Is LASIK Right for Me?
ByDavid Snape
The subject of LASIK is a very interesting
one. There is a lot to investigate and understand
about the process of getting your vision corrected
through laser surgery. I hope this article
helps to point you where you need to go to
do the best research. There are both pros
and cons to consider before submitting to
this type of surgery.
First, if you are already firmly
set in your decision to have LASIK, read
these pointers:
1. Make sure you go to a doctor who uses
the new Interlase laser for making the
corneal flap.
Why? Because the Interlase is 100 times
more precise than the "old fashioned"
method of using a microkeratome to cut
the initial flap. Many speculate that
most of the problems that come from LASIK
surgery have been due to the impreciseness
of the microkeratome device used to cut
the cornea.
2. Most definitely insist on a custom
wavefront laser to do the actual reshaping
of the cornea.
Why? Because the custom wavefront can
get rid of what is called higher order
aberrations.
What does this mean to you? It means
much sharper vision after the surgery
and a significantly reduced chance of
having halos, starburst and other "complications"
from LASIK.
Repeating: Make sure you go to a surgeon
who is using both Interlase and Custom
Wavefront technology to do LASIK surgery.
Relatively few practices have these new
technologies. Consider that surgeons who
invest in these technologies may have
more of your interests at heart.
One of the top 5 LASIK surgeons lives
in Kansas City. Check out his site: durrievision.com
Look at the information on his site including
the videos where he explains what LASIK
is all about. Compare your perspective
surgeons website to his and you may detect
a difference.
Next, you should be aware of the potential
problems of LASIK surgery as you review
www.surgicaleyes.com - you may find that
these horror stories came from procedures
that didnt use interlase and custom wavefront
technology together. See-there is a reason
to go with the newer technologies. You
can email the people on this site and
ask them questions about their procedures
and the complications that they faced
or are still facing.
One of the problems with LASIK, has been
the LASIK 20/20 phenomenon. Some people
do technically see 20/20 after the procedure
but it is not normal. Instead, it is hazy
or blurred. This is probably due to the
higher order aberrations mentioned earlier.
That is why it is important to get custom
LASIK done. The custom wave front lasers
can remove those aberrations, hopefully
allowing you avoid the LASIK 20/20 phenomenon.
If your doctor says that you dont need
the custom treatment, I would ask him
if he has a custom wave front machine.
There may be a few legitimate reasons
to not have the custom procedure done,
but I seriously doubt there are many.
If he doesnt have such a machine, I would
wonder if his recommendation is based
on the best thing for you as the patient.
It always pays to get a second opinion
anyway and in this case, you should.
These are your eyes that we are talking
about and you owe it to yourself to get
educated on every aspect of this surgery
before undergoing treatment. The surgical
eyes web site mentioned above is worth
investigating. You need to know what could
go wrong and how to choose a doctor and
equipment that will allow you to avoid
problems.
I will say it again. Try to go with Interlase
to cut the corneal flap and try to go
with a custom wavefront laser to reduce
your risk of complications! I cannot stress
this enough.
I went through a screening process to
get LASIK done and was categorized as
an excellent candidate. They even wanted
me to participate in a study program that
would save me about $600. I still turned
it down. In the end, I decided that I
didnt want to get my eyes lasered.
Of course, there is something to be said
about not wearing glasses or contacts
anymore and there are many happy patients
out there. I just want you to be aware
of both the pros and the cons.
Do you really need to have LASIK done?
I think its worth it to investigate natural
vision therapy and see what you can do
about correcting your vision naturally
before permanently etching your current
prescription into your cornea.
Many people have gotten results from
vision therapy. A few have even gotten
rid of their glasses and /or contacts
forever. An industry insider has informed
me that this does happen but not very
often.
There are a couple of books to check
out on natural vision improvement if you
are interested in that alternative. Relearning
to See by Thomas Quakenbush is one that
comes to mind.
The original pioneer in vision improvement
was Dr. Bates. He was an early 20th century
ophthalmologist who really stuck his neck
out to go against the prevailing theories
of the day (that still persist). Many
of the people who he helped were very
grateful, Im sure.
I have dabbled with naturally improving
my vision. I have experienced a decrease
of tension, but I have not recovered 20/20
vision. This type of improvement does
take work and determination.
That is why there is LASIK today; everyone
is different in their wishes and expectations.
If you are in a hurry and you dont mind
the permanent etching of a prescription
in your cornea, LASIK might be for you.
I hope this helps you on your quest to
learn more about LASIK Surgery and point
you in the right directions to gain more
information so that you can make an informed
decision before deciding to undergo this
often expensive elective procedure.
This article is for informational purposes
only and is not meant to diagnose or suggest
treatment for any health condition. Please
consult a health care professional if
you have or suspect you have any health
related problem for proper diagnoses and
treatment
Dave Snape is a health, fitness and wellness
enthusiast. His website is http://tobeinformed.com
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