Talking about laser eye surgery, it can be used to correct vision related issues ranging from astigmatism to near sightedness. One of the most straightforward laser eye surgery routines is LASIK and PRK. Both these routines are quite identical in nature. Misshapen cornea
Majority of vision related issues that can be corrected through laser eye surgery occur from a misshapen cornea. With regard to misshapen cornea, emphasis is on ensuring that retina gets some light. When the case is of misshapen, you will find that light is not going to reach the retina at the angle that is optimal. Laser eye surgeries can turn out to be quite beneficial when it comes to reshaping the cornea. To get the best out of the laser eye surgery process, Optilase is the best option available for you.
Pre-Operative Steps
Opting for a right kind of surgeon is the first step that you need to take in the laser eye surgery process. Make sure that you take the services of a surgeon that are accredited by the medical council. It is the responsibility of your surgeon to conduct a test of your eyes in order to get a clear idea of whether surgery is going to give positive results or not. After the test, your surgeon will also tell you the nature of the surgery that your eyes require.
After the initial feedback, corneal topographer is going to map your eyes. This is going to offer correct corneal aberrations representation that has an impact on the vision. What's more, it will also identify other conditions that are having an impact on the overall condition of your eyes. You can solve these conditions before going for a surgery.
Operative Steps
You need to keep in mind that both LASIK and PRK are widely been regarded as ambulatory surgery. In other words, you can go to your house straight after the completion of the procedures. In terms of the laser eye surgery process, both these surgeries are quite quick, lasting for just two to three minutes. Before the starting of procedure, you may be given mild sedatives. The best part about Optilase is that they make sure you feel at ease throughout the procedure.
To start the routine, you need to lie down. When this is the case, aesthetic drops are going to make it presence felt in your eyes without any problem. Next, your eye is going to be positioned beneath a laser. If you have opted for the LASIK surgery, there is going to be a cutting of a quite thin corneal flap. The programming of laser is done through right kind of prescription and applies light pulses for cornea reshape.
Post-Operative Steps
For both PRK and LASIK surgery, a mild painkiller is going to be prescribed and you will be advised to rest for two to three days and stay away from exercise for at least ten to fifteen days. There is also a possibility that PRK patients may be recommended antibiotic drops for initial three to four days.
Laser eye surgery has become one of the fastest growing, life changing decisions that people are raving about. Optilase is proud to provide laser eye surgery and are one of the best laser eye surgery clinics in North Ireland, Belfast, L Derry and Newry. At Optilase, we pride ourselves with being the best, providing our patients with the most up to date technology while carefully screening and working with only the top of the line surgeons who are completely qualified and trained. At Optilase we also provide our clients the comfort of knowing we have extensive experience by completing over 40,000 laser eye surgeries.
Optilase has four different procedures to help our clients get the best laser eye surgery that is right for them. If you are looking for a quick recovery time, Lasik surgery might be a good choice for you. With a 48 hour recovery time, and with little or no discomfort. If your cornea is a bit too thin for the traditional Lasik surgery, Optilase has a procedure known as PRK or LASEK. This is also an alternative that many patients opt for. Optilase also offers a unique, customized alternative that will use a laser to adjust your vision to cater to the eye's exact needs. This surgery is our Wave Front Sugery. Optilase offers a final procedure that will actually create the flap in the eye as the Lasik surgery is performed.
Optilase sets itself far beyond any other clinic by also offering a 24 hour care call in line, a guarantee that you will be looked after for your lifetime, and have the most affordable service around. Optilase will absolutely provide our patients with the lowest price possible.
Affordability can be a concern for many, which is why Optilase has many financing options to choose from with 0% interest. Optilase understands the financial strain that eye surgery might give our patients and have eased that strain by making it affordable for all.
Optilase offers a consultation that is absolutely complimentary. There are never any hidden costs and stand proud of how well we treat our patients. Comfort, ease and satisfaction is what Optilase wants each patient to feel.
