All Entries in the "Questions" Category
Keratoconus in the family. Can I have LASIK?
Keratoconus (KC) is most often sporadic (not apparently inherited) but has been observed to run in some families. Typically it is first seen in adolescence. Around 80% of cases do not progress.
Ziemer or Intralase?
The new Ziemer LDV Crystal Line at Focus, currently the only one in the UK, is a remarkable flap creation tool. It has a 33 times faster repetition rate than the latest iFS 150KHz model, with energy per pulse far lower, tighter energy focus and the shortest suction-on time. We can do both eyes safely and very accurately in around 6 minutes.
Laser Eye Surgery and Steep Corneas
In laser eye surgery i.e. LASIK, such a mechanical cut does bring a small risk of a buttonhole flap (flap with a hole) when the corneas are steep, and with 80% of UK clinics now offering femtosecond LASIK, please forget the blade option.
LASIK Enhancements
We lift flaps manually, using a special instrument designed for lifting, which is usually a fairly simple process. It should be possible to lift a femtosecond flap at 10 months, but you wont know until it is tried.
Laser Eye Surgery and Boxing
In view of your boxing, you should consider having PRK (LASEK) instead of LASIK, to avoid risks from direct trauma to the LASIK flap during sparring or matches.
Laser Eye Surgery and Contact Lenses
I want to know why some LASIK companies say to have soft contact lens out 2 days prior to a consultation, some 14 days, others 1 day. Why is there such a difference? And does it matter how long you have had your contacts out for prior to a pre-consult? And will it affect the outcome, as in if you are a candidate for a procedure?
Vision After LASEK Enhancement
For surface laser correction (PRK/LASEK) the full result can take months to fully settle and the vision is often a bit off at 4 weeks post-op. You should find it will settle more over the next 4-8 weeks.
Night Vision Problems
Two weeks ago I was treated with wavefront guided LASIK with Intralase. Although my vision was very good from the following day, I have had problems at night with severe starbursts, glare and halos around fluorescent lights (even indoors).
iLASIK treatment still short-sighted
It’s normal for some patients to need an enhancement to finish off the result. You should wait around 12 weeks to let the eyes and corneas settle.
LASIK Long Term Effects and Safety
We definitely must avoid surgery on those patients with suspicious looking corneal topography maps where there is any suggestion of early KC.
LASIK Laser Eye Surgery and Retinal Detachment
Does LASIK increase the risk of retinal detachment? Or does retinal detachment, which is more commonly found in short-sighted patients who incidentally have LASIK, happen anyway ?
High Myopia (Short-sight) and Laser Eye Surgery
Lasik eligibility with high myopia (short-sight) will depend mainly on your corneal thickness and pupil size in the dark. The WaveLight laser that I use takes relatively little tissue per dioptre.
LASIK Re-treatment Rates; Post-op Dryness
Anne, our enhancement rate is under 1% for short-sghted patients, and slightly higher for blended vision patients (distance plus reading correction). Our 20/20 or better rate is 99.4% for short-sight up to -9.00D.
Suitability for Laser Eye Surgery
I am short sighted, wearing glasses for almost 15 years. Just wanted to know whether I am a suitable candidate for laser eye surgery or not.
cTen, no-touch PRK and LASIK
cTen is promoted for complex cases where there is irregularity of the cornea, e.g irregular astigmatism. We use the same Scheimpflug approach already with our WaveLight laser
LASIK Flap Healing Long Term
Is it true that corneal flaps never heal completely after Intralasik? What is the chance of dislocation during the rest of the patients life?
LASIK and Keloid Scars?
Keloid scarring should be no problem with LASIK laser eye surgery. I have done several patients with keloid and had excellent LASIK vision results. No problems with healing at all.
Too Old for LASIK?
Do you think I am too old and would Z-Lasik be able to correct my vision in both distance and reading or just distance.
LASIK and Dry Eyes
A temporary reduction in tears following LASIK happens in all cases, although many are unaware of it. It happens because the superficial corneal nerves are cut during flap creation.
Previous Laser Eye Surgery and Ageing
At 47, most people will be showing signs of presbyopia, or age-related loss of near vision. Your myopia will mask those symptoms if you are not wearing glasses.
Reading Glasses Surgery Cost
You have presbyopia so reading vision is getting blurry, but the distance vision remains clear. This happens to everyone starting in their 40s
Squint and Laser Eye Surgery
There are different causes for squints. The laser correction itself will only change the focus of your eyes, but as some squints are linked to focusing of your vision, especially long-sight, the squint can be helped or removed through e.g. LASIK.
LASIK Blended Vision & Reading Glasses
LASIK blended vision can correct both distance and near vision, and so reduce or eliminate the need for reading glasses.
Keratomes & Femotsecond Lasers; Mitomycin
You mentioned using mytomycin C for LASEK procedures. Is this generally a safe drug to use on ones corneas? In your opinion, what does a femtosecond laser offer over a microkeratome procedure.
hi Lucy, You are fortunate to have thick corneas, so that your -8.00 is treatable with LASIK. That is the ...
Hi there, first of all this is an excellent site!
I am having LASIK this week (with one of the ...
Thanks so much for your reply Doctor. Just to get your opinion on a few points you missed out:
1. What's ...
Hi Dave again,
Thank you for all your responses. I've been finding this blog very informative and useful.
One further question I ...
Yes, this is what I meant, blurry at distance.
don't know why but i am scared like he** ;) may ...
Hi David,
Hope you don’t mind me getting involved in this thread, but I have been advised I have some dryness ...
hi....i have cornea thickness of 480...and have been advised for bladless lasik surgery ....please advise is it safe or is ...
Dear David,
Many thanks - I'll start taking the flaxseed oil as you suggest and plan to travel to London ...
Hi Dave,
I Type this with great concern, my night vision has not improved since i got the C TEN procdure ...
Hello Dave,
I'm 38 and looking at having LASIK. My vision is -6.50 in the right and -6.00 in the left. ...