LASIK surgery is fairly new, compared to the 100 years that refractive surgery in general has been around. Since the FDA's approval of the Excimer Laser in 1995, however, Dallas LASIK has made leaps and bounds in terms of advancements.
What Is The Excimer Laser?
The Excimer Laser is a technique using a wide beam of laser energy to reshape the cornea. There was quite a bit of technological hardware and software required for this method, and the energy from the laser quickly wore down the optical mirrors and lenses used in the procedure. Because of the constant repairs being made to the machines, this became quite costly.
In 1998, the FDA approved a new selection of Excimer Lasers that used a more precise laser. These newer Excimer Lasers used a type of scanning system to locate the exact position of the eye that needed correction, and once that position was determined, deliver the beam of energy to it. This method was more patient friendly, as there was less stress on the patient to remain perfectly still, since the machine calculated the eye faults on its own. It was much more exact than a laser eye surgeon previously could be and didn't come with as much wear and tear than the previous lasers did.
Higher Speeds Lasers
Another advancement in LASIK is the development of a higher speed laser. In the 1990's, lasers would typically require between 30-90 seconds of exposure, depending on how severe corrections were. Now, lasers require between 2-30 seconds of exposure. This is quite significant, especially when considering that when the longer the cornea is exposed to this type of environment, there can be greater variety in results.
Using Wavefront Technology
Wavefront technology is another advancement in Dallas LASIK. Wavefront technology is based on a principle used by astronomers for years. Light is sent into the patient's eyes, and the light that is reflected back to the computer is measured. With these measurements, the laser eye surgeon is able to identify any errors or distortions in the patient's vision. With this information, the computer can build a 3-D map of the patient's eyes. This technology is capable of measuring aberrations like nearsightedness and farsightedness, as well as halos and starbursts. Wavefront technology has produced remarkable results. In VISX's FDA clinical trial, one year after the procedure, 98% of participants had 20/20 vision, or better, and didn't need glasses or contacts.
All-Laser LASIK
The latest advancement in laser eye surgery is all-laser LASIK, a completely bladeless surgery. The iFS IntraLASE Femtosecond laser is giving more people the option to have vision surgery who previously were told they were not candidates. The first step in IntraLASIK is the creation of a corneal flap, which previously was done using a microkeratome blade. With the new technology, a laser is instead used in this step, creating a more accurate flap in less time.
If you’re ready to start enjoying the benefits of the latest Dallas LASIK advancements, call Carter Eye Center today and schedule a consultation!
Showing posts with label laser eye surgeries. Show all posts
Showing posts with label laser eye surgeries. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
How Successful is LASIK?
If you’re considering LASIK eye surgery, one of the first questions you probably have is, “How successful is it?” The good news for glasses and contact wearers everywhere is that this procedure is highly successful.
Before scheduling your consultation with a Dallas LASIK surgeon, though, there are some factors to consider that can increase your chances of having great outcome for your laser eye surgery.
What Type Of Surgery You Have Matters
Laser eye surgery isn’t just one procedure -- there are different techniques and different technologies. As technology improves, so do success rates.
With custom wavefront-guided LASIK, such as Dallas Dr. Harvey Carter performs, success rates are exceptional. A recent study found that 44 percent of patients who had this procedure experienced 20/15 or better vision without corrective lenses after three months. The same survey noted that 92 percent had 20/20 vision, and 100 percent had 20/25 or better, in the same time period.
No one needs great vision like our military men and women. A U.S. Navy study found that of sailors who underwent this procedure, 85 percent had 20/15 vision, compared to 69 percent of sailors who had conventional LASIK done.
Success Rates High, Complication Rates Low
As with any surgery, laser eye surgery comes with a certain risk of complications. However, it is one of the safest procedures you can undergo.
The Food and Drug Administration reports that complications occur in only 1 to 5 percent of LASIK surgeries, out of the hundreds of thousands that are performed nationally each year. Of those, most are mild symptoms, such as glare or light sensitivity, that often resolve in time.
Increasing Likelihood Of Success
Not every candidate will see the ideal results of LASIK surgery, but there are some criteria to meet that can increase your chances of success.
Having healthy eyes before surgery is vital to ensuring a good outcome for your procedure. If you are suffering from a condition that could affect how your eyes deal with surgery or healing, the procedure should wait until this issue is resolved. Such conditions include chronic dry eyes, conjunctivitis or eye injuries.
A patient who has had stable vision for at least a year is also more likely to have a successful outcome, which happens for most people at some point in their 20s. Additionally, hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause fluctuations in your vision. So if you are pregnant, this procedure should wait until your vision has normalized after pregnancy.
