Laser eye surgery

Factors to consider when thinking about eye surgery

Webmaster — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 11:34:16 +0000

Experts warn us that the decision to have laser eye surgery should not be made without consideration of the potential risks. Lasik and similar procedures are not approved for patients younger than 18, because their vision has not stabilized.

Some factors people should consider:

- Some people complain that their vision is not as crisp as it was with contacts or glasses, even though they see 20/20 on the eye chart after surgery. People with large pupils and those who are very nearsighted may develop glare or halos, especially at night.

- Serious complications are rare - ranging from about 1 to 2 percent of patients, depending on surgeon experience - but they do occur. Some are permanent.

- If you participate in contact sports, Lasik may not be advisable because a blow to the face could dislodge the corneal flap. PRK, a more painful procedure that involves several days of healing time, may be preferable because there is no flap.

- Do not have surgery if your prescription has changed in the past year. Best results require 12 months of stability.

- Check out different surgeons. Never pick one based on a low fee or a catchy ad. Experience is crucial - especially experience managing complications. Ask the surgeon what percentage of his or her patients have problems six months after surgery. If the answer is zero, find another doctor: No surgery has that low a complication rate.

- Consult doctors who perform several procedures, not just one. Otherwise, that’s the one you’ll get, even if a different surgery might achieve a better outcome.

Astronauts and laser eye surgery thumbs up

Webmaster — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 11:12:24 +0000

WASHINGTON, October 2007 — Due to a recent policy change Aspiring astronauts who have undergone laser eye surgery (LASIK) can now be considered for NASA’s space program.

Previously, LASIK was considered unsafe for astronauts in extreme conditions such as liftoff. After the cornea is reshaped by an excimer laser, the flap is replaced as a type of natural bandage.

Healing times are much faster because of the flap used with LASIK. But NASA officials feared that even a healed flap could become dislodged under extreme conditions.

Now, NASA officials say that modern wavefront-guided LASIK using flaps created by a special laser (femtosecond) known as IntraLase has a safety profile good enough to clear the vision correction procedure for astronauts.

Why LASIK may be safer than contact lenses

Webmaster — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 17:48:43 +0000

Laser eye surgery is becoming more and more popular.
A lot of eyebrows were raised when a study conducted by researchers at Oregon Health and Science University’s Casey Eye Institute (Portland, OR) suggested it may be safer in the long run to have LASIK surgery than to wear contact lenses.

Now a new survey may explain why the conclusions of that study may indeed be correct.

1. Poor contact lens care habbits

40% don’t wash their hands prior to handling their lenses.
20% don’t use fresh solution when cleaning their lenses.
40% have put their lenses in their mouth to clean them.
70% wear their contact lenses when swimming.

All of these behaviors cause more bacteria and other harmful microorganisms to be transferred to the eyes, increasing the risk for serious eye infections.

2. Propper contact lens care reduces risks!

Always wash your hands before handling your contact lenses.
Carefully clean and disinfect your contact lenses upon removing them, following the directions provided by your eye doctor.
When not wearing them, store your lenses in a clean contact lens case. Rinse the case with your contact lens solution after each use, and leave it open to air dry. Replace the case at least every 3 months.
Use only the contact lens care products recommended by your eye doctor.
Use fresh solution each time you clean and store your lenses. Never reuse old solution left in the case.
Replace your contact lenses as recommended by your eye doctor. Don’t stretch your wearing period, even if your lenses still feel good.
Don’t wear your contact lenses when swimming or in a hot tub.
(Water in swimming pools and hot tubs often contains chlorine-resistant microorganisms that can adhere to your contact lenses and cause a serious eye infection.)
See your eye doctor as directed for contact lens follow-up visits and routine eye exams.

Actress Jane Seymour joins fight against blindness

Webmaster — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 14:33:43 +0000

More than 15 million Americans are affected by macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness and severe vision loss for people 50 and older. Actress Jane Seymour has partnered with Prevent Blindness America (PBA), the nation’s leading volunteer eye health and safety organization, to announce “Don’t Lose Sight” – a movement to educate adults ages 40-69 about their risk for macular degeneration.

Seymour is personally affected by macular degeneration. Her mother, Meike, now 92, was diagnosed with the disease more than 20 years ago. As a result of macular degeneration, she can’t recognize people’s faces and can’t read without using a special magnifying glass. Seymour has watched her mother’s struggle with macular degeneration and wants to educate others about the disease. Seymour recently participated in “a day without sight” using a special pair of simulation glasses to illustrate the effects of macular degeneration.

Please visit www.dontlosesight.org for additional information.
More information on laser eye surgery.