There are four initial steps that Optilase guides each patient through before surgery. Treating each patient with the best care possible, your initial consult will tell you whether you are a prime candidate for laser eye surgery. This process will take about an hour with our highly qualified optometrist. Once qualified for laser eye surgery, you will then speak to the administration team and the surgeon as he gives you yet another exam to make sure you are ready to go. On the day of the surgery, you will be asked to bring a friend or a loved one to help you with any nervousness you might have. The actual surgery is only 7 minutes per eye so the process if very short! Once through with your surgery, each patient will be able to relax and pampered by one of our highly trained nurses. She will talk with you about our post-op care and will answer any questions you might have.
Optilase is your best choice for laser eye surgery. We look forward to meeting you!
If you are considering taking laser eye surgery and still doubt whether it is the best option, this article will provide you with frequently asked questions about laser eye surgery. It is expected that by reading this article, you can have more confidence to perform this procedure.
Is there any initial assessment?
Yes, reputable clinics or hospitals that offer laser eye surgery always provide free assessment to patients who want to take this procedure. A professional Optometrist will examine and test your eyes to determine whether or not you are a good candidate for this procedure. If you are a good candidate, you will be provided with detail information about cost and the next steps that you have to take. Keep in mind that you cannot drive up to 8 hours after conducting an assessment.
How much does it cost?
The cost is different between clinics or hospitals. Reputable eye clinic like Optilase charges around £300 per eye for standard treatment.
Am I a candidate for this procedure?
This procedure is basically applicable for most people above 18 years old. However, people who have prescriptions stronger than +5 or -10 and people who have severe lazy eye are not allowed to take this procedure. Pregnant and breastfeeding women need to wait up to 6 months or more until the breastfeeding process is finished.
Will there be changes to my eyes?
No, the appearance of your eyes will remain the same. However, please note that your eyes might become slightly red within 4-5 days after the procedure.
Is there any consultation before performing the procedure?
Yes, most clinics and hospitals provide consultation so patients can ask more detailed information about this procedure.
Is laser eye surgery effective?
Yes, patients who have been classified as good candidates for this procedure usually get their normal vision back. Moreover, the advancement of technology has increased the effectiveness of this procedure.
Is it alright to treat both eyes on the same day?
Yes, even clinics and hospitals encourage their patients to get both eyes treated on the same day.
Are there any side effects of this procedure?
Yes, several common side effects include regression, halo effect, night-time glare and dry eye. All possible side effects of this procedure are usually explained in detail during the initial assessment.
How long does the procedure take?
In general, the procedure takes about 2.5 hours from preparation to aftercare. The main surgery actually takes a few seconds.
Does it give permanent result?
From many procedures that have been conducted worldwide, many patients claimed that laser eye surgery gives long term result.
Is it safe?
Yes, laser surgery is safe. To ensure that you get the highest level of safety, it is recommended to perform this procedure at reputable clinics or hospitals.
Is it painful?
No, your eyes will be numbed before the surgery begins so you won't feel anything during the surgery.
How long does the recovery take?
The recovery usually takes around 2 days, however, it is highly recommended to rest the eyes properly up to one month after the surgery.
What to do after the surgery?
Doctors always give detail information on what you have to do after the surgery. You also have to attend aftercare checkups so your doctor can check the progress of your eyes.
Of course, you may have questions that are not mentioned in the above frequently asked questions about laser eye surgery. It is highly recommended to visit reputable eye clinics like Optilase to get more information about laser eye surgery.
Contact lenses are plastic disc that is inserted in the cornea of the eye to correct the vision of the wearer. Some people may use contact lenses to change the colour of the eye or to make a style statement. Even though contact lenses help in correcting the vision of the wearer, there are several side effects of using contact lenses. Some of the side effects are:
Eye Infection
At times deposits get developed in contact lenses which can make it difficult for people to wear their lenses. Deposits can also increase the chances of developing eye infection which can damage the cornea.
Eyelid Inflammation
Wearing contact lenses can also increase the possibility of eyelid infection. A few people may experience inflammatory bumps under their eyelids which can make it difficult for them to wear their lenses.
Problems in the Cornea
Some people who wear contact lenses can experience problems like swelling of the eyes and vision haziness. These problems are caused due to lack of oxygen supply to the cornea. At times, the shape of cornea can also change when you wear contact lenses.
Dry Eyes
When you wear contact lens, the chances of developing dry eyes increase. People who suffer from dry eyes could experience symptoms like burning sensation in the eye and redness.
Allergic Reaction
People could also suffer from allergic reaction when they wear contact lenses. This hypersensitivity to contact lenses usually comes from preservatives that are found in the solution used to clean and preserve the contact lenses.
Since there are several side effects of wearing contact lenses, most ophthalmologists are of the view that people undergo laser eye surgery to correct the problem in their eye. In a recent study, it was found people who wear contact lenses every day are more likely to develop serious eye infection. The study also found that chances of losing vision because of laser eye surgery are low.
No more contact lenses with laser eye surgery
People who are suffering from vision problem can undergo vision corrective surgeries like LASIK and LASEK. Even though both LASEK and LASIK are effective and safe, there is a minor difference in the way these surgeries are performed.
LASIK
Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is a simple eye surgery that is carried out in many parts of the world. In this procedure, a small flap is created in the front of the eye using precision surgical instruments. Once the flap is created, the shape of the cornea is corrected using a laser.
LASEK
Laser-Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratectomy (LASER) is done after topical anaesthesia is placed directly on the eye. The top layer of the eye is then lifted and rolled back so that the doctors can access the cornea. After the top layer is rolled back the cornea is corrected using a laser and lenses are placed over the cornea.
LASIK vs. LASEK
Even though both LASEK and LASIK are vision corrective surgeries that use laser to correct the cornea, there are some differences between them. LASEK takes about five days to heal while LASIK takes just 2 days to heal. Also, LASIK is less painful when compared to LASEK. However, some doctors prefer LASEK to LASIK because patients who undergo LASEK do not have to undergo flap problems that are associated with LASIK. Another advantage of LASEK is that people who undergo LASEK end up with better vision when compared to people who undergo LASIK.
As major sensory organs, eyes can greatly hamper a person's quality of life in the event that he or she contracts a condition that impairs their sight. While there are drugs and other therapies to correct a range of eye conditions, you may at some point find yourself wondering which laser surgery procedure is right for me? .In the event that your eye problem is of a more complex nature. This can be a confusing question to answer alone due to the sheer volume of information that you have to consider in making the decision.
laser eye surgery can be applied to correct sight problems caused by accidents, disease or simply correct pre-existing conditions that necessitated glasses. These include myopia (short sightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism (cornea defect). The types laser eye surgery include Lasik- The basic idea here is that the doctor employs a laser to remove some of the cornea tissue which gives the cornea new shape and enhances vision. The doctor cuts a flap in the cornea, does necessary repairs on the tissues beneath and then replaces the flap and reshapes the cornea as desired. It's the most popular form of laser eye surgery.
LASEK- similar to the above only that a thinner piece of the cornea is lifted. It’s recommended for those with conditions that make Lasik unsuitable. It’s less invasive and riskier than LASIK surgery. Healing times are longer with more discomfort. The above are the most common options if you are wondering which laser eye surgery procedure is right for me. PRK- it was n early form of Lasik whose popularity has waned as more people settle for Lasik. Those with low to moderate refractive problems may benefit from PRK. A thin layer is removed off the cornea top and is not replaced leaving it to heal gradually. Healing time is months so it's done on one eye at a time to reduce discomfort. ALK- Used to remedy high level nearsightedness and average farsightedness. A flap is cut in the cornea by a doctor to work on the tissue below using microkeratome it takes under an hour to finish but it isn't very popular due to higher success and shorter heal times with other options. LTK- Its relatively new intervention for astigmatism and farsightedness. Laser heat is employed in shrinking and reshaping the cornea as opposed to removal. It offers the fastest heal times of all the laser procedures due to its non invasiveness. The downside is that most of its effectiveness is lost within 2 years of the procedure.
