LASIK surgery has gone through enormous improvements since it was first approved by the FDA in 1995. The biggest improvement was the application of wavefront technology. The preferred treatment is now Custom LASIK which uses wavefront technology to diagnose your two eyes. There are four companies that make laser systems to deliver Custom LASIK, and all are excellent.

Traditional LASIK diagnosis

In the early years of LASIK, diagnosis was done the same way it is done for your glasses prescription. You sat looking with one eye into an aperture while the eye doctor or his assistant flipped from lens to lens asking you to read the smallest line of letters you could see clearly. That floor-standing device bristling with lenses is a phoropter and is still used every day for prescribing contacts and glasses.

The early LASIK vision correction was based on the data gathered in this phoropter diagnosis. That meant that your LASIK treatment was by no means unique. A million other people had the same prescription as you did and received the same laser vision correction.

Custom LASIK diagnosis

No phoropter is used for Custom LASIK diagnosis. Instead, you sit at a wavefront machine such as the AMO / VISX WaveFront™ System. A light is shone into your eye and when it reflects back into the system it is recorded and measured. It is not the straight-beam light that went into your eye – it is now a wavy light modified by the microscopic contours of your eye.

Your eye information is expressed by the system’s computer as a 3-D colored map of your eye. It tells your LASIK surgeon what shape and pattern your two corneas have and that tells him how it needs to be changed for clearer vision.

Higher Order Aberrations

Traditional LASIK treats the three conditions of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, putting that correction right into the eye’s cornea instead of into a pair of glasses.

· To correct nearsightedness the LASIK laser will flatten the cornea slightly

· To correct farsightedness the laser will steepen the cornea a little

· To correct astigmatism the laser will create a rounder shape instead of the more oval shape of an astigmatic cornea

Custom LASIK does that and more besides. It also corrects more subtle irregularities of the cornea known as the higher order aberrations. This is why Custom LASIK is about 25 times more precise than Traditional LASIK. Higher order aberrations are things like:

· Glare in low light conditions

· Halos around light sources

· Starburst (light scattering out from its source)

· Ghosting (faint second images creating double vision)

By correcting the minute corneal irregularities that cause these vision defects, Custom LASIK gives you improved quality of vision as well as more vision quantity. In other words, you will not only see clearly at more distances (quantity), but will see everything more clearly than you would have after a Traditional LASIK surgery (quality).

Watch the video related to clearly lasik

Dr. Michael Mockovak pleads not guilty in the plot to murder Brad Klock and Dr. Joseph King

Help answer the question about clearly lasik

What is the first thing you would want to see or do after having LASIK?
When satisfied patients realize they can see clearly without contacts or glasses, they have a “WOW” moment – something they can now see or do with their newly enhanced vision. What would be your WOW moment?

About Author

Jennifer Kimberley -
About the Author:

If you are considering LASIK as a solution to your vision problems, contact Northwestern Vision Correction Associates today to set up an appointment.

The cost of Lasik eye surgery is difficult to estimate in general terms because of the difference in prices charged by varying providers. It’s also dependant on each respective patients various needs with requirements differing from person to person.

The introduction of new technologies and procedures have resulted in a steady rise in the average cost of a lasik operation. Prices have risen between 30-40% in the last five years and by the end of 2006, the average cost of lasik per eye was about $2000.

Be Wary Of Advertised Specials

A trap for new players is falling for advertised lasik specials which can be rather misleading. Being drawn to a procedure being advertised for between $500-1000 is one thing and obviously very tempting however, keep in mind many people won’t qualify for the advertised price. If they do, then it’s quite likely extra work is required which will include several follow up visits and extra cost.

It’s important to read the fine print and ask the right questions before committing to lasik eye surgery. The average cost of lasik usually revolves around the cost per eye and if a procedure is being advertised for under a thousand dollars it’s more than likely for one eye.

