December 3, 2007

A Complete Guide To Understanding Epi-LASIK Laser Eye Surgery

Tip! Lasik eye surgery is a surgical procedure, but one can essentially come and go from the hospital before and after the procedure with little to no assistance. The procedure takes place while the patient is conscious although sometimes a mild sedative is given to the patient upon advice of the surgeon.

Epi-LASIK is a relatively new form of laser eye surgery, and it’s certainly the most advanced. It combines the best elements of LASIK, LASEK and PRK laser procedures. Basically, the newest addition to the laser eye surgery arena involves separating the epithelial from the top of the cornea. An epikeratome is used, rather than slicing into the cornea to produce a hinged flap, as is done in LASIK surgery. Epi-LASIK is an acronym, where Epi stands for Epithelial, and LASIK for Laser in situ Keratomileusis.

Epi-LASIK is similar to other laser eye surgery techniques, as it also uses a laser beam to reshape the cornea. It’s most effective for people with mild to moderate nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. It can also be very effective for people with a thin cornea.

Tip! Lasik eye surgery is popular because of the general ease of the procedure. Patients discuss a relative lack of pain after Lasik eye surgery and almost immediate occurrence of excellent vision.

As the latest technique, Epi-LASIK does offer a couple of advantages over the older forms of laser eye surgery. The main advantage over LASIK, is that the cornea itself does not need to be cut, and so the cornea doesn’t need to heal. This means the recovery time is faster and vision returns to normal more quickly. Only a thin layer of the epithelial is lifted, and it heals quickly once replaced. As the cornea is untouched, the risks associated with cutting a flap into the cornea are removed. There is also less pain involved for the patient.

Tip! If you are not the type of person to boldly take risks,LASIK eye surgery may not be right for you.

Having said that, Epi-LASIK is a type of surgery, and no surgery is without risk. However with proper testing at the initial consultation, the risks are minimal.

Epi-LASIK is an extremely quick procedure, as are all laser eye surgeries, and is complete in less than 10 minutes. Initially, anesthetic drops are put into the eye to minimize the chance of discomfort or pain. Once they’ve taken effect, the epithelial is moved off to the side so that the laser can remove the required amount of cornea.

It’s important for the eye to remain stable and unmoving during the procedure. Then, the epithelium separator flattens the cornea by passing across the eye, thereby making it easier to separate the epithelial. It’s not completely removed, but remains attached in the middle. The epithelial is moved out of the way with a small, spatula-like took.

Now the epithelial is moved, the laser begins the job of removing the excess tissue from the cornea with pulses of light. The laser reshapes the cornea to the correct dimensions, as determined during the patient’s initial consultation. Finally, antibiotic drops are put into the eye. These help protect the eye against infection, then a bandage similar in design to a contact lens is inserted. Generally, it’s possible to resume normal activities the day after Epi-LASIK surgery. It’s also important to attend the follow up visits with the eye surgeon to confirm the eye is healing and well and vision is normal.

Tip! Laser eye surgery refers to the use of high quality and high precision laser called the Excimer. It is used to carve the corneal tissue of the eye in order to help the light rays to get refracted correctly and fall precisely on the retina of the eye.

Being a new procedure, it may take a little longer to find a practitioner who is experienced in the Epi-LASIK procedure. But take your time, ask for referrals, and visit at least a couple of eye surgeons before deciding which one to use. Discuss the eye surgeon’s experience, and ask about success rates. Make sure you understand clearly the costs involved, and what appointments you will need to attend both before and after the surgery.

Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Vision-Doctor.com He provides more eye surgery solutions, contact lens information and Epi-LASIK Laser Eye Surgery that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

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Important Things to Consider Before Buying Contact Lenses

With so many options available to the consumer when looking for a contact lens, it might be really confusing as to which one to choose. There are many different kinds of contact lenses available in the market keeping in mind to suit the needs and wants of a person. The needs differ from a person to another and hence so many varieties are available. There are the soft and rigid varieties mostly used by the people for correcting the vision imparities. Soft lenses are easy to handle and adjust and are very comfortable when worn. They are made up of soft plastic material. They fit the eyes properly, absorb and hold water too. Soft lenses do not pop up like the rigid lenses and also do not accumulate any dust underneath them.
Rigid lenses on the other hand do not absorb chemicals, as in the case of soft lenses. They also give a clear view. Rigid lenses last longer and gas permeable lenses are less expensive than the soft lenses. Both soft and rigid lenses are used for bifocal correction.
Some models correct both near and distant visions while others, correct near vision […]

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Decorative Contact Lenses - Tips and Trends

Decorative contact lenses are otherwise known as Halloween contact lenses and Special effects contact lenses. These kind of decorative lenses are mainly used in films, television, theatres and rock concerts. Nowadays, it is also available to people of all walks of like at a very affordable price. Decorative lenses are available in almost all kinds of colors, shapes and forms, to name a few are red eyed alien, green eyed reptile, zebra stripes, flowers, stars etc. Some of the latest trends and styles include hypnotic spirals, wolf eyes, eagle eyes, flames, all black, bloodshot eyes, all white etc. The decorative contact lenses could provide the perfect finishing touch in bringing out the character of the costume into life.
Decorative contact lenses can completely transform the appearance of the person by either covering the entire sclera or covering just the pupil of the eye. The decorative lenses covering the entire sclera (the entire white part of the eyes) create a fully transformed effect. The styles and designs are timeless and timely.
Decorative lenses can be very harmful to the eye, even leading to permanent eye injury or blindness when they are made out of improper materials […]

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