable and more successful long term result. Your best next step is to schedule a consultation with a top LASIK Surgeon who is also a comprehensive refractive surgeon and can evaluate you for the various options that might be possible.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on www.seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of www.seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK Follow Up Care

2011-07-07T09:26:00.000-04:00

Question: How long is the waiting time between the initial eye exam and the actual LASIK Surgery procedure and what is the necessary follow up care schedule?

Answer: The actual time delay between the initial consultation and actual LASIK Surgery procedure can be quite minimal depending on the LASIK Surgeon preference. If the exam and findings are all normal and without any need to retest or reevaluate any aspects of the exam it is possible to do the actual LASIK procedure on the same day as the exam in some cases. In order to facilitate the shorter timing it is helpful where possible to alert the LASIK Surgeon office of this desire and where possible to provide any previous examination records. It is always necessary to have a follow up visit one day after your LASIK procedure and then sometimes at one week and then depending on how the results look at one month or three months, These reflect minimum follow up requirements and many surgeons do require more frequent visits after LASIK, The best thing to do is check with the LASIK Surgeon you choose to see what they might require in your particular instance.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Laser Eye Surgery after Cornea Transplant

2011-07-06T14:13:00.000-04:00

Question: I had a corneal graft and lens replacement surgery with a lens implant to replace an opaque crystalline lens two years ago. The vision is good however I now require a +3 diopter correction axis 35 which compares unfavorably with a -1.00 D and no astigmatism in the other eye. I am tempted to seek either a revision of the replacement lens or laser surgery - even to improve if not cure! I can appreciate the risks. replacement lenses may not come out as easily as the originals and laser surgery on a graft might not be ideal - but what would you recommend?

Answer: Unfortunately there is much more clinical information needed to make a really meaningful recommendation. That said, with what you have relayed, another intraocular surgery to perform a lens exchange would not be a first recommendation-especially considering that we would suspect the astigmatism is secondary to the graft and suturing process and may not be totally regular and thus not get the best results from a lens implant for astigmatism. But we don't know enough about the astigmatism without additional testing. A less invasive, corneal surface laser eye surgery is most likely going to be able to reduce or eliminate the vast majority of the residual refractive error and do so with considerably less risk. It may not eliminate the total correction but could improve it a great deal. Your best next step is to seek the consultation of a top Laser Eye Surgeon who is also a Corneal Specialist-perhaps this is the person who performed your Corneal Transplant.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK with Glaucoma History in Family

2011-07-04T07:10:00.000-04:00

Question: I am 26 years old and require a nearsighted correction of -4.00 D in both eyes. My mother and grandmother both have Glaucoma and use eye drops. Am I eligible to have LASIK Eye Surgery for the correction of myopia?

Answer: To be a good candidate for LASIK Eye Surgery requires more than just a certain degree of correction. Good LASIK candidates have an appropriate corneal shape and thickness, healthy and sufficient tear film, generally health eyes, stable prescriptions, do not have any systemic illnesses that might impact healing and the results, are not taking medication that might impact healing and tear film integrity and most importantly have realistic expectations. The fact that you have a strong family history of Glaucoma means that you must be carefully watched for Glaucoma, however if you do not currently have a diagnosis of Glaucoma this should not preclude you from having LASIK. You should seek consultation with the best LASIK Surgeon in your area and be sure to advise them of the family history of Glaucoma.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK after Contact Lens Infection

2011-07-01T09:11:00.000-04:00

Question: I have pretty bad eyesight. My contact lens prescription -7.00 and -7.25 and I have scarring in my right eye from a contact lens infection. Are my eyes too bad LASIK surgery to correct to where I wouldn't need glasses?

Answer: LASIK Surgery can provide excellent results for a wide range of nearsighted correction including the higher end of "moderate myopia" that you have. You do have a significant amount of nearsightedness but it is well within the "sweet spot" of myopic corrections that LASIK is indicated for. However there are a number of other considerations. First your cornea's must be healthy and adequate in terms of their thickness and shape. The fact that you have scarring from a previous contact lens infection could, but not necessarily, pose a problem depending on the actual type of infection and the location and depth of the scar. Further, it would be important that you have a healthy, normal and sufficient tear film. Your best next step is to schedule a consultation with a top LASIK Surgeon in your area who can carefully examine your eyes and evaluate the corneal scarring and determine whether you are a good candidate and will get the results you are looking for.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on www.seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of www.seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK Over Correction-What is It-Can It be Fixed?

