Eye Care After a Lasik method

A person that is considering a Lasik method to improve their vision has two major responsibilities: selecting the best surgeon possible for their budget, and understanding and keeping up with eye care after the Lasik operation is done.  Most Lasik methods go very smoothly, and more than Ninety Percent of the patients are happy with their improved vision and have no permanent side effects.  Part of this success is due to good care at home once the Lasik method is complete.

The first step in having the best care after a Lasik method is to understand exactly what is directed by the Lasik physician.  The prospective Lasik patient should be given a good understanding of the entire process when they first visit a Lasik center to interview the physician and the staff.  On the day of the procedure, a member of the staff should very carefully go over exactly what steps should be done to encourage optimal eye health and healing after the Lasik operation.

One thing that the patient should ask is what side effects are to be expected directly after the Lasik method, how long they should last, and which symptoms should be promptly told to the Lasik physician or member of the staff.  A number of symptoms, such as fluctuating vision or halos around lights, are to be expected and are not a cause of worry.  Ask the staff about any postoperative symptoms that are unclear, to make sure that they are thoroughly understood.

Each Lasik physician has their own recommended procedures for their patients, but here is a list of typical suggestions that most Lasik centers recommend.  First, get some sleep as soon as possible after the Lasik method is done.  This gives a great boost to the healing process.  Second, avoid any contact, bumping, or rubbing of the eyes for at least five days after the Lasik method.  Most Lasik centers have some kind of eye guards to wear at night to prevent patients from rubbing their eyes in their sleep. 

Third, try to avoid eyestrain for some days after the Lasik method.  It is tempting to try to read all of the signs and words that were previously blurry, but avoid this temptation at least for the large part.  If any light sensitivity or glare is noticed, wear dark sunglasses for several days until this problem resolves itself.  Some common Lasik side effects are temporary halos around lights, especially when viewed at night, but this is not a problem to be concerned with.

It is very important to keep the eyes well lubricated in the days following a Lasik operation.  Every Lasik physician will give eye drops to help this, and patient should be especially aware of this before going to sleep.  A Lasik method may increase eye dryness temporarily, and during sleep this may make the eyelid stick slightly to the eye.  When the patient wakes up, opening the eyelid is equivalent to rubbing the eye.  The physician should be notified if this happens, for there are other varieties of eye drops that will solve this problem.

Taking these simple steps will give nearly all Lasik patients an easy postoperative experience without any difficultys.

I Remember My Lasik method

I guess I am 1(one) of the “old hands” in any Lasik online forum, in that I had my procedure more than three years ago now.  I have noticed that most of the posting are from people whose Lasik vision correction was recent and did not go according to plan.  I thought I might give my perspective on my Lasik adventure.

First, let me start with my current vision situation, and then work backwards to the point before Lasik where I couldn’t get around without a guide dog (no, just kidding, but it seems like such a different world from where I am now).  Three years after Lasik, I have better than 20/20 vision in one eye, and 20/40 in the other eye.  For those of you not familiar with Lasik, the procedure does not guarantee that everyone will end up with perfect vision.

Most competent Lasik surgeons will take time to explain what realistic expectations for the surgery are, in that vision is noticeably improved but not guaranteed to remove any dependence on glasses or contacts.  My Lasik doctor was very clear on this, but I thought it would be sufficient to be able to look around my kitchen and recognize the pot that I had left on the other side of the room.  My doctor said that that expectation was something he could almost guarantee, and much better than that.

Three years after the Lasik method, I only have one permanent side effect that I did not have before my Lasik vision correction (in addition to astoundingly better vision, I guess I should add).  I do see halos around bright lights at night, but they are not really bothersome, and I have started to consider them rather pretty – kind of like the artificial twinkle TV shows can put in people’s eyes.  I am glad that I am one of the more than 90% of Lasik patients who had a very successful procedure and outcome.

For several weeks after the Lasik method I had blurry vision when trying to focus on items very close to me (anything closer than maybe six inches, though I don’t remember precisely).   I have asked my husband if he remembered me talking about any other post-op problems, such as fluctuating vision or sensitivity to light.  Neither he nor I remember many problems after the Lasik method, though I did sleep a LOT and used the eye drops exactly as requested. 

Sleep is supposed to aid healing, and my Lasik physician recommended me to sleep quite soon after the operation to get a good start on the healing process.  I think I took that to an extreme, but I wanted to rest my eyes as much as possible after the Lasik method.

