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Glasses No More via Wikipedia

For people with myopic eyesight, the mere prospect of having a perfect vision is certainly a dream come true. People with short sightedness problems would have probably at some time or other wondered about the benefits of having a lasik laser eye surgery to correct their vision.

Since the advent of lasik laser eye surgery, this dream is now a reality for millions of people all over the developed world. This article raises some dangers and side effects of this surgical procedure.

In the original version of the laser eye surgical procedure, the PRK, which is an acronym for photorefractive keratectomy, involves the complete removal of the cornea’s outer layer to operate underneath it and later let it to grow back on its own.

However, with the lasik surgical procedure or laser in situ keratomileusis, eye surgeons can now peel back the cornea surface to operate underneath it and then return the cornea to its original position.

Now, the bad news about the surgery is that there can be some side effects and complications just like in any other surgeries. Some people who have had lasik eye surgery done have found that not only did their vision had not improved, but are seriously damaged by the eye surgery.

The surgery permanently changes the physiology and optics of the eyes. Therefore potential eye surgery patients should always be aware of the risk-benefit ratio and whether is it worth to risk the dangers and side effects to the eyes. The benefits are that you can do away with glasses or contact lenses, probably permanently. However, the risk of permanent damage to your vision can be palpable and alarming.

In a ‘Review of Optometry’ report, up to one in six patients who undergo lasik laser eye surgery end up with complications and side effects. This ratio is indeed alarming.

Complications and side effects arising from the lasik eye surgery include distortion of vision, such as irregular astigmatism, which cannot be corrected by eye glasses. Others experienced deterioration in the quality of their vision or very bad dry-eye side effects. Some very unfortunate patients have reported having double vision or even triple vision arising from a lasik laser eye surgery.

For patients who do not suffer any side effects, it is certainly an undoubted positive life changing experience. For example, Richard Branson of the Virgin fame or notoriety, is a huge fan of lasik laser eye surgery as the surgery has transformed him from being ‘blind as a bat’ to having an almost perfect vision. Till this day, he is still gushing praises on lasik laser eye surgery.

However, on the other hand, Margaret Dolan from Ireland is a victim of the surgical procedure went wrong. After her surgery, her eyes developed a complication known as Post-Lasik Dry Eye.

Margaret Dolan needs to add artificial tears to her eyes many times a day and throughout the night just to keep the eyes moist. Patients who suffer from this dry eye syndrome usually have the symptoms for about two to three months after their surgeries and then the symptoms will disappear.

However, for some very unfortunate people, their conditions do not improve with time and they need to drop artificial tears on their eyes for the rest of their lives. This can be very frustrating and distressing for the unfortunate victims.

So if you are considering a lasik laser eye surgery, do discuss the possible risks and complications that may arise from of the surgical procedure thoroughly with your eye surgeon and get as much information as you can before you reach a decision.

Chris Chew

http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/lasik-laser-eye-surgery-side-effects-133105.html

Technorati Tags: Eye surgery, Lasik, lasik eye surgery, Lazer eye, Photorefractive keratectomy

If you are thinking about having lasik eye surgery consider the fact that some people LASIK surgery should possibly not be conducted on you if:

Your career could be subsequently placed on the line as a result of an eye operation. Various jobs implicitly state that eye modifications are prohibited, therefore it is imperative that you talk with your employer first.

Money is hard to come by at the present time. Currently, the majority of medical insurance doesn’t pay for surgeries of a refractive nature. Costs appear to be falling but still remain very high.

You are adverse to taking risks. A number of patients always receive particular complications. Additionally, since no long-term studies on LASIK have been performed you are effectively a guinea pig.

Your eyes are still changing yearly. If your glasses prescription has been modified within the last year constant surgical revisions would prove too costly and damaging to the eye. Eyes that are typically still changing are found in people 20 years of age or younger, those with diseases like diabetes that cause hormone imbalances, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and people taking medication that affects their clarity of vision.

You are an active contact sport participant. Wrestling, boxing or martial arts involve many strong hits to the face and in particular the eyes.

You have a disease or medications that mean any wounds you receive will heal slowly. Particular ailments like states of immunodeficiency (e.g. HIV), autoimmune disease (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, lupus), and some medications (e.g. steroids and retinoic acid) can stop an eye healing after refractive surgery has been administered.

Your age is not 18 or older, since under this age this procedure is illegal.

Surgical safety and efficacy has not been established with people who have particular diseases. Talk with your doctor if you have a potential medical background associated with:

Keratoconus glaucoma, ocular hypertension, or glaucoma suspect past eye surgeries or injuries
herpes zoster (shingles) or herpes simplex
disease of the eye (e.g. inflammations of the eye; iritis/ uveitis)

If you are considering having eye surgery your doctor will need to run tests to see if you have other risk factors like:

Thin corneas. This clear covering over the iris of the eye is what is generally modified in refractive surgery since it holds the most power with regards to the eyes ability to focus. If thin then complications that could result in blindness increase in probability.

Dry eyes. This condition tends to be promoted by LASIK surgery.

Blepharitis. This inflammation of your eyelids and associated crusty deposits on the eyelashes can further your chances of getting an inflamed and infected cornea during the post-op recovery period.

Past refractive surgery such as PRK, RK or LASIK may prohibit further surgery to the eyes. When this is the case you have to consult your doctor about your specific situation.

Oversized pupils. Evaluations should be made in professional dark rooms. People who are young or are on particular medications may under dim lighting have larger than normal pupils. Such eyes are prone to symptoms such as halos, starbursts, glare or double vision (ghost images) following surgery. For some patients these visual complications can end up being highly debilitating.

Alex Rider

http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/lasik-eye-surgery-requires-careful-consideration-84153.html

Technorati Tags: Eye surgery, Lasik, LASIK Eye, lasik eye surgery, ophthalmology, Photorefractive keratectomy, Refractive Surgery

Denver, Colorado, on LASIK eye method

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