Define Laser Eye Surgery
Laser eye surgery corrects vision problems and eliminates the need for glasses or contacts. To determine good candidates for the surgery, eye doctors look at age, pregnancy or breastfeeding, eye conditions and autoimmune disease.
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Popularity
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The most widely performed type of laser eye surgery is LASIK. Since its beginnings in 1990, LASIK eye surgery has enjoyed a high rate of success.
Types
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LASIK is one type. PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) is another type of laser eye surgery often used for people with thin corneas. PresbyLASIK technology (multifocal LASIK) is used for bifocal wearers with both farsightedness and nearsightedness.
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Procedures
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In LASIK, a portion of the outer layer of the eye is cut and folded back for a laser to reshape the cornea. In PRK, small sections of the outer layer are removed. As of 2009, the newer, more involved PresbyLASIK surgery is under research in the United States after reported success overseas, according to AllAboutVision.com.
Cost
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Cost of surgery varies due to choice of doctor, procedure, laser technology, vision prescription and geographical location. LASIK surgery typically costs $1,000 to $3,000 or more per eye, reports AboutLaserEyeSurgery.com.
Risks
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Any type of surgery has risks. Avoid them by finding a qualified eye surgeon with years of experience and referrals. Proper screening before surgery results in complications only about 1 percent of the time, reports AboutLaserEyeSurgery.com.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Helga Birna Jónasdóttir