2011-06-29T07:34:00.000-04:00

Question: What exactly is LASIK "over correction"? Is it possible to perform another procedure to correct it? Or, is it too late once it is already done?

Answer: An over correction from Laser Eye Surgery such as LASIK is as the name implies, a situation where the end result of the treatment has created "too much" correction rather than the exact attempted or intended amount of correction. This can happen from time to time for many reasons that may include but not be limited to instability of the prescription when it was measured during the initial examination perhaps due to previous contact lens wear, swelling and deswelling of the cornea due to hormonal changes-this can easily happen during pregnancy or when Laser Eye Surgery has been performed too early in the post partum period or too close to the cessation of nursing or simply just not getting a precise refraction at the examination. More common though is the fact that each eye just heals slightly different and sometimes it can result in an over correction. If the over correction is considerable and it disturbs vision, after waiting approximately 90 days after the surgery it is usually possible to adjust the prescription with and enhancement procedure.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK after Rigid Contact Lens Wear

2011-06-27T09:19:00.000-04:00

Question: I have been wearing gas permeable contacts lenses for over 30 years and have been told that I will need to wear glasses for the next two months in order to be able to get an accurate exam of my eyes prior to potential laser eye surgery. Would you concur with this suggestion if you were to do my eye surgery? I would appreciate your candidness.

Answer: Top Laser Eye Surgeons strive to get the best possible results for their patients. Because contact lenses have been overly commercialized, patients often forget that they are medical devices and do impact the shape, structure and surface of the cornea. Long term rigid gas permeable lens wear-30 years for sure-is highly likely to cause some degree of corneal shape change or "molding' as well as some change in corneal thickness as well as alteration of the tear film stability. ALL of these are critical factors in determining your ultimate suitability for as well as treatment parameters and protocol for LASIK Surgery or any type of Laser Eye Surgery and in fact even Cataract Surgery. Discontinuation of Rigid Gas Permeable Contact Lens wear prior to Laser Eye Surgery such as LASIK is based on clinical research and experience that indicates that in order for the cornea to return to it's "normal' state and be stable, it requires a "lens free" period of 6-12 weeks on average. Sometimes it can take a little less time-sometimes a little more. Follow the advice of a top eye surgeon is the best course of action.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK Surgery after RK?

2011-06-27T09:13:00.000-04:00

Question: In April of 1995 I received Radial Keratotomy. My uncorrected vision improved from 20/600 to 20/25-20/30. I've noticed over the years that my left eye vision has decreased a little, plus there may be a little astigmatism. Does having that surgery preclude me from LASIK because of the cuts on my cornea?

Answer: In order to get the best results from LASIK Surgery careful patient selection and the skill of the LASIK Surgeon are probably the two most important factors. Having had previous corneal surgery does add a degree of complexity to the decision but does not necessarily exclude you from being a good candidate for Laser Eye Surgery or Laser Vision Correction. Careful evaluation of the position and depth of the previous incisions as well as the current shape, thickness and health of your cornea will play a role in whether any type of Laser Eye Surgery might be appropriate. In addition, the stability of the prescription and the regularity of the cornea may alos be factors. Last, it might very well be possible that you might be a better candidate for other types of Laser Eye Surgery, such as PRK, rather than LASIK. All of these considerations can be evaluated by a top LASIK Surgeon who can then advise you on the options that might be available to you. Your next step is to schedule an examination and consultation with a LASIK Surgeon in your area to explore your individual situation. You can also check our blog posts from: Lasik After RK on May 16, Lasik After RK on May 6 and Lasik After RK on March 15, 2011.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on www.seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of www.seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK Enhancement-Bladeless or Traditional?

2011-06-17T09:01:00.000-04:00

Question: I had LASIK 8 months ago. I had a free flap and now I have debris under the flap and some under correction. Now I want to go for a LASIK enhancement. Is it safe to have an enhancement with traditional LASIK or should I have Femtosecond laser LASIK with i LASIK or Z-LASIK?

