Archive for 'lasik'

EPI LASIK Surgery

Leave your comment

The awesome Epi-Lasik surgery procedure

Epi-LASIK is short for epithelial laser in-situ keratomileusis, which is a very advanced form of corneal surgery and a variation of LASIK surgery.  It is used to correct farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism.  This type of  procedure brings together some of the best features from LASIK, PPK, as well as LASEK.  Epi-LASIK is an outstanding surgery that can improve the vision with very little pain.

The Epi-LASIK surgery  involves creating a very thin flap in the cornea with a microkeratome that is able to lift the epithelium from the under layers without actually cutting the surface as one must do in common LASEK procedures.  Epi-LASIK is gentler and because it doesn’t require cutting, even those with very thin corneas are able to take advantage of the surgery where they may not be able to in LASIK procedures.  Once the epithelial layer is removed from the cornea a laser remodels the cornea to provide better vision for the patient.  Once the reshaping has taken place the epithelial flap is folded back down to its original position.

Many patients opt for the this type of eye surgery because it has proven to have far less complications than the common LASIK procedures because of the way the flap is cut.  Patients having this procedure also experience a faster rate of recovery.  Most see a return of normal or better vision in just three days as opposed to 5-7 days that most patients report with PPK, LASEK, or LASIK procedures.  The Epi-LASIK procedure is also not painful, so patients do not deal with more pain for a faster healing time.  Most patients report that there is very little or no pain, whereas there is moderate pain associated with the PPK procedure.

After the surgery a soft contact lens is usually worn to help the eye heal as well as to minimize any discomfort.  Epi-LASIK surgery is an excellent choice for a good portion of the population, though the only people qualified to determine what type of advanced corneal ablation surgery you need is your eye doctor.  If you believe you are a candidate for this type of eye surgery, discuss your options and the pros and cons of each procedure in relation to your specific eye conditions, with a qualified eye doctor.

Astigmatism: Understanding and Correcting Your Astigmatism

Leave your comment

Many people are told by their eye doctors that they have an eye condition known as astigmatism, without fully understanding what this means.  The actual details of an astigmatism are quite complicated and interesting and people would generally take better care of their eyes if they knew exactly what this diagnosis means in relation to their ability to see now and in the future.

Astigmatism is actually a faulty type of vision that is caused by an uneven curvature or shape in the refractive surfaces of the eye.  The areas of the eye that are usually involved in the cause of an astigmatism are the cornea and the lens, with the cornea being the most common cause of faulty vision.  Because of the uneven curvature of either the cornea or the lens, light rays are unable to reach a single focal point behind the retina.  What this means is that some of the light rays focus on the retina while others focus in front of or even behind it.

Although many experts believe that astigmatism is a congenital condition, disease or injury to the eye are other causes. Astigmatism is not a condition that occurs alone; it is likely to occur with either nearsightedness and farsightedness, which can make getting a prescription for glasses or contact lenses more involved. To help those with an astigmatism to focus, the optical dispenser will need to ensure that the prescription glasses take into account the astigmatism as well as needing to modify the spherical lenses that typically correct other vision problems.  Astigmatism can be corrected with both contact lenses and glasses, though most experts agree that it is best corrected with contact lenses.  Astigmatism is like other vision problems, it occurs in varying degrees from very mild to quite severe.

In recent years advances have been made in the treatment of astigmatism, as LASIK procedures are now available to correct faulty vision.  These procedures work to even out the refractive surfaces of the eye so that the patient can see well without the use of glasses or contacts.  These procedures are becoming more advanced all the time, making them much more affordable and realistic for astigmatism patients everywhere.