LASIK Eyes Surgery: What to Expect on Surgery Day

Posted on December 13, 2011 by jmalone

LASIK Eyes Surgery Did you know it takes less than fifteen minutes to have LASIK eyes surgery done on both eyes? This in-office procedure is minimally invasive and is performed while the patient is awake and mobile. So you may be asking yourself, what exactly can I expect the day of surgery?

  • First, you will be given a mild sedative. You will then be placed in a comfortable chair and positioned under the laser.
  • Next, the surgeon will use topical eye drops to numb the eyes and prepare them for surgery. During this step, you will not feel any pain, but there will be a short sensation of pressure.
  • Finally, the doctor will perform the surgery. After a short resting period, you will be cleared to go home.

Of course, you will want to have a family member or friend available to drive you home after being sedated.  While most patients do not experience any pain or discomfort, it is perfectly normal to feel a stinging, burning sensation for a couple of hours after the surgery.  You can minimize this irritation by taking a nap after the procedure.

One last thing: you may be tempted to rub your eyes.  Do not do it! Most surgeons recommend that you avoid rubbing your eyes for at least one month after surgery.  This will help to en-sure your eyes heal properly.

LASIK eyes surgery is a popular procedure, and brings greatly improved vision to thousands of people each year. To learn more about the LASIK process visit The LASIK Channel YouTube Channel.

Information provided by Dr. Mark Schneider.

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LASIK Referrals: Comanagement

Posted on December 6, 2011 by jmalone

As LASIK surgery has gained in popularity among patients, some disreputable practices have emerged, including comanagement s. While most LASIK centers are reputable, it is important for patients to be educated, in order to avoid those who are not reputable. To that end, it is important to understand the practice of comanagement, and how it can be used improperly.

LASIK Referrals ComanagementMany LASIK centers will pay optometrists for preoperative and postoperative care when they refer patients for surgery. This is a common practice in the health industry known as comanagement care.   When handled properly, comanagement procedures can provide a positive outcome for everyone involved. However, as a patient, it is important to understand the advantages and disadvantages associated with this practice.

The main advantage to comanagement care is that the patient receives preoperative and postoperative care from their optometrist.  This is usually preferred when the patient has a strong, established relationship with their optometrist. It can also be more convenient for the patient if they live in a rural area.

Keep in mind, however, that optometrists have varying degrees of experience with surgical patients and some may not be qualified to manage a postoperative recovery by themselves. That is why at TriCounty Eye Institute, we believe surgeons must be involved in a patient’s follow-up and postoperative care.   This is simply a standard we will not dismiss. We also encourage patients to schedule a consultation with the referred ophthalmologist and discover for themselves if they want to use that doctor.

Unfortunately, in comanagement situations, monetary compensation is sometimes the motivation for a specific referral. It is important that you are aware of this and do your research before deciding to use any ophthalmologist or LASIK center. Comanagement does not serve the interests of the patient, but rather, the monetary interests of the doctors involved.

Information provided by Dr. Mark Schneider.

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LASIK Postoperative Care

Posted on December 1, 2011 by jmalone

LASIK Postoperative CareLASIK postoperative care is an important part of the LASIK process and, if managed properly, will have you back to your normal routine in no time. Of course, every doctor will have their own set of postoperative instructions, but here are a few basic guidelines you can expect to follow.

  • First, go home and take a nap! Sleeping is the best thing you can do to minimize any burning or stinging sensation you may experience. In addition, your body goes into healing mode when it is at rest.
  • Next, keep your hands away from your eyes. Avoid wearing makeup or participating in activates that could cause you to touch, bump or rub your eyes.
  • No swimming! Stay out of swimming pools or hot tubs for a couple of weeks to avoid getting contaminated water in your eyes.
  • Next, use the eye drops prescribed by your doctor.  Make sure you follow any and all postoperative instructions from your doctor and use them as directed.  Keep in mind, it is only natural for your eyes to sting when you put the drops in, but they are necessary to aid in your recovery and avoid infections.
  • Plan for a follow-up. Finally, most doctors will ask you to return for a postoperative checkup the day after surgery.

While your vision may fluctuate for the first month or two, most patients notice a significant visual improvement the next day, and continue to see gradual improvements over the next several weeks.

Information provided by Dr. Mark Schneider.

