Laser vision correction is a surgical procedure used to reshape the cornea with an excimer laser. This type of surgery can be used on patients experiencing short sight, long sight or astigmatism. Laser vision correction is not an ideal solution for everybody and some people are not candidates for this type of surgery because of the severity of their problem or because of another medical issue. The best laser vision results mean that glasses and contact lenses will no longer be needed by the patient.

The Process of LASIK

One of the most common types of laser vision correction is LASIK or Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis. In a typical LASIK procedure, the patient will have numbing eye drops placed in the eye and then a lid holder applied to keep the eye open. A microkeratome is used to create a flap in the cornea, which is then bent back to expose the inner corneal tissue. The laser sends pulses of light to remove parts of the cornea while the patient focuses on another light to keep the eye as still as possible. The actual laser exposure time is usually less than a minute.

After the laser treatment, the corneal flap is repositioned. No stitches are needed because the flap will hold itself down when repositioned and heal itself. The patient is given an eye shield and eye drops and told to come back within a day or two, so the doctor can see if the eye is healing and whether there are any problems. The eye has great healing powers and it would be of great comfort to know that all corneal procedures, even complete transplants, do heal ultimately.

What to expect after the LASIK eye surgery

The post LASIK eye surgery period is just as important as the surgery itself. The cornea should completely heal. This takes time and requires a lot of aftercare, which should be done meticulously.

The average healing period after the LASIK eye surgery is approximately six months. During this period any vision problems that you may have been experiencing should have completely disappeared or at least considerably lessened. Complete healing of the corneal flap could take a bit longer, sometimes up to two years. But this should not give you any cause for discomfort or concern. Healing of the cornea is an ongoing process that does not or should not interfere with your vision or your daily life.

Usually there are a minimum of five follow-up visits are scheduled for most patients, post LASIK eye surgery. The first visit will most likely be within 24 hours of the surgery. It is of utmost importance to keep all these visits so that the doctor can keep track of the ongoing healing process and rectify any problems that may arise as you go along.

After LASIK eye surgery, it is natural to expect a little discomfort in your eyes, though you should not feel any pain. Part of the aftercare involves using eye drops to help alleviate this discomfort. This will have to be done for a minimum period of two to four weeks after the surgery.

Other common reactions that are common after undergoing LASIK eye surgery are a slightly blurred vision, feeling of dryness in the eyes, minor swelling and redness of the eye, sensitivity to bright light and watery eyes accompanied by a runny nose.

Tips to make this period more comfortable:

• To get over the minimal discomfort that comes along with LASIK you can take any over the counter pain medication that does not contain aspirin such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen.
• Give your eyes sufficient protection against sunlight or any bright light by wearing sunglasses when going out in the day.
• Give your eyes as much rest as possible by getting some extra shut-eye for at least two to three days post-surgery.
• The eye mask that was given to you needs to be worn immediately after the surgery for a minimum two to three hours and then during the next three to four days, it should be worn while sleeping.
• During the first two weeks, all water sports, as well as all water-related activities such as whirlpools or hot tubs, should be avoided. Scuba diving should be avoided for a minimum of six weeks.
• Your risk factor and the possible need for post-surgery rectifications depend on various factors, the most important one is the condition of your vision pre-surgery. If your vision had deteriorated there are higher chances that there will be some degree of complication in your surgery and you would be dissatisfied with the outcome. Also, if a small degree of astigmatism was present, the results could turn out to be unsatisfactory. Touch-up surgery is common and is normally covered by the initial cost, but the additional surgery is still an unpleasant thought.
• As with any other surgery, there are no absolute guarantees with LASIK eye surgery too. Complete success is determined by many factors acting together, most important of which is each individual healing powers.
• There are a few factors that act as a deterrent to anyone considering LASIK eye surgery. Anyone between 19 to 24 years of age is considered an unsuitable candidate for this procedure. As also anyone suffering from a condition such as diabetes, HIV or herpes or pregnant and breastfeeding women. LASIK eye surgery is not ideal if your eyes have been found to have thin corneas, refractive instability, or large pupils

If you are looking to reduce or even get rid of your eye glasses and/or contacts let us at Rohr Eye & Laser Center help you! We offer several types of LASIK eye surgery including PRK, AK, CK, Cataracts surgery and more. We perform all these eye laser treatments with state of the art equipment. We are a leader in laser vision correction, and our goal is to help you achieve superior vision. Contact us today or view our website http://www.michiganlasik.com/  to schedule an appointment.

