Laser Eye Clinic:
Welcome to Laser Eye Treatment
by Mathew in Laser Eye Treatment
Thank you for visiting the Laser Eye Treatment Guide. Our intention is to provide you with a comprehensive guide to the different types of laser eye treatment techniques currently available. There are many aspects involved when choosing which procedure is the right one for you. We plan to provide you with the information to help you decide for yourself, which is the best eye treatment center.
Laser eye treatment is most commonly associated with vision correction procedures to correct nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism and the need for reading glasses (presbyopia). It is also used to treat diabetic retinopathy and detached retinas.
The three main laser vision treatment procedures available are Lasik, Lasek and PRK. They are all slightly different techniques and while none of them require an overnight hospital stay, their recovery times and the discomfort felt do vary.
Lasik (Laser in Situ Keratomileusis)
Lasik is the most popular type of laser eye surgery. A laser eye surgeon (ophthalmic surgeon) reshapes the cornea using a special laser known as an excimer laser. Lasik has the shortest recovery time compared to Lasek and PRK.
Lasek (Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis)
Lasek is a slightly different procedure to Lasik, in that a flap is cut from the protective tissue over the eye and not in the cornea beneath. Though Lasek has a slightly longer recovery time than Lasik, it can be used on patients with with unusually thin or flat corneas.
PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)
PRK was the first corrective vision procedure to use excimer lasers. With PRK an outer layer of cells from the surface of the cornea are removed, instead of a corneal flap. This lengthens the recovery time and discomfort felt after the procedure.
Suitability for Laser Eye Treatment
Not everyone will be suitable for laser eye treatment, which is why anyone wanting to undergo laser treatment to correct their vision will be given a thorough examination before any eye surgery will be performed. One alternative is implantable contact lenses. These are, as the name suggests, contact lenses that are permanently implanted into the cornea. The recovery time from this procedure may be longer than that of laser eye surgery, but unlike standard contact lenses do not require any maintenance.
Choosing the Best Laser Eye Clinic
by Mathew in Laser Eye Treatment
If you want to undergo laser eye treatment to finally lose those glasses forever, there are some things you need to do first. Choosing the right laser eye clinic or surgeon is one of the most important steps when you’re deciding to undergo laser eye treatment.
When finding a laser treatment clinic for your eye surgery, be sure to comparison shop to find the best price. However, because it is a medical procedure, don’t just choose the doctor with the lowest price. Do not compromise on the quality of the doctor to save a few dollars; you will risk permanently damaging your eyesight by choosing a less-than-reputable surgeon to use a laser beam on your eyes. Make sure you choose a reputable laser eye clinic to entrust with your vision.
As with choosing any medical professional, be sure that you are comfortable with both their expertise and their demeanor before continuing. Ask for references of past patients, and find a friendly and helpful doctor who will walk you through the process and give you personal attention. Be sure to ask lots of questions about the surgery, and make sure you are comfortable with his answers before proceeding. Find a surgeon who is not only knowledgeable about the procedure, but also happy to share his information with you. He should ensure that you understand the information, including the risks before going through with the treatment. Be wary of any surgeon that seems over-eager to go ahead with the treatment without making sure you are well prepared for it.
Don’t overlook the nurses when choosing a surgeon to work with. Because the doctor will not be caring for you personally for the entire time you are in his office, meet the nurses before making your decision. Most of your pre- and post-operation time at the laser eye center will be spent with the nurses, so make sure they are friendly and helpful.
Before the surgery is scheduled, your surgeon will bring you in for a consultation. He will review your medical history and perform an eye exam. Beware of doctors who seem willing to perform laser eye treatment on everyone to come through the door; the procedure is not right for every situation. The surgeon you choose should perform a thorough check to make sure that you are a good candidate for laser eye treatment.
If you do your research to find a great clinic and follow your doctor’s orders with care, it is very likely that you will get impressive results from laser eye treatment.