Be Aware! Things to Know Before Going Through LASIK Surgery

By Sarina Scotti

 

The eyes are one of the most important features of the body, which means they need to be well taken care of. But there will come a time that people will be experiencing different eye problems.

 

Especially as the person grows older, eye problems such as astigmatism and cataract can be experienced. For many decades, eye doctors have been providing the best medication for these problems. And luckily, as time goes by, the technology also has advanced. This means that there are already new and effective ways to treat eye problems, LASIK, for example.

LASIK is a surgical procedure that is used to treat eye problems such as astigmatism, farsightedness, nearsightedness, and the likes. It takes only about thirty minutes or less. The ophthalmologist makes use of the laser to change the shape of the cornea in order to improve the ability of the eyes to focus light rays into the retina, which is located at the back of the eye.

But every patient must know the pertinent information involved with the surgery. He should be aware of what to expect before, during, and after the surgery. Especially for the first timers, deciding to undergo the surgery means letting the doctor evaluate the patient's case to determine if he is a perfect candidate. So, what should a patient really expect before the surgery? Here are some of the points that one must know.

1. Contact Lenses. For those wearing contact lenses, it is recommended to stop wearing them before the initial evaluation. One should wear his or her eyeglasses full time. This is because contact lenses are there to change the shape of the cornea. Not taking these lenses off long enough for the cornea to go back to its original shape before the surgery can provide negative consequences such as poor surgical plan, inaccurate measurements, or even poor vision after the surgery. If one is wearing soft contact lenses, he should stop at least two weeks before the initial evaluation. If they are rigid gas permeable lenses, one should stop wearing them for about three weeks before the evaluation and at least four weeks if one is wearing hard lenses.

2. What to tell the doctor. The patient should always lay out his medical history to the doctor. One should tell the doctor about his past and present eye and medical conditions. Aside from that, he should be open about all the medications he is taking and especially those that he is allergic to.

3. One should have an eye exam. Doctors should conduct and eye exam to the patients and discuss the results with them. The doctor should also be able to discuss the risks, benefits and recovery process after the surgery. The patients should also take note of the responsibilities they have after the surgery.

Just like any other surgery, there would be risks involved so it is just right for the patients to be aware of all the things necessary in order to prepare themselves not only for the procedure but also for their life after the surgery.

If you want to know more about LASIK Surgery please contact:

http://www.laserforeyes.com/ilasik.htm

One should tell the doctor about his past and present eye and medical conditions. Aside from that, he should be open about all the medications he is taking and especially those that he is allergic to.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarina_Scotti

Anatomy of the Human Eye - How the Human Eye Works

By Tenay Brown

 

The human eye is commonly referred to as the human body's most complex organ. It contains many different parts and depends on all parts to work efficiently in order to have the best vision possible. Of all five senses, vision is the most valued and the quality of this vision is directly related to the way the eye's parts work with each other.

Basic Eye Anatomy
The eye consists of 11 basic parts, all of which have a vital role in the vision process. The basic anatomy of the eye includes the iris, cornea, pupil, lens, sclera, ciliary body, choroid, optic nerve, macula, retina and vitreous. Light enters through the cornea, which is the region of the sclera that is transparent. It provides the eye with the power to focus and is also the part of the eye where contact lenses are placed. The color of your eye, or the colored iris, is located behind the cornea and is visible only because the cornea is transparent.

In the center of the iris is the pupil, which is the dark and round opening in the center. It has control over how much light enters into the eye by dilating the size of the pupil in conditions of dim light and constricting in conditions of bright light. The lens also provides some focusing power within the eye and is located directly behind the pupil. The shape of the lens changes to bring objects into focus-such as when you are reading-and muscles contract that are located in the ciliary body. After a while, the muscles lose the ability to change shape and the lens becomes rigid which leads to a need for glasses.

Light images are converted into electric pulses by photosynthesis cells that make up the retina. These electric pulses then travel to the brain through the optic nerve. Fine detailing is accomplished by the macula, which is a specialized area that is located in the center of the retina. The clarity of vision is determined by a combination of factors: the length of the eye and the focusing power of both the lens and the cornea. Vision is clear if these three factors match perfectly together; when they do not, this creates vision problems.

Sclera
The sclera, also known as the white part of the eye, is the protector of more sensitive parts of the inner eye, such as the choroid and the retina. Most of the depth of the sclera is 0.03-inch thick, but it is no more than 0.01-inch thick where the straight eye muscles connect. There are six muscles in each eye that control the movements, but four are referred to as the straight eye muscles. The sclera is nourished with nutrients and oxygen through blood vessels located in the episclera, which is located on top of the sclera.

