New Laser EyeSee Clearer with your new Eyes

The number of laser eye surgery procedures conducted by publicly traded LCA-Vision dropped 38 percent in the second quarter from a year ago — a reflection of industrywide troubles. University of Missouri-St. Louis professor Stephen Moehrle said that in a faltering economy, consumers are more likely to choose glasses or contacts instead of shelling out thousands of dollars for Lasik eye surgery. Cincinnati-based LCA-Vision has recently had layoffs, a salary freeze and large cuts to its advertising and marketing budgets because of the economic downturn. According to research firm Market Scope, vision correction procedures peaked in 2000 at about 1.4 million and are expected to decline 17 percent this year from last year’s 1.3 million.

Before you make the decision to go forward with refractive surgery, get a second opinion. After a consultation, you should not feel that you are obligated to use that surgeon. You are free to talk to other surgeons as well. You will not be offending anyone.

It has long been an accepted practice to seek a second opinion, and most doctors would urge their patients to do so. After speaking to several surgeons, you should have a good idea of which doctor you are most comfortable with.

The first question most people have on their minds is “how much does the surgery cost?” The good news is lasik eye surgery is more affordable than you may have thought. We’ve also found that many patients have been shocked to realize there are multiple payment options. You won’t have to pay cash unless you want to. There are several financing options available to pay for your procedure at most providers. There is also flexible spending account and health spending account options.

Some employer benefit plans offer discounts or coverage, so check with your HR department to see if you qualify. The best way to learn all about the cost and payment options is to schedule an appointment with a Lasik Eye Surgeon and get your questions answered. It is safe to assume that there are options and one may suit your budget.

PRLog (Press Release) – Jul 10, 2008 – (NEW YORK, NY)—Gotham LASIK’s leading LASIK surgeon Dr. Brian Bonanni recently announced he is looking to partner with a health/wellness magazine or newspaper to run a contest in which people have the chance to nominate their hometown hero—somebody they know who puts in time and effort into helping others.  The person who is chosen will be honored with a free LASIK surgery procedure, worth $5,000. “I think it is very important to give recognition to people who offer their time, attention and talent to their community and humbly go above and beyond every day,” says Dr. Bonanni.

Dr. Bonanni has devoted his career to ensuring that the safest procedures are performed and each patient is treated with specific criteria to meet their individual needs.   He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, as well as the American and European Societies of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons and the International Society of Refractive Surgery.

Through his twelve-plus years in practice Dr. Bonanni has successfully performed over 30,000 laser refractive procedures, and has been featured on ABC News, and in New Beauty and Women’s Health magazines.   “I am hoping that this contest will allow somebody to show their appreciation for someone they care about and give them the gift of better vision,” says Dr. Bonanni.

Dr. Bonanni states the following advantages to having LASIK surgery:
•   Clear natural vision without glasses or contact lenses
•   Smoother corneal surface and a better optical quality
•   Elimination of risks involved with contact lens overuse
•   Has a much greater range of vision correction than other surgeries

“LASIK surgery gives our patients the chance to have better vision than they ever did while wearing contacts or glasses,” says Dr. Bronanni.  “Being able to provide them with this is what makes our job so satisfying.” For more information on Dr. Bonanni and his services please visit www.gothamlasik.com. If you are interested in receiving information about how to partner with Dr. Brian Bonanni in regards to this contest please contact Bryce Gruber at Bryce@intencityglobal.com.

Before choosing a Lasik Eye Surgeon, you should get all of your questions answered to your complete satisfaction. In addition to the questions you already have, here is a list of additional but very important questions to ask:

How often is your laser calibrated? (It should be recalibrated at minimum every fourth time)

What kind of laser do you use?

How often is the microkeratome incisor changed? (A trick question? maybe, but it should be a new incisor for each patient)

What financing options do you offer? How many post op visits are included in the cost?Are additional post op visits for emergencies free?

By now you have heard all about Laser Lasik Eye Surgery. But you probably have many questions. This is the place to get your questions answered. Please consult with an  opthamologist and an optometrist to ensure you get the best possible recommendation for your particular situation. In the coming days, we will have many new articles on everything related to this amazing and very popular eye surgery. So check back often.

LASIK is a type of refractive laser eye surgery performed by ophthalmologists for correcting myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. The procedure is generally preferred to photorefractive keratectomy because it requires less time for the patient’s recovery, and the patient feels less pain. LASIK is the most commonly performed refractive surgery procedure. You may hear people calling it “LASIX,” but the name is actually short for “laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis.” Many patients choose LASIK as an alternative to wearing corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses.

How long has Laser Eye Surgery Been Around

The LASIK technique was made possible by the Colombian-based Spanish ophthalmologist Jose Barraquer, who, around 1950 in his clinic in Bogotá, Colombia, Stephan Schaller assisted. Barraquer also provided the knowledge about how much of the cornea had to be left unaltered to provide stable long-term results.

What is Involved In Preparing For the Surgery

There are several necessary preparations in the preoperative period. The operation itself is made by creating a thin flap on the eye, folding it to enable remodeling of the tissue underneath with laser. The flap is repositioned and the eye is left to heal in the postoperative period.

Patients are usually given a course of antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops. These are continued in the weeks following surgery. Patients are usually told to sleep much more and are also given a darkened pair of shields to protect their eyes from bright lights and protective goggles to prevent rubbing of the eyes when asleep and to reduce dry eyes. They also have to moisturize the eyes with preservative free tears and follow directions for prescription drops. Patients should be adequately informed by their surgeons of the importance of proper post-operative care to minimize the risk of post-surgical complications.

What Post Surgery Complications Are Possible

The incidence of refractive surgery patients having unresolved complications six months after surgery has been estimated from 3% to 6%.The risk for a patient of suffering from disturbing visual side effects such as halos, double vision, (ghosting), loss of contrast sensitivity (foggy vision) and glare after LASIK depends on the degree of ametropia before the laser eye surgery and other risk factors.

Lasik and other forms of laser refractive surgery change the dynamics of the cornea. These changes make it difficult for your optometrist and ophthalmologist to accurately measure your intraocular pressure, essential in glaucoma screening and treatment

What is the Satisfaction Percentage

The surveys determining patient satisfaction with LASIK have found most patients satisfied, with satisfaction range being 92–98 percent.