Answer: Having a LASIK enhancement is a second surgery and should only be done if it is absolutely medically and optically necessary. First, you must have enough corneal thickness remaining to safely have an enhancement. Second, you are assuming that you will need to have another flap created in order to have the excimer laser enhancement of the LASIK surgery. This may or not be the case as it is often possible to lift the previously prepared flap-although 8 months after the primary LASIK procedure is a bit far out-but not impossible. Of you do need a new flap prepared there is really equivocal data to support whether traditional LASIK or Femtosecond laser LASIK is actually safer. The key to a safe and effective LASIK procedure is the hands of the LASIK Surgeon and not really which method is used to make the flap. Just as you had a complication of a free flap with traditional LASIK, it is also entirely possible to have other flap complications with Femtosecond Bladeless LASIK as well. Your next step should be to find the best LASIK Surgeon in your area and schedule a consultation-and they will help you decide on whether the flap can be lifted or whether a new flap should be created and the best way to do it for you.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Laser Surgery after Cornea Transplant

2011-06-12T06:58:00.000-04:00

Question: I am very active (play soccer and tennis), and am 62 years old. have keratoconus and I had a cornea transplant 20 years ago. A few stitches remain. I had cataract surgery 10 years ago. With corrective lenses my vision improves somewhat, but not fully, and even with a contact lens, my vision is not fully correctable. Would this surgery make my vision as good as or better than contact or corrective lenses.

Answer: It is impossible to tell whether LASIK or Laser Eye Surgery of the cornea for vision correction would offer you any benefit as it is unclear as to why you have reduced vision. If the decrease in vision is due to any sort of retinal problem, such as Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), the answer is there will not be any improvement. If the vision is due to posterior capsular opacification as a late complication of the cataract surgery, then no, Laser Eye Surgery of the cornea for vision correction will not help, but perhaps this could be treated by other means. If the decreased vision is due to an irregular shape or irregular astigmatism of the cornea, then one would expect a rigid contact lens to offer considerably improved vision-and perhaps it is possible the PRK Laser Eye Surgery of the cornea might afford close or equivalent vision for you. Your best next step is to schedule a consultation with a top Laser Eye Surgeon who is also a Corneal Specialist and have them evaluate your situation and determine what is possible.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK after Retinal Detachment

2011-06-07T09:28:00.000-04:00

Question: I had cataract surgery over two years ago.Then I had a retinal detachment and they put in a gas bag in it and it leaked out too soon so they put a silicon bag in it and it had to stay in for three months.When they took it out my vision went to 20/50. They're saying I have chronic dry eyes and I was wondering if LASIK could fix my problem.

Answer: Laser Eye Surgery such as LASIK is used to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism to help patients see more clearly at distance. It is not apparent from your description whether the decrease in your vision is due to a simple refractive error such as those mentioned, or due to the condition of the retina after your retinal detachment, or even some other issues from the multiple surgeries you have had. That said, if in fact you have chronic dry eyes that are not treatable, you would not be a suitable candidate for LASIK as it requires a normal quality and quantity of tears for a successful surgery.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK Surgery for High Farsightedness

2011-06-05T07:49:00.000-04:00

Question: I am very farsighted and would like to know if I am eligible for LASIK? My contact lens prescription is +4.50 D in my left eye and +5.25 D in my right eye.

Answer: Being eligible to have LASIK Surgery really depends on more than just your prescription. Technically there are excimer lasers that can be programmed to provide up to +6.00 D of refractive correction. However, other considerations that come into play include the shape of your cornea, you age, the health and integrity of your cornea, the quality and quantity of your tear film and the stability of your prescription, to name just a few. There are a number of other considerations as well. LASIK for high hyperopia may be appropriate however probably would not be the procedure of choice due to a high incidence of regression and instability of the prescription. PRK is often a better alternative and depending on your age it is possible that Lens Replacement Surgery might be the best option with the highest levels of patient satisfaction. Your next step is to find the best LASIK Surgeon in your area who is a comprehensive Refractive Surgeon and also can provide consultation for Lens Implants.
Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Contact Lens Problem Risk Factors

2011-06-02T12:24:00.000-04:00

Researchers publishing in the eye care journal Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science reported results from the Contact Lens Assessment in Youth (CLAY) Study

Regarding the risk factors for corneal infiltrative and inflammatory events in young soft contact lens wearers. Charts from 3549 contact lens patients were examined for the period January 2006 to September 2009 and found to produce 187 corneal infiltrative and inflammatory events (CIEs) in 159 wearers. Age was a significant factor with the most significant risk to those between 15 and 25 years of age. Having a contact lens wearing history of less than one year of soft contact lens (SCL) use was less risky than for longer periods of use. Patients who used multi-purpose care products had 2.86 times more risk of CIE, those wearing silicone hydrogels had 1.85 times more risk of CIE and those wearing their contact lenses on an extended wear basis had 2.37 times greater risk of infiltrates and inflammation from the contacts. The authors concluded “Patient age, years of lens wear, use of multi-purpose care products, silicone hydrogels and extended wear were all significantly associated with CIEs with SCL wear. Use of SCLs in young patients aged 8 to 15 years was associated with lower risk of infiltrative events compared to teens and young adults.”

