Archive for 'cataract surgery'

Eye Surgery: LASIK Surgery, EPI-Lasik and ALK

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Vision correction using eye surgery has become quite common in the past few years with more and more people opting to undergo the procedure in order to reduce or eliminate the need for wearing glasses or contact lenses.

Others may require eye surgery for other problems  including cataracts and glaucoma.

Refractive Surgical Procedures

Refractive surgical procedures are available which correct certain eye problems by changing the focus of the eye.

LASIK Surgery

Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis or LASIK surgery is a procedure that is used to permanently change the shape of the cornea of the eye. It is one of the more popular methods available today. Read more>>>

Epi-LASIK

Epithelial Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (Epi-LASIK) is a procedure that separates the thin top layer of the cornea. It has an advantage over LASIK surgery in that there are no sharp blades involved. Read more>>>

ALK

Automated Lamellar Keratoplasty (ALK) is a procedure used to correct myopia.

PRK

Photorefractive Keractectomy (PRK) is a procedure which involves removing tissue from the eyes using an beam of light.

Cataract

Cataract surgery involves removing the cloudy lens from the eye. The procedure involves a micro incision and the insertion of an intraocular lens implant. Read more>>>

Glaucoma

The surgical treatment for glaucoma can involve laser or regular surgical techniques which involves making a cut in the eye to relieve the intraocular pressure. Read more>>>

Cataract Surgery – Painless Cataract Surgery

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Cataract surgery was something that people tended to avoid if possible, 20 years ago, but today it is such a common procedure that people no longer stress about it all that much.

More than 2.7 million Americans had this type of surgery just last year and 95% of those people have experienced remarkably improved vision.  These numbers are quite outstanding and show that surgery is an effective way to save your vision if you suffer from the condition.  Cataract surgery is safe and effective and because this surgery has become so common it is generally done on an outpatient basis, meaning patients get to go home within hours of the procedure.

Cataract eye surgery is performed by making microscopic incisions that is facilitated by advanced ultrasonic equipment that can fragment cataracts into tiny pieces.  It is something that is typically done while the patient is awake though mild sedation is often used.  The patient will simply lie still and will be asked to look toward the light of the scope, a patient must notify the doctor if they need to cough, sneeze, or otherwise move, but other than that the patient is required to lie still for the duration of the procedure.  The whole surgery generally takes 20 or 30 minutes and the patient will be monitored for a short period of time before being released.  Many patients are released from the hospital or surgical center within an hour after the procedure being completed.

Cataract eye surgery is now able to improve vision dramatically regardless of how advanced or severe the cataracts are.  Many patients are actually surprised at how well they can see after the procedure is completed and the eye heals.  Thankfully, the procedure can be repeated should the cataracts come back in the future, and there is little risk of damage to the eye in repeat surgeries.

Many times a doctor will prescribe eye drops to help prevent pain, inflammation and infection, but generally the procedure is quite comfortable and complication free.  Drops may be applied both before the surgery and in the days after the surgery.  This medical procedure is one  that really makes one marvel at the advances in medical science.  The fact that doctors can restore vision in just a matter of moments without pain or discomfort is remarkable.  With so many millions of people suffering from cataracts, this surgery is no doubt a lifesaver for many.