Over the years many types of vision correction methods have been evolved. These include laser vision corrections or laser eye surgeries and other methods that include implantation of the lenses.

Since eyes are our most precious and by far the most delicate organ of all, we must practice due caution before going for the surgery. In most cases, because of not having a proper know-how of the type of eye treatment, many individuals run into life threatening risks. Therefore, to stay on the safe side as well as have your vision corrected, you need to choose the best kind of procedure out there. But before that, you should know about them.

1) LASIK

In this type of surgery, the main aim is to reshape the cornea of the eye to give it suitable curvature depending on the needs of the patient. Surgeons mainly prefer this surgery method because it is less time-consuming. The surgery only takes minutes.

LASIK or the laser assisted in situ keratomileuses is the common method used to cure myopia (near-sightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism. There are different versions of this surgery as stated below:

LASEK – it involves the creation of a thin-flap right in the outer epithelium of the eye. However, this flap floats away from the eye by the application of alcohol.

Epi-LASIK – it is like LASEK, and only differs in the mechanism.

Bladeless LASIK – this LASIK type eliminates the need of using a blade. Instead, a directed laser is used to create a corneal flap before reshaping of the cornea.

Wave front LASIK – Excimer lasers are used in wave front LASIK because of their ability to utilize the modern analysis called “wave front” in the vision correction.

2) Photorefractive Keratectomy (PKR)

The procedures used for PKR is somewhat like the ones used in LASIK. However, the main difference between the two is that in PKR, instead of creating a flap in the outer epithelium of the eye, the surgeons completely remove the outer layer. The exposed cornea is then shaped with lasers to correct the vision to its utmost degrees.

Certain candidates that would not qualify for LASIK would do for PKR because it can provide treatment in several eye-conditions such as dry eyes and irregular astigmatism. However, the patients treated with this method, sometimes, do not recover as expected. Also, the recovery time is greater than the previously explained method.

3) Implantable Contact Lenses or Visian ICL/Verisyse

Visian ICL is performed to give the patient a permanent treatment. However, upon a change in the prescription, he or she might have to experience the overall procedure again.

It is not a laser surgery. What happens in this vision correction method is that lenses are inserted just above the cornea. Patients receiving this treatment experiences vision relief almost immediately.

4) Conductive Keratoplasty

Used to cure farsightedness, presbyopia, and another type of vision problems, CK uses low heat radio waves to steepen the cornea according to the needs of the patient. This treatment can also be used for patients who have done LASIK and want to enhance near vision.

So, these were all the different types of laser treatments available out there. Depending on your age, eye conditions, and prospects, your practitioner would recommend the best procedure suitable for you. For people that have diabetes or other diseases that could affect the healing process, many of the surgeons recommend PRK or LASEK laser vision correction or laser eye surgery methods.

If you are looking to reduce or even get rid of your eye glasses and/or contacts let us at Rohr Eye & Laser Center help you! We offer several types of LASIK eye surgery including PRK, AK, CK, Cataracts surgery and more. We perform all these eye laser treatments with state of the art equipment. We are a leader in laser vision correction, and our goal is to help you achieve superior vision. Contact us today or view our website http://www.michiganlasik.com/  to schedule an appointment.

PRK and LASIK vision correction methods are the most popular modern procedures for the correction of astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness. While their outcomes are ultimately similar, their procedures differ. Ophthalmologists usually determine the best procedure for a patient depending on the unique laser vision correction needs of the individual. But how does PRK laser eye surgery differ from LASIK?

