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Last week I covered some of the factors that help determine
if one is a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery. LASIK, an
acronym for laser in situ keratomileusis, is a surgical
procedure that can correct some nearsighted (myopia),
farsighted (hyperopia) and astigmatism vision problems.
When you visit a trained ophthalmologists to ask about
LASIK surgery, also explore photorefractive keratectomy —
PRK - which is a laser procedure used to reduce myopia,
hyperopia and astigmatism, which is a blurring of near and
far images. Astigmatic keratotomy, also called AK, is a
procedure to reduce astigmatism and a procedure intrastromal
corneal rings might work to correct low myopia. Intrastromal
corneal rings are the first FDA-approved non-laser surgical
technique for correcting nearsightedness. The procedure
involves inserting a flexible ring under the cornea. The
ring flattens the front of the eye, which decreases
nearsightedness. Different size rings correct different
levels of nearsightedness.
LASIK is an outpatient procedure that only takes 10 to 15
minutes per eye. The eye heals relatively quickly from this
procedure, but you may want to take some time off of work.
Your vision will probably be blurry the day of surgery but
it will improve considerably in a relatively short time.
If you're considering LASIK surgery, here are some
questions to ask your surgeon about the procedure:
- How long have you been doing LASIK surgery and how much
experience do you have with this procedure?
- What are my chances to achieve 20/20 vision? How many of
your patients have achieved 20/20 or 20/40 vision following
surgery?
- What laser will you be using and is it approved by the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration? At this point five lasers
have FDA approval. They are VISX, Summit, Bausch and Lomb,
Nidek and ATC.
- What is involved in after-surgery care and who will
handle this?
- What are the risks of this procedure?
Here are some Web sites to check for more information:
American Academy of Ophthalmology, at www.eyenet.org, is a
national organization of ophthalmologists.
International Society of Refractive Surgery,
www.LocateAnEyeDoc.com, offers scientific research and
information.
American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery at
www.ascrs.org works with patients, government agencies and
the medical community to promote delivery of quality eye
care.
National Eye Institute, www.nei.nih.gov, offers free
publications for the general public.
Food and Drug Administration, www.fda.gov, oversees safety
of food, cosmetics, medicines, medical devices and
radiation-emitting products, and provides information on
contact lenses, intra ocular lenses, refractive surgery and
corneal implants for myopia.
LASIK surgery has improved many people's vision, but check
it out carefully before you make a decision.
The Federal Trade Commission reviews this surgery in a
recently released publication available in its entirety at www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/health/lasik.htm.
For more information, contact your local
Colorado State University Extension office.
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