Qusestions You Need To Ask Before Committing To Lasik Eye Surgery

Several factors contribute to the cost of Lasik a operation. These include such things as overheads including surgical equipment, surgery location and consultation fees. If you are considering Lasik then consider asking the following questions when you meet with your surgeon.

- Always ask for a clear explanation of what is included in the cost of lasik surgery. Factors such as initial evaluation and examination may seem straight forward procedures at the beginning but in many cases, you will be charged for these which is understandable but, find out exactly how much you’re paying.

- In many instances, other doctors will be asked to review your situation but most people don’t take into account their time is included in the fee.

- As much as you need to know what’s included, you also need clear guidelines as to what is not included. This will save any arguments when it comes to paying the bill!

- Ask your doctor the risks involved. Be clear on this. While lasik eye surgery is reasonably safe, any complications which do arise will need to be treated and therefore can “blow out” the original quote.

- Be clear with your doctor on the amount of follow up required. Will you need medication and if so, how expensive is it?

Several factors contribute to the average cost of Lasik surgery. The procedure is one thing but think of it a little like an assembly line. By the time the finished product reaches the showroom, a variety of input has gone into the end product all contributing to the success of the project and all contributing to the cost. It’s your hip pocket so be sure to go in “with eyes wide Open.”

Watch the video related to clearly lasik

Monovision is a treatment that is often prescribed for people over age 40 with presbyopia. Presbyopia is a normal part of the aging process that, unfortunately, happens to all of us at some point in time. It occurs when the lens inside the eye becomes less flexible and loses its ability to see objects up close. Some signs and symptoms of presbyopia include having to hold reading material (such as a menu or book) farther away to see it, fatigue and eye strain while reading, and difficulty seeing clearly for close work. Monovision corrects presbyopia by using one eye to see up close and one eye to see in the distance. This procedure eliminates the need for reading glasses and bifocals. Before performing Monovision with LASIK, Drs. Beers and Volpicelli of Mountain View have their patients wear contact lenses to create the same effect to ensure Monovision is the best choice for each individual patient. Patients adjust well to Monovision Although it may take several days, the vast majority of patients who try monovision adjust well to it. The brain learns to select the eye that gives it the sharpest image for near or far vision and automatically filters out the slightly unfocused image from the other eye. After Monovision LASIK, for example, you can see a road map clearly; the brain will use the near eye to read the map and will automatically suppress the information coming to it from the distance eye. Monovision is a safe and effective procedure for people over 40 who are <b>…</b>

Help answer the question about clearly lasik

I had inflammation after Lasik and I stil cant see.?
I had Lasik about 4 weeks ago and my eye became inflammed. I went in again and they reopened my eye to clean it out. Its been another two weeks and I still cant see clearly out of my eye. Has anyone else had this problem? Should I be worried?

About Author

Dean Caporella -
About the Author:

Dean Caporella is a professional broadcaster. You need to know this information to avoid the cost of your lasik eye surgery blowing out! Plus, read latest eye surgery news and reviews at:http://www.eyesurgeryplace.com

Astigmatism is a condition where the cornea has an irregular shape that causes problems with vision. The cornea, the clear covering of the lens and iris, serves as a protection to the eye and helps transmit light thru the eye. The cornea is normally spherical in shape, but those with astigmatism may have their cornea more oval shaped. This oval shaping causes light to scatter instead of focusing to a single point as it passes thru the cornea and results in blurred vision.

If you’ve ever looked at the images produced but those wavy mirrors at carnivals, you’ll have some idea of how astigmatism can distort your vision.

Astigmatism is characterized by distortions in your field of vision, often noted as the blurring of lines. Astigmatism is also a common cause of eyestrain and headaches, especially with prolonged reading or lengthy sessions at the computer. Astigmatism causes blurring of your vision at all distances, so objects close up and even those far away will be blurred. Often present at birth, astigmatism affects many people, although not all cases are severe enough to require corrective treatment.