PRK Laser Procedure

PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) Laser Procedure was the first eye surgery vision correction method – direct predecessor of the LASIK procedure. This procedure involves the removal of the thin outer layer before reshaping the corneal tissue using an excimer laser. Within a few days after the eye surgery, the epithelium repairs itself, growing back over the surface of the cornea.

LASIK Procedure

Lasik is a procedure which involves the creation of a thin flap on the cornea with the aid of a femtosecond or microkeratome laser. The thin flap is lifted in order to expose the corneal tissue, after which it is replaced following the reshaping of the cornea using an excimer laser.

PRK vs. LASIK

A major difference between PRK Laser surgery and LASIK is in the first part of the procedure. While LASIK involves the use of a thin flap at the corneal surface, PRK does not. Hence, so long as an individual is a candidate for LASIK, he/she would also be a candidate for PRK. However, a PRK patient may not necessarily be a LASIK patient. PRK is recommended for patients with thin or steep corneas, large pupils, irregular astigmatism, and history of eye syndrome or eye surgery.

The end results of both procedures are very similar – the difference is in the healing process. The initial recovery of PRK procedure is slow because it takes a few days for regeneration of new epithelial cells to take place so the surface of the eye will be covered. The risk of eye infection and vision haziness is also increased in PRK surgery in the few days after the eye surgery and the final outcome is gradual and could be achieved after several weeks. On the other hand, LASIK patients usually experience less discomfort with quicker stability of vision.

Although the healing process of PRK is a lot slower than LASIK, the procedure has some unique benefits. Since PRK surgery does not involve the creation of a thin corneal flap, applying treatment to the thick area of the underlying stroma is possible. This is especially beneficial to patients with thin cornea (who are not qualified for LASIK) and those who have previously undergone a LASIK eye surgery. PRK is also beneficial because the patient is not exposed to the risks of removing too much cornea or potential flap complications.

If you are looking to reduce or even get rid of your eye glasses and/or contacts let us at Rohr Eye & Laser Center help you! We offer several types of LASIK eye surgery including PRK, AK, CK, Cataracts surgery and more. We perform all these eye laser treatments with state of the art equipment. We are a leader in laser vision correction, and our goal is to help you achieve superior vision. Contact us today or view our website http://www.michiganlasik.com/  to schedule an appointment.

Myopia, or nearsightedness, is the most common refractive error of the eye a situation where the eye does not refract light or bend properly to a single focus to view images clearly. In this case, close or near objects look clear while there is poor distance vision which causes distant objects to appear blurry. However, myopia is not an eye disease, but an eye focusing disorder.

Although myopia has a genetic link, its effect is usually more driven by environmental stress associated with near work such as computer use, reading, hand games, and a lack of quality outdoor time. In fact, an increasing cause of myopia is because of the adaptation of the eyes to prolonged periods of near work. Therefore, myopia is referred to as a “nearsighted” disorder one that impacts between 25-40 percent of the total U.S. population today.

Myopia – Correction Options

Myopia is a major health concern today with increasing prevalence over time. The main correction or treatment options include the use of glasses, contact lenses, and LASIK surgery.

Glasses

The use of glasses is the most common correction option for myopia especially with children. Correction glasses correct the angle through which light hits the retina. An eye doctor, ophthalmologist or optometrist, is best placed to examine your eye, testing your vision with the use of focus exercises and eye charts to arrive at the exact prescription for the disorder.

Contact Lenses

Eye examinations and vision tests are also used to determine the exact lens prescription for a patient just as they do for glasses. The mechanism of operation of contact lenses is like that of glasses they change the direction through which light enters the eye. However, contact lenses are immensely thinner than glasses due to their proximity to the cornea. There are two different types of contact lenses, soft lenses, and rigid gas-permeable lenses.

Soft Lenses

Soft lenses are designed with flexible soft plastic that allows it to adhere to the eye surface easily. Soft lenses cover a large portion of the eye including the iris, pupil, and even extending to the white. While some soft contact lenses are designed to be worn for a specified period before they are disposed, others can be taken out after use, cleaned, and stored properly overnight for use again.

