Hi all,
If you have been considering Lasik please click on this link and watch this informational video.
Thinking About Lasik?
If you have any further questions about Lasik please visit us at Lasik University
LasikCounselor
PRK, LASIK show equal long-term results
Wear Glasses or Contacts? Click Here!
LASIK is the most popular laser vision correction surgery worldwide — due largely because it involves little or no discomfort and many patients have excellent visual acuity within 24 to 48 hours after surgery.
PRK is preferred by some eye surgeons and patients because it eliminates the risk of flap complications during and after surgery. PRK is far less popular than LASIK, however, because vision recovery is slower and postoperative discomfort can be significant the first few days after surgery.
But how do the long-term visual outcomes of the two procedures compare?
PRK vs. LASIK over a 4-year period
In a recent Japanese study, researchers compared the visual acuity results of PRK and LASIK over a 4-year period.
PRK was performed on 22 eyes of 22 patients and LASIK was performed on 18 eyes of 18 patients. All patients were examined over a 4-year follow-up period.
The following criteria were evaluated for both groups throughout the 4-year study period:
Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA)
Best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA)
Percentage of eyes within +/-0.50 diopter (D) of the intended target refraction
Results
The data gathered during the course of the study yielded these results:
The average UCVA was significantly better in the LASIK group at 6 and 12 months after surgery, but there was no difference in the average UCVA between the two groups two years after surgery.
The average BSCVA was significantly better in the LASIK group at 6, 12 and 24 months after surgery, but there was no difference in the average BSCVA between the LASIK and PRK groups three and four years after surgery.
The percentage of eyes within ±0.5 D of the targeted refraction was not significantly different between the LASIK and PRK groups at any time.
Conclusions
The researchers concluded that though LASIK has short-term visual acuity advantages over PRK, these advantages were not retained four years after surgery.
They attributed this to a mild regression of myopia and corresponding decline in uncorrected visual acuity over time among the eyes treated with LASIK, while the visual results among the PRK showed no comparable degradation over time.
SOURCE: "Comparison of laser in situ keratomileusis and photorefractive keratectomy results: Long-term follow-up." Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery. Volume 34, Issue 9, September 2008.
LASIK is the most popular laser vision correction surgery worldwide — due largely because it involves little or no discomfort and many patients have excellent visual acuity within 24 to 48 hours after surgery.
PRK is preferred by some eye surgeons and patients because it eliminates the risk of flap complications during and after surgery. PRK is far less popular than LASIK, however, because vision recovery is slower and postoperative discomfort can be significant the first few days after surgery.
But how do the long-term visual outcomes of the two procedures compare?
PRK vs. LASIK over a 4-year period
In a recent Japanese study, researchers compared the visual acuity results of PRK and LASIK over a 4-year period.
PRK was performed on 22 eyes of 22 patients and LASIK was performed on 18 eyes of 18 patients. All patients were examined over a 4-year follow-up period.
The following criteria were evaluated for both groups throughout the 4-year study period:
Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA)
Best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA)
Percentage of eyes within +/-0.50 diopter (D) of the intended target refraction
Results
The data gathered during the course of the study yielded these results:
The average UCVA was significantly better in the LASIK group at 6 and 12 months after surgery, but there was no difference in the average UCVA between the two groups two years after surgery.
The average BSCVA was significantly better in the LASIK group at 6, 12 and 24 months after surgery, but there was no difference in the average BSCVA between the LASIK and PRK groups three and four years after surgery.
The percentage of eyes within ±0.5 D of the targeted refraction was not significantly different between the LASIK and PRK groups at any time.
Conclusions
The researchers concluded that though LASIK has short-term visual acuity advantages over PRK, these advantages were not retained four years after surgery.
They attributed this to a mild regression of myopia and corresponding decline in uncorrected visual acuity over time among the eyes treated with LASIK, while the visual results among the PRK showed no comparable degradation over time.
