Lasik Web Sites

Laser in Situ Keratomileusis (Lasik) is a very popular combined surgical and laser procedure that has helped millions of people all over the world to regain all or most of their failed vision. Basic Lasik is mainly used to correct shortsightedness (myopia) and farsightedness( hyperopia). However, Custom Lasik, an advanced Lasik procedure, corrects far more vision problems and leaves behind far fewer complications due to its advanced "wavefront" technology.

Among many medical professionals there is concern that people are "jumping on the Lasik bandwagon" too quickly, putting their vision on the line and, in some cases, going far into financial debt. Therefore, it is important for anyone who is considering Lasik surgery, or knows someone who is interested in the procedure, to fully understand what the Lasik procedure entails. They need to ask questions about the safety of the Lasik procedure, the possibility of post-surgical complications, the full cost of Lasik and whether or not the advertising claims that people are bombarded with on a daily basis are really true.

The following 6 Internet sites will help you gather information about Lasik procedures, which will help you to become an educated consumer. These pages will help in the decision-making process.

All About Vision

Perhaps the most complete vision site on the Internet, All About Vision at http://www.allaboutvision.com/ provides information on all aspects of vision correction from glasses to contacts to the most advanced Lasik procedure and also provides detailed information about vision problems that require corrections. All Lasik procedures are discussed in depth. A 2-minute screening test is provided and generates a personalized report to determine if you are a good candidate for Lasik. Although you will see ads for many vision products, and even a section that offers coupons on vision care and vision related products, the meat of the site -- the information -- is not product specific.

About Lasik Eye Surgery

Specializing in information about Lasik procedures, AboutLasikEyeSurgery.com at http://www.aboutlasikeyesurgery.com/ provides cost information and describes the pre-op evaluation, surgery procedures and also post-op care.

Vision Correction

The Vision Correction Website at http://www.lasersite.com/ provides an elegantly simple, illustrated explanation of the anatomy of the eye, how the eye works, how Lasik is performed and what equipment is used, the Intacs procedure, the PRK procedure and the Radial Keratotomy (RK) procedure.

American Academy Of Ophthalmology

The American Academy of Ophthalmology's AAO search function enables you to search for a certified, qualified AAO member in your area. Their "Find an Ophthalmologist" (Find an Eye M.D.) page is located at http://www.aao.org/aao/find_eyemed.cfm. Enter your city, select your state and country in those selection boxes on the page and then select "Refractive Surgery" in the "Specialty" selection box; leave the "Last Name" box blank. After a disclaimer page where you must "Accept" the disclaimer you will be shown a list of qualified Refractive Surgeons in your city.

The AAO members with the designation FACS after their names are also "Fellows" (members) of the American College of Surgeons. These are Refractive Surgeons who were required to pass a thorough evaluation in the areas of competence, conduct, education, training, and qualifications before being allowed to display the FACS designation.

History Of Lasik

Wikipedia's Main Lasik page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lasik provides not only a good history of Lasik, but explains the surgical procedure, possible complications, and safety of the procedure. On this Website, they also provide you with some external links and other information related to Lasik.

WebMD

Possibly the most used pages on the Internet for health information, is WebMD http://www.webmd.com/. At the home page there is a search function; enter "Refractive Surgery" in the search box to find what may seem like an endless supply of authoritative medical articles on refractive surgery (Lasik). 

If you are like me, you will want to know all you can before letting someone "cut" on your eyes, with permanent results. Now you know where to get that information.