Astigmatism is usually discovered during routine eye exams when your doctor checks your eye’s refraction and visual acuity using standard eye charts. Refraction is the ability to properly focus light rays on the retina and can be measured in a number of ways. Some doctors will ask a series of questions and conduct a visual acuity test, while others will use a keratoscope or keratometer to measure the curvature and shape of your cornea to determine your degree of astigmatism.

Astigmatism can be corrected thru the use of corrective lenses, involving either glasses or contact lenses. Astigmatism can also be corrected with refractive eye surgery.

Corrective Lenses for Astigmatism

Corrective lenses are a conservative method of dealing with astigmatism. Glasses and contact lenses are able to counter the effects of the irregularly shaped cornea and provide vision considerable improvement.

Ortho-K is an alternative method that uses special contact lenses that actually reshape the cornea. These special lenses are worn only at night and they gradually reshape the cornea by applying pressure in the right way.

LASIK Surgery for Astigmatism

A common misconception is that LASIK eye surgery doesn’t apply to astigmatism, but that’s false.

LASIK eye surgery is by far the most commonly selected procedure for refractive eye surgery. During the LASIK procedure, a small incision creates a corneal flap and an excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea. The excimer laser is different from other lasers in that it doesn’t produce heat. Once the procedure has been completed, the corneal flap is repositioned normally and the healing process begins. Most people can notice quite an improvement in vision immediately upon completion of the procedure.

LASIK surgery is quick and painless, usually being performed on an out-patient basis. In most cases, you’ll notice an immediate improvement in vision and the procedure is virtually painless, taking only a few minutes to complete.

Watch the video related to astigmatism laser

Office Ivan Pena of the Jacksonville Sherrif’s office looked for the best Lasik surgeon he could for his Astigmatism. He is very happy with his results of 20/20 vision following Advanced Laser Vision surgery in the form of Laser ASA. Here he is seen in a video two years after his surgery and his vision is still doing great. Infact he referred a number of his department officers who had high demands for vision. One of the officers had previous Lasik complication with another surgeon. Dr. Gulani corrected this officer’s complication back to 20/20 vision. www.gulanivision.com

Help answer the question about astigmatism laser

Can a high myopic astigmatism patient have surface ablation laser eye correction down twice to treat his eyes?

About Author

Ranju Kumar -
About the Author:

Want to separate LASIK Fact from Fiction? Get the straight story about all the different types of Laser Eye Surgery and learn which procedure is best for you. You’ll learn the pros and cons of all the popular methods of surgical vision improvement – just visit http://LaserImprovedVision.com

With the advancement in technology, this defect can completely be removed from the eyes and you can live to fulfill the desire. The technology is LASIK or Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis. LASIK are performed by LASIK eye surgeon to remove vision defects hyperopia, myopia and astigmatism.

Selection of a proper LASIK eye institute is the first thing that the patient should consider before opting for a LASIK eye surgery. Patients, who chooses LASIK plus vision center for their LASIK surgery are always satisfied. LASIK plus vision center provides the latest technology and the most advanced equipments that help the patient to achieve the best vision. LASIK plus vision centers have the best surgeon with excellent expertise, proven skills and updated with leading laser eye technology.

LASIK plus vision center only allows people who are above the age of 18 having no infection in the corneal region of the eye to have LASIK surgery. LASIK Plus vision center uses excimer lasers that has almost no side effects and offers no pain while operating. The patients are given proper routine by the LASIK eye surgeon to follow during the post-LASIK treatment. LASIK Plus vision center do not ensure a 20/20 vision. However, the vision ability improves.

LASIK New Jersey provided by LASIK plus vision center in New Jersey rewards their patient with progressive LASIK technology along with proper care to the patient. LASIK surgery at LASIK plus vision center is affordable, competitive and can even be financed by private firms. Simultaneously, LASIK surgery saves the patient from having major expenditure in buying a new pair of fancy glasses or a pair of trendy lens.