Choroid
The choroid provides the retina with a nourishment of nutrients and oxygen through a network of blood vessels. It is located within the sclera and is responsible for providing the anterior part of the optic nerve as well as the macula with the blood supply they depend on. When there is an abnormal growth of blood vessels, an eye condition called macular degeneration occurs, beginning in the choroid and going to the retina through the Bruchs Membrane. Because of a weaker structure, this causes edemas due to the bleeding or rupturing of the weakened vessels.

Retina
The retina is in the back of the eyeball and is the light-sensitive tissue that contains two types of light receptors: cones and rods. The cones generally absorb the stronger light and are color-sensitive, located in the retina's center. The rods absorb black and white in soft light and are next to the fovea.

Retinal detachment, or amotio retinae, is a serious eye condition that produces symptoms such as light flashes or vision loss that can lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated.

Iris
The iris has control over how much light enters into the eye; the muscles of the iris sphincter with contract with strong light and will dilate with dim light. The diameter of the iris expands when focusing on an object far away and narrows when focusing on near objects-this is called the accommodation reflex. The eye color is a direct relation to the type and amount of pigments in a person's iris. Green is the least common color while brown is the most common.

Cornea
The cornea covers the anterior chamber, the pupil and the iris. It is transparent and contains two-thirds or 40 of the 60 diopters in the eye. It is supplied with nutrients and oxygen through tear fluid instead of blood vessels, which explains why it is so clear. Blood vessels can appear in the cornea though if there is an oxygen deficiency which can happen from overusing contact lenses. This can cause partial vision loss if the vessels grow too close to the center. Surgical procedures can be performed to correct eye conditions of the cornea such as astigmatism, hyperopia and myopia.

Pupil
The pupil is the hole in the center of the eye that absorbs major parts of light, which is the reason it is black. When they appear red in pictures, it is due to the reflection of the retina.

Vitreous Body
This part of the eye is located behind the lens and fills the eye with a clear and gel-like substance. The vitreous body shrinks as you gets older and can detach from the retina as the body decreases in size. Vitreous body detachment is generally not a dangerous condition, but can become dangerous if it drags along the retina.

Lens
One-third of the eye's diopters obtain their power in the lens while the remainder is in the cornea. The lens is the part of the eye that allows you to change focus depending on the distance of an object whether it is across the room or directly in front of your face. It is attached to zonula threads which are attached to the ciliary body. When focusing on a near object, the ciliary body contracts, which allows the zonula threads to loosen and the lens to increase its acuity by thickening in diameter while contracting. Cataracts is an eye condition that is age-related and results in blurry vision as the most common symptom. The treatment for cataracts is generally surgically removing and replacing the lens.

Ciliary Body
The ciliary body contains the ciliary muscle, which is responsible for controlling the vision accommodation reflex. The body is also an attachment point for the zonula threads and produces aqueous fluid.

Optic Nerve
The optic nerve is responsible for sending signals to different areas of the brain from the eye in order to create images. It consists of about one million nerve threads and the nerves from both eyes are connected behind them so that the left field of vision is sent to the right hemisphere of the brain and vice verse.

Macula
The macula consists of visual cells that are closely packed resulting in high visual acuity, or high image resolution. These cells are not as closely packed around the macula as they are inside of the actual macula, but they control how well the peripheral vision works and is good enough for it to work properly. Macular degeneration is a common eye disease that occurs among the elderly and is separated into two categories: wet and dry. Wet is more serious than dry, but is also treatable with FDA-approved drugs while dry is not treatable and is the most common.

The Human Anatomy and Physiology Study Course [http://www.humananatomystudycourse.info] is a vital resource for a quick and helpful way to study and ace your anatomy and physiology class or to brush up on anatomy and physiology as a physician. Visit this link [http://www.humananatomystudycourse.info] to purchase this course at an affordable price.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tenay_Brown

The Risks of "Low Cost" LASIK

By Meagan L Hollman

 

Today, there are deals and bargains for basically anything. While most deals save time and money, there are some deals that people would be better off not touching. Finding cheap deals on elective procedures, such as LASIK eye surgery, may seem like a great shortcut, but business that offer cheap LASIK are quite risky.

Although LASIK eye surgery has only been around for 20 years, the public generally accepts it as a safe and gratifying procedure. With a 99 percent satisfaction rate, there really is no reason for accepted candidates not to get it.

People should be aware that a quality LASIK procedure done by a certified surgeon will cost money. The average beginning price for the procedure is $1,500 per eye, and the worse one's vision is, the higher the price will climb. Luckily, when one visits a legitimate eye surgeon, there are no hidden costs. The cost given will include surgery, checkups and if needed, a warranty for touch up surgery.

When just the main laser to perform LASIK eye surgery can cost anywhere from $500,000 to $700,000, a $3,000 surgery doesn't sound so bad. Additionally, annual upkeep of an eye surgeon's equipment is another $25,000.

