Eye Care

Many people rely on glasses and contacts to correct their vision, but some find these methods inconvenient, uncomfortable or unattractive. Lasik eye surgery is one of the newest procedures to correct vision problems. But, before you sign up for the surgery, the Better Business Bureau, along with the Federal Trade Commission, suggests you know the facts:

• Lasik is surgery to a very delicate part of the eye.
• Hundreds of thousands of people have had Lasik, most very successfully.
• As with any surgery there are risks and possible complications.
• Lasik may not give you perfect vision. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) reports that seven out of 10 patients achieve 20/20 vision, but 20/20 does not always mean perfect vision.
• Lasik is too new to know if there are any long-term ill effects beyond five years after surgery.
• Lasik surgery cannot be reversed.
• If you have Lasik to correct your distance vision, you'll still need reading glasses around age 45. You may need additional surgery – called enhancements - to get the best possible vision after Lasik.

Only ophthalmologists (eye doctors) are permitted to perform Lasik. Ask your eye doctor or optometrist for a referral to an eye doctor who performs Lasik and ask the following questions:

1. How long have you been doing Lasik surgery?

2. How much experience do you have with the Lasik procedure?

3. What laser will you be using for my surgery? Make sure your surgeon is using a laser approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

4.What’s involved in after-surgery care?

5. Who will handle after-surgery care? Who will be responsible?

If you decide Lasik surgery is for you, consulting your eye doctor is critical to making an informed decision. The most satisfied laser surgery patient is one who has realistic expectations and a thorough understanding of the risks and possible complications of Lasik surgery.

Some Vision Vocabulary

The Better Business Bureau urges consumers to be as well informed as possible concerning eye care. Here are some terms you should know:

Cataracts
Cataracts occur when the clear lens of the eye becomes clouded, resulting in blurred or hazy eyesight. Treatment usually involves surgical removal of the cataract and replacement with an intraocular lens implant. Left untreated, cataracts can result in blindness.

Glaucoma
Glaucoma is the painless internal eye pressure caused by an excess fluid buildup in the eye. Symptomless in its early stages, glaucoma can damage the optic nerve and result in severe vision loss or blindness. Glaucoma can usually be treated with eye drops or medicine. In some cases, surgery is needed to reduce pressure in the eye.

Macular Degeneration
As the leading cause of vision loss for people over 50, macular degeneration results from changes to the macula, which is responsible for clear, sharp vision.

According to the American Optometric Association, some common symptoms of macular degeneration include:

• A gradual loss of ability to see objects clearly.
• Objects appear to be distorted in shape or straight lines appear wavy or crooked.
• A gradual loss of clear color vision.
• A dark or empty area appearing in the center of vision.

Although vision lost to macular degeneration cannot be restored, early detection and intervention can help limit the damage caused by this condition. Ask your doctor of optometry for more information.

This report is general in nature and not intended as a reliability report on any company, service or product.