However, pregnant women and kids below 18 years of age are not eligible for the Lasik treatment. And for the candidates going for the Lasik treatment, to ensure whether they will get successful results, an eye exam is conducted before the surgery. The candidates, wearing soft contact lenses, who opt for the Lasik treatment, are advised to stop wearing them for 10-15 days before the surgery and the ones with hard contact lenses, are asked to stop wearing them for a minimum of six weeks.

LASIK eye surgeons have performed more than 720,000 successful LASIK surgeries in LASIK Plus Vision Center around the nation. The effects of a successful LASIK Plus surgery stay for more than 15 years. After performing LASIK surgery, the patients receive a new look along with the new desire to achieve their goals.

Help answer the question about lasik eye surgery for astigmatism

Would I be a good candidate for Lasik eye surgery?
my left eye has almost perfect vision. my right eye, however, is half blind. (my doc said that if i ever lost my left eye i’d be considered legally blind, although i’d still be able to see a little).
anyway, my right eye has a pretty bad astigmatism. my cornea is healthy and i’d only have to get one eye done.

i’d have to wait 3 years anyway, though.
but i’m not sure what the other qualifications are for lasik, so do you think i qualify?

thanks!

About Author

Arvind -
About the Author:

LasikAide is an online information hub for those who have minor defect in vision and want liberty from lenses and glasses. Lasik Vision Correction is a surgical procedure intended to reduce a person’s dependency on glasses or contact lenses. Know more about Lasik Plus Vision Center.

Lasik eye surgery has gained tremendous popularity since the time it was introduced in the last decade. The main reasons for this has been its efficacy and the realtivly high rate of success compared to most other operations. But at the end of the day it is a question of your eyes and it is always better to be properly educated about the operation and the kind of complications you might face.

It is generally your optometrist who will first provide you with the details of the operation. In this article we just provide you an overview.

This eye surgery is used to cure three main types of eye conditions-myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. Myopia, also know as nearsightedness is the problem of not being able to see what is far away without glasses. Hyperopia, also known as farsightedness, is the other way round. Astigmatism is something different where the patient has irregularities in his cornea which as a result distorts the image formed on the retina of the eye. The complications that one can face after surgery are discussed below.

The capacity to distinguish an item from its neighboring backdrop is a problem of contrast sensitivity. The reduction in contrast sensitivity is a comparatively common occurrence after LASIK surgery, particularly in patients with high amounts of myopia.

The occurrence of a second, generally fainter, image of an object next to the original object, creating an indistinct vision is what double vision or ghosting is. This problem is generally an effect of irregular astigmatism brought on by surgery. Like several other lasik-related vision problems, double vision often goes away over a period of time.

Then there is the problem of halos where one can see halos around lights. It must be noted that corneal swelling after this operation can cause halos for the first few weeks. In fact it is quite normal. However, if you think that the halo has persisted over a normal period of time, then it might be necessary for you to go for treatment again.

Another eye surgery related complication, starbursts cause a person to see lights as blurred. Often spikes or rays of light seem to radiate out of the center of the light source. Generally it affects night time vision, but in some cases, it might be a problem for all light sources at any time of the day.

Lasik has become a wildly popular surgery and while it does have some risks and occasional complications, it usually results in greatly improved vision for many people. To have the best chance for a successful recovery be aware of the restrictions after eye surgery. Here are the most important:

Prior to your lasik procedure, your eye care professional will have already performed an in-depth eye exam. In addition to an eye exam, you doctor needs a thorough health history to determine whether or not you are a good candidate for this procedure.

Many factors can make or break your eye surgery. To have the expected outcome, you must be a good candidate, you should follow all pre-operative instructions and you should always follow the post-operative instructions.

When you are ready for your operation procedure, your doctor will discuss several things to look for after surgery. He or she will also give you detailed post-operative instructions. Some of these restrictions may include not driving or working for several days, going to your check up appointments when scheduled, avoiding make up or touching the eye and refraining from physical activity.