Additional Cell Type Causes Dry Eye

2011-06-01T13:11:00.000-04:00

According to the National Eye Institute of U.S. National Institutes of Health, Dry Eye disease occurs when the eyes do not produce an adequate quantity of tears and/or when tears natural evaporate too quickly. As many as five million Americans, 50 years of age and older, are estimated to suffer from Dry Eyes, with the majority affected being women. Tens of millions more are believed to have similar, but less severe Dry Eye symptoms. Current help for Dry Eye can consist of prescribing artificial tear eye drops to increase the amount of tear in the eyes, insertion of tiny tear duct plugs to help retain tears and prescription medication such as Restasis® eye drops to combat the inflammation in the Lacrimal Gland that often prevents you from producing enough of your own tears.

Now, there is even additional good news on the horizon for the millions of people around the world who struggle with dry eye disease. Researchers reporting in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology have identified that the presence of Natural Killer (NK) cells that normally offer immunity to the eye may actually promote inflammation and play a critical role in causing Dry Eye. The identification of these cells as one of the causes of Dry Eyes will hopefully all for the treatment the cellular cause of the disease rather than its symptoms through the development of new medications.

LASIK Surgery and Dry Eye after 5 Years

2011-05-31T09:16:00.000-04:00

Question: I had LASIK Surgery in 2006 at the age of 43. Since that time I use REFRESH TEARS® however these days my eyes actually hurt. Then after some time they are okay. What could cause this?
Answer: It is a bit unusual that some 5 years after your LASIK surgery you continue to require artificial tear eye drops-REFRESH TEARS®-unless you had a preexisting dry eye condition or are now in an environment or have some other systemic or eye health reasons that are causing you to have a dry eye syndrome. That said, it is impossible to know from your description whether the discomfort you experience is related to a chronic dry eye, some other ocular surface problem or even some other eye problem or condition. It is important that you schedule an appointment with a top LASIK surgeon and perhaps one who is also a Cornea Specialist in order to review your situation carefully. If in fact your symptoms are due to a chronic dry eye, then there are several additional treatment options in addition to artificial tears that may be helpful. These include Restasis® eye drops that actually help you produce more of your own natural tears and insertion of tiny tear duct plugs that act to help you retain more of the tears you do produce.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK Surgery and Epilepsy Medication

2011-05-30T10:38:00.000-04:00

Question: I have some peripheral vision loss due to the use of Vigabatrin. I don't use this medication any more is there any possibility that LASIK Surgery may be able to help me.

Answer: LASIK Eye Surgery is used to help patients suffering from nearsightedness, farsightedness and/or astigmatism see clearly at distance with a reduced dependence on or even no need for eye glasses or contact lenses. LASIK Surgery does not have any indication for resolving or reversing visual field defects. Vigabatrin, which is also known as Sabril®, is an anticonvulsant medication used to treat epilepsy. It was FDA approved in 2009 and is potentially helpful for the 30% or so of patients who otherwise have treatment resistant epilepsy. Because of the substantial risk for permanent visual field defects, Vigabatrin can only be prescribed by physicians who participate in the SHARE (Support, Help and Resources for Epilepsy) program. The purpose of SHARE is to monitor patients for the development of visual field defects, and to stop the drug as quickly as possible if these develop. The field defects are permanent, but stopping the drug may limit the damage. If you are an eyeglass wearer with a high degree of correction and the eyeglasses restrict your visual field, and if this compounds the visual field loss from the Vigabatrin, if your eyes and general health are otherwise adequate it is possible that you might be able to have LASIK Surgery and experience some functional benefit. The best way to determine if this might be the case is to have a consultation with a LASIK Surgeon who can then confer with your neurologist about whether this might be possible. You should know that the fixation light in the laser that patients view as part of any Laser Eye Surgery treatment does “flicker” and has on rare occasion been a problem for some patients with epilepsy who are not otherwise well controlled.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK Enhancement after 12 Years

2011-05-28T11:46:00.000-04:00

Question: I had LASIK in 1999 and had perfect eyesight up until a few years ago (other than needing reading glasses a couple years after the LASIK...I'm now 56 years old). My distance eyesight is now not perfect but sufficiently bad enough for me to again require prescription glasses (although I don't wear them much). The question I have is this: Is it okay for me to have another LASIK procedure to correct my vision?