Certain health conditions also can affect how successful your procedure will be. Degenerative or autoimmune diseases, for example, may disqualify you from having LASIK eye surgery. Sjogren’s syndrome, type 1 diabetes and HIV are some of examples.
And the top criteria to increase your success with LASIK is to find a qualified surgeon. An eye doctor with the right experience and a proven record is the best person to advise you on whether you are a candidate for a successful laser eye surgery.
Stop wondering if you are a candidate for Dallas LASIK and start the process of leading a glasses-free life! Call Dr Harvey Carter today and schedule your free consultation.
Before scheduling your consultation with a Dallas LASIK surgeon, though, there are some factors to consider that can increase your chances of having great outcome for your laser eye surgery.
What Type Of Surgery You Have Matters
Laser eye surgery isn’t just one procedure -- there are different techniques and different technologies. As technology improves, so do success rates.
With custom wavefront-guided LASIK, such as Dallas Dr. Harvey Carter performs, success rates are exceptional. A recent study found that 44 percent of patients who had this procedure experienced 20/15 or better vision without corrective lenses after three months. The same survey noted that 92 percent had 20/20 vision, and 100 percent had 20/25 or better, in the same time period.
No one needs great vision like our military men and women. A U.S. Navy study found that of sailors who underwent this procedure, 85 percent had 20/15 vision, compared to 69 percent of sailors who had conventional LASIK done.
Success Rates High, Complication Rates Low
As with any surgery, laser eye surgery comes with a certain risk of complications. However, it is one of the safest procedures you can undergo.
The Food and Drug Administration reports that complications occur in only 1 to 5 percent of LASIK surgeries, out of the hundreds of thousands that are performed nationally each year. Of those, most are mild symptoms, such as glare or light sensitivity, that often resolve in time.
Increasing Likelihood Of Success
Not every candidate will see the ideal results of LASIK surgery, but there are some criteria to meet that can increase your chances of success.
Having healthy eyes before surgery is vital to ensuring a good outcome for your procedure. If you are suffering from a condition that could affect how your eyes deal with surgery or healing, the procedure should wait until this issue is resolved. Such conditions include chronic dry eyes, conjunctivitis or eye injuries.
A patient who has had stable vision for at least a year is also more likely to have a successful outcome, which happens for most people at some point in their 20s. Additionally, hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause fluctuations in your vision. So if you are pregnant, this procedure should wait until your vision has normalized after pregnancy.
Certain health conditions also can affect how successful your procedure will be. Degenerative or autoimmune diseases, for example, may disqualify you from having LASIK eye surgery. Sjogren’s syndrome, type 1 diabetes and HIV are some of examples.
And the top criteria to increase your success with LASIK is to find a qualified surgeon. An eye doctor with the right experience and a proven record is the best person to advise you on whether you are a candidate for a successful laser eye surgery.
Stop wondering if you are a candidate for Dallas LASIK and start the process of leading a glasses-free life! Call Dr Harvey Carter today and schedule your free consultation.
Friday, March 9, 2012
What Are The Differences Between LASIK And PRK?
If you’re looking at vision enhancement solutions, you may already have heard about Dallas LASIK and PRK, but you might be confused about the difference between the two procedures.
Both are refractive procedures to correct poor vision, but there are many dissimilarities between the two. An ophthalmologist can best help you decide which is right for you, but before selecting a procedure or even scheduling your free consultation, it will help to understand what separates these surgeries.
How The Procedures Are Performed
LASIK, which stands for Laser In Situ Keratomileusis, is an eye surgery that uses a blade called a microkeratome or an excimer laser to cut a flap into the patient’s cornea. After the flap is cut, a laser sends pulses into the cornea, reshaping it to correct vision problems.
PRK stands for Photo-refractive Keratatectomy. This procedure utilizes a cool laser light to reshape the central cornea based each patient’s corneal characteristics. The top layer of corneal cells are removed, rather than creating a flap, and the laser is focused directly on the corneal surface, which is flattened or steepened depending on the vision issue being corrected.
Differences In Recovery Time
Because of the differences in the procedures, recovery will be different depending on which surgery you choose.
After the corneal flap is replaced in Dallas LASIK surgery, the eye’s natural suction will allow it to stay in place to heal. The patient should experience significant vision improvements the next day and continued improvement in the following few days. In fact, most patients can even return to work the day after surgery.
