Some patients after laser vision correction (LASIK or PRK) find out that the glasses masked their eyelids. Such patients are excellent candidates for cosmetic eyelid surgery

Ke Ala Ike offers a complete step-by-step description of preparations, procedures and post-operative actions. For details, view our video documentary in our Refractive Surgery section. Yes, most candidates are suitable for the same-day treatment. However, patients must carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages and discuss them in detail with the surgeon.

Cosmetic eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) is a procedure to sculpt the upper and lower eyelids to restore a youthful appearance to your eyes and sometimes improve your vision. Upper eyelid surgery can open up droopy appearing upper eyelids. Lower eyelid surgery removes the puffiness and swelling of the lower eyelids. Most patients look younger and more rested after successful eyelid surgery

Dr. Levin individualizes each procedure to the specific patient looking to maximize results while minimizing any side effects. The Silktouch carbon dioxide laser is used on excessive tissue of the eyelids. After sculpting the eyelids, fine absorbable or removable sutures are used.

Known as blepharoplasty, eyelid surgery is used to correct or improve the appearance of the eyelids. This may include the removal of excess skin and fat, often called bags, under the eyes. this procedure is also used to correct upper eyelid problems such as "droopy eyelids," which in some cases may affect a person's field of vision. Sometimes eyelashes can also become misdirected or in some cases, a person may have an extra row of lashes. Surgery can correct these conditions as well.

Temporary side effects following laser vision correction can include dryness of eyes, sensitivity to light or halos at night. During the healing process dry eyes can easily be treated by using artificial tears to keep the surface of your eyes moist. You are advised to wear sunglasses when outdoors following eye surgery to reduce light sensitivity and to protect your eyes. Halos or glare at night usually resolve within a few weeks and with Custom LASIK this side effect is virtually eliminated.

Eyelid surgery is very successful in patients who have been properly educated and have reasonable expectations.

Blepharoplasty, or aesthetic eyelid surgery, is a procedure to correct drooping upper eyelids and puffy bags below the eyes. It can eliminate conditions that give an individual a tired appearance, such as wrinkled folds of skin on upper eyelids, bags under the eyes and sagging eyebrows. This involve removing excess skin, fat, and muscle.

They both are used to improve nearsightedness and astigmatism by changing the shape of the cornea, the clear front window of the eye, to allow better vision without glasses or contacts. They both use the same laser, but they differ in technique and post operative recovery. In PRK, the outer layer of the cornea is reshaped with the laser, but in LASIK, a thin flap of the cornea is lifted; then the underlying cornea is treated with the laser, and then the flap is laid back in place.

Sight threatening complications are fortunately rare with refractive surgery, and PRK is no exception. However, PRK tends to be a process that heals slowly, allowing visual recovery to be more slow than with Lasik procedures. On the other hand, LASIK procedures are more technically complex and can have complications related to this. A full list of side effects of these procedures is available from Dr. Denman's office.

You may send in your glasses prescription and your age and sex, and we will be able to tell you which procedures would be most appropriate for you. If you are seriously considering surgery, you will come in for a complete eye evaluation, at which time Dr. Denman will determine which procedure would be most likely to succeed in your case.

In the early 1970s doctors began making radial incisions in the cornea to treat nearsightedness and astigmatism. The surgical procedure is known as Radial Keratotomy (RK). This procedure, while effective, was limited by the precision of the surgeon's hands. s, they began looking at lasers to improve the precision and predictability of altering the shape of the cornea. Researchers found that the Excimer laser could remove tissue with up to 0.25 microns of accuracy from the surface of the cornea.

Both Lasik and PRK use the excimer laser to reshape the cornea and correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. Developed during the 1980's, PRK is used to treat low to moderate amounts of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. In PRK, a thin layer of tissue is removed from the surface of the eye with a blade or laser prior to the shaping the cornea.

bull; In LASIK a very thin flap of corneal tissue is lifted out of the way to allow the laser treatment. The flap is then replaced and healing takes place within 24 hours. bull; In PRK the laser is applied directly to the surface of the eye without creating the flap. The healing process is slower but the results are the same. This procedure is better for patients with conditions such as thin corneal surfaces.

Medical researchers have been following LASIK patients for 15 years and have uncovered no detrimental long-term effects. The corneal flap procedure has been practiced widely since the 1980s with no long-term complications found. In view of these findings, we have confidence in these procedures, but it is not possible to guarantee that some rare problems may develop in the future.

All patients can have PRK surgery except for those who have autoimmune disorders (Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis) or those who have a history of aggressive scar formation after a skin incision (called Keloids).

Insurance typically will not pay for PRK or LASIK surgery. Insurance companies are starting to recognize the savings and benefits of covering laser vision correction procedures; however, each company has different policies. During your LASIK consultation, ask our LASIK surgeons to dictate a letter to your insurance company to request coverage.

Aside from hair loss, which needs to be addressed by one means or another, cosmetic surgery is an area where patience is a virtue. Hormone therapy will have significant effects on the shape and contours of your face, enough so that you may not need as much surgery as you might think, if you end up needing any at all. The advice I was given was to wait for two years on hormones before making any decisions.

No, eyelid surgery is usually done in our office under local anesthesia. It is a relatively short procedure in which incisions are made in the natural creases of the eyes where they are not seen. Graystone will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself following the surgery so that optimal results may be achieved. You will have several follow-up appointments to track your progress.

PRK involves removing tissue from the surface of the cornea while LASIK involves creating a hinged flap in the cornea and then lifting it to reshape the exposed underlying cornea with an ultraviolet laser beam. There is less discomfort and faster visual recovery with the LASIK procedure. A LASIK patient typically sees well on the first day while PRK patients will need a week to recover. [top]