Answer: The answer really depends on whether the reason for your decreased distance vision is actually due solely to a change in your refractive error, such as increased nearsightedness, whether the shape and thickness of your cornea allow you to be a good LASIK candidate and whether your overall health and eye health are in order. If the answers to these questions are found to be favorable after a consultation with a LASIK surgeon, there should be no reason to not have another LASIK procedure to correct your vision. It is critical however that you have an examination with a top LASIK surgeon as it is possible that some of the nearsightedness you might be experiencing could be due to some other eye condition or problem such as a beginning Cataract.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Eyeglass and Contact Lens Problems

2011-05-28T10:58:00.000-04:00

Glare and halos are a common and annoying problem for a good number of eyeglass and contact lens wearers according to the global NSIGHT (Needs, Symptoms, Insight, Global Eye Health Trends) study. Halos are the appearance of rings around sources of light while glare is the difficulty seeing in the presence of bright light. The majority of patients who experienced these symptoms reported they were most likely to experience halos or glare in the evening or late at night. The symptoms were commonly associated with bright lights, headlights, being in the dark and nighttime driving.

NSIGHT, which was gathered from 3,800 eyeglass and contact lens wearers data, uncovered how often and to what degree patients experience glare and haloes, as well as how disturbing these visual symptoms and problems are for patients. The data demonstrated the following:

About half of the spectacle and contact lens wearers surveyed reported suffering from the symptoms of halos (52% and 56%, respectively) and glare (47% and 50%, respectively) more than three times a week;
More than four out of five patients who experienced these symptoms found each symptom bothersome (84% and 89% for halo and glare, respectively);
Spherical aberration, which can contribute to optical distortions in the visual system, can create halos and glare. Spherical aberration is a type of image blur caused by light rays striking the lens periphery where they are bent too much -- over refracted -- compared with rays coming through the center of the lens.

The NSIGHT study findings indicated that the severity of symptoms associated with halos and glare is sufficient enough to impact patient satisfaction with the usual vision correction methods, such as eyeglasses and spectacles, and patients expressed an interest in an intervention that more adequately addressed these symptoms.

Top LASIK surgeons have been routinely measuring both high and low order optical aberrations such as spherical aberration, and offering patients Wavefront Guided Laser Eye Surgery or Custom Wavefront Optimized LASIK to reduce and correct spherical aberration for LASIK Surgery patients.

Common Refractive Errors

2011-05-24T12:46:00.000-04:00

Question: What exactly are the differences between nearsightedness, farsightedness and an astigmatism?

Answer: Nearsightedness or myopia, farsightedness or hyperopia and astigmatism are three common refractive errors of the eye that cause blurred vision.

Myopic Eye

Myopia results either from the eye being too long or the cornea-the clear dome shaped lens in the front of the eye-being too curved. In either case the myopic or nearsighted eye focuses light in front of the retina resulting in blurred vision whereby objects and images far away are blurred-and objects that are closer are clear.

Hyoperic Eye

Hyperopia results either from the eye being short or the cornea being too flat. In either case the hyperopic or farsighted eye focuses light behind the retina resulting in blurred vision whereby objects and images up close are blurred-and objects that are far away are clearer.

Astimatic Eye

Astigmatism typically results from the cornea being unequally curved vertically as compared to horizontally so that it is shaped more like a football rather than a basketball.

Astigmatism causes the eye to have two different focal points and thus blurs objects more in one direction that the other i.e. it distorts vertical objects more that horizontal or visa versa.
Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on www.seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of http://www.seewithlasik.com/ is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK for Irregular Astigmatism

2011-05-18T08:48:00.000-04:00

Question: I was wondering what laser eye surgery treatments are available for irregular astigmatism. I have approximately 1 diopter of myopia myopia with approximately 2.75 diopters of astigmatism. I have to wear rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses because spectacles don't correct my vision adequately. Also I have had previous cataract surgery. Does that stop me from having any corneal surgery or will it harm the results?