On the other hand, PRK patients will have no flap, and the healing of the eye will be on the cornea’s surface. These patients will not experience the complications that on rare occasions can result from flap creation (because there is no flap created), but the recovery time is longer. Patients who undergo this procedure will take on average three to seven days to reach functional vision levels, and it will be one to four weeks before maximum visual sharpness is reached.
Is The Level Of Discomfort Different For Each Procedure?
Because of the removal of the cornea’s epithelial cells in PRK, patients who undergo this procedure typically experience slightly more post-operative discomfort than LASIK patients. However, every patient varies, and some patients experience little or even NO discomfort.
Ideal Candidates For LASIK vs. PRK
Dallas LASIK corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. With increasingly improving technology, there are many more patients who are candidates for this procedure today than there were 10 years ago. It is the more popular choice, and is better suited to those with thick corneas who want faster results.
PRK also corrects the same vision problems, but it is the safer choice for some people. Patients who have corneal issues, such as scarring, irregularities or thin corneal tissue, might find that this is the better option for them.
While there are many differences between Dallas LASIK and PRK vision correction procedures, both have this in common: They can completely change your life! If you’re ready to get started on the path to glasses-free vision, schedule a consultation at Carter Eye Center today.
Both are refractive procedures to correct poor vision, but there are many dissimilarities between the two. An ophthalmologist can best help you decide which is right for you, but before selecting a procedure or even scheduling your free consultation, it will help to understand what separates these surgeries.
How The Procedures Are Performed
LASIK, which stands for Laser In Situ Keratomileusis, is an eye surgery that uses a blade called a microkeratome or an excimer laser to cut a flap into the patient’s cornea. After the flap is cut, a laser sends pulses into the cornea, reshaping it to correct vision problems.
PRK stands for Photo-refractive Keratatectomy. This procedure utilizes a cool laser light to reshape the central cornea based each patient’s corneal characteristics. The top layer of corneal cells are removed, rather than creating a flap, and the laser is focused directly on the corneal surface, which is flattened or steepened depending on the vision issue being corrected.
Differences In Recovery Time
Because of the differences in the procedures, recovery will be different depending on which surgery you choose.
After the corneal flap is replaced in Dallas LASIK surgery, the eye’s natural suction will allow it to stay in place to heal. The patient should experience significant vision improvements the next day and continued improvement in the following few days. In fact, most patients can even return to work the day after surgery.
On the other hand, PRK patients will have no flap, and the healing of the eye will be on the cornea’s surface. These patients will not experience the complications that on rare occasions can result from flap creation (because there is no flap created), but the recovery time is longer. Patients who undergo this procedure will take on average three to seven days to reach functional vision levels, and it will be one to four weeks before maximum visual sharpness is reached.
Is The Level Of Discomfort Different For Each Procedure?
Because of the removal of the cornea’s epithelial cells in PRK, patients who undergo this procedure typically experience slightly more post-operative discomfort than LASIK patients. However, every patient varies, and some patients experience little or even NO discomfort.
Ideal Candidates For LASIK vs. PRK
Dallas LASIK corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. With increasingly improving technology, there are many more patients who are candidates for this procedure today than there were 10 years ago. It is the more popular choice, and is better suited to those with thick corneas who want faster results.
PRK also corrects the same vision problems, but it is the safer choice for some people. Patients who have corneal issues, such as scarring, irregularities or thin corneal tissue, might find that this is the better option for them.
While there are many differences between Dallas LASIK and PRK vision correction procedures, both have this in common: They can completely change your life! If you’re ready to get started on the path to glasses-free vision, schedule a consultation at Carter Eye Center today.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Do's And Don'ts After LASIK Surgery
Aside from the actual surgery, post-operative care is one of the things that Dallas LASIK surgery patients worry about most. Will I be in pain? Can I drive? When can I go back to work?
Laser eye surgery is one of the most minimally disruptive procedures you can undergo in terms of recovery time. There are some vital after-care instructions you can expect from your ophthalmologist, though. Following your surgeon’s list of do’s and don’ts after LASIK surgery is crucial for your healthy and swift recovery.
If you’re considering laser eye surgery, here are some of the do’s and don’ts that you can expect after your procedure.
Do’s After LASIK Surgery
DO have a friend or family member drive: After your surgery, you’ll need a designated driver to get you home safely.
DO use eye drops as directed: Carter Eye Center directs patients to use the prescribed eye drops every two hours the night surgery is peformed. When doing so, you will be instructed to remove your eye shields, add drops, and immediately replace your eye shields. Don’t worry -- the shields will only need to be worn while sleeping, and only for the first two weeks after surgery.