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Understanding the Best LASIK Surgeons Credentials

Posted on November 21, 2011 by jmalone

best lasik surgeonsFor those considering LASIK surgery, understanding the best LASIK surgeons’ credentials is vital. Turn on the radio, television, or even the computer and you are likely to see or hear an advertisement for LASIK eye surgery.  That is because this refractive eye procedure has become a popular choice for patients looking to get rid of their glasses or contacts. However, with so many surgeons nationwide, how do you know which one is best for you?

Here are three suggestions to help you evaluate a LASIK surgeon’s credentials:

  • First, ask for referrals.  Talk to friends and colleagues who have had LASIK and find out if they would recommend their doctors. Ask them:
    • How were you treated before and after the procedure?
    • Were you adequately prepared for what to expect?
    • Were there any complications? If so, how were they handled?
    • Also, be sure to check out the surgeon’s website or online communities for more patient testimonials.
  • Next, arrange for a phone consultation or in-office interview with the doctor.  This will help you determine whether the doctor is trustworthy, and if he will be able to communicate effectively with you throughout the process.
  • Finally, consider the doctor’s experience.  Look for quality over quantity. Some surgeons claim they have performed over 200,000 LASIK eye surgeries.  While that sounds impressive, consider this: LASIK surgery has been around for approximately ten years.  In order for a surgeon to reach a number like 200,000, he would have had to perform close to 2000 procedures a month.   Unfortunately, that does not leave very much time in-between patients for consultations or pre or postoperative evaluations. It is unlikely that all those patients received personalized care.

In most cases, LASIK is an elective surgery you decide to undergo.  So take ample time to evaluate your doctor’s credentials. Remember, it is important to choose a doctor that not only has valuable experience, but also provides an exceptional experience for you.

Information provided by Dr. Mark Schneider.

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Best LASIK Surgeon: How to Choose

Posted on November 19, 2011 by jmalone

best LASIK surgeonYour eyes are irreplaceable, so choosing the best LASIK surgeon is crucial. It is easy to find a LASIK surgeon, whether through a referral from a friend or family member, or by reading reviews online. Once you have some names, though, there are several factors to consider in making the right choice.

  • Experience: It is important to choose a surgeon who specializes in LASIK. Look for quality over quantity; just because someone has done thousands of procedures does not mean their patients receive the best care.
  • Results: Find out the percentage of patients that achieve results of 20/20 or better. You want a doctor who has a good record of accomplishment for success.
  • Personal patient care: You want a doctor who personally examines you, and who hires a warm and welcoming staff. When you visit your doctor, you should feel like part of the family.
  • No blades: Some surgeons still use traditional LASIK, with metal blades. Cutting-edge surgeons perform all-laser LASIK, which is far superior in safety and precision.
  • Up to the minute technology:  Be sure that your doctor is ahead of the curve, with state-of-the-art equipment like CustomVue. CustomVue is a technology that addresses imperfections specific to each individual cornea, and provides the potential for a quality of vision unavailable with traditional technology.
  • Do not let price stand between you and good vision.  Studies have shown that a surgeon who specializes in LASIK charges between $2000 and $3000 per eye for the most advanced technology.  When it comes to your vision, price should not be the main determining factor in your decision.  Low-priced LASIK can come at the expense of surgical experience or level of patient care.  Low-priced LASIK usually means the surgeon is cutting corners, and you will never be told what corners are being cut.  Choose the best surgeon with the best documented results and the most experience.

Choosing the best LASIK surgeon is extremely important, because your vision is a vital part of your overall well-being.

Information provided by Dr. Mark Schneider.

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Best LASIK Surgeons: Understanding Credential Claims

Posted on November 16, 2011 by jmalone

Deciphering who are the best LASIK surgeons can be confusing when you hear so many advertisement for LASIK eye surgery. We offer a few tips to sort through all the claims.

Visit our YouTube Channel for more information.

Best LASIK Surgeons

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What Happens During a LASIK Consultation?

Posted on November 15, 2011 by jmalone

If you are considering a LASIK vision correction procedure, first schedule a consultation with an experienced ophthalmologist to determine whether you are a good candidate for the procedure.  Here is a description of what happens during a LASIK consultation.

what happens during a LASIK consultationA LASIK consultation session consists of a comprehensive examination to determine the health of your eyes as well as to assess your overall health, and it includes time for you to have a Q&A session with the surgeon in order to address all of your questions and concerns.

Several tests are performed during the examination to help give the doctor a clear understanding of your eye health and your eyes’ focusing abilities.  Many of these tests are the same as those used during a routine eye exam, but some do go beyond the scope of a typical exam.  These tests are used to determine the relative curvatures of your cornea, and can help alert the doctor to any corneal conditions that might make it difficult to perform refractive surgery.

During the question-and-answer portion of the consultation, you and the surgeon will have the opportunity to get to know one another a little better and decide whether you want to proceed with the LASIK procedure.  It is helpful to have a list of questions and concerns prepared ahead of time so that you don’t forget to ask anything during the consultation.  Don’t be afraid to ask things like:

  • How long have you been performing LASIK surgery?
  • Do you use bladeless technology?
  • What kind of follow-up procedures do you practice?

The surgeon will answer your questions, and will also ask you questions as well.  An experienced ophthalmologist will most likely ask you why you want to have LASIK surgery.  Even though the answer to that question might seem obvious on the surface, it is important for you to consider your specific personal goals before answering.  While considering this, think about your daily routine, work, hobbies, and recreational activities.  Being open and honest with help the doctor advise you on what’s possible and set your expectations appropriately.

Information provided by Dr. Mark Schneider.

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Who Is a Candidate for LASIK?

Posted on November 11, 2011 by jmalone

There is a lot of information and misinformation about the LASIK procedure. We hope to clear some of it up for you.

Visit our YouTube Channel for more information.

who is a candidate for lasik

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Common Vision Problems

Posted on November 8, 2011 by jmalone

Common Vision ProblemsThere are a variety of vision problems that can affect people of all ages.  The most common vision problems that afflict people include nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

Nearsightedness, also known as Myopia, means that you can clearly see objects that are close to you, but objects in the distance appear blurry.  This condition is often due to the cornea, clear layer of tissue at the front of the eye, being too curved, or the eye itself being elongated, which causes light rays entering the eye to not focus correctly.  Nearsightedness affects nearly 30 percent of people in the United States and it is often heredity.  The first signs of nearsightedness often occur in school-age children.  Myopia generally progresses as the eye continues to grow during childhood and stabilizes in early adulthood.

Farsightedness, also called Hyperopia, means that you can see objects in the distance clearly, but objects up close appear blurry.  With this condition, light rays entering the eye cannot focus correctly usually because the cornea does not have enough curvature, or the eye itself is too short.  The most common symptoms of farsightedness are difficulty concentrating and focusing on objects nearby, eye strain, fatigue and headaches.  It is not uncommon for children to be born with hyperopia and the condition can improve for some as the eyeball lengthens with normal growth.

Astigmatism also causes distortions in vision.  Astigmatism is caused by an asymmetric curvature of the cornea; the cornea is normally round like a marble, but in cases of astigmatism, the cornea is shaped more like a football.  Because of this abnormal shape, light is not sharply focused at any distance.  This condition most commonly occurs with nearsightedness or farsightedness.

All of these conditions require some form of correction such as glasses, contact lenses, or LASIK surgery, to achieve optimal vision.  If you experience any of these conditions, your eye care professional can help determine the best vision correction option for you.

Information provided by Dr. Mark Schneider.

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LASIK Wavefront Technology

Posted on November 1, 2011 by jmalone

People often have the misconception that all LASIK surgery procedures are the same, but in reality LASIK centers can use various types of technology.  For instance, some centers use conventional LASIK technology, while others use the newer LASIK Wavefront technology to perform the procedure.  Understanding the difference can help you choose the best option for your vision correction.

CLASIK Wavefront Technologyonventional LASIK is performed by taking measurements from your current glasses or contact lens prescription in order to determine the adjustments needed to correct your vision, and your cornea is reshaped based on this information.  What does this mean for your vision correction?  It means that if your glasses correct your vision to 20/20, that’s what your vision will most likely be after LASIK surgery.  Conventional LASIK technology cannot correct your vision beyond the correction achieved by glasses or contact lenses.

LASIK Wavefront technology has evolved beyond this and is able to offer more precision.  This technology uses a Wavescan machine that maps out a 3D image of your eye.  These measurements make it possible to correct your vision with more precision beyond what glasses or conventional LASIK can correct.  Wavefront optimized ablations are also able to correct the refractive error of your cornea while maintaining a more natural shape of the cornea.  This reduces the appearance of halos and glares that patients sometimes develop after LASIK procedures in the past.  LASIK surgery using Wavefront technology is considered the best laser eye surgery currently available because of its ability to correct vision with such a high level of precision – often correcting to 20/20 or better – as well as minimizing any unwanted side-effects.  Because of this, it is the procedure of choice for military personnel and athletes.

Information provided by Dr. Mark Schneider.

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