Rigid gas-permeable Contact Lenses

In comparison to soft lenses, rigid lenses are a lot smaller covering the pupil and slightly extending into the iris. Rigid lenses are made of a thin rigid plastic and they float on the eye tears like soft lenses, while oxygen passes through the lens to the eye surface. It may become necessary to clean the lenses when an eyelash or dust particle gets between the eye and the contact lens.

LASIK (Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) Surgery

Although contact lenses and eye glasses are myopia correction options, they are only temporary. Distant objects would still appear blurry if you are not using them. Laser surgery on the other hand, is a permanent myopia correction option which does not require any daily cleaning or corrections. It is the most common refractive error treatment option which adjusts the shape of the cornea to allow passage of light through it, while light hits the retina just at the right angle.

If you are looking to reduce or even get rid of your eye glasses and/or contacts let us at Rohr Eye & Laser Center help you! We offer several types of LASIK eye surgery including PRK, AK, CK, Cataracts surgery and more. We perform all these eye laser treatments with state of the art equipment. We are a leader in laser vision correction, and our goal is to help you achieve superior vision. Contact us today or view our website http://www.michiganlasik.com/  to schedule an appointment.

If you have some or a combination of the most common eye annoyances such as blurry vision, spots or night glares, then it is worth seeing an eye doctor or an optometrist who will examine your eyes for both vision and health problems. In some cases, eye doctors may provide low vision care or vision therapy, or correct refractive errors by prescribing contact lenses and or eyeglasses.

An ophthalmologist, on the other hand also specializes in vision care and will also perform eye exams, diagnose and treat disease, prescribe medications and perform eye surgery. An optician will use prescriptions authorized by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist to fit and sell your eyeglasses.

Understanding LASIK

So, when is LASIK vision correction necessary, who performs the procedure, what vision problems can the surgery treat, and most importantly, is it safe especially for seniors? Short for laser-assisted in-situ keratomileuses, LASIK is an FDA approved procedure that has proven to be a very safe and effective way to treat and correct common vision problems such as astigmatism, near and farsightedness.

While LASIK may not be suitable for people with strong lens prescriptions, such as a high degree of short-sightedness, however, the eye laser surgery can also be used to correct an aging effect that makes it hard for an individual to focus on things up-close using a technique known as monovision LASIK.

What To Expect During LASIK Procedure

The most important goal of eye laser surgery is to alter the shape of the cornea, so it does a better job of focusing images onto the retina for sharper vision. An eye surgeon performs LASIK using a cool, non-thermal beam of light that is computer controlled. The procedure doesn’t hurt because the surgeon places anesthetic eye drops in your eye first, then proceeds to cut across the cornea of the eye, raises a flap of tissue and carries out reshaping to correct your vision. While the entire procedure takes approximately 15 minutes per eye, the laser treatment only takes less than a minute.

People who qualify for eye laser surgery report an immediate improvement in their vision with no complications or side effects and because there’s usually no stitches or bandages required after eye laser surgery, recovery is also very quick. Therefore, anyone over 18 years and meets the requirements can benefit from LASIK procedure, this includes seniors too.

Are You Eligible For LASIK?

An eye care specialist can help you determine your eligibility for LASIK, but the general guidelines are:

• You must be 21 years and older and have healthy eyes, which means your eyes must not have any conditions that will affect postoperative healing, including eye infections, severe dry eye, glaucoma, cataracts, a degenerative or autoimmune disease
• Your vision must also be stable for at least a year before surgery
• Pregnant or nursing women are not eligible as hormonal levels can affect the shape of the eye

Therefore, consider eye laser surgery if you are tired of fumbling with contact lenses or eyeglasses and you meet the above requirements.

If you are looking to reduce or even get rid of your eye glasses and/or contacts let us at Rohr Eye & Laser Center help you! We offer several types of LASIK eye surgery including PRK, AK, CK, Cataracts surgery and more. We perform all these eye laser treatments with state of the art equipment. We are a leader in laser vision correction, and our goal is to help you achieve superior vision. Contact us today or view our website http://www.michiganlasik.com/  to schedule an appointment.