Watch the video related to lasik eye surgery for astigmatism

www.focusclinics.com Video on short sight etc & why you need glasses and laser eye surgery. Explains about short sight, long sight, astigmatism and presbyopia. http

Help answer the question about lasik eye surgery for astigmatism

How much does lasik eye surgery cost nowadays?
I’ve been wanting lasik eye surgery for a long while now coz I’m so sick of contacts and glasses. Is there monthly payments or payment in full? And will getting lasik get rid of astigmatism, or lazy eyes as well??

About Author

John Porter -
About the Author:

Find more Lasik and
Eye surgery info online.
For Lasik related articles: http://www.lasik-fyi.info

Lasik eye surgery has performed by the eye surgeon to the patients who are suffering from the various diseases like myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.

The lasik surgery can cure all the problems and improve the vision.

1. People normally perform the lasik surgery needs extra care after the surgery. People who performed the lasik surgery and needs special care and wear lenses or glasses for extra care.

2. The doctor given the eye drop to protect the eyes, you must have to put the drop at regularly. The after care treatment is more important. It will take time to correct the eyes.

3. The post operative position is essential in the lasik eye surgery to take care of the eyes. The lasik surgery needs few weeks and it requires treatments properly to take extra care in the post operative position. Once the lasik surgery performs than the post treatment anti-inflammatory and anti-biotic medicine are used for the treatments.

4. Post operative eye care is one of the essential tasks to take care of eyes. You must have to follow the guidelines like you must have to wear the dark glasses and follow the strict instructions given by the eye surgeon. It is essential to keep the proper treatment to give better care of the eyes.

5. You must have to take care of your eyes and avoid any types of infections till the healing of eyes. It is essential to avoid such types of complications. It is better you can strictly follow the guidelines under post operative condition.

Watch the video related to lasik eye surgery for astigmatism

Laser Eye Surgery Procedure at the maher private clinic

Help answer the question about lasik eye surgery for astigmatism

Lasik Eye Surgery does any know how much it costs if I can only see up close and have a slight astigmatism?
Im afraid to even waste my time going down there (100 miles away) for an exam to see if im eligible because I dont want to pay over $800 for Lasik

About Author

Alex Bellweather -
About the Author:

Alex Bellweather is a writer for Lasik Eye Surgery , the premier website to find lasik eye surgery, lasik eye surgery problems, lasik laser eye surgery, cost of lasik eye surgery, lasik eye surgery testimonials and many more.

Who would have thought that a man without legs can walk again? Yes, with articial implants, a person who has lost both legs can still walk today. That’s the wonder of modern science. The same goes for those who have bad eyesight. Corrective laser eye surgeries can help you see clearly without the need for eye glasses or contact lenses anymore. Although this does not mean that the blind can see, it is still a miracle of sorts.

When we talk laser eye surgery, we usually think LASIK (Laser-assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) but there are also other refractive eye surgery such as : -

1) Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) – laser is used to remove tissue found in the surface of the cornea, which is the cause of vision problems.

2) Conductive Keratplasty (CK) – a small probe the size of one strand of hair is used to change the shape of the cornea by shrinking the surrounding tissues.
3) LASEK(Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis), which is a hybrid of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and LASIK.

Whatever it is, laser eye surgery will help people who have astigmatism, near or farsightedness, see better.

Due to surging demand, the price for these procedures has gone up in recent years. A reason for the huge demand is the benefits of having good eyesight without the use of cumbersome glasses. A survey of more than 3 million Americans who have had laser surgery claim to live a better life after the operation.

These benefits of corrective laser eye surgeries are :-

i) ability to see well without the use of eyeglasses or contact lenses

ii) makes one look better, thus improving self confidence and esteem

iii) can perform better in certain sporting and other physical events

iv) ability to see clearly when waking up from a nap or after good night’s sleep

v) can treat eye dieseases like glaucoma, presbyopia, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

vi) no maintenance needed

If you have to wear glasses daily, you will no doubt want to get rid of it. Imagine being able to see thing clearer and not get blurred vision without something hanging on your nose and ears. Even being able to go for a relaxing swim and not bump into something or someone accidentally. Laser eye surgery can make this a reality for you.