Answer: The simple answer to your question is that Custom Wavefront LASIK is often used to correct irregular astigmatism. However, it is quite important to first determine why you have the irregular astigmatism. If you had the irregular astigmatism because of some serious trauma to the eye or perhaps an infection-and it resulted in scarring-this may or may not pose a problem in having Laser Vision Correction. If the irregular astigmatism is due to some underlying eye health issue, particularly some corneal disease or degeneration, this would be a problem for having Laser Eye Surgery for astigmatism correction. If the irregular astigmatism were a side effect of the cataract surgery, and were stable, then it is quite possible that Custom Wavefront Laser Eye Surgery could be used to correct the astigmatism. And-there are several other clinical questions that need to be investigated and answered. As you can see the answer to your possible options really depends on having a thorough evaluation and consultation with the best LASIK Surgeon in your area who is also preferably a top Cataract Surgeon. Your next step is to schedule a consultation so a Cataract and Refractive Surgeon can examine you and walk you through your possible options.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on www.seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of www.seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK Enhancements-Can I have LASIK Again?

2011-05-18T08:25:00.000-04:00

Question: I have had LASIK surgery before, now I am having trouble seeing again, can I have LASIK again?

Answer: In order to know whether you can have a LASIK enhancement many things must be considered. First, what was the original attempted correction in terms of power and depth, the health, thickness and shape of your corneas and stability of your prescription. It might be important to know the type of treatment you actually had such as Custom Wavefront LASIK and how long ago you had it. This information will be of use to a LASIK surgeon who evaluates the current status of your vision and eye health. It is important to determine whether your current decrease in vision is actually due to a refractive error such as nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism or some other eye condition or problem. Your next step is to schedule a consultation with the best LASIK Surgeon in your area and provide as much background about your previous treatment history, eye health and vision as possible. From this information and a thorough consultation it will be possible to determine whether a LASIK enhancement is necessary and a good course of treatment for your vision correction.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on www.seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of www.seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK after PRK-Is it Possible?

2011-05-17T08:09:00.000-04:00

Question: I had PRK done in one eye in 1995-then I had LASIK in the other eye a few years later.The PRK eye is 20/40-50 and the LASIK eye is 20/20. Is it possible to have LASIK on the eye with the previous PRK to bring it to 20/20 and what would be the cost?

Answer: First, there is never a guarantee that anyone will ever see 20/20 after any Laser Eye Surgery procedure. Second, you should know that the visual results with PRK as compared to LASIK are virtually identical-thus you first need to determine why you only see 20/40-50 with the first eye to have Laser Eye Surgery. What was the level of best corrected visual acuity with eyeglasses or contacts in that eye prior to Laser Vision Correction? Was it 20/20? Next, did you ever achieve better than 20/40-50 after the initial PRK in the first eye-and did it them regress-or did you not achieve 20/20 to begin with? If you were treated with PRK in 1995 this was the very first year Laser Vision Correction had been FDA approved and it was not initially capable of treating astigmatism. If you had preexisting astigmatism in 1995 and did not have an astigmatic keratotomy (AK) to correct it-then you still have an uncorrected refractive error that could impact your vision. As you see there are many questions that need to be answered regarding your vision. If you eye health, overall health, corneal shape and thickness meet the criteria for LASIK then it is entirely possible that if you have some residual refractive error your have a LASIK surgery procedure to treat the uncorrected optical prescription. Your next step is to schedule a consultation with a top LASIK Surgeon who will take all the necessary measurements to determine the status of your eye health and vision and recommend the possible options that would provide good results.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on www.seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of www.seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK Surgery after RK

2011-05-16T10:18:00.000-04:00

Question: Can LASIK Surgery be performed when someone has had RK surgery previously? My RK was done around 1994 and I'm right back where I started.

Answer: In most instances it is possible to have LASIK Surgery or other type of Laser Eye Surgery after RK if you meet the basic candidacy requirements in terms of eye health, overall health, motivation and expectations. For someone who has had previous RK there will need to be a careful and thorough evaluation of the cornea in terms of integrity, stability and possibly scarring as well as its shape and optical aberrations. Sometimes, depending on the number, position and the depth of the incisions of the previous RK, LASIK surgeons prefer to perform PRK rather than LASIK. The results are essentially the same for each type of Laser Eye Surgery for correction of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. You should choose a top LASIK surgeon and arrange a consultation where all necessary measurements can be taken and evaluated. A careful examination must be done in order to be sure that the reason your vision has regressed is solely due to the lack of stability of the RK procedure. This will be the first step in your consultation in order to best guide you on the most effective choices you might have.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on www.seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of www.seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

PRK and Blurry Variable Vision

2011-05-16T09:14:00.000-04:00

Question: I recently got PRK done on my eyes. Lately I have noticed that my eyes get blurry throughout the day. The best example I can come up with is its like I had been swimming all day and opening eyes under the water. What I have also noticed is that they get blurry when I put any kind of drops in my eyes such as the anti-inflammatory drops or my moisturizing drops. I wouldn't worry about it if it wasn't for the fact that my eyes didn't do this after the procedure. I'm just wondering when I can expect this to clear up so I can get to seeing clearly.

