Chris Montgomery asked:


Curiosity hounds would probably probe quickly upon reading the title here and ask: what is a Denver Lasik eye surgery operation anyway? Simply put, the Denver Lasik is a form of eyesight correction treatment that relies on the skills of an eye surgeon at manipulating the laser used so that after treatment the patient no longer needs to use contact lenses or eyeglasses to see clearly. To call it a Denver Lasik treatment only means that you undergo the Lasik laser eye surgery in a Denver clinic or by a Denver eye doctor.

The Lasik in the term Denver Lasik is the acronym for the much longer name of the operation, which happens to be Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. The Denver Lasik is classified as a form of refractive surgery done under the hands of an ophthalmologist (an eye doctor.) The advantage with a Denver Lasik is that the patient recovers much more quickly (compared to other eye treatment options). It is said that a Denver Lasik is also not as painful as other eye treatment procedures.

There are three main forms of eye disorders that can be corrected by a Denver Lasik operation. The first – astigmatism – is the result when the corneal surface of the eyeball itself has irregularities so that light is not focused properly by the cornea and the patient experiences blurry vision. A person with astigmatism will not be able to discern the fine details of objects so that the patient has to wear contact lenses or prosthetic lenses. A Denver Lasik operation can correct this by actually altering the curvature of the cornea via a laser passing over the eye itself.

The second type of eye condition that a Denver Lasik aims to cure is called hyperopia. When a patient has hyperopia, basically he is farsighted. It means the patient has problems focusing on nearby objects but can see distant objects quite clearly. Traditionally, a person with hyperopia would have to wear corrective glasses all his life. But with Denver Lasik, the person gains more normal eyesight so that glasses are no longer necessary.

The last type of eye condition a Denver Lasik is meant to correct would be myopia. You have often heard the phrase “myopic point of view” right? It is the opposite of hyperopia and means that the patient finds distant objects hard to see, but nearby objects are seen quite clearly. Denver Lasik surgery is also supposed to make myopic patients not have to wear glasses anymore.

Is the Denver Lasik a safe form of refractive surgery? Well, there are admittedly some potential side effects to Denver Lasik eye surgery. One proven side effect is that the Denver Lasik laser will make your cornea thinner – kind of like carving away a layer of your corneal surface to change how light hits your eye. This can make it difficult for eye doctors to accurately check for intraocular pressure measurements. Sometimes, despite precautions, Denver Lasik surgery can have complications anyway. The problem with developing side effects is that the Denver Lasik procedure is irreversible so complications are also irreversible.

Still, up to 92% of the patient population that has undergone Denver Lasik has reported being satisfied with the results – a remarkably high number for an expensive operation.

Nishanth Reddy asked:


LASIK eye surgery can advantage many people who experience low to moderate vision problems. LASIK eye surgery is a quick and painless procedure, but there are some risks and complications involved with the surgery.

It is important to understand what happens before, after and during LASIK eye surgery, if you are thinking about having the surgery. It is also advantageous to have realistic expectations of the LASIK eye surgery before the procedure begins.

Most good LASIK surgeons will talk to you and fully explain the before and after procedure. Like most patients, you will probably have many questions about the LASIK eye surgery. The following are a list of frequently asked questions about the LASIK eye surgery.

Am I a good candidate for LASIK?

It depends on many factors for a person to be a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery. When you make an initial appointment for LASIK eye surgery, your eye care professional will ask many questions and take a thorough health history.

Additionally, you eyes and the history of your vision problems will also be a major factor in whether or not you can have the LASIK eye surgery procedure. For people with certain health problems such as autoimmune diseases and diabetes, LASIK is generally not recommended.

A person cannot have LASIK eye surgery if he is under the age of 18. Certain degenerative eye diseases might also disqualify you from having LASIK eye surgery. Your LASIK surgeon will make a decision based on all of these factors. Those who are not good candidates for the LASIK surgery can have poor outcomes.

Are there any LASIK complications?

Yes. As with any surgery or medical procedure there are LASIK complications and risks. Most people who have the surgery do not have problems, however some people do.

Reduced low light vision is the most commonly reported side effect of the LASIK eye surgery. This can cause glowing or halos around lit objects at night. After some time the side effects of the LASIK eye surgery will disappear over a period of time.

There are some long-term LASIK complications that have been report, though they are rare. Some people could experience worse eyesight than they had before LASIK eye surgery.

Will LASIK vision correction eliminate the need for corrective lenses?

The short answer to that is maybe. Most people who have the LASIK eye surgery may still need to wear some form of glasses or contacts. This does not mean that the surgery had a poor outcome. This is normal and should be expected.

LASIK is not a means to totally correct vision problems. It is designed to enhance vision. Those who go into LASIK expecting perfect vision with an unlikely expectation should not undergo treatment.

How much is the Cost of LASIK eye surgery?

The cost of LASIK eye surgery will depend on where you live, the condition of the eyes and what kind of method is used. Those with more severe vision problems will cost a bit more. Generally, you can plan on spending at least $2000 for the LASIK procedure.

Does insurance cover the cost of LASIK eye surgery?

Because LASIK eye surgery is considered elective, most of the time, insurance plans do not cover it. Some insurance plans have extended eye care plans that help defray the costs of LASIK eye surgery.

If you insurance plan does not cover the cost of LASIK eye surgery, check with your employer. Some employers offer their employees special rates for going to a certain clinic for LASIK. Sometimes LASIK can be paid for by using a cafeteria plan.

Will I need to take time off of work after the procedure?

Yes, most patients do need to take some time off of work following the procedure. This can vary though according to the work. Most of the time patients can start back to work in two to three days, particularly for jobs that are sedentary.

It will be essential to rest the eyes after surgery, so a lot of computer work may bother the eyes after surgery. You will need to talk to your LASIK surgeon about when you can start back to work.

Does the LASIK eye surgery hurt?

The LASIK eye surgery is quick and painless for most patients. Each eye only takes a minute or two. The eye is numbed using drops and patients will stay awake the entire time.

For those who feel uncomfortable about the LASIK eye surgery, a mild sedative can be given. Most patients are able to walk out of the surgery center after the procedure is complete.