DO eat or drink what you want: Post-operative LASIK patients are advised to indulge in whatever foods or liquids they want, except for alcoholic beverages. Craving ice cream? Go for it! Feel the need for a cheeseburger and fries? Enjoy!
DO wear safety glasses during sports or high-risk activities: It’s not necessary to live in a bubble after undergoing LASIK surgery, but if you will be engaging in activities that increase your risk of eye injury -- for example, sports or lawn-mowing -- using safety glasses is recommended.
DO feel free to return to work and regular activities: There’s no need to seclude yourself for weeks after LASIK surgery. Normal activities can be resumed the next day.
Don’ts After LASIK Surgery
DON’T worry if you experience discomfort: Some eye discomfort is to be expected after undergoing any medical procedure. To minimize this, keep your eyes closed as much as possible after your surgery, until you wake up the next day. It’s OK to open them for short periods to eat, drink and use eyedrops. Over-the-counter pain relievers are also acceptable to use.
DON’T rub your eyes: For two weeks after surgery, it is very important NOT to rub your eyes.
DON’T get soap or water directly in your eyes: Avoid this for two weeks after your procedure. If soap or water does get into your eyes, put your head down and blink, so that your tears will wash them out. Swimming, hot tubs and water sports should be avoided during these two weeks.
DON’T wear eye makeup: Mascara and eyeliner should not be worn for three days after LASIK surgery. Waterproof eye makeup should not be work for two weeks. Extreme caution should be observed when removing makeup.
DON’T forget post-op appointments: Follow-up care is extremely important after LASIK surgery, so be sure to attend all post-operative appointments and bring your post-op kit with you. Your first appointment after surgery should last about 30-45 minutes.
If you’re ready to start the journey toward glasses-free vision, call Carter Eye Center today and schedule your Dallas LASIK surgery consultation!
Laser eye surgery is one of the most minimally disruptive procedures you can undergo in terms of recovery time. There are some vital after-care instructions you can expect from your ophthalmologist, though. Following your surgeon’s list of do’s and don’ts after LASIK surgery is crucial for your healthy and swift recovery.
If you’re considering laser eye surgery, here are some of the do’s and don’ts that you can expect after your procedure.
Do’s After LASIK Surgery
DO have a friend or family member drive: After your surgery, you’ll need a designated driver to get you home safely.
DO use eye drops as directed: Carter Eye Center directs patients to use the prescribed eye drops every two hours the night surgery is peformed. When doing so, you will be instructed to remove your eye shields, add drops, and immediately replace your eye shields. Don’t worry -- the shields will only need to be worn while sleeping, and only for the first two weeks after surgery.
DO eat or drink what you want: Post-operative LASIK patients are advised to indulge in whatever foods or liquids they want, except for alcoholic beverages. Craving ice cream? Go for it! Feel the need for a cheeseburger and fries? Enjoy!
DO wear safety glasses during sports or high-risk activities: It’s not necessary to live in a bubble after undergoing LASIK surgery, but if you will be engaging in activities that increase your risk of eye injury -- for example, sports or lawn-mowing -- using safety glasses is recommended.
DO feel free to return to work and regular activities: There’s no need to seclude yourself for weeks after LASIK surgery. Normal activities can be resumed the next day.
Don’ts After LASIK Surgery
DON’T worry if you experience discomfort: Some eye discomfort is to be expected after undergoing any medical procedure. To minimize this, keep your eyes closed as much as possible after your surgery, until you wake up the next day. It’s OK to open them for short periods to eat, drink and use eyedrops. Over-the-counter pain relievers are also acceptable to use.
DON’T rub your eyes: For two weeks after surgery, it is very important NOT to rub your eyes.
DON’T get soap or water directly in your eyes: Avoid this for two weeks after your procedure. If soap or water does get into your eyes, put your head down and blink, so that your tears will wash them out. Swimming, hot tubs and water sports should be avoided during these two weeks.
DON’T wear eye makeup: Mascara and eyeliner should not be worn for three days after LASIK surgery. Waterproof eye makeup should not be work for two weeks. Extreme caution should be observed when removing makeup.
DON’T forget post-op appointments: Follow-up care is extremely important after LASIK surgery, so be sure to attend all post-operative appointments and bring your post-op kit with you. Your first appointment after surgery should last about 30-45 minutes.
If you’re ready to start the journey toward glasses-free vision, call Carter Eye Center today and schedule your Dallas LASIK surgery consultation!
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Is LASIK Surgery Safe?
Most patients who suffer from poor vision dream about a day when they can see clearly without the use of corrective lenses. For many of them, having Dallas LASIK surgery is a great way to realize that dream.
Advancements in laser eye surgery have made it an extremely safe procedure. In fact, with an experienced surgeon, the risk of serious complication is less than 1 percent. As a medical procedure, it still carries a small risk. However, improvements in the field of laser vision correction have advanced dramatically and continue to improve results and decrease risk.
Will My Age Affect The Outcome Of LASIK?
In the past, it was far less common to perform Dallas LASIK surgery on older patients as it was believed age could increase risk of complications. Today, however, studies suggest there is little difference in the success of this procedure for patients whether they are in their 20s or 40s and older. New technologies allow surgeons more options for treating vision problems, no matter the age.
For example, CustomVue Wavefront-guided LASIK, a tool for both diagnosis and guiding the corneal correction, allows for a more exact mapping of each person’s corneal imperfections. This map is used to guide the laser in correction those aberrations, allowing for a more precise correction of a broader range of vision problems.
Increasing Patient Satisfaction With LASIK
They vast majority of LASIK patients find the experience extremely satisfying and the results spectacular. However, a few things have helped increase even more these satisfactory outcomes.
Better screening procedures: Not everyone is an ideal candidate for the surgery. While for many people, it provides superior vision, the quality of results will depend entirely on each individual’s case. Technology advancements have improved both the level of correction for patients who, in the past, may not have been LASIK candidates and the screening process for determining who would benefit from the surgery
Training and experience: Using an experienced, well-qualified surgeon can greatly diminish the chances of complications and dissatisfaction after surgery. Not everyone’s eyes are the same; in fact, hardly anyone’s are. A doctor who is using the most advanced laser technologies like CustomVue can give you better, more individualized results.
Potentials Risks After Surgery
There are a variety of possible complications a LASIK patient might experience. The most often reported complications are glare and sensitivity to light; visual fluctuations; halos or starbursts surrounding light sources; and dry eyes.
Even the most common of these are temporary complications and resolve on their own a few days after the surgery. Decreasing the risk of complications from LASIK eye surgery starts with finding the right doctor. An experienced surgeon will give better results and decrease the risk of complications.
If you’re ready to discover whether you are a candidate for Dallas LASIK eye surgery, schedule a consultation with Dr Harvey Carter today.
Advancements in laser eye surgery have made it an extremely safe procedure. In fact, with an experienced surgeon, the risk of serious complication is less than 1 percent. As a medical procedure, it still carries a small risk. However, improvements in the field of laser vision correction have advanced dramatically and continue to improve results and decrease risk.
Will My Age Affect The Outcome Of LASIK?
In the past, it was far less common to perform Dallas LASIK surgery on older patients as it was believed age could increase risk of complications. Today, however, studies suggest there is little difference in the success of this procedure for patients whether they are in their 20s or 40s and older. New technologies allow surgeons more options for treating vision problems, no matter the age.
For example, CustomVue Wavefront-guided LASIK, a tool for both diagnosis and guiding the corneal correction, allows for a more exact mapping of each person’s corneal imperfections. This map is used to guide the laser in correction those aberrations, allowing for a more precise correction of a broader range of vision problems.
Increasing Patient Satisfaction With LASIK
They vast majority of LASIK patients find the experience extremely satisfying and the results spectacular. However, a few things have helped increase even more these satisfactory outcomes.
Better screening procedures: Not everyone is an ideal candidate for the surgery. While for many people, it provides superior vision, the quality of results will depend entirely on each individual’s case. Technology advancements have improved both the level of correction for patients who, in the past, may not have been LASIK candidates and the screening process for determining who would benefit from the surgery
Training and experience: Using an experienced, well-qualified surgeon can greatly diminish the chances of complications and dissatisfaction after surgery. Not everyone’s eyes are the same; in fact, hardly anyone’s are. A doctor who is using the most advanced laser technologies like CustomVue can give you better, more individualized results.
Potentials Risks After Surgery
There are a variety of possible complications a LASIK patient might experience. The most often reported complications are glare and sensitivity to light; visual fluctuations; halos or starbursts surrounding light sources; and dry eyes.
Even the most common of these are temporary complications and resolve on their own a few days after the surgery. Decreasing the risk of complications from LASIK eye surgery starts with finding the right doctor. An experienced surgeon will give better results and decrease the risk of complications.
If you’re ready to discover whether you are a candidate for Dallas LASIK eye surgery, schedule a consultation with Dr Harvey Carter today.
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