SOURCE: "Comparison of laser in situ keratomileusis and photorefractive keratectomy results: Long-term follow-up." Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery. Volume 34, Issue 9, September 2008.
Do Drugs And LASIK Mix?
Do drugs and LASIK mix? You decide. There are not many direct studies that link the use of some drugs with LASIK surgery. Many researchers of late have taken in interest in the link between marijuana and LASIK. Specifically, surgeons have an interest in learning whether cannabinoids, THC and other chemicals in marijuana may have an impact on patients undergoing LASIK, IntraLasik, PRK and other types of refractive surgery.
It is important to know whether these drugs mix with surgery, as many patients are unwilling to report their drug use.
Cannabis (Also known as Weed, Pot, Marijuana, etc. etc.)
Humankind has long used cannabis as a medicinal agent throughout the world. For thousands of years, cultures used it for various illnesses. In the U.S., the government restricts the use of cannabis chiefly resulting from the its recreational use, which grew tremendously during the 1960s.
Research reveals roughly 72 controlled studies evaluating the therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids. Clinical trials show that cannabis may act as an appetite stimulant, as an agent to combat Tourette's syndrome, as an antiepileptic agent and may be helpful for glaucoma.
Many studies suggest concurrent use of cannabis with refractive surgery poses no real risk. There are no records of direct studies of cannabis and refractive surgery, therefore it seems sensible one might decide to refrain from use before surgery.
Bottom line? Don't smoke a bowl right before (or after) any refractive surgery.
Herbs and Surgery
There is even less information about use of herbs and their effects on refractive surgery. If you routinely use herbs to help bolster your health, you should talk with your surgeon before surgery to find out whether you should stop taking them and when. Most of the time, taking herbs or supplements will not pose a problem, however certain natural herbs or therapeutic agents may have effects that raise or lower your blood pressure or thin your blood. This may prove troublesome if you experience complications during surgery. This is not just true of refractive surgery, but any surgery.
Some herbs may not have a direct effect on your surgery, but if you experience complications and are given drugs for them, these herbs may interact with the medicines intended to help resolve your problem.
Remember it is always important you are 100 percent honest with your doctor about any over-the-counter supplements or herbs and prescriptions you may be taking. This will help your doctor treat you best in the event you do experience a complication.
It is important to know whether these drugs mix with surgery, as many patients are unwilling to report their drug use.
Cannabis (Also known as Weed, Pot, Marijuana, etc. etc.)
Humankind has long used cannabis as a medicinal agent throughout the world. For thousands of years, cultures used it for various illnesses. In the U.S., the government restricts the use of cannabis chiefly resulting from the its recreational use, which grew tremendously during the 1960s.
Research reveals roughly 72 controlled studies evaluating the therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids. Clinical trials show that cannabis may act as an appetite stimulant, as an agent to combat Tourette's syndrome, as an antiepileptic agent and may be helpful for glaucoma.
Many studies suggest concurrent use of cannabis with refractive surgery poses no real risk. There are no records of direct studies of cannabis and refractive surgery, therefore it seems sensible one might decide to refrain from use before surgery.
Bottom line? Don't smoke a bowl right before (or after) any refractive surgery.
Herbs and Surgery
There is even less information about use of herbs and their effects on refractive surgery. If you routinely use herbs to help bolster your health, you should talk with your surgeon before surgery to find out whether you should stop taking them and when. Most of the time, taking herbs or supplements will not pose a problem, however certain natural herbs or therapeutic agents may have effects that raise or lower your blood pressure or thin your blood. This may prove troublesome if you experience complications during surgery. This is not just true of refractive surgery, but any surgery.
Some herbs may not have a direct effect on your surgery, but if you experience complications and are given drugs for them, these herbs may interact with the medicines intended to help resolve your problem.
Remember it is always important you are 100 percent honest with your doctor about any over-the-counter supplements or herbs and prescriptions you may be taking. This will help your doctor treat you best in the event you do experience a complication.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)