Before going for a laser eye surgery, you will be examined by a doctor who will find out the extent of work that needs to be done on your eye. This usually take less than 5 minutes, that’s it. And the good thing is that almost anyone can quality for such procedures.

During the operation, you will not experience any pain since anesthesia will be used. However, the doctor will probably prepare you for any case of itchiness post operation. Some people have the urge to scratch when it itches. This should be avoided so that there will not be any disruption in the healing process that will happen after a few days.

If you are suffering from bad eyesight, it may be time to seriously consider laser eye surgery to remove the need for glasses or contact lenses. Depending on your problems, your doctor may perform LASIK, LESEK, PRK or CK on you. But it is a relatively minor operation and you should be able to return to work after the procedure.

Help answer the question about prk laser

Would getting PRK (aka laser eye surgery) be considered chargeable leave in the Army?
Or is it a pass?
I’d be taking a total of two duty days off.
The reason why I am asking is bc I am paying for it myself, if I have the Army pay for it then I’ll be on a waiting list and I’m not stationed on a military installation so it’d be easier if I just pay for it bc we’re deploying soon and I don’t want to wait till it’s too late.

Anyways, my CSM and Commander were having an arguement as to whether it’s considered chargeable leave or pass.

About Author

Gary Toh is the owner of BlogBelle.com, a site dedicated to cosmetic beauty and info on lasik eye surgery. Get free articles, tips and info on lasik laser eye surgery and general beauty here

As the crystalline lenses of the eyes age, their capacity to focus (accommodate) at different distances naturally weakens and is sometimes lost. The result is a treatable condition known as Presbyopia, usually developing between the ages of 40-50.

Presbyopia patients are unable to maintain focus on either near or distant objects and need glasses to help accommodate for their weaker focal length. The most common course of correction for Presbyopia is through bifocal glasses or through separate glasses with varying focal lengths to accommodate for both near and distance vision.

Monovision offers an alternative solution, either through contact lenses or refractive surgery. Monovision eliminates the requirement of dual glasses by correcting individual eyes to different focal lengths. Normally, the dominant eye is focused for distance and the non-dominate eye is corrected for viewing closer images. Monovision works by tricking the brain into believing that the contact lens is a part of the actual eye. Depending on their lifestyle and needs, patients can choose whether to correct both eyes for distance or blend their vision by having one eye corrected for distance sight and the other for near sight.

Eye dominance is established by which eye works slightly harder than the other and is very simple to determine. To verify which eye is dominant: keep both eyes open, hold out a thumb at eye level and block either an object or a word in the line of site with the thumb. Close one eye and then close the other. The dominant eye is the one that did not see the object or word.

Nearsighted adults, who use glasses to help see distant images, tend to be capable of up-close reading without glasses. By giving them 20/20 distance vision, they will lose their ability to adjust focal lengths and focus. These individuals will then likely need glasses for reading. It is important to realize that Monovision is meant to give you functional, not perfect, vision.

LASIK with Monovision is a breakthrough technology for Presbyopia treatment. Instead of relying on glasses or contacts to accomplish Monovision, surgeons strive to permanently achieve the same results through a customized LASIK procedure.

A great option for undecided LASIK with Monovision candidates is to consult with eyecare professionals and sample contact lenses that will deliver comparable results to the surgical process. Keep in mind that the brain will need an adjustment period to relearn which eye is ideal for different tasks.

To ensure the ultimate results, LASIK surgeons will always include a discussion of Monovision during pre-surgical consultations of candidates over the age of 40 who use bifocals or reading glasses to treat their Presbyopia.

