The Science Behind Lasik Eye Surgery

Since being brought to market in the early 1990s, tens of millions of people around the world have taken advantage of Lasik eye surgery and put away the eye glasses and contacts forever. The procedure is relatively cost-effective and simple, yielding positive results for the majority of Lasik patients. But how many of those patients know the science behind Lasik?

Lasik is an acronym for the medical term "laser in situ kertomileusis". The term describes, in essence, what the procedure does; it uses a low level laser to reshape the cornea, the eye's transparent covering. In patients with near and far-sightedness the cornea is often misshapen, causing blurry vision at certain distances. By reshaping the cornea most patients can expect between 20/20 and 20/40 vision after the procedure. Lasik also seems to be effective astigmatism, an abnormal curvature of the cornea which, under normal conditions, is the shape of a half-moon.

With near-sighted patients the cornea has too much point at the crown of the curve. The laser is used to remove excess tissue and thus, remove the point. Far-sighted patients have the opposite problem; a cornea which is too flat. In this case the laser is used to remove tissue on the perimeter, forming the proper curve. With astigmatism the corneal defect can be manifested in several ways, but the process of removing tissue to restore corneal shape is the same.

As Lasik science has advanced over the years, great strides have been made in using lasers to treat other vision problems as well. Cataract sufferers, for example, begin to lose their vision as calcium deposits from behind the cornea. This condition often rendered its victims blind in past years, but with the same low-level laser an ophthalmologist can now quickly and safely open the cornea and remove the cataract completely. The cornea's ability to self-heal very rapidly after the procedure makes the use of Lasik even more attractive for cataract patients.

Though Lasik eye surgery can be an effective treatment for a number of vision problems, it does not address the underlying issue which caused the distress to begin with. Normal aging, as well as other health-related issues can once again cause the cornea to lose its proper shape, thus mitigating the benefits of the surgery. However, in most cases the return of poor vision takes quite a long time, making the benefits of the surgery well worth the risk.By Yang Yang

Retinal Detachment - Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

The retina is an extremely thin tissue that lines the extreme back of the eye and is basically responsible for the assimilation of visual data, which is then transmitted to the brain by the optic nerve for interpretation. A retinal detachment is a separation of the retina from its attachments to the underlying tissue, usually due to trauma, bleeding, extreme near-sightedness, medications or surgery. This condition invariably leads to complete loss of vision, and needs to be treated urgently. Currently, surgery is the only viable medical option in the management of retinal detachment.

The limitations of surgery are that eyesight may not be regained for several months, and recovery may be only partial. In addition, complications like infection and recurrence of retinal detachment are also possible. Ayurvedic herbal treatment can be quite useful in these situations as supportive therapy, to prevent bleeding, reduce the severity of damage to the retina, induce faster healing, salvage the maximum possible vision in the affected eye, and prevent a recurrence of the condition.

Ayurvedic medicines like Tapyadi -Loh, Laxadi-Guggulu, Usheerasav, Saarivasav, Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu, Triphala-Ghrut, Punarnavadi-Mandur, Punarnavadi-Guggulu, and Gokshuradi-Guggulu can be used to reduce or prevent swelling and bleeding in the interior of the eyes. Herbal medicines like Laxa (Purified wax), Naagkeshar (Messua ferrea), Sphatik Bhasma (Purified alum), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus), and Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia) can also be used for this purpose.

Medicines like Maha-Manjishthadi-Qadha, Punarnavadi-Qadha, Tapyadi-Loh, Ekangveer-Ras, Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa), Yashtimadhuk (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) are used to minimize eye damage and induce faster healing.

Further damage can be prevented by treating known risk factors like diabetes and hypertension, and by boosting the immune status of the body by using medicines like Abhrak-Bhasma, Trivang-Bhasma, Suvarna-Malini-Vasant, Suvarna-Parpati, Panchamrut-Parpati , Panch-Tikta-Ghrut and Maha-Triphala-Ghrut.

Retinal detachment is currently a medical condition which is difficult to treat and therefore, the potential contribution of Ayurvedic herbal treatment assumes special significance. It is important that all such patients should be under the regular care and supervision of a team of Ophthalmologists.By Abdulmubeen Mundewadi

Effective Eye Care After Lasik Surgery

Post-operative eye care is very important to ensure the success of any eye surgery and make it effective. A lasik surgery or a laser eye surgery is relatively quick and the recovery process is very fast. A person who undergoes this surgery can resume work within a couple of days. The doctor will advise you to take precautions and refrain from certain activities for the next few days or weeks. Post lasik, you will be given certain eye drops that are anti-inflammatory to help with the healing process.

