Lasik Eye Surgery or Contacts?

When it comes to choosing between lasik eye surgery and contact lenses, my friends are split down the middle. Some swear by lasik, while others are hell bent on contacts. But finally I see a break, with advent of technology and more comforting ads, the fear factor and squeamishness seem to be reducing.

I asked the question to Dr. Andrew Caster, Los Angeles Lasik Surgeon. I told him about fear, an all encompassing trait that overrides everything else.

My opinion is Lasik laser vision correction is one of the great medical advances of our time. There is really no other procedure in all of medicine that combines such profound improvement with lack of pain and very rapid recovery.

Now there are a plethora of different lasers to choose from, including my favorite, the WaveLight Allegretto. Talk to your doctor. There are so many procedures now including Lasik, IntraLase, PRK, and Lasek. Choose something which is good for you.

Having said that, Laser vision correction is not right for everyone. Only perform the procedure if your doctor is confident that excellent results can be obtained. For the 30% odd unsuitable candidates, I guess contacts is the answer.

There we go again!

The views are my own and is not medical advice. Please talk to your eye doctor for your specific case.

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.

Andrew I. Caster, M.D. has performed over fourteen thousand procedures to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Dr. Caster is widely considered one of the most knowledgeable Lasik surgeons in the United States. Los Angeles Magazine selected Dr. caster as ?The Best Lasik Surgeon in Los Angeles? and W Magazine listed him as one of two top Lasik surgeons in the United States. Dr. Caster has been voted by other ophthalmologists as one of the ?Best Doctors in America?. He is a graduate of Harvard Medical School and performed his Ophthalmology residency at the Jules Stein Eye Institute/UCLA. Dr. Caster is a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American College of Surgeons. Visit www.castervision.com

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Lasik – a Technical Innovation

Lasik refers to a refractive laser surgery performed on eyes of the person suffering from myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism. This surgery is very convenient for a patient as it takes comparatively less time and the patient does not feel much pain. Many people prefer this kind of surgery over wearing eyeglass or contact lenses. Lasik technique is a type of surgery which is very cost effective and can be done in a very short time period. Nowadays, this type of eye surgery is well performed in Lasik vision institute.

This technique of Lasik was first introduced by a Spanish ophthalmologist and in 1960, he developed the first microkeratome. At that time it was used to cut thin flaps in the cornea region and to change its shape. In the year 1990, Lasik surgery was developed and it rapidly became popular due to its reward of greater precision and less complications. With more investigation, this surgery has become very common and has significantly improved the procedure of surgery. In almost every country people have started to see this surgery as a new ray of optimism for the correction of eye defects.

Any person willing to go for the Lasik operation is instructed to discontinue wearing contact lenses approximately 10-15 day prior to the date of surgery. Before conducting the surgery, the patients’ corneas are examined with the help of a pachymeter to ascertain its thickness and with a topographer to measure surface contour. This also enables the surgeon to notice astigmatism and any other irregularities in the cornea. After the surgery, patients have to undergo a course in antibiotics and put anti-inflammatory eye drops for some time. Patients are advised to wear a dark pair of eyeglasses to protect it from light after Lasik surgery.

With the passage of time, there has been a marked improvement in the procedure of surgery, but we still are waiting to for conclusive evidence to see it is absolutely safe in the long run. There are a chances of a patient suffering from complications like slipped flap, corneal infection, glare or halo and some of these complications are irreversible as this process of Lasik surgery is irreversible. With time this cornea surgery has become affordable and safe for people and Lasik cost has gone down tremendously. The effects of undergoing this surgery and its consequences in the long run will be known at later stage.

LasikAide is an online information hub for those who have minor defect in vision and want liberty from lenses and glasses. Lasik is a kind of laser eye surgery designed to change the shape of cornea. Know more about Lasik Vision Institute.

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Is Epi-lasik Surgery Right for Me

Most people take their vision for granted, especially if they have never suffered from poor vision. For many, there is no other option except for eye surgery. Other people choose corrective surgery because they are tired of always having to use eyeglasses. As you start looking into your eye surgery options, you will find that there are many new techniques that are used in corrective vision surgery. How do you choose the right procedure? What are the differences between LASIK surgery and the new Epi-LASIK surgery?

The Difference between LASIK and Epi-LASIK Surgery

Epi-LASIK and LASIK surgery are different procedures for corrective eye surgery. These procedures reduce or eliminate a person’s need for glasses or contact lenses. Up until recently, the usual procedure for eye corrective surgery was LASIK surgery. LASIK surgery stands for Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, and this procedure basically changes the shape of the eye’s cornea using a laser. During the procedure, a flap is cut in the cornea, and then this flap is folded back to reveal the middle section of the cornea. The laser then changes the shape of the cornea and the flap is then replaced.

Epi-LASIK surgery is also an eye corrective procedure that has evolved from LASIK surgery. It has combined the best elements of LASIK, LASEK and PRK procedures into one. It involves the separation of the epithelial from the top of the cornea, and this eliminates the need to cut into the cornea and create a hinged flap. As opposed to LASIK surgery, Epi-LASIK combines surface based procedures that do not need the flap procedure and the advantages of LASIK surgery, which produce less pain and faster recovery.

Epi-LASIK surgery is still similar to the LASIK technique because it still involves the use of a laser beam to reshape the cornea. It appears to be more effective with people who suffer from mild forms of farsightedness, astigmatism or nearsightedness. If a patient suffers from moderate to severe myopia, then LASIK surgery is still the best option.

Why is Epi-LASIK Surgery Better Than PRK and LASIK Surgery in Some Cases?

Epi-LASIK came about because of certain complications with PRK and LASIK techniques.

• PRK created a large abrasion when removing the epithelial cells and this would cause the patient discomfort. Plus, the procedure caused some haze in the cornea which created haloes around lights. These effects lessened after six months, but were still uncomfortable during that time period.

• LASIK creates a hinged flap, which is not really painful. However, it created other problems caused by the flap, problems such as dry eyes or scratchiness.

Epi-LASIK then tries to avoid the problems associated by both procedures by combining the advantages of surface based procedures that require no flap and the advantages of LASIK that provides less pain and a faster recovery. In essence, Epi-LASIK surgery gives you a shorter visual recovery time and reduces the risk of any complications.

Who does Epi-LASIK surgery benefit?

Studies have shown that people with thin corneas benefit more from this type of surgery, because LASIK surgery requires more corneal tissue in order to create the flap, and these patients don’t have enough corneal tissue.

It is also shown to benefit people who risk having the flap dislodged. These people risk being hit in the face or the eye for any number of reasons, people like athletes or people who work in violent fields, like the military or police fields.

Who Benefits More from LASIK Surgery Rather than Epi-LASIK Surgery?

Patients who have moderate to severe myopia tend to benefit more from LASIK surgery rather than Epi-LASIK. Epi-LASIK suits people who do not have such steep corneas.

Each type of LASIK surgery has pros and cons and should be analyzed with your doctor. That way, you can find the best type of corrective LASIK for your specific needs. It is important that you talk about these issues and LASIK cost with your doctor before you undergo surgery.

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Research a Lasik Institute Thoroughly – Lasik Institute

The lasik eye surgery was first executed in 1991 in the United States and since then it has become very popular. What necessary research should a person undertake in order to have a safe and a successful Lasik surgery? First and chief, one should realize that all Lasik centers are not of the same standard. To ensure that one has a comfortable and but a surgical hub where the Lasik surgeries are executed. These Lasik institutes are set up at many places or centers around the world. Right from small private a successful operation, it is requisite to find a reputed Lasik institute that offers the patients all the state-of-the-art technological trials, equipments and a good patient care unit.

A Lasik institute is nothing health center to large centers in cities that are globally connected, Lasik institutes are easy to find. However, searching a reputable Lasik institute requires fortitude and patience. Lasik cost comes to around $ 1,500 per eye.

Lasik works to accurate light refraction in the eyes. In a normal eye, light is captured by the lens of our eye that is, the segment of our eye positioned directly behind the iris. The light is then refracted from the lens to the retina which is at the back of an eye. The retina takes those refracted light rays and renovates them to signals that are sent to the optic nerve in the form of visual images. However due to illness, heredity, injury or aging our eyes experience refractive difficulties and this is what is termed as nearsightedness or farsightedness. Because the light is not refracted properly, the optic nerve accepts a signal of a blurry image. At a Lasik institute, a skilled surgeon makes corrections to the way in which our eyes refract light by resurfacing the cornea which is done with laser technology allowing crisper, cleaner light refraction and better vision.

Surgeons who are vastly qualified with Lasik technology are employed in good Lasik institutes and hence they should be considered while performing custom Lasik surgeries. Try to collect commendation from people who have done Lasik surgeries ad they are the people who had hands-on experience. Internet can also help in conducting follow a line of investigation about good Lasik institutes. A Lasik institute is however only as good as the surgeons who work there.

LasikAide is an online information hub for those who have minor defect in vision and want liberty from lenses and glasses. Make yourself aware about Lasik Surgery and Lasik Institute.

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Got Laser?

laser eye surgery

Image taken on 2010-01-22 13:05:46 by MoHotta18.

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Cost of LASIK Eye Surgery in North America

If you have vision problems I’m sure you know about lasik surgery already and you’ve probably noticed that the cost of lasik eye surgery has been decreasing. Even though the prices for eye surgery will depend on where you’re located and what type of surgery you need to correct your vision overall eye surgery prices have been in a downward trend making lasik more affordable in general. This means that even though laser eye surgery was once out of the reach of many today it is extremely popular as the choice of many to get rid of their glasses and enjoy perfect vision.


In North America the cost of lasik will be different depending on where you live. Those living in east coast cities like Atlanta and West coast cities like San Francisco will see higher prices for laser surgery based on the cost of living in their areas. Even in Canada the cost of eye surgery will be different in Alberta than it is in Toronto. So, what other factors determine the price of laser vision correction?


First off you should know that lasik surgery is quoted per individual eye. Each eye is considered one procedure so if you’re planning on having both eyes corrected (I hope so!) you’ll need to double the quoted price of the surgery. The biggest cost of lasik is the fees paid for the laser correction equipment itself. Doctors pay royalties each time they perform a procedure and these royalties are quite high. Also, they differ for each type of laser used and this means that depending on the type of laser eye surgery you need to correct your vision you could see quite different prices.


The cost of lasik eye surgery is also influenced by your choice of surgeon, with more experienced surgeons commanding higher prices, although this is not always the case. Lasik Plus is one lasik eye clinic that boasts highly qualified surgeons with very competitive prices.


Be careful of advertisements for lasik at $299 per eye as these are often misleading. This low price can only be had by a select few patients as it only covers basic lasik for those with minor vision correction needed. Read the fine print for offers like this and you may find that the price increases dramatically for certain conditions or even if you want to include pre operative screening and post operative care. Sometimes it’s better to pay a bit more for better care and peace of mind and laser eye surgery is certainly one of these times. Expect to pay between $1000-1500 for quality lasik eye surgery, that’s much more realistic.


Overall that’s a pretty reasonable price and much lower than you would have gotten several years ago. The cost of laser eye surgery has become very affordable for everyone. If you can’t afford the full cost you can always take advantage of financing which is offered by most lasik eye surgery clinics.

Learn more about the cost of LASIK eye surgery and how to minimize lasik eye surgery cost by visiting the authors website.

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