I do remember my vision getting a bit blurry after a long day (for a few months after Lasik vision correction) which may have been another reason I though sleep was a great idea. 

I have been a poster child for Lasik to my friends and family, and the great results have convinced several others to schedule their own Lasik methods.  As this is the story of my Lasik process, I will let others tell their own stories.  I can only say from my perspective that there were few bumps in the road, and I would recommend the Lasik process to anyone interested in improving their vision.  One additional comment: choose the best surgeon in your common area, you will be glad you did!

What is a Wavefront Lasik method Like?

Let’s walk through what a client experiences when attending a Lasik center for a Wavefront Lasik method.  The procedure itself usually only takes between V (5)  and  10 minutes for each eye in total, and both eyes are done during the same procedure.  The actual time to reshape the eye with the Lasik excimer laser is usually less than Fiveteen seconds per eye.

Any person’s vision problems are generated by small “aberrations” within the eye that prevents the light from focusing objects as they should.  The Lasik equipment locates and classifies these aberrations and then processes them so that the Lasik physician will correct these and allow the light to focus properly once the eye has healed.

In a Wavefront Lasik method, the patient stares at one point while a light is sent into the eye, which is reflected back and read by a Lasik Wavefront sensor.  The distortions in this reflected light are mapped using a small computer within the Lasik system, and then this information is used to guide the laser that treats the eye.
Once the light creates the map for the eye, the Lasik surgeon has to create a small flap to access the cornea.  This is done using a laser (this type of Lasik method is known as IntraLasik, or bladeless Lasik) or a small blade known as a microkeratome.  This flap is then opened to allow the cornea to be reshaped by the Lasik system.
The excimer laser actually reshapes the cornea, which is the crucial part of the Lasik method.  In order to determine exactly how to reshape it, the map created earlier by the Wavefront sensor is used to direct the beam*of light accurately.  The Lasik physician uses these precise tools to get the clearest vision results possible.

This custom Lasik method can not only correct such standard problems as nearsightedness, but can also address aberrations that create light halos, glare, haze, or starburst patterns.  Once the Lasik physician determines that all relevant aberrations have been eliminated, he replaces the flap in its proper position, where it adheres normally and will heal naturally.
As mentioned earlier, this entire Lasik process takes between ten and fifteen minutes per eye.  A patient gets a mild sedative and eye numbing drops to make the procedure both relaxing and painless.  Most people notice an improvement in vision due to Lasik almost immediately.

Once the Lasik method is finished, you will get some eye drop medication to lubricate and protect your eyes.  This medication (and the liquid in the drops themselves) may cause some blurring, and so for this reason (and to avoid any eyestrain) you should arrange for someone else to drive you home.  It is also a good idea to go to sleep as soon as possible after the Lasik operation in order to promote even faster healing. 
To support optimal healing the Lasik physician often gives a plastic shield to wear over your eyes for the first night or 2.  Follow closely any recommendations by the Lasik physician. Do further investigation into this great new Lasik method, and get a clearer focus on your future!        

How To Eliminate Your fright of Lasik

Thinking about eye surgery using a Lasik method is a big step, and many people are a little uncertain to ask the questions that they have.  The Lasik method, though widely talked about, is not discussed in detail, and people tend to fear the unknown.  This report addresses some of the more commonly held fears, and talks about the experience for the vast majority of people that undergo a Lasik method.

A most common fear when thinking about a Lasik method, or really thinking about any surgery in general, is the possibility of pain during or after the operation.  Since the Lasik surgeon works on patients that are conscious, this is a widely held apprehension.  In every operation the Lasik surgeon applies numbing drops into the eyes before the procedure starts, and the patient is also given a mild sedative to relax them and make sure that they are comfortable.   Though a small pressure to the eye may be felt during the Lasik method, the process itself is relatively pain free.
The surgeon does use a laser in the eye to help reshape the cornea during the Lasik method.  Many folks are worried about the laser being shone directly into the eye, or that they might look away and, due to this, develop a serious complication with their eyes and the Lasik laser beam effects.  In actuality, the laser is only active for ten to fifteen seconds for each eye, and the Lasik machine has a tracking system that allows the beam to be on only when the eye is in the correct position.