Advertisements that offer "low cost" or "free" LASIK eye surgery should not be trusted. For starters, no organization can afford to do the procedure for free.
Low cost LASIK eye surgery translates to inexperienced doctors, careless check ups and old equipment.

Experienced surgeons don't advertise for "low cost" or "free" LASIK. These surgeons will also screen patients before signing off on surgery and will honestly tell patients if the are good candidates for LASIK eye surgery. Surgeons who advertise cheap LASIK don't care if a patient may not be the best candidate; they put money over the safety of patients.

Before choosing a LASIK eye surgeon, check his or her qualifications. Certificates that say "best surgeon" or rank eye doctors are often fakes. Qualified surgeons often have other areas of eye specialties that they feel comfortable talking about.

Clinics may be able to offer low cost LASIK eye surgery because they use old equipment. Older equipment won't improve vision as well as the newest, FDA approved equipment. It also may be less safe because it hasn't been maintained or cleaned as frequently.

Talk to a trusted ophthalmologist before choosing where to go for LASIK. Saving money on surgery is not worth it if leads to infection and complication. The most important aspect of any surgery is being able to trust your doctor.

Meagan Hollman writes for and supports Utah's Mount Ogden Eye Care because they provide efficient and friendly service to those who need eye care.
http://www.mountogdeneye.com/index.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Meagan_L_Hollman

Cataract Eye Surgery

By Halbert Tajo

 

Cataract eye surgery is a procedure that is designed to remove cloudy patches that can form on the lens of the eye. These patches are known as cataracts and they can become bigger which can impair your everyday vision. The surgery to remove cataracts will usually last around 45 minutes and is a relatively simple procedure, usually enabling patients to return to their normal routine after just 24 hours. If surgery is required in both eyes then these are usually completed separately and over a space of time to allow the first eye time to heal.

The eye is a complex and delicate part of the body. Even minor irritations and problems can lead to visual impairment. A cataract is a cloudy patch that forms on the lens of the eye and while it may sound innocuous it can lead to blurred vision and can further impact on your sight over time. Having a cataract removed is a surprisingly simple procedure and is one of the most common surgical procedures undertaken.

A cataract will usually develop over time and will gradually worsen. While most cataracts are caught relatively early, especially with regular eye tests, if left untreated they can lead to a complete loss of ability to make out details. The sooner cataract eye surgery is carried out, the better for the patient, although even severe cataracts can be removed with the assistance of a good surgeon. The process is simple and quick, and the recovery time is also short.

Currently, the only option known for counteracting the ill effects of a cataract is to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a clear one. While it is unusual, it is possible for cataracts to appear and form in both eyes. In these cases it is usual for the surgeon to opt to carry out the surgery on each eye separately. This gives the first eye time to heal and enables the patient to become accustomed to having their sight restored to normal in one eye before completing the final surgery. You will usually need to wait around 2 months between procedures.

The operation itself is normally conducted under local anaesthetic and as a day case. This means that you will be conscious for the procedure but anaesthetic will be applied to the area. It also means that you can have cataract eye surgery and be back home on the same day as the procedure is completed.
You should be back at work and undertaking your usual daily routine within another 24 hours too.

The operation itself will last around 20 minutes. A tiny cut is made on the surface of the eye before fluid is added to the eye and ultrasound used to break up the cloudy lens. The surgeon will remove the broken lens and place a folded, artificial lens through the cut. Once inside your eye, the lens will unfold and the cut is usually left to heal naturally over time although, in some cases, a single stitch may be used to heal the cut. Your cataract eye surgery will then be complete and you will be left for a period to recuperate and ensure that you are well.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Halbert_Tajo

Laser Eye Surgery : Improve your Vision

Losing eyesight can be the worst nightmare. Even a minute problems related to eyesight can get you worried. Nowadays many people are suffering from problems related to eyesight. Long working hours in front of a computer, watching TV and playing play station for long time affect the eye sight of people. Eye care is of prime importance. You should take proper care of your eyes to avoid any problem in future. If you are facing any problem with regard to your eyesight there is no fret as laser eye surgery can correct your incorrect vision.

                 

Advancement of technology has made many changes in the medical field. Laser eye correction plays an imperative role in the medical science. It is the best way to get rid of eyesight problem. It will correct your vision in no time. This process makes use of laser to rectify the eye errors. With the help of this process you can also get rid of your glasses. Many people are opting for this laser eye surgery as it works effectively on the eyesight. It gives permanent cure for eye related problems. It is one of the best ways to deal with cataract.