Patients over 50 who choose not to include Monovision in their LASIK procedure will likely need reading glasses post-LASIK surgery. Lens Replacement Surgery is a possible alternative for patients over 50 who want to correct both near and distance vision, without a dependence on glasses or incorporating Monovision.

For more information, speak with your eye-care professional.

Help answer the question about lasik monovision

Already 3rd week with monovision lasik, still seeing blurry for closeup..though it is improving?
from day to day…how long must I wait to adapt ….i heard 3rd week should be enough for vision stability. Pls help, I am kind of worry that I had made the wrong decision
i cant cut my fingernails properly, cant trim eyebrow properly, so sad to experience it
Pls share with me if anyone had done monovision before. Thanks so much…

About Author

LasikSurgeryRX is a consumer resource with information on Lasik Eye Surgery and http://lasiksurgeryrx.com/lasik_odds_of_20_20.php”>Lasik Results and much more.

Author: Mohammad Ghandehari-Motlagh,Optometrist

Member of Contact Lens Society of America(CLSA)

Shiraz-Iran

Every eye care professional knows dry eye is an important challenge in contact lens practice.In this article I’ll try to review some basic principles,etiologies, treatment plans and its prognosis step by step. I’ve  used  different references especially Contact Lens Society of America’s  publications. Details have been ignored because some of my readers will be professionals. My article consists of the following 9 important questions:

Q1:Do dry eyed patients really need our concerns as an optometrist?

The population of people over 50 years old will increase per year over the next five years and 20-40% of the patients will have some form of dry eye. Dry eye affects as estimated 20.7 million people in the United States and is the one of the most common reasons that people visit their eye doctor.

Q2: Some dry eye patients go untreated. Why?

Many our patients don’t think dry eye is a medical diagnosis and don’t think any thing can be done about it. You should know untreated dry eye is one of the most important causes of a disconnected contact lens wear.

Q3: What are dry eye etiologies?

Age and gender are risk factors. In one study found that women who complain of sever dryness outnumber men 46/1 !

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis,diabetes,thyroid disease,graves disease,asthma,glaucoma (and its ocular medications to treat it) and lupus are also more likely to experience dry eye.

Systemic medications such as anti-depressants,decongestants,antihistamines,blood pressure medication,beta blockers and diuretics will also all increase dryness in a patient.

The patient environment(cold climates and computer users) is an important factor.

Lasik  is also a cause of dryness.Most of the nerves serving the cornea come in from the nasal and temporal sides.When the flap is cut to leave the hinge on the top, both the nasal and temporal sides of the sensory nerves are cut.

Q4:Is monitoring dryness important for you?

If you think you’ll miss your patients only for untreated or ignored dry eye, what will you do? Yes. You’ll be very angry.

Q5: What’s the best procedure for Schirmer test?

Roll a cotton swab along the inside of the lower lid that removes excess tear found there and provide a more accurate assessment of the tear volume.

Q6:Are dry eyes so complex?

There are number of causes of dry eyes.Increased tear osmolarity is due to the tear film evaporation or decreased production .

Decreased production can occur from lacrimal gland disease and in neurotrophic corneas,corneal surgery,diabet and contact lens wear.

Q7:What’s your opinions about artificial tears?

We should have the patients put in drops several times/day, even if they don’t feel they need it. if the patient will continue   a routine of drops at least 4 times/day for a minimum of 4 weeks,they should notice a big improvement.

A.TheraTears(Advanced Vision Research):It increases goblet cell density,which increases mucin and the eye will be wetter.

B.Restasis(Allergan):It has been used by vets to treat dry eyes in dogs and approval for use in human has now been granted. I should tell you Restasis treats inflammation,an underlying cause of dryness.

Q8:Do you recommend punctal plugs for your patients?

There are 3 kinds of plugs: 3 days plug(is a diagnostic tool for poor candidate of permanent plug), extended duration plug(for 2-3 months plug and work well for post lasik dry eye patients) and non-dissolving plugs(for permanent plug). Extended duration plug can elongated to 6 months.Because it usually takes 3-6 months to nerve regeneration after lasik surgery.