Another general fear for people contemplating a medical procedure is fear of “the scalpel”.  Any Lasik method uses only a very small microkeratome blade to approach the eye, or some more recent Lasik innovations have the laser itself created the flap and avoid using any hard surface at all.  There is no reason to be concerned about a scalpel, for the Lasik physician does not use one.
Many wonder about the horror stories they hear about this or any other operation, and wonder about serious consequences like going blind.  According the government statistics taken by the FDA, there are no reported cases of blindness due to a Lasik operation.  Actually, the risk of a serious permanent complication due to the Lasik method is less than 1 percent, and the risk of any permanent complications even if not serious (such as light halos) is 3 percent or less.  It is extremely rare for a patient to not have improved vision after a Lasik method.

If the thought of being awake and having your eyes open during the Lasik method bothers you, remember that you will be given a mild sedative for the procedure, and that your eyes will have numbing drops administered to them.  If the thought of actually seeing the Lasik physician’s hand approaching your eye is bothersome, be comforted that the surgeon applies drops to the eye that blacks out the vision in that eye for ten to fifteen seconds, which is long enough for the procedure to be done for that eye.

This introduction has expectantly addressed the most common suspicions about the Lasik method.  For anyone that might gain a better life quality with improved vision, please visit your local Lasik clinic and discuss the procedure in detail with the professionals there.

My Matters about the Lasik method

Many people that wear glasses or contact lenses have listened to the claims of how Lasik can give them great vision.  They have also heard great Lasik success stories, as well as stories from people that were not sure they had given the decision enough thought.  This guide lists the most common questions asked by people who are considering Lasik vision correction, and answers given by reputable physicians.

The first and most important question asked about Lasik is, not surprisingly, “Is Lasik safe?”  The answer is that it is normally quite a safe procedure, with success rates above Ninty Five percent for excellent, experienced Lasik surgeons, and 90 percent average over all physicians that perform the Lasik method.  This statistic about Lasik success assumes that the patient is a good candidate for Lasik surgery.  The requirements have some specific details and should be gone over with the physician that will perform the Lasik method.
It is a very good inspiration to ask the Lasik physician which patients he has declined to perform the Lasik method on, to make sure that the particular physician has and operates with good standards.  Any Lasik practitioner that tries to imply that everyone that comes in to his office is a good candidate for Lasik vision correction should be viewed with some skepticism.  In any case, it is wise to interview several different physicians that perform the Lasik method before deciding on one.

A second frequently asked question about Lasik is “What are the possible complications from Lasik surgery?”  Common side effects are starbursts or halos when looking at a light, sensitivity to light and difficulty with glare and night vision, and some sensation that a foreign body is in the eye.  Most of these effects will pass within a few days after the Lasik method.  Between 1 and 3 percent of patients will have a lasting side effect such as halos or some vision fluctuation. 
It is a very good idea to discuss your particular situation with the Lasik physician to determine if you might be prone to any complications.  There are also variants of the standard Lasik method, one of which uses additional waveforms to map out an individual eye, or techniques that only use lasers rather than a scalpel and a laser.

One question we all hesitate to ask is “Will the Lasik method be painful?”  Since our eyes are one of the most sensitive parts of our bodies, it is comforting to know that having Lasik vision correction is usually nearly painless.  There is often some mild discomfort after the procedure, but this is effectively controlled with medication.

“Will I have 20/20 vision once the Lasik correction is done?”  Though many patients do get nearly perfect vision, not all patients have their vision totally corrected.  You can definitely expect to have improved vision and minimized dependency on any glasses or contacts. 

“What is the cost and how do I pay?”  A typical Lasik surgeon charges between $500 and $2500 per eye, depending on the patient and the surgeon.  However, a Lasik physician should be selected on experience level and track record, not on the lowest price.  Insurance rarely covers the cost of Lasik, but many Lasik centers have a type of financing program offered to their clients.

Find some Lasik physicians in your area using the Internet feature DocShop and make a point to interview several on your list.  Consider Lasik as one way to significantly improve the quality of your life.

What Happens After the Lasik Method?

After you are fully prepared, the Lasik method takes less than fifteen minutes to complete for both eyes.  This will seem a remarkably short time to have a permanent change to your vision, and in this regard Lasik seems almost too good to be true.  In addition, most Lasik patients notice improved vision immediately or within a few hours after the Lasik method has been performed.
This does not mean that you should expect to walk out of the Lasik clinic with perfect vision and without any need to treat your eyes carefully for the next several days.  It also means that some Lasik patients will need more time to see the total results for the Lasik method, sometimes as much as six months for their vision to stabilize permanently.  Anticipate good vision, and take the time and care for the operation to produce its best result.
Usually the Lasik physician will give the post-procedure patient a protective shield for their eyes.  This should be worn as long as the physician specifies, and usually only at night for one or two nights.  He may also recommend sunglasses during the day if you experience sensitivity to light after the Lasik method is done.  Discuss these options in detail at the Lasik center before the operation, so you know how to best take care of your eyes.

