Health Chats
Eye Care: LASIK Surgery
Tuesday Jan 26, 2010, 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!
crystalensgonewrong:
I am 57 and have Behcets Syndrome. I was also very nearsighted (-7 range on both eyes). I had the Crystalens implants in both eyes with astigmatism correction and blended vision cin June/July 2009. My vision was improved but I had some double vision and blurriness when reading at a distance - street signs, etc. My doctor said the YAG laser would fix my problem, but after the YAG I lost most of my intermediate and distance vision. Further testing showed inflammation in both eyes which I am treating with PredForte. After the inflammation is under control my doctor says he can do some Lasik to correct the remaining nearsightedness (now -2.5 range). Do you agree this is a safe procedure for a person with Behcets and will it correct my nearsightedness after all I have been through?
Omar E. Awad, MD:
If you have a cataract surgery and need to adjust the refractive outcome, then often laser vision correction is the easiest, safest, and most predictable surgical procedure to do so.
Omar E. Awad, MD:
I think the risks from you cataract surgery, and perhaps even the YAG laser, are higher that the risks you woule face in having LASIK. So yes, I agree that LASIK is probably your best choice if you don't ant to have eyeglasses.
Nerrad:
I also hear alot about bladeless LASIK....what is the difference between bladeless and bladed lasik. I did not even know lasik used a blade?
Omar E. Awad, MD:
We never used to talk much about the blade used in LASIK until the all-laser technique was adopted.
Omar E. Awad, MD:
With LASIK, the first step is to make a flap in the cornea. We used to always use a microkeratome to do this, which is an instrument that has a blade that cuts the flap.
Omar E. Awad, MD:
Now the all-laser LASIK technique uses a laser to create tiny air bubbles that are placed in a pattern to create a very accurate and customizable flap.
Omar E. Awad, MD:
My opinion is that all-laser lasik is a superior option with regards to safety as well as outcomes. There are still many surgeons using bladed LASIK, but I feel that this is becoming more "old-school".
Vic110:
Thank you Dr Awad, you have really helped me. I have made appointment for a pre-op on Thursday, I have many questions to ask now!
Omar E. Awad, MD:
Best luck to you!
helpme1978:
What are the primary reasons you decline patients for lasik surgery?
Omar E. Awad, MD:
If you fall outside the treatable parameters for LASIK, you should be rejected for surgery.
Omar E. Awad, MD:
A cornea that is too thin or irregularly shaped is not a good candidate (for example, keratoconus)
Omar E. Awad, MD:
If your prescription is too high, it may not be treatable with LASIK>
MedHelp:
This is the final question for the day.
Omar E. Awad, MD:
If your expectations are not reasonable, you may not be a candidate for LASIK. For example, a 55 year old who insists on being able to see both distance and near with both eyes and never need glasses again - if you have presbyopia, you may need glasses for reading.
Omar E. Awad, MD:
Thank you all for participating today! All great questions!
MedHelp:
Thanks everyone for joining the Lasik Surgery Health Chat today with Dr. Awad. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to answer everyone's questions today, so we will carry over your unanswered questions to next month's chat for Dr. Awad to answer. If you still have questions, please sign up for the next LASIK Health Chat: http://www.medhelp.org/health_chats/register/37. We'll see you in a month.
Omar E. Awad, MD:
As always, you can find more information at www.lasikplus.com
MedHelp:
Thank you, Dr. Awad, for taking time out of your busy schedule to join us today and answer everyone's LASIK questions.