Answer: You do not state how long ago you had the PRK procedure and you don't disclose the degree of refractive error-assumed to be nearsightedness-that was corrected. Both of these factors may be relevant. First, PRK is a type of laser eye surgery called surface ablation-that is, the leaser energy is delivered to the surface of the cornea. That is different than LASIK, which is a lamellar procedure whereby the laser energy is delivered in between layers of the cornea. Surface ablation procedures such as PRK typically have a slower visual recovery. Depending on the degree of myopia to be corrected it can take as long as 3 months for high prescriptions to yield totally stable results. Generally, the higher the prescription corrected the longer the visual recovery time. This is because it takes a fair amount of time for the cornea to "remodel' and for the top layer-the corneal epithelium-to return to its preoperative normal structure. it just takes time.

Second, in all types of corneal surgery-PRK or LASIK, but even greater with PRK, we are causing a significant temporary disruption of the tear film. The tear film is an important optical component and can cause variable foggy filmy vision to occur if it is not stable. Keeping the eye lubricated-very lubricated facilitates the healing and visual recovery. It could simply be that you have a temporary tear film deficiency and dry eye causing your symptoms. Last, in some small number of cases it is possible that during the postoperative healing phase a condition called "corneal haze" can develop. Typically corneal haze is asymptomatic unless it is quite severe. So there are several possibilities that may or may not be contributing to your symptoms. It is worthwhile for you to schedule a visit with your eye surgeon in order to determine which if any of these are causing your blur and what can be done about it as well as how long it might last.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on http://www.seewithlasik.com/ is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of http://www.seewithlasik.com/ is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

Laser Eye Surgery for Near Vision

2011-05-13T15:13:00.000-04:00

Question: I am 42 years old and it has become very difficult to read to the point that now I simply cant read at all without reading glasses. My eye doctor fitted me with a progressive prescription 2 years ago however recently my eyes have become more strained when I attempt to wear them all day. Would I be a candidate for laser eye surgery to correct this problem and hopefully do away with having to rely on glasses?

Answer: Laser Eye Surgery for Laser Vision Correction is appropriate for people with health eyes but suffer from nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. The condition you describe whereby you have lost the ability to focus up close and read is more likely to be presbyopia, a normal change as we age where the crystalline lens of the eye loses its elasticity. Procedures such as LASIK are mainly recommended for patients who have decreased distance vision although for some people who need a little extra help reading, a technique called monovision LASIK may be appropriate if they are also in need of distance vision correction. If you primarily wear your glasses for near vision you would not typically be a good LASIK candidiate.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on http://www.seewithlasik.com/ is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of http://www.seewithlasik.com/ is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK Flap Thickness-Is Thin Better?

2011-05-09T07:52:00.000-04:00

Top LASIK Surgeons are always seeking ways to improve the safety, efficacy and predictability of LASIK. Researchers from the University of Utah compared LASIK results when using two different “flap” thicknesses to see if there were any clinical advantages in visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, higher order ocular aberrations or quality of life. Researchers reporting in the April 2011 edition of the Journal of Refractive Surgery compared the visual results of a group of 94 patients who were treated with LASIK using a different “flap” thickness in each eye so that 47 eyes had one thickness and 47 eyes had a different thickness. After three months it was concluded that both “flap” thicknesses used for LASIK treatment provided similar clinical results. There were no statistically significant differences between the flap thicknesses in terms of overall visual acuity, increase or decrease in aberrations or contrast sensitivity and all patients reported a significant improvement in the quality of life.

LASIK and the Military

2011-05-07T16:48:00.000-04:00

LASIK and PRK are being widely adopted by United States military service members to help them refine their edge in combat situations. The Army and Air Force operate a Department of Defense Center of Excellence for Refractive Surgery, such as LASIK and PRK, known as Wilford Hall Medical Joint Refractive Surgery Center at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. The Wilford Hall Medical Joint Refractive Surgery Center performs over 4,000 refractive eye surgery procedures per year and is the busiest of the Air Force Refractive Surgery Centers. The military refractive surgery center programs are considered “readiness” enhancers for military personnel going into combat so that their performance is better than what they could achieve with glasses or contact lenses.

