From ordinary spectacles to contact lenses and laser surgery, vision correction has come a long way since the first pair of spectacles was made in the 13th century. These new methods of correction can potentially restore vision back to normal. They attempt to reduce any refractive error by making light rays focus properly on the retina.
Laser eye surgery or refractive surgery has gained popularity amongst Americans. This treatment is useful for those who wish to reduce their dependency on spectacles or contact lenses. The latest trend in laser surgery is a procedure called ‘laser in situ keratomileusis’, also known as LASIK. The cornea permanently changes shape during this procedure. It is used to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. A flap is cut in the cornea with the help of a surgical knife, called a microkeratome. The flap is folded back, exposing the middle layer of the cornea, called the stroma. A laser beam is used to vaporize the stroma and the flap is then replaced. Due to the removal of tissue, the shape of the cornea changes and the refractive error is reduced. Lasik surgery is more affordable but is not reversible.
Photorefractive keratectomy or PRK, is another laser procedure used as an alternative to LASIK. A laser beam gently reshapes the cornea by removing tissue from its outer layer. The procedure takes only a few minutes and patients can go back to their daily routine within a week.
Laser thermal keratoplasty or LTK, is a comparatively new, less-invasive laser procedure. Laser beams are projected on 16 spots of the cornea, shrinking the tissue. The procedure takes less than 30 minutes and patients can resume normal activities, the very next day.
The quality of contact lenses has also improved with time. Soft contact lenses are now available that contain 25 percent to 79 percent water. They are easy to adjust and more comfortable because of their ability to adapt to the eye and absorb water. Extra-thin soft lenses are also available for very sensitive eyes.
A balanced diet, sunglasses that block ultraviolet light and regular eye examinations are essential steps to help maintain good vision.
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Laser Vision Correction
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Laser vision correction, or refractive surgery, is the latest technology used for the treatment of vision loss. High success rates and the involvement of minimal surgical procedures have made laser correction a popular choice. It is now considered a simple and safe alternative form of...
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What Is Lasik?
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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LASIK is an acronym referring to the medical procedure of Laser Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis, which is intended to correct the vision of those who depend on glasses or contact lenses for flawless vision. It is a refractive laser eye surgery performed by ophthalmologists and...
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Lasik Surgery Complications
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. It is a procedure that permanently changes the shape of the cornea using an excimer laser. A specially designed knife called microkeratome is used to cut a flap in the cornea, with a hinge being left open at...
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Lasik
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Lasik, which stands for ‘laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis’, is a kind of laser treatment or refractive laser eye surgery for individuals with a high degree of myopia, that is greater than 5 diopters. It is also known by alternate names like ‘Laser Vision Correction’. The...
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Laser Eye Surgery
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Good vision and eyesight can make or mar the quality of a person’s life. The conventional method of correcting vision is through spectacles or contact lenses. In recent times, however, laser surgery has become a much-sought-after alternative. The laser is aimed at the cornea, the...
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An Introduction To Laser Eye Surgery
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Laser eye surgery essentially falls into two categories: PRK, or PhotoRefractive Keratectomy, and LASIK, or laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis. These two types of laser surgery have been modified to create variations on the same theme. LASEK as opposed to LASIK is a more modern version...
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Lasik Laser Eye Surgeries
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Lasik surgery is done on the cornea of the eye, with the aim of correcting vision. Lasik has been around since the mid-90s and uses a special tool to slice a part of the cornea in order to create a thin flap of tissue from...
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Corrective Laser Eye Surgeries
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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The use of technology in medicine is becoming increasingly common. As a result, there are numerous high-tech surgical options for those wanting to correct defects in their vision. Laser eye surgery is used principally to correct three vision defects, namely long sight or hyperopia, short...
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Lasik Expectations After Surgery
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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LASIK eye surgery has been the latest addition to the wonders of Medical Science in the vision front, and has been operated successfully on a number of patients. However, just as all the other medical treatments there have been evidences where people have suffered from...
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Lasik Complications
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
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Although comparatively rare, complications because of Lasik surgery do happen. On the good side, there has never been any reported case of blindness after a PRK or Lasik surgery. One of the most common complications that can occur is known as the ‘Halo Effect’. This...