FDA Approves Lasik Eye Surgery
by: Ron King
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new custom lasik procedure in September of 2005. This new procedure can now treat many patients who were previously ineligible for the surgery.
Nearsightedness
Nearsightedness occurs when the eye is too long and light rays focus in front of the retina, instead of focusing on the retina. Some of the symptoms of nearsightedness are blurred distant vision, eyestrain, and squinting, along with having a difficult time seeing at night.
Although nearsightedness can be easily fixed with glasses or contact lenses (when not too severe), many people don't like to hassle with either one. With this new lasik procedure, folks will now be able to have pure vision.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism is the effect of the eye being shaped like a football, instead of round like a baseball. This deformity -- where the light rays focus on two points on the retina instead of one -- results in blurred vision, double vision, and shadows on letters when reading. Until recently, this deformity has prevented some people from even getting contact lenses. Breakthroughs in contact lenses have only helped those with slight astigmatism.
However, with this new lasik procedure, patients can now have their eyes repaired to normal, or at least be repaired enough to comfortably wear contact lenses. Either way, their vision is enhanced and many are happy just to get rid of the glasses and finally be able to wear contacts, or possibly nothing at all.
Farsightedness
Farsightedness happens when light rays focus behind the retina instead of on the retina, resulting in blurred near vision. Some patients with severe farsightedness have to step back from what they are reading and others require magnifying glasses to see something that is right in front of them. People with farsightedness can see you 30 feet away, but when you get right up close they can't see you! This can be embarrassing and cause the afflicted person much insecurity along with the feeling that they are going blind.
Farsightedness is easily remedied by wearing glasses to read and see things up close, but it's very inconvenient to constantly be taking your glasses on and off. Not only is it inconvenient, you take the chance of leaving your glasses behind. Some patients keep their glasses on a chain so they won't lose them, but this makes them feel old. Now, lasik surgery is another option for these patients.
New Laser Technology
The FDA recently approved the new Visx STAR Excimer laser system. This fantastic breakthrough in technology allows doctors to do more than they ever could before, giving them the ability to reshape the eye to correct astigmatism, farsightedness and nearsightedness. Before this marvelous breakthrough these patients were not good candidates for lasik eye surgery. They now can join the rest of the vision impaired and have the option for lasik.
Recent FDA studies show that over 98% of all patients receiving these new procedures were seeing 20/40 or better 6 months after surgery. Over 84% were seeing much better than 20/20 after 6 months. Now that's reason to celebrate!
New breakthroughs in lasik eye surgery technology are happening all the time. Now people don't have to be inconvenienced by the hassle of glasses or contacts. All they want to do is to be able to get up in the morning and see normally. These breakthroughs in lasik technology are giving them an improved quality of life that once was unattainable.
About The Author
Ron King Visit http://www.lasik-4u.com to learn more. Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer with a http://www.ronxking.com . Copyright 2006 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact.
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What You Need to Know About Soft Contact Lenses
What You Need to Know About Soft Contact Lenses
by: Daniel Irwin
Soft contact lenses are unquestionably the most commonly prescribed contact lens available.
Made of soft, flexible plastic, it is estimated that about 87% of contact lens wearers in the U.S. wear soft lenses.
Brief History
In 1971, Bausch & Lomb introduced the first commercially available soft contact lens.
For years, this conventional soft daily wear lens was the only type of soft contact lens available.
This lens ideally was meant to last between 6 and 12 months and required daily cleaning and weekly enzymatic treatment.
In 1981 the FDA approved the first contact lenses approved for extended or overnight wear.
It wasn?t until 1991 that the first frequent-replacement contact lenses were sold.
Frequent-replacement contacts are typically replaced every 1 to 3 months.
The next year, 1992, disposable contacts (disposed...
Contact lenses > What You Need to Know About Soft Contact Lenses
The ABCs of Binoculars
The ABCs of Binoculars
by: Kelham Regress
Binoculars
Binoculars are actually two telescopes placed side by side
so a viewer can see through them with both eyes. Unlike
monoculars which is one small telescope and can only been
seen through using one eye. The advantages of using
binoculars over monoculars are:
1.
Both eyes can see comfortably through both lenses
with having to squint one eye to see.
2.
Binoculars provide three dimensional images that
have more depth. Two views are drawn together to make one
total picture and allow the viewer to see things at some
distances up close and personal.
3.
Binoculars are just more comfortable to look through
and hold steady because both hands are usually used.
Binoculars come in the convenient hand-held sizes which
make them very easy to take with you wherever you go.
However, binoculars can also come...
The ABCs of Binoculars
Contact lenses > The ABCs of Binoculars
What You Need to Know About Soft Contact Lenses
What You Need to Know About Soft Contact Lenses
by: Daniel Irwin
Soft contact lenses are unquestionably the most commonly prescribed contact lens available.
Made of soft, flexible plastic, it is estimated that about 87% of contact lens wearers in the U.S. wear soft lenses.
Brief History
In 1971, Bausch & Lomb introduced the first commercially available soft contact lens.
For years, this conventional soft daily wear lens was the only type of soft contact lens available.
This lens ideally was meant to last between 6 and 12 months and required daily cleaning and weekly enzymatic treatment.
In 1981 the FDA approved the first contact lenses approved for extended or overnight wear.
It wasn?t until 1991 that the first frequent-replacement contact lenses were sold.
Frequent-replacement contacts are typically replaced every 1 to 3 months.
The next year, 1992, disposable contacts (disposed...
Contact lenses > What You Need to Know About Soft Contact Lenses
Scuba Diving Gear Reviews and Advice For Beginners
Scuba Diving Gear Reviews and Advice For Beginners
by: Tony Howell
"Scuba Diving Gear Reviews and Advice For Beginners"
It can be an exciting or terrifying experience - buying your first scubadiving gear. When you first walk into the Aladdin's cave just groaning with the latest dive technology, your question is likely to be "Where do I possibly start?" The answer is quite simple. Choose your dive centre very carefully - then, if you enjoyed your scubadiving course, trust them to outfit you with the best dive gear for your type of diving.
When you select your dive centre start by establishing the credentials of it. Generally, the more status the dive centre has, the more it has been audited for quality and customer service. If possible, choose a PADI 5 Star Career Development Centre. Failing that, try a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre and so on down the retail status list. Other training agencies have similar ratings. Word of...
Scuba Diving Gear Reviews and Advice For Beginners
Contact lenses > Scuba Diving Gear Reviews and Advice For Beginners