Due to the sensitivity of eye surgery, it's important to ensure that you are in the hands of a qualified and competent surgeon whom will offer quality service to you which reduces the risk of complications. Optilase is one such laser surgery provider with a proven track record in providing quality care safely and cost effectively. They also have exceptional customer service who can answer all our questions including which laser eye surgery procedure is right for me among others.
Lasik surgery is one of the fields of medical science in which a lot of research and studies are going on. LASIK eye surgery is an operative procedure performed by an eye surgeon. The use of new and improved laser technology has provided us with the best Lasik surgery for protecting our vision. The old method of performing a Lasik surgery is by cutting open a part of the cornea and then making the necessary corrections for giving us a perfect 20/20 vision. The procedure was very complicated and adding to the risks is the fact that the cornea was cut with a hand held device. This device is called microkeratome and it has an oscillating blade which was used for cutting a flap of cornea.
With the emergence of new technology, a new technique to correct vision problems, without cutting the cornea was developed. This procedure is known as the IntraLase Eye Surgery. This breakthrough procedure is also known as "Bladeless Lasik Surgery". Though the old procedure using microkeratome was safe, it had its own set of problems associated with it. One main area in which a microkeratome has failed to deliver is the fact that the cuts made by it were not consistent in thickness and depth. Other risks involved with the old technology was that the cuts made were, at times, very thin that can lead to tears in the flap; and secondly the incisions would not be made to the proper depth and the flap will not form correctly.
IntraLase eye surgery procedure is completely controlled by the computer technology which allows cutting through the corneal surface for making a precise and perfect incision. The method used by this device, for cutting the surface, is by sending small rapid pulses of laser in swift succession. Each light ray is emitted at a time difference of about one in four millionth of a second. The rays will reach only to a specific depth and they were highly accurate. The position of the flap and the depth of the pulses can be determined prior to the starting of the procedure.
The IntraLase is a first of its kind technology used for eye surgeries. This technique gives high precision in the depth and positioning of the corneal incision for performing a flawless surgery. The old technology with microkeratome was able to make just an ordinary cut in the cornea without any other specifications.
The IntraLase procedure is able to make a cut in the cornea by making adjustments like setting the exact location for making the cut, the thickness of the flap, and the circumference of the flap. The use of laser technology enables us to make a cut with an angle to the edges of the flap. IntraLase technology enables us to make three dimensional adjustments in the cut made on the cornea. Another huge advantage is that we can make custom flaps for the needs of each patient. This helps the surgeons to give treatments for the precise needs of each patient.
Laser eye surgery is safe and effective when done in a credible
Laser eye surgery clinic. More importantly, when performed by reliable laser eye surgery experts.
Laser eye surgery has corrected thousands of vision problems all over the world. Individuals who have undergone this procedure are now enjoying a clearer and more comfortable vision without the need for glasses or contact lenses. Optilase, the leading Laser Eye Clinic in Northern Ireland has achieved tremendous success in bringing a clearer and brighter vision to its clients. If you are still looking for the right clinic to have a laser eye surgery done, Optilase is the one to go to.
Optilase Laser Eye Clinic has branches in Belfast, Newry and L Derry. All of these clinics offer a wide and roomy ambience with reception areas, recovery areas and waiting rooms. Their clinics possess reassuring environments that will give a calming and invigorating effect. Without a doubt, you will not feel bored or nervous while waiting for your schedule or appointment. Furthermore, Optilase is open every day to accommodate every patient. You can seek their service from Mondays to Sundays as your busy schedule permits. They also have a 24-hour support line to cater emergency calls and be of service to patients in need of assistance.
Why should you use Optilase?
Optilase only uses the most high tech technology on their services and procedures. This laser eye clinic only employs cutting-edge equipment to ensure that every patient receives great and appropriate results. Moreover, you will experience exquisite and unfailing laser eye treatments from top notch doctors and highly qualified staffs. Optilase Laser Eye Clinic became an industry leader not only because of its outstanding personnel and amenities but also because of the enormous amount of positive reviews and testimonials by its clients and patients. They work with high levels of accuracy and professionalism.
