Traditional LASIK surgery achieves a simple correction of focusing power by reshaping the cornea with the aid of a laser. Wavefront LASIK is a variation of that conventional procedure and accomplishes a spatially varying correction based on readings from a wavefront sensor. In essence, a wavefront sensor measures the eye itself. It detects any aberrations by directing a weak laser source into the eye, and by sampling and processing the reflection off the retina.

Wavefront measurements reveal the irregularities of the lens, which cause optical aberrations (any deviation from a desired perfect planar wavefront). Wavefront custom sculpts the cornea to accomplish corrected vision. In many ways, Wavefront offers better results than traditional LASIK. The procedure is carried out by an ophthalmologist, with the aid of sophisticated computer-controlled equipment.

LASIK has certain potential side effects including halos or glare, which are caused due to induced spherical aberration. Wavefront has helped reduce instances of such cases where patients complain of post-operative halos or glares. A drop in such complaints is owing to the precise measurements provided by the wavefront sensor.

Thus Wavefront can help achieve a more optically perfect eye, since the corneal tissue area to be carved is measured more precisely using advanced technology and tools. But, wavefront aberrations are not the sole cause for all types of vision impairments. Therefore, Wavefront LASIK should not be treated as a panacea for all kinds of vision defects. However, eye surgeons claim that a great deal of success has been accomplished in patient satisfaction, relative to earlier refractive surgery procedures.

Though wavefront technology has been used for years by astronomers who require adjusting their telescope optics, its application to human vision has been discovered only recently. It’s true that Wavefront is a superior procedure, but it’s certainly not required by or suitable for everyone. It is imperative that you go through an elaborate wavefront diagnostic to determine if you are a potential candidate for it.

Bookmark to:

LASIK eye surgery is a refractive surgery intended to reduce a patient’s dependency on eyeglasses or contact lenses. LASIK is the most prevalent of all refractive surgery types. LASIK aims to reshape the cornea in order to allow for accurate refraction, which results in the light rays falling exactly on the retina (a series of light sensing cells). This enables crystal clear vision.

In general, common refractive errors, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism are caused due to the irregularities of the corneal surface. These anomalies can be corrected by reshaping the cornea. LASIK procedure makes use of an advanced laser called excimer, which is an ultraviolet chemical laser. The laser is controlled by sophisticated computer software. The computer-controlled sensors measure the eye position a few thousand times per second, and then redirect the laser to make precise incisions in the cornea. The reshaped cornea allows for the desired refraction and therefore results in enhanced visual acuity.

Conventional LASIK procedure makes use of a microkeratome, a diminutive surgical blade, to cut a flap in the corneal surface. However, variations of the traditional LASIK procedure may employ a laser to accomplish the same. Whatever may be the procedure to cut the flap, after it’s done, the excimer laser is used for precise ablation of the stroma - the middle layer of the cornea. The flap is then folded back so as to act as a natural bandage. The cornea may take a few days to heal. During this period, the patient may experience blurry vision and certain minor side-effects like halos or glare. However, these complications normally subside within a few days or weeks, when the cornea has completely healed.

Other common types of surgery, apart from traditional LASIK, are photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), radial keratotomy (RK), and LASEK. There is also a rather new procedure and it can be considered as an enhancement of the traditional LASIK procedure. It is called custom LASIK or wavefront-guided LASIK. It is a more advanced procedure and is capable of treating other vision impairments as well, apart from the common vision disorders specified above.

Bookmark to:

LASIK eye surgery is growing more popular on a daily basis as the cost for improving your eyesight through laser vision correction surgery continues to drop. However many people are still not sure how much LASIK costs and exactly what procedures are covered by your payments. As you will soon see the cost for LASIK is dependant on a variety of different factors to include the state and city that you currently reside or seek treatment in and how extensive your surgery becomes or is required. Perhaps the single biggest cost could be associated with which LASIK specialist you choose to perform the vision correction surgery on your eyes.

Before deciding on whether or not you want to pay the cost of LASIK surgery you should determine what benefits you seek and just how important improved vision is to your current lifestyle. Only then will you be able to comfortably plan on paying the fees associated with laser eye surgery. LASIK is an amazing surgery that has the ability to dramatically improve your eyesight with one operation. For many people with poor vision that promise alone is worth the cost of the surgery. One thing you should look into is whether or not you have any type of insurance plan that will cover the cost of vision correction surgery. Currently there aren’t many (if any) insurance companies that cover the operating costs associated with LASIK but due to its growing popularity it can’t hurt to see if your current insurance provider will in fact pay some or all of your LASIK surgery costs.

The cost for LASIK will be discussed during your initial counseling session with the Doctor or specialist who will be performing the surgery on your eyes. It is then that you will find out the procedures involved in the surgery, the fees associated with those procedures and if there are any payment options that will help you meet the cost of the surgery to be performed. You want to make sure that the price that is quoted covers follow up appointments or treatments that will be needed after surgery is performed. Generally the base price will not cover any type of optional but recommended procedures. These procedures are usually not needed so you can avoid paying for them unless you just want the full package.

Procedures that are covered in your payment include a pre-surgical evaluation where the doctor will perform an eye exam to determine if your eyes are healthy and isolate the degree of vision obstruction such as nearsightedness or farsightedness. There may be some additional test run on the cornea of your eye to determine its current condition.

The actual LASIK surgery is a simple and fast process (sometimes done in under 2 minutes) and is of course covered under the cost that was discussed during your initial counseling session. Follow-up exams which are also generally covered under your payment for surgery usually start within 24 hours of surgery and go on for several weeks to a month or two.

As with any hospital procedure you can expect to have the following factored into your bill for laser eye surgery. The payroll of the staff in the doctor’s office will be covered by a portion of your bill as will any supplies used during the operation. These include gloves, surgical masks and if any gauze was used. Hospitals are usually pretty good about identifying anything used and then charging you for it so make sure to check your final bill in case anything new accidentally pops on, adding to your final cost.

There are many factors that go into the cost of laser eye surgery as you can tell from reading this article. Fortunately LASIK has come down in price so that even when all associated factors are included laser eye surgery is a viable option for anyone desiring to improve their vision.

Bookmark to: