Which is Safer: Lasik Eye Surgery or Wearing Contacts?

July 18, 2008 | Leave a Comment

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eye care
Kendra Wagner asked:

LASIK eye surgery is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures available, yet many people still worry that the procedure is riskier than wearing contacts. While laser eye surgery does carry certain risks, recent evidence is showing that contacts are not necessarily safer than surgical treatments. In fact, some experts have even suggested that contact lenses pose greater long-term risks to vision than laser vision correction.

So which option is right for you? Start by consider the potential benefits and risks of each alternative. Next, discuss your concerns with an eye care professional. By carefully weighing the pros and cons, you will be able to make the decision that is right for your needs, budget and lifestyle.

Contact Lens vs. LASIK Safety

While contact lenses are generally seen as a safer alternative than surgery, recent research is shedding new light on the long-term impact of wearing corrective lenses. After reviewing a number of large-scale studies, ophthalmologist William Mathers found that people who wear contact lenses have a more serious danger experiencing significant vision loss. Daily contact wearers have a 1 in 100 chance of developing an infection. In addition to this danger, there is a 1 in 2,000 chance that contact wearers will experience vision loss.

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Pros and Cons of Bargain Lasik Eye Surgery Offerings

May 26, 2008 | Leave a Comment

eye care
Kendra Wagner asked:


LASIK eye surgery has quickly become one of the most popular optional surgical procedures performed today, with more than one million American adults choosing the surgery each year. The speed and potential benefits of LASIK make it an appealing option for people affected by nearsightedness or farsightedness, allowing those with vision problems to say goodbye to their contact lenses or glasses. Many more consumers are attracted by the rock-bottom prices that are frequently advertised, but are these deals simply too good to be true? While great deals can be found, all potential patients need to carefully consider a number of factors before undergoing any type of laser vision correction.

LASIK Basics for Beginners

Before deciding if LASIK is the right choice, all patients should be carefully screened in order to determine if they are a good candidate. If a laser surgery provider promises that all patients make good candidates or fails to assess each individual carefully, then it is important to look elsewhere. A skilled and qualified surgeon will consider a number of issues including age, health, pupil size and other eye characteristics before making a recommendation. In many cases, laser correction consumers may find that it is wiser to pay a little more in order to receive better care and services.

The Costs of LASIK

There are ways to reduce the costs of laser vision correction, but potential patients should realize that choosing the cheapest option is not always the best strategy. There are a number of different surgical techniques and technologies that can influence the overall price of the procedure, but these variations can also have a big impact on the actual effectiveness of the surgery. In many cases, basic LASIK eye surgery offerings utilize older technologies, lasers and techniques. Newer approaches generally result in better outcomes, shorter recovery times and fewer chances of experiencing negative side effects.

Weighing the Pros and Cons

Before making a decision, each individual patient needs to weigh the potential pros and cons of choosing bargain LASIK eye surgery offerings carefully. The first step is to undergo a thorough evaluation from an experience and qualified eye care expert. This allows potential patients to determine whether they are good candidates for the LASIK procedure. The next step is to get quotes from different surgery providers. Carefully compare the cost per eye, but also look at factors such as the type of laser that is used. In some cases, the costs of using a more advanced laser may be minimal, so it might be wiser to pay slightly more for a better procedure.

Another important step that all potential LASIK patients must take is to ask each surgeon about his or her success rates. All doctors should be able to share some basic statistics about how many procedures they have performed and the typical outcomes that patients experience. Most importantly, a doctor should be able to describe both his or her best result as well as his or her worst result. If a doctor has a history of patient complaints or malpractice suits, then look elsewhere for a more qualified and skilled professional.



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The Proper Way to Care and Clean your Contact Lens!

May 12, 2008 | Leave a Comment

eye care
Taylor Dic asked:


Why is contact lens care important?

Many contact lens user are either ignorant or didn’t do the right things when comes to caring contact lens. Depending on the type of lens you are wearing, there are many different options for cleaning and disinfecting your lenses. Like all synthetic materials, contact lenses are subject to a buildup of micro-organisms and deposits. If not removed, these deposits and absorbed materials can build up on the lens surface which over time may result in the reduction of comfort and vision as well as an increased risk of contamination.

This is why lenses need to be cared for on a regular basis using various types of solutions, which are not only compatible with the lens materials but also with the eye itself.

Why can’t water be used for rinsing contact lenses?

Tap water contains chlorine, minerals and metal particles, which can damage both the lenses and the eye. Among other things, water contains organisms, which can lead to serious infections of the eye through microbial contamination. Home made saline, purified or distilled water does not disinfect contact lenses and should not be used for rinsing the lenses. Saline are manufacture in a controlled environment and invloves designated amount of recipes of ingredients. As such home made saline, purified water from home tap should not be used to rinse contact lens.

The Right Cleaning Solutions For You.

Some lens care solution allows your eyes to stay better protected and hence healthier. The moisturizing effect of the solutions locks in moisture and prevents lens dehydration for enhanced levels of lens comfort. Some peroxide-based lens care solution comes without the preservatives found in many all-in-one solutions. Peroxide provides unsurpassed disinfecting efficacy and cleaning for improved lens comfort. If you have sensitive eyes, you need to choose those that is suitable for people with sensitive eyes. Generally it can be used with gas permeable lenses, soft contact lenses and disposable contact lenses.

In short, you should choose a suitable solutions that will: 1. lubricates contact lenses and re-wets dry and irritated eyes.

2. Relief from dry and irritated eyes. Specially formulated to lubricate and moisten your lens to help relieve irritation from dirt, smoke and dryness.

3. Enhance lens movement for comfortable lens wear.

4. Formulated for sensitive eyes as it does not contain thimerosal or chlorhexidine, preservatives to which some people are sensitive.

5. Suitable for all types of contact lenses including silicone acrylate rigid gas permeable lenses.

6. Outstanding protein removal performance for all contact lenses. Triple action formula: removes proteins, prevents calcium deposits, kills germs. Excellent antimicrobial properties: proven to kill 99% of acanthamoeba spores.

7. Preservative and enzyme free.

You should adhere to 3 Important Things on contact lens care.

1. Cleaning and Disinfection Cleaning and disinfecting is an important step to kill micro-organisms responsible for eye infections.

2. Storage Contact lenses must be stored in approved saline solutions.

3. Re-wetting Use as needed to alleviate symptoms of lens dryness. This is not an actual lens care step, but can be used for extra comfort.

How about the lens case? The lens case itself must also be cleaned and replaced regularly. After inserting lenses, rinse out lens case with saline solution, leave open to dry.

Will medicated eye drops affect my contact lens? Medicated eye drops often have preservatives, which can penetrate the lens structure. Lenses should always be removed before inserting drops, unless they are designed for contact lenses. Certain medications transform the tear film both qualitatively and quantitatively. This can lead to temporary or even permanent incompatibility of the lenses.

Antihistamines (for hay fever), high blood pressure medications, laxatives, hormone preparations (pills), sedatives, sleeping pills, acne and rheumatism preparations, and pregnancy can alter the tear film structure.

Nicotine can tint the lenses; alcohol leads to dry eye.

Summary Depending on the type of lens you are wearing, there are many different options for cleaning and disinfecting your lenses. Some lenses, such as daily disposable lenses require little to no lens care – they are simply thrown away after each use. However, if you wear lenses that your eye care professional has recommended that you take out and re-insert into your eye, they should be cleaned and disinfected after each use. Proper care for your lenses can help your lenses stay clean and comfortable for you to wear. Your eye care professional can help you decide what lens care solutions are best for you.

If you experience any problems with your contact lenses, please remove your lenses and consult your eye care professional right away. Discomfort can be an early sign of a more serious complication, and early treatment can have a significant impact on overcoming problems.

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Lasik Eye Care: Stop Using Eye Glasses and Contact Lenses!

May 9, 2008 | Leave a Comment

eye care
Paul Courtney asked:


LASIK Eye Care: Stop Wearing Eyeglasses And Contact Lenses.

Another marvel of modern science

The majority of us who suffer from astigmatism, hyperopia, and myopia can literally have our vision restored to a perfect 20/20, no need for eye glasses nor those annoying contact lenses. Anymore.