They have expanded due to the growing number of patients that needs their services in various places across Ireland. Optilase will soon expand with more locations, as they continue to uphold their aspiration to provide top rated laser eye services across the country. They offer real results, thus, your hard earned money will not go to waste. In addition, Optilase carries out reputable laser eye services that are inexpensive and reasonably priced to help more people attain better vision without the need for hefty sums of money. They even offer free consultation to make sure that laser eye surgery is right for you.
This Laser Eye Clinic provides a relaxed and pleasant environment - you can feel at home at each and every visit. Each personnel welcome and treat every patient with utmost respect and gentleness to guarantee great comfort and satisfaction. It has always been hard to find a clinic that will treat you as a friend or a family and not only as a paying customer. Whoever said that perfection comes with a price may change his or her mind by visiting Optilase Laser Eye Clinic. With laser eye surgery, you can now enjoy a better vision!
To most people, visual impairment is a hassle. There is difficulty in going through day to day activities. It hinders you from doing your job properly. It is basically an inconvenient condition to have. Thankfully, technology has advanced that we ways of treating this condition. People actually have choices on how to deal with being visually impaired. They can opt to ward glasses or contact lenses or they can go for laser eye surgery to give them a better vision. But how are these two different from each other? Which option is better? To answer these questions, let us look at the pros and cons of wearing glasses or contact lenses versus laser eye surgery.
It is important to note that one of the reasons for visual impairment is the inability of your eyes to refract light in a way that your optic nerves cannot get a good reception of what you are seeing. Glasses and contact lenses work by refracting light into your eyes for a good reception. Meaning it does the work for you. Since the lens and/or cornea cannot refract the light properly the glasses and contact lenses bend the light in such a way that when it enters the pupils the lens and cornea wouldn't have to refract the light.
However, glasses and contact lenses are a hassle. Glasses may be easy to put on but it interferes with a person with certain activities like sports. Glasses can sometimes cause skin allergies. Not to mention if you lose them or break them you will be practically as blind as a bat. Contact lenses on the other hand will allow people who usually wear glasses to live life normally as it does not pose a hindrance but some people would find it difficult to apply. And you cannot wear them full time unlike glasses. In some cases, contact lenses can irritate the eyes and would sometimes cause blindness.
Laser eye surgery provides a permanent cure for visual impairment. Although, the word surgery seems scary to some people, laser eye surgery is very safe. Doctors and eye experts will guide you every step of the way. The procedure normally lasts for 30 minutes. Complications are very minor and can be treated if need be. After the procedure, the patient would be provided with post operative care for a couple of days and healing time would take the same amount of time as well. All you need are some artificial tears in eye drop form and a month’s rest tops. Also, if you are thinking about the cost, it is a better investment for your visual health than glasses or contact lens as the latter has wear and tear. Furthermore, because of the improvement of technologically, there are lesser invasive laser eye surgeries available nowadays.
In retrospect, laser eye surgery is a better treatment option because it is proven safe, effective and it is permanent. There are also patient testimonies online for those people who doubt the efficacy of laser eye surgery.
Laser eye surgery is a type of refractive surgery that utilizes a highly specialized laser designed to reshape the cornea in order to improve a person's vision and treat refractive errors. There are different types of laser eye surgery; with LASIK, being the most popular. As compared to other surgical corrective procedures, its benefits are reduced pain and quicker recovery as it is an outpatient treatment.
So, how to tell if you could require laser eye surgery?
Choosing the right centre is your first step in determining your need for laser eye surgery. With the right centre, a thorough eye examination and consultation will be done to verify if you are a fitting candidate for this type of treatment. Your eyes will be examined to determine their health, what kind of vision correction you need, and how much laser ablation or corneal tissue removal is required. The doctor will also ask about any health conditions that may disqualify you altogether for laser surgery. Your prescription and eye structure will be considered to help determine which procedure is best for you. Corneal thickness is one of the determining factors that are taken into consideration when deciding if you are eligible for laser eye surgery.