Many people are clueless about how the laser eye surgery works. Eye vision depends on cornea tissue. This tissue helps you to see. It decides how far or close a person can see. Laser rays burn the tissue around your eye's cornea. When this tissue is removed, the laser then reshapes the cornea. Now the light rays can be refracted properly and fall on the retina of the eyes. This improves your vision. There are two types of laser eye correction, Advanced PRK or Photo Refractive Keratectomy and LASIK or Laser Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis. Each of these procedures uses different technique.

Though many people are opting for laser eye surgery, it is advisable for some to avoid it. Pregnant women, people with diabetes or with binocular vision problem, dry eyes, thin corneas, or very large pupils should avoid this surgery. It is imperative to discuss with your doctor first and only then opt for surgery. Eyesight problem can also be a result of ageing. After a certain age the person has to go through cataract surgery. This again is the process of cleaning your cornea with the help of laser surgery. It gives you a better vision and keeps your eyes healthy.

Laser eye surgery can change your eyesight to a very large extent. It is an effective treatment to deal with eye problems. It is a safe process and has no side effects. To undergo this treatment, it is important to consult an experienced professional and then take the decision. As every individual is different from another, this surgery must be performed by following an expert's advice. Some research is important before opting for the surgery. Eyes need a lot of care, you can afford thing precious gift for granted. To know more about laser eye surgery, you can explore web for reliable sites.

 

About the Author

 

Jteller.Jimmy Teller is the author of this article on Cataract Surgery. Find more information on Lasik Eye Surgery here.

Guidelines For Children's Eye Care

By Ruth Cracknell

 

The prevention of eye defects is a very important subject, particularly for parents. As many eye problems develop in childhood, children's eye care is of ultimate importance .

At what age should you begin to watch out for eye troubles in your children and to prevent them? Faulty vision grows out of faulty habits. The moment to begin, therefore, is the moment at which the baby first begins to see objects around him.

It is the bright-colored objects hung in a baby's crib above the level of his eyes as a pacifier which lay the foundation for much of the muscular imbalance which later on causes refractive errors and eyestrain.

The baby stares at the motionless object and acquires the habit of staring while the little muscles on the eyeball become fixed instead of flexible. And the parents congratulate themselves that the baby is so "good," and that it will lie quietly in its crib without creating a disturbance.

In babyhood, too, the imitative child is surrounded by well-meaning adults who, in order to amuse him. make exaggerated faces with their eyes wide and staring, an attitude which he unconsciously adopts.

Children's eye care must certainly include dealing with cross eyes. Cross-eyes frequently make their first appearance in babyhood-the condition often exists soon after birth -and the distracted parents either (a) neglect the condition, hoping that it will clear up as time goes on; (b) have the eyes operated upon, which results in a constant pull and nerve tension; (c) or put glasses on the young child.

Glasses are a trial to anyone. How often you hear someone complain, "I haven't got used to my glasses yet." For a child glasses are infinitely more regrettable, for psychological reasons as well as for visual reasons. To see a small child, with round spectacles on its tiny nose, is nothing short of a tragedy. It is grotesque.

Cross-eyes in a baby can be cured by the simple process of fastening a patch over the good eye so that the weak one is forced to carry its share of the work. Otherwise the vision in the weak eye becomes fainter while it gets stronger in the good eye, until the condition is fixed.
It must be stressed that the earlier you become aware of the signs of defective vision, the easier it will be to correct it.

Another point that must be made about children's eye care is that countless children every year are being fitted with glasses when there is nothing whatever the matter with their eyes. In some cases the complaint of visual difficulties- even of blindness-is a deliberate form of malingering, or an attempt at self-dramatization or the psychic symptom of some underlying emotional disturbance.

In other cases, children who complain of headaches or faulty vision-and every eye shows temporary signs of abnormal vision-are rushed by their anxious parents to an ophthalmologist and so the helpless child is shackled with glasses. And yet the headache may be the result of any one of innumerable causes and the faulty vision may be due to faulty habits into which the child has slipped without his parents observing the fact.

The eyes are the first to show results of bad health and rundown condition. If you wish to maintain normal vision in your child, therefore, make sure that his physical condition is up to par. Bad teeth, tonsils, adenoids, glands that are malfunctioning-any poison in the system-all of these immediately affect the eyes.

Proper diet is important for eye health. We are, to a far greater extent than we realize, a product of what we eat. A lack of any essential food has its effect in the long run upon weight, energy, our capacity to throw off or guard against disease.

Every parent who wants to guard and protect his child's health is alert to see that the proper vitamins and calories, the right amount of milk, greens, vegetables and fruits appear in the child's daily food.
It is worth pointing out, however, that while all these things are essential for the growth and building of a healthy body, Vitamin A is particularly important to the health of the eyes.

Prevention is better than cure when it comes to your child's eyes. Attention to children's eye care can never start too early.

Learn how to regain your eyesight Using these FREE eye exercises
Visit: http://www.eyeexercises.net/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ruth_Cracknell