As you are probably aware lasers can be found in many applications such as when we check out library books, a laser gun or pen scans their codes with lightning speed. When we make purchases at a department store or supermarket, a laser reads the bar code on a product, in the blink of an eye. Also, police officers use a special hand held laser device, to determine when motorists are exceeding a certain area’s speed limit.. These applications have been around for a while. Now, lasers have even influenced the treatment of eye conditions, in the form of LASIK eye care.

What is a LASIK?

LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis. This is the latest tool available to Ophthalmologists to perform refractive laser eye surgery to correct the following common eye conditions:

1. astigmatism (slightly irregular shape of the front of the eye),

2. hyperopia (farsightedness),

3. myopia (nearsightedness).

The Lasik procedure is painless and typically requires less recovery time for the patient, than other vision-corrective surgeries.

LASIK May Be Right For You

If you decide to look into this method of eye care particular steps should be taken to determine if you are an ideal candidate for LASIK eye care. An ophthalmologist should first assess your eyes, to learn how healthy they are, what variety of vision correction you require. If all is well the amount of material that the laser should remove from the eye’s surface is determined. Normally, your physician will examine your eyes for symptoms of eye disease. If any problems are found they must be eliminated prior to your receiving LASIK eye care.

The mapping of the eye’s surface is usually done by a special machine which photographs your eye so as to “map” your cornea surface. to create the most precise mapping of abnormalities that are influencing your vision.

Finally, prior to the implementation of LASIK eye care it is necessary to determine if you are an ideal LASIK candidate, questions will need to be answered as to what medications you are taking, or other problems you have related to your health. Some health concerns will require LASIK surgery to be delayed, while others totally prohibit you from undergoing the procedure.

The Odds Of 20/20 And 20/40 Vision

Unfortunately, there is no central database which reveals LASIK’s vision results. The results of the procedure are primarily founded on different clinical studies. These studies related to the vision outcomes of LASIK do not share the same components. They reveal how many achieve 20/20 (perfect) vision, or 20/40 vision—the minimum visual clarity required to obtain a driver’s license.

These studies are usually carried out immediately after the LASIK eye care procedure, again several days later and after one, three, and six month intervals. This accounts for vision alterations after surgery.

Look, it is not for everybody, but if you are one of the fortunate ones why not go through LASIK eye care, have your vision restored and get rid of those eye glasses and contact lenses today.



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Supplemental Eye Care Insurance: An Extra to your Normal Policy

March 6, 2008 | Leave a Comment

eye care
Jenny Black asked:


Supplemental eye care insurance just like any other supplemental medical insurance is meant to cover the cost that your primary eye care insurance does not cover. Many expensive treatments and surgeries may not be covered under your normal eye care insurance. Here, it is important for you to purchase a supplemental eye care insurance policy for yourself and your family members.

The concept of eye care insurance though sounds fantastic; the reality may altogether be different. Many insurance providers will not provide an extensive coverage to your eye care medical insurance and even they will put innumerable restrictions on what they will and will not be covering. Supplemental eye care insurance will fill up these gaps of normal eye care insurance and will give you an extensive coverage. A supplemental insurance will make sure that you receive coverage even for disabilities and serious accidents.

Many people suffer from weak eye sights because of various reasons like sitting in front of the computers for long hours; watching televisions for long, pollution etc. But because of the inconvenience of wearing and maintaining glasses and contact lenses, today many people are turning to laser eye surgeries known as LASIK eye surgery to improve their vision. But because of its high cost and its failure to meet the conservative therapy test., many insurance companies do not provide cover for this type of treatment.

Apart from that, many companies do not provide eye insurance cover to serious accidents and disabilities arising out of these accidents. Again many insurance companies fix up a limit to the number of visits that a person can undertake during a time period to an eye specialist. But old people who have a very weak eye sights and who have to depend all the time on eye treatments, may need more visits to an eye specialist. All these can be covered by supplemental eye care insurance.

To find for the perfect quote, you need to do some research. Since supplemental eye care insurance is not so easy to locate, a thorough study of all the companies that provide you with supplemental eye care insurance is a must. Nowadays, with internet facilities, you can easily search supplemental eye care insurance policy for your eyes. Many companies offer discounts, if you buy supplemental eye care insurance through the internet.

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