Many patients at the Lasik centers often get eye drops to keep their eyes moist for some time after the Lasik method is done.  Again, this varies by patient and by physician, so ask about your particular situation, especially if you are prone to eye dryness on an occasional basis even before the Lasik method.  Also, it might be helpful to keep any ceiling fans or other air circulation devices off in the household for the first few days.

Most clients can return to work and normal daily activities the day after the Lasik method is done, and do not require any extra assistance from other friends or family members.  There is usually little to no post-operative discomfort after Lasik has been performed.  It is recommended that patients go to sleep as quickly as possible after the Lasik surgery in order to minimize any post-operative discomfort.  Upon waking, improved vision from the Lasik corrections should already start to be visible.
This improved vision may not be the final product of the Lasik method.  The improvement to nearsightedness after Lasik is usually quick and dramatic, though there may be some problems in reading easily for the first few days after the Lasik operation.  This is perfectly normal, and should clear up before the week is out.
Patients that use Lasik to improve their farsightedness usually find a dramatic improvement the day after the Lasik surgery.  It might be that there is a temporary blurring of objects in the distance, but this will resolve itself.  If this condition remains for more than a few days, the Lasik physician can recommend and prescribe temporary glasses until vision is stabilized.

These are all typical post-operative recommends for a Lasik patient, in order to consider easy with what to expect after the Lasik method.  As with any medical treatment, get all of your questions answered by the staff of your Lasik center for your individual case.

How to Practice Lasik methods

One of the earliest publicized physicians that perform the Lasik eye corrective operation was Dr. Boothe, of Dallas Texas.  He has performed the Lasik operation for a number of different clients, together with members of the NFL Dallas Cowboys football team.  There are countless testimonials of how satisfied his Lasik clients were with the surgery, even a number of years later.

One of the important considerations for any doctor is kindness, and Dr Boothe’s Lasik patients comment on this trait after their procedures.  They all agree that Dr.  Boothe made them feel very relaxed about the procedure, and took time to answer any and all questions that they might have.  This is especially important with the Lasik process, as eye health is crucially important, and confidence in the doctor makes considering the Lasik option much more feasible.

Dr. Boothe became a specialist of the eye, and especially the cornea, in 1987.

He has performed more than 80,000 Lasik laser vision corrections in that time.  He has also contributed to the field of expanding Lasik practice, with the new VISX three dimensional wavefront procedures.  These procedures are especially useful for those people with unusual configurations of their eyes.

One of the other newer Lasik methods uses only the laser, instead of the usual Lasik operation using both scalpel and laser.  He is the leader in the performance of this field, and has done more than 45,000 of these operations.  This type of Lasik method holds new promise for the field, and should be investigated by anyone considering any type of Lasik method.

Looking at some of Dr. Boothe’s background will help prospective Lasik clients to look for a physician of similar quality in their area.  Dr.  Boothe’s center itself is located in the Dallas metropolitan area, but there are many fine doctors that practice Lasik methods in all parts of the country.  He has taught a number of other surgeons in the technique, and so one question that should be asked is where the physician received his training in the Lasik method, and which doctors taught the technique.

A most critical part of traditional Lasik surgery is using the microkeratome to make and lift a flap in the eye.  Dr. Boothe’s love of medicine and absorption in furthering the techniques used in Lasik make him a pioneer in the field of ophthalmology.  He is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, and emphasizes that any patient should check the board certification for any physician they are considering for performing the Lasik method in addition to standard medical certifications, such as the American Medical Association.

1 reason that Dr. Boothe entered the field of Lasik surgery was because a good eye surgeon can dramatically improve the quality of life for his patients, as is attested by his many thousands of satisfied patients.  The doctor that a patient selects for the Lasik method should have high standards for safety, accuracy, and correctness.  This should be reflected in the results and opinions of the patients that the doctor has.  Lasik can be a life improving procedure, and careful selection of a physician in the same mold as Dr. Boothe can make it much more certain.