Q9:What’s your patient’s instruction for bacteria removal in blepharitis?

Eliminating bacteria around the lids and lid margins will help patients with dry eyes. Scrubs with baby shampoo have been the industry standard.However it has been understand that it also removes some of the skin oils that are naturally antibacterial.

Sterilids(Advanced Vision Research,inc.) is a new product out now that can be used instead.What Sterilids does is kill 100% pseudomonas in 30 seconds. By letting sterilids sit on the lid margins for 30-60 seconds before rinsing it off bacteria has been eliminated without getting rid of the natural oils.

Please feel free to contact me: oculist233@live.com

References available Upon request

Help answer the question about lasik dry eyes

Does LASIK make your eyes dry?
I heard that LASIK dries your eyes for a while so an optional treatment after LASIK is to get plugs for your tear ducts to keep your eyes moist. How long does this condition last? I heard someone say your eyes are dry permanently. I thought it was only temporary.

Also, if one chooses not to pay for the tear duct plugs, are normal eyedrops enough to keep your eyes moist?
After the initial several months of dry eyes, is it possible to spend the rest of your life COMPLETELY FREE from dependence on eye drops or any other treatment for moisture? In other words, live like someone who never needed the surgery?
I don’t want to keep spending money and time buying and using eye drops or any other treatment. After LASIK, I want to be DONE worrying about my eyes (except of course for the natural deterioration that comes with aging). Is this possible?

About Author

Optometrist, Primary Eye Care,Shiraz-Iran

Are you tired of carrying around two pairs of glasses, wearing one pair to drive and another to read the menu when you go out to eat? Does the very though of bifocals make you feel old? Are you tired of wearing glasses and contacts altogether? You can ditch the lenses with LASIK!

Presbyopia

Most people begin to develop presbyopia at about 40. Presbyopia is loss of accommodation and develops with age. Accommodation is the ability to focus on object close up. If you are already near sighted, when you develop presbyopia you will need bifocals if you want to be able to read and see far away without switching glasses. If you are starting out with good distance vision, you will still need reading glasses. LASIK offers an option called monovision which can eliminate the need for bifocals or reading glasses.

What is monovision?

You see with both eyes, but one eye is normally dominant. Your brain relies more heavily on the image from the dominant eye. Monovision LASIK surgery corrects your dominant eye for distance vision and your non-dominant eye for focusing up close. Your brain will choose the best image, so you don’t actually see the blurry image coming from the other eye.

Adjusting to monovision

It can take several weeks for your brain to get used to making the adjustment and for your vision to seem natural. For some people it’s an easy transition. You can try contacts that provide monovision for a few months before having the surgery, to see if it is right for you.

Drawbacks

Monovision is a compromise. Most patients are very happy with the results, but it does not give you perfect vision. Monovision can diminish depth perception, so you may still need to wear glasses when driving at night. If your near vision continues to deteriorate with age, you may require additional surgery or reading glasses later on to correct the problem.

Monovision LASIK surgery can improve your life in many ways, giving you freedom from glasses and allowing you to return to your normal activities. If you have LASIK monovision surgery and find that you do not like it, your non-dominant eye can be corrected to match your other eye.

Help answer the question about lasik monovision

Your lasik monovision experiences?
I had lasik monovision 10 days ago. Although I saw quite clearly (but not 20/20) for a couple of days afterward, the following week was very difficult with lots and lots of fluxuation in both eyes, and at work eye strain and irritation. The doctor is encouraging and advises patience, but I’d love a pep talk or advice from anyone who’s had monovision lasik. At this point I’m not sure what’s affecting my vision – adjusting to mono or the healing process. My next follow up with the doc is in two weeks. I’m disappointed that I didn’t see perfectly the very next day – as I’ve lots of friends who had it, and did!

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If you need reading glasses or bifocals, talk to your ophthalmologist about monovision LASIK surgery today