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Category Archives: LASIK

Picking a LASIK surgeon is never easy

Picking a LASIK surgeon is never easy. It is a monumental decision in your life. You might see an advertisement for Lasik at $499 per eye. Nearly every large city has a discount laser eye-surgery company that sets itself up as the low price provider. The price is usually listed at 25% of the going rate for the established experienced surgeons.

Many people will pick a LASIK surgeon based on cost alone. Others might pick the most expensive surgeon, assuming that a higher price equals a better surgeon. Some will pick the cheapest surgeon, assuming that all surgeons are basically the same. Both of these methods are wrong. Continue reading →

LASIK Complications

For the past 8 years, I have counseled with LASIK patients who have experienced complications with LASIK surgeries. Complications are relatively rare in LASIK but when they do occur they can be traumatic and difficult for patients to manage. LASIK complications result in dissatisfaction with the results and often a reduction in vision quality or comfort. Oftentimes LASIK patients no longer trust their LASIK surgeon and feel that the surgeon was dishonest or disingenuous with them. Patients frequently feel that the surgeon is not forthcoming with information and/or secretive regarding the events that occurred.

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FDA Approved Excimer Lasers Summary

Listed Contraindications for LASIK performed by all excimer laser platforms:

  • Pregnant or nursing
  • Keratoconus
  • Collagen Vascular, Autoimmune, or Immunodeficiency disorders
  • Taking Accutane or Cordarone
  • Prescription changes in last year of 0.5 D or more.

There are 4 commonly used excimer lasers in the US. The two most common are the Wavelight Allegretto Wave and the VISX Star Customvue. Carl Zeiss MEL-80 and the Bausch and Lomb 217Z are also in operation as well. If a LASIK surgeon has continually upgraded the platform throughout the years, then the excimer laser system is of secondary concern. Each of the systems can provide over 90% chance of 20/20 uncorrected vision for moderate near-sighted prescription. Certain lasers run faster than others. Others require less corneal ablation. Outdated lasers, however, are to be avoided. They are nowhere near as accurate as the newer technologies.

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Finding the Best LASIK Surgeon

Most people who have LASIK want the best surgeon. They want the specialist who will give them the best vision with the lowest chance of complications. Generally, however, they pick their surgeon based on other factors. These factors can lead to incorrect decisions.

Poor Factors in Decision Making

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Wavefront LASIK and Presbyopia (Old Eyes)

Presbyopia affects everyone. Throughout our lives we gradually lose our ability to focus up close. Young children can focus on objects just a couple inches from their face. Teenagers can read something a few inches from their nose. College students see clearly at less than a foot away. By forty years of age, however, books must be held farther back to be read comfortably. The eyes didn’t suddenly go bad at forty. The eye had been gradually losing the ability to focus since birth due to growth of the lens inside the eye and a resulting loss in flexibility.

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