"If you can see the enemy 100 miles sooner than the enemy can see you, you have the advantage," said Lt. Col. (Dr.) Charles Reilly, the consultant to the surgeon general for refractive surgery. "We're about giving you the advantage in combat. We want to give you what we call the "combat edge" in vision. Just like when you upgrade avionics systems in an F-15 or an F-22, you want your radar to be able to see the enemy long before their radar can see you. That's how we look at vision. We're upgrading the 'avionics' of the human weapons system."

Military personnel are expected to perform their duties in a widely varying range of conditions, many of which are inconvenient or incompatible with the wearing of eyeglasses or contact lenses. Environmental conditions of sand, rain and windstorms can make eyeglasses and contacts a real hindrance, to say nothing about the general performance limitations imposed by optical devices.

Army Staff Sergeant Stanley Arnold is a combat tactics instructor in Ft. Huachuca Arizona and wore eyeglasses for 18 years before having LASIK at Wilford Hall. "One of the things I don't like about glasses is that it takes away from my peripheral vision," said Staff Sergeant Arnold. "Now, I know I'll get my peripheral back and that makes me feel better with deploying. Being an infantryman, I know for a fact when I leave (instructor duty) I will deploy eventually. I'm very happy with it. I'm on cloud nine."

LASIK after RK (Radial Keratotomy)

2011-05-06T10:22:00.000-04:00

Question: About 4 years ago I was told by a very reputable LASIK doctor that that I was not a good candidate for LASIK. I had RK in around 1992 and have had my astigmatism come back, rather severely, in both eyes over the past 5 years. I now wear RGP contacts which can only correct my vision to 20/60 at best. Is there a chance that some of the latest advances in LASIK technology can help improve my vision? Does having the corneal scars of RK make LASIK not an option? I really would love to see better and get out of contacts once again.

Answer: LASIK after previous RK can be performed in many, but not all, instances. RK can structurally weaken the Cornea and often lead to progressive changes in vision. RK can sometimes result in both regular and irregular astigmatism. The fact that you wear RGP lenses and can only be corrected to 20/60 vision is not a favorable prognostic factor and suggests that the overall integrity of your Cornea may not be the best.

Whether or not you are a LASIK candidate-or a candidate for ANY type of Laser Eye Surgery for vision correction-is going to depend first and foremost on the health and integrity of your Cornea. The newer techniques used for advanced surface ablation and even LASIK can often be appropriate for the post RK patient, but only with good corneal integrity. The use of Custom Wavefront Guided or Wavefront Optimized LASIK can often be helpful in reducing the aberrations that can be caused by RK, but again only where the Corneal is structurally sound. Your best next step is to find a top LASIK Surgeon who is a full scope Refractive Surgeon and consults on both routine and complex cases, and perhaps is even a corneal specialist, and schedule an examination and consultation. You need to understand why your vision is only correctable to 20/60 with RGPs and whether your Cornea is structurally intact before considering any type of additional surgery.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on www.seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of www.seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.

LASIK for Nearsightedness and Farsightedness

2011-05-05T10:46:00.000-04:00

Question: Can LASIK correct my vision for nearsightedness and farsightedness in same eye?

Answer: LASIK can correct both nearsightedness and farsightedness. However, there may be some confusion or misunderstanding about the refractive condition of your eyes. People who are nearsighted cannot see clearly at distance, but can see clearly up close. People who are farsighted cannot see clearly up close but can see clearly far away. So, technically you cannot be both nearsighted and farsighted in the same eye. Perhaps you are referring to one of two conditions. If you are nearsighted and wear eyeglasses to see at distance and are approaching or over 40 years old, you may be losing your ability to focus up close-this is called presbyopia, not farsightedness. Presbyopia is a normal loss of focusing so that near vision is difficult. For some patients, a technique called monovision LASIK can be used to help provide clear vision at distance and help with close vision. The second possibility is that you have “mixed astigmatism” so that one focusing meridian in your eye is “farsighted” and one focusing meridian in your eye is nearsighted”. Many, but not all instances of mixed astigmatism can be treated with Laser Eye Surgery for Laser Vision Correction. Your next step is to find a top LASIK Surgeon in your area and schedule a consultation. Once they have taken all of the necessary measurements and provided a thorough examination and consultation they will be able to tell you whether you are a good LASIK candidate.

Important Note: The information presented on the See With LASIK Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask LASIK Surgeons section on www.seewithlasik.com is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to LASIK. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask LASIK Surgeons section of www.seewithlasik.com is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and LASIK surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.