Immediately after the lasik surgery

As a part of post-operative eye care, it is recommended to use dark glasses to protect your eyes from bright lights. Even protective eye wear may be used to prevent accidental scratching during sleep. This also helps to reduce dry eyes after surgery. Right after the surgery you may feel slight irritation in the eyes. Even mild pain may be experienced for which your doctor will advise pain killers. The eye sight may be hazy and take some time to return to normal. It is also normal to have blood shot eyes at this point. You will find that after a couple of days the symptoms will wane and your eyes and vision will be better. It is recommended to avoid wearing contact lenses right after the surgery.

Eye care in the first few weeks

The eye care advised in the first few weeks after the lasik surgery should be followed without fail. All types of eye makeup and lotions should be avoided, especially around the eye area. Cleaning of the eyes on a daily basis should be done. It is better to refrain from swimming and saunas during the first few weeks. In fact all physical sports can be given up for at least a month after surgery. Although you can go on about other daily activities normally, remember to avoid physical strains. Your eyes should be shielded properly and you should avoid glaring lights by wearing dark glasses.

Eye care in the first few months

Although a lasik surgery is quick and easy on the eyes, the first months of eye care after the surgery determine the quality of vision that you attain. Your vision may take anything from three to six months to become stable. It is not uncommon to experience glares and driving difficulties, especially at night during this period. You should tell your doctor if the symptoms persist after the first three months. If the symptoms worsen, then report to the doctor immediately. A re-operation may be necessary is the eyes are still not stable after the first few months or if vision problems persist.

Lasik surgery for the eyes works well in most patients and has a high success rate. The process is quick and does not require staying in the hospital. However, effective eye care post-surgery ensures a higher success rate. One should follow all the eye care essentials as specified by the doctor during the first six months of surgery.

By Jeff Molenda

Different Types of Laser Eye Surgery

There are a variety of different types of laser eye surgery that can be used to help correct many conditions suffered by the eye. From minor conditions to serious illnesses, laser eye surgery can help restore sight or even save it. The advancements in technology over the years have been huge and it has meant that many people around the world have been able to enjoy the benefits of renewed sight. This article looks at some of the different types of laser surgery.

Lasik surgery is one such type of laser surgery. It is an abbreviation of "Laser in situ Keratomileusis" and it can be used to help correct a number of refractive problems that can cause people to live their life with glasses or contact lenses. Anyone that has long or shortsightedness can have their vision corrected with Lasik surgery. A small cut into the cornea is made and laser is used to either flatten (in the case of those who are shortsighted) or make more curved (for those who are longsighted) the cornea. The procedure is painless because anesthetic drops are placed in the eye beforehand.

There are several types of Lasik surgery too. When a similar procedure to the one described above is carried out but without first making an incision of the cornea, this is called advanced surface ablation. Another type of Lasik surgery is blended vision. This is when the two eyes need treatment for two conditions, both long and shortsightedness that are affecting both eyes. There is also intraLasik surgery available which does not use a laser to make the incision in the eye. Wavefront surgery is also a type of Lasik surgery and this is tailor made to the individual. A 3D map of the eye is produced by a machine that can measure light as it travels through the eye. By comparing the patient's eye to one that is perfect, it is possible to determine exactly how the eye needs to be corrected to make their eye sight as perfect as possible.

Lasek surgery is another type of laser eye surgery. This is a bit like Lasik surgery although it is often the option for less severe cases or more minor conditions. It is also used on patients who have very thin corneas. Lasek stands for laser assisted epithelial keramileusis and rather than creating a flap over the cornea, the surface of the cornea is loosened and folded back. Lasek is just as effective as Lasik surgery, however recovery is slightly longer and the eyes may be more uncomfortable for a few days following surgery. Following Lasik treatment, patients often return to work a day or two later, but with Lasek surgery it may take a few days longer before normal life can return.

Undergoing a lens exchange is another type of surgery that is appropriate for some patients. Cataracts can be removed during a refractive lens exchange that uses ultrasound technology to break up and remove the cloudy lens of the eye. It is also possible for some people who are short or long sighted to have a refractive lens exchange. This can help eyesight a great deal and improve the ability to focus.

As well as refractive problems, laser eye surgery can help treat conditions such as glaucoma or wet and dry macular degeneration. These are all very serious and can lead to blindness if surgery is not undertaken. A form of Lasik eye surgery can be carried out to correct the problems and therefore prevent eyesight from getting any worse. There are different types of laser eye surgery and so you should speak to your eye doctor to discuss what would be appropriate for you and your condition.

By Kath Dawson