A Better Understanding of Houston Lasik Eye Surgery

Lasik eye surgery is a procedure that was designed to reduce a patient’s overall dependency on corrective lenses. Many patients undergo this procedure every year with many positive results. Finding a surgeon for Houston Lasik eye surgery is not difficult but there are certain things that you will need to keep in mind when determining whether or not this procedure is best for you. You should understand the overall basics of Lasik surgery. Lasik is actually an acronym that stands for Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. It is a procedure that changes the shape of the patient’s cornea which is the clear covering of the eye. The cornea is reshaped using an excimer laser.

During the procedure a bladed device or a laser device is used to cut into the cornea and create a flap. On one end of the flap a hinge is created. The flap is the folder back to reveal the middle of the cornea called the stroma. Pulses created by a computer controlled laser device then vaporizes a portion of the stroma and the surgeon then replaces the flap. This is the procedure that is most commonly referred to as Lasik surgery and what most patients will undergo when option for this surgery for vision enhancement.

A better understanding of Lasik surgery will help you to determine whether or not the procedure is a good fit for you. You can speak with your eye care specialist about the pros and cons of the procedure and whether this surgery will help to improve your eyesight.

 

General Factors Affecting Laser Eye Surgery Cost

You may find that there is a wide range of costs related to laser eye surgery. Determining exactly what your own surgery will cost depends on several factors such as the specific surgeon that you choose, the type of equipment that he or she uses and the time that your procedure takes. Other factors are also considered when determining laser eye surgery cost so you will need to check with your own surgeon to get an estimate. Generally, the cost of laser surgery varies from just under $1,000 to more than $3,000 for each eye. When you begin comparing prices you need to compare what specifically is included in the cost.

Speak with the surgeon who will do your laser surgery. The actual surgeon’s feel will depend on the expertise of the surgeon and how long they have been doing the procedure. The equipment costs range widely from area to area. Eye care centers that have the latest and most up to date equipment will likely be a bit higher in cost than those that use less expensive equipment. Find out what technology is used at your eye care center. Your cost will also be affected by your specific prescription. The worse your vision is the longer the procedure will take which will in turn affect the overall cost for the procedure.

Talk with your eye care specialist or surgeon when you plan your procedure. They can tell you what specific factors are calculated into the cost and a rough estimate of what you will be paying for your laser surgery.

 

Pros and Cons of Intacts and What You Should Know Before Surgery

Intacts are corneal implants that are used to correct vision. They are used to correct astigmatism and nearsightedness that are associated with keratoconus. This is a degenerative eye disease that causes the cornea to thin and protrude in a cone shaped manner. As the disease becomes worse, the quality of vision will significantly deteriorate. Contact lenses are often not effective in clearing up vision for patients with the disease and may in fact become too uncomfortable to wear as the disease continues to progress.  The only options at this point are to continue to have poor vision or to opt for corneal implants or intacts.

Intacts are surgically inserted into the cornea and help to improve eye strength and reduce the cone. As with any Lasik surgery procedure there are pros and cons to receiving intact implants. Many patients feel discomfort for a few days after the procedure and may also notice a vision fluctuation for several weeks afterward as well. Most patients who receive intacts however, feel that the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. The pros of intact implants are that the surgery is completely reversible should the patient need this option in the future. In addition, most patients find the intacts to be much more comfortable than traditional contact lenses and their vision highly improved after the procedure.

Whether or not intacts are right for you will depend on several factors. You should discuss this option with your eye care specialist to determine if Intacts can provide advantages to you and correct your vision.