2qq276abpbzyk

When considering any type of surgery, it is very important that you do your research and know the credentials of the surgeon you choose to perform your surgery. When having LASIK or some other eye surgery performed, it is especially crucial that you put your eyes in good hands. There are a number of laser surgeons out there from which to choose, but not all of them have the same training and expertise.

Laser vision correction of the eye is a precise, minimally invasive laser treatment that reshapes the cornea, helping your eye to focus properly. It can reduce or eliminate the need for contact lenses or eyeglasses. This treatment is performed with an excimer laser, which has been thoroughly tested and clinically proven. In fact, since the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the procedure in October 1995, more than 1,000,000 procedures have been performed in the U.S. alone. Over 3,000,000 treatments have been performed in the last eight years worldwide.

PRK vs LASIK

PRK, or Photorefractive Keratectomy, does not include an incision on the cornea. Instead, an excimer laser carefully shapes or sculpts the corneal surface by ablating or removing tissue from the corneal surface. The thickness of tissue removed is often less than that of a human hair. Laser vision correction with PRK involves the removal of less than ten percent of the corneal tissue because the excimer laser is so precise. The end result is a re-sculpting of the cornea, allowing light to properly focus on the retina. PRK was studied in clinical trials for six years before approval in the United States. It uses a computerized laser to correct nearsightedness(myopia) and farsightedness(hyperopia).

LASIK (Laser in-situ keratomileusis) also utilizes the excimer laser to remove corneal tissue in order to reshape the cornea. With LASIK, the surgeon first creates a flap on the cornea with a device called a microkeratome. He then uses the excimer laser to reshape the cornea below the corneal flap. The corneal flap is then placed back into position and healing begins with good surface integrity in 12 hours.

Whoâ ™s a Good Candidate for Laser Vision Correction?

A large majority of all nearsighted (myopia) and farsighted (hyperopia) people are potential candidates for the laser treatment. Typically, patients who are at least 18-21 years of age who have mild to high myopia, astigmatism, and farsightedness. The excimer laser is FDA approved for nearsightedness, astigmatism, and farsightedness with PRK. In 1999, the FDA also approved the excimer laser for LASIK. Patients may be required to meet certain medical and visual criteria.

The best candidates tend to be people who are dissatisfied with their contact lenses or glasses and are motivated to make a change, whether its due to occupational or lifestyle reasons. However, only highly trained laser surgeon who is specially trained in laser vision correction can evaluate a patients suitability for the treatment.