Other several requirements must be initially met in order to qualify for laser eye surgery. You should have good general health and be at least 18 years old with a stable vision for at least one year. You should not be pregnant or nursing, you should not be taking prescription medication, no infection or injury within the past year and you should not be suffering from any degenerative or autoimmune disease, glaucoma or dry eyes.
This surgery is best to correct refractory errors in patients who either have Myopia (nearsightedness) wherein near objects seem clearer while distant objects tend to be blurry, Hyperopia (farsightedness) when near objects are blurry while distant objects tend to be clearer, or Astigmatism in which the corneal or lens shape is distorted which causes objects at all distances to appear blurry. Most people with Astigmatism may also have a combination of Myopia or Hyperopia. For these common eye conditions, laser eye surgery has become a safe treatment option. However, prescription should not have changed considerably for at least a year to be eligible for this procedure to be done.
This procedure changes the eyes' focusing power to improve visual acuity. To treat nearsighted people, laser surgery is done to level out the cornea which tends to be too steep. While with farsighted people, the cornea is made steeper. For people with astigmatism, the cornea has an irregular shape and the goal is to smoothen it out into a more natural and normal shape.
Proven to have a high success rate, this type of surgery can be very effective and beneficial to many people who undergo it. However, it is rather important to consider that despite all the benefits, there are also risks that should be carefully weighed before electing this procedure. All these, including possible side effects are best discussed during your pre-examination and consultation to determine if laser eye surgery if for you.
The laser eye surgery has been a milestone in the history of medicine. This elective procedure has served many patients across the globe. Technology has been a great help in achieving such modern type of treatment. Laser eye surgery has two types which are LASIK and LASEK surgery.
In choosing which one to undergo, one might be confronted with most common question, "Which is better?"
LASEK vs. LASIK Eye Surgery
LASIK which stands for Laser Assisted in Situ Keratomileusi is a form of corrective surgery which aims to lessen the dependency on contact lenses and glasses. Furthermore, it is a procedure which will correct hyperopia, myopia and astigmatism. An ophthalmologist will perform the procedure using a laser. The cornea will be reshaped so that the visual acuity will improve. The operative procedure would include laser remodelling, flap creation, and repositioning of the flap. According to surveys, between 92 and 98 percent of the patients who had undergone such procedure found it satisfactory. In the year 2008, The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery was able to publish a meta-analysis of patient satisfaction among a sample group of over 3,000 reviewed articles from international clinical journals. The information that dates back up to 10 years revealed that 95.4% of patients were satisfied with LASIK.
Laser epithelial Keratomileusis or LASEK procedure on the other hand is a newer variation of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). In LASEK procedure, to reshape and correct vision, laser energy is applied directly to the eye's outer surface. LASEK is a hybrid of FDA approved PRK and LASIK. LASEK, on the other hand, has another procedure. The epithelium is kept intact but instead, an alcoholic substance is utilized to weaken the epithelial cells. At this point, the surgeon will proceed to fold the epithelium out of the laser treatment field. He will then put it back in its place once the cornea is shaped by laser.
Both LASIK and LASEK surgery are similar to photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). What differentiates the two procedures is the method in which the inner portion of the cornea is accessed.
The LASIK surgery is known to be less painful, comfortable and has shorter recovery period. Most laser eye surgeries are carried out using LASIK. The procedure is likely to produce 20/20 vision and mostly has the same price with LASEK. LASIK, however, has more risks than LASEK. The complications are mostly related with the creation and recuperation of the flap which protects the cornea.
The LASEK surgery will be avoiding the risks of creating the flap. It also causes dry eye less frequently than LASIK eye surgery. The LASEK surgery, however, has longer recovery period. The patient may feel more pain and discomfort. The side effects may also include cloudy vision and a feeling that a foreign object is in the eye.
A lot of professionals have already researched and wrote about LASIK and LASEK surgery. The procedures certainly have great effects. But along these good effects, each procedure also has disadvantages and side effects. The answer to the question as to which one is better mainly depends on the patient's condition. Hence, it is always best to consult a special
