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eLearning Series:
Lasik Eye Surgery Questions & Answers
( 50 articles
in this series )
Clear Vision:
The Wonders of Lasik
Lasik eye surgery is a procedure that helps to correct poor
vision. It takes place in an office setting and it
takes very little time to complete. In addition, it is relatively
painless. To date, millions of people have benefited from
this procedure.
Despite its simplicity and the number of people who have taken
advantage of this innovative technique, there is potential
for serious medical complications. Before going through with
the procedure, therefore, the doctor asks a series of health
related questions and completes a complete examination. Afterward,
Lasik eye surgeons often define candidates into three categories:
the ideal candidate, the less-than-ideal candidate, and the
non-candidate. The following are some health issues that can
decrease a patient’s status when determining whether or not
he is a good candidate for Lasik eye surgery.
Extremely Low Vision
Lasik eye surgery is limited in the amount of vision it can
correct. Therefore, some people are beyond the procedure’s
ability to help. For this reason, the FDA does not allow patients
with more than +6.00 diopters of hyperopia or –14.00 diopters
of myopia to undertake the surgery. In addition, patients with
more than 6.00 diopters of astigmatism are ineligible according
to FDA standards, as well. The doctor can determine this information
easily with a refractive eye exam.
Changing Prescription
While we grow, our eyes continually change size and shape.
For this reason, a young person’s prescription for eyeglasses
or contacts is constantly changing. Most prescriptions, however,
stabilize by the time a person reaches the age of 18. For some
people, this stabilization doesn’t occur until sometime in
the 20’s. For this reason, surgeons prefer operating on patients
over the age of 18 and whose prescription has remained stable
for at least two years. This helps ensure that the eyes have
stopped developing. Otherwise, operating on eyes that are still
growing can create complications and the vision correction
will become non-existent as the eyes continue to change.
Patient Health
Certain health factors can prevent a potential Lasik candidate
from being considered ideal. For example, certain autoimmune
disorders that slow the healing process make Lasik eye surgery
a higher risk. In addition, patients with conditions requiring
medications such as immunosuppresants and steroids are also
considered less-than-ideal because these medications also slow
the healing process and increase the risk of complications.
Patients who are pregnant or who are nursing are also not
considered ideal candidates for Lasik eye surgery. This is
because the shape of the eyes can be temporarily changed by
hormonal changes during these times of a woman’s life.
Patient Anterior Eye Health
Most doctors divide the eye into two portions: anterior, or
front, and posterior, or back. The anterior portion of the
eye includes the iris, the eyelids, the cornea, the conjunctiva,
the sclera, and the lens. The Lasik surgeon will check for
abnormalities in these areas using a biomicroscope, called
a slit-lamp. In order to complete this test, the patient needs
to put his chin on a chin rest located over the examining chair.
The doctor will then shine a line into the patient’s eyes to
examine the anterior area of the eye. Abnormalities in this
area can decrease a patient’s likelihood of being considered
an ideal Lasik eye surgery patient.
Patient Posterior Eye Health
Specific eye diseases, such as ocular hypertension, glaucoma,
and diabetic retinopathy, can be detected through a posterior
eye exam. This area includes the optic nerve, the retina, and
blood vessels. An exam of the posterior region is called a
fundus exam. Shining a light into the patient’s eye and looking
through his pupil accomplish the exam.
Irregularly Shaped Cornea
A cornea that is extremely irregularly shaped is impossible
to operate on. Patients with the condition keratoconus, for
example, are ineligible for the procedure. This is because
it gradually makes the shape of the cornea steeper until it
finally becomes cone-shaped. A small amount of irregularity
in the cornea shape is fine, as with patients who have mild
to moderate astigmatism. The surgeon examines the patient’s
corneal topography prior to surgery. This will help determine
whether or not he is an ideal candidate for Lasik eye surgery.
Thin Corneas
Some patients have corneas that are too thin; this makes it
impossible to create the “flap” necessary to perform the procedure.
Therefore, Lasik surgery will actually make the patient’s vision
worse instead of better. The doctor measures the thickness
of the patient’s cornea using a pachometer.
Lasik surgery is an extraordinary procedure that has helped
thousands of people see better. Through a thorough examination
and proper treatment of your visual difficulties, you, too,
can experience the wonders of Lasik.
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SolveYourProblem.com
: 2006
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