Health Chats
Eye Care: LASIK Surgery
Tuesday Dec 15, 2009, 05:00PM - 06:00PM (EST)
At Lasik<b><i>Plus</b></i> we know your vision changes throughout your life. But the importance of caring for your eyes and maintaining your sight never goes away. With constant advances in technology, more people can now be considered excellent candidates for laser vision correction than ever before. Whether it’s the hassle and expense of glasses or contacts, health issues, or the desire to focus on what’s most important to you, you have your own unique reasons for considering laser vision correction. <br><br>
Everyone’s eyes are different, and not every procedure is appropriate for everyone. Having helped a million people nationwide through this process, we at Lasik<b><i>Plus</b></i> have a lot of information to share with you. <br><br>
If you are considering LASIK surgery, or just want to learn more about the procedure, join Omar E. Awad, MD as he answers your questions regarding laser eye surgery. You can also call one of our Lasik<b><i>Plus</b></i> specialists anytime at 1-866-921-2179 or visit us on the web at <a href="http://clk.atdmt.com/CHI/go/147163270/direct/01/" target="_blank">www.LasikPlus.com</a>. We look forward to hearing from you!
mjh1964:
The pupil reacts well to light. I will make an appt. with a Lasik Center after the first of the year. Thanks for being available to answer questions! You were very helpful.
Omar E. Awad, MD:
You are welcome. Best wishes to you!
zebra2:
I have a condition called nystagmus. My eyes involuntarily move back and forth. Sometimes I have a tough time reading. Are there any treatments or suggestions that can help with this? Could I be a candidate for a LASIK?
Omar E. Awad, MD:
We used to avoid doing LASIK on people with nystagmus, as you have to fixate on a target during the treatment. However, the newer lasers are much faster and have tracking mechanisms to follow any movements of your eyes during the treatment.
Omar E. Awad, MD:
If your vision is helped by glasses or contacts, then you may benefit from LASIK as well. Visit your local LASIK center to see if you 'd be a candidate.
kimt82:
How young can a someone be to have the Lasik procedure done?
Omar E. Awad, MD:
In the USA the procedure is approved by the FDA for 18 years old and older.
Omar E. Awad, MD:
The reason is that you want your vision to not be changing any more when you have the procedure.
Omar E. Awad, MD:
There are places where a child could have the procedure if glasses or contacts cannot be used effectively, but in the USA this is considered "off-label."
plastow9:
I am considering having eyelid lift surgery and lasik vision correction surgery - which should be performed first - and how much time should elapse between the two? Thanks.
Omar E. Awad, MD:
This might depend on if you are having the eyelid lift because your vision is blocked, or for cosmetic reasons. If your vision is blocked by your eyelid, then I would consider getting that fixed first.
Omar E. Awad, MD:
If your vision is not blocked, I would probably do the LASIK first, then have the eyelid lift about 3 or more months later.
abhisekh:
One of my friend's father had an eye surgery three times, and now they're planning a fourth attempt. However, due to the wrong investigation and treatments performed by the doctors, my friend's father could lose his vision. It was determined that one of the previous doctors performed a wrong treatment that resulted in damage to the optic nerve. Is there is any possibility of getting back to normal vision? Can Lasik correct damage to the optic nerve?
Omar E. Awad, MD:
LASIK is a surgery to reshape the cornea to get light to focus in the correct place.
Omar E. Awad, MD:
The optic nerve is the "cable" that carries the picture from the eye to the brain.
Omar E. Awad, MD:
Unfortunately, LASIK will not help any optic nerve problems.
Omar E. Awad, MD:
In some cases, damage to the optic nerve can gradually recover over time. This can take months to even years. The recovery is usually partial however.
hitesh20:
My right eye is weaker than my left and I have specs from 2002. Can I get lasik surgery?
Omar E. Awad, MD:
Bring your spectacles with you to an evaluation at your local LASIK center. We can read the glasses and determine if your vision is stable or changing.
Omar E. Awad, MD:
You will also be able to find out if you are a candidate, based on the testing that will be done. The fact that one eye is weaker than the other should not stop you from having an evaulation, and hopefully getting the procedure!
new4me:
Is there an age (where you're too old) to consider Lasik?
Omar E. Awad, MD:
I did LASIK on an 87 year old earlier this year.
Omar E. Awad, MD:
There is one thing that happens to the eye with age, and that is cataract formation. We often can correct some of your vision with cataract surgery as well.
Omar E. Awad, MD:
But lots of people have LASIK after they have had cataract surgery. In fact is is one of the best ways to "fine tune" your vision if you don't want to have to wear glasses.
Logan206:
In the past, I have had chalazions on my upper eyelid, and had 2 different procedure to drain/remove them. Would this condition prevent me from being a Lasik candidate?
Omar E. Awad, MD:
This will not prevent you from having LASIK. Ideally you should not have a large chalazion when you have your exam or treatment though. Best wishes to you!
jledford:
Doctor I currently wear trifocal lenses in my prescription glasses. Would I be a good person to consider Lasik surgery? If so what type and what machine would you recommend? What should be the cost for this Lasik surgery?
Omar E. Awad, MD:
If you need a trifocal now, you will need to decide if you want to have both eyes corrected for distance (and still use "cheaters" or reading glasses for near vision), or have one corrected for distance and one for near vision tasks.
Omar E. Awad, MD:
I recommend visiting your local LASIK center to find out if you are a candidate, and see if you would like monovision (one distance and one near).
Omar E. Awad, MD:
You will also find out the cost, which can vary somewhat.
Omar E. Awad, MD:
I think the national average for an all-laser LASIK procedure is in the neighborhood of $2250 per eye or about $4500.
Omar E. Awad, MD:
I would expect to spend somewhere between $3500-4500 for both eyes. There are often deep discount places, but you never know where they may be cutting corners to cut costs. It's your eyes, and they are worth it!
