These 4 types of Lasik differ in advantages, procedures and cost. Following is a brief overview of the 4 types of Lasik in Singapore.

Standard Lasik

The most common and popular form of Lasik is the standard Lasik (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis). During this standard Lasik surgery procedure, a microkeratome metal blade slices the top of the cornea to create a flap, which is then folded back to allow an excimer laser to reshape the eye. Once the corrective structural changes are made to the eye, the flap is returned to its former position and allowed to heal by itself.

The entire procedure is painless and usually takes about 5 minutes to complete. Vision correction is immediate but blurriness can be experienced for the first 24 hrs. Normal activities can usually be resumed in a couple of days.

Cost: About SGD800 per eye.

Intralase Lasik

Similar to the standard Lasik procedure, instead of using a microkeratome metal blade to create the corneal flap, a femtosecond Intralase laser is used

This bladeless Lasik method is considered more superior and safer as thinner corneal flap can be created, and the chances of complications that are usually associated with the use of a metal blade are significantly reduced.  Also, thinner flaps mean people with thin corneas who are considered unsuitable for standard Lasik are now suitable candidates.

This safer and more advance advanced type of Lasik is slightly more expensive than the standard Lasik.

Cost: Less than SGD1000  per eye.

Wavefront-Guided Lasik

Considered as the cutting-edge method of vision correction, Wavefront-guided Lasik, also known as custom Lasik or simply Wavefront Lasik offers a personalized way to correct vision.

A software called the Wavefront analyzer is used to create a 3-D map of the eye which allows a surgeon to detect and study any abnormalities that hinder the eye’s image processing capability. This map also allows the surgeon to customize a Lasik treatment that results in a more precise vision correction that are not possible with the standard types of Lasik surgery.

With Wavefront technology, patients can expect 20/20 vision, improved contrast sensitivity and reduced chances of post-Lasik complications such as poor night vison, glare and halos.

Cost: About $1100 per eye

Bladeless Wavefront-Guided Lasik

This type of Lasik is a combination of Wavefront-Guided Lasik and Intralase Lasik and thus combining the advantages of both surgical procedures. In this Lasik procedure, a femtosecond Intralase laser is used to create the corneal flap.  Wavefront technology is then used to map the eye, and subsequently guide the excimer laser to make the individualized and precise correction on the cornea.

Among the 4 types of Lasik surgery, bladeless Waveform-Guided Lasik is the most expensive.

Cost: About SGD1300 per eye.

If you’re looking to improve your vision with laser eye surgery, you need to be aware of the above 4 types of Lasik available in Singapore Lasik surgery clinics.  It’s recommended that you visit these clinics where eye professionals and surgeons can advise you on what type of Lasik surgery is the most suitable for you.

Not everyone can benefit from the effects of this laser technology, and you need to find out your own situation regarding whether you are suitable for LASIK surgery. In order to find out if you are suitable for LASIK surgery, there are a few points you need to consider before you go ahead and book the eye surgery.

Existing Eye Problems

The severity of your long or short sighted will play a big part in deciding whether your are suitable for LASIK or whether or not you can benefit at all from this kind of laser treatment.

In general, patients with really bad eyesight conditions can find that they need multiple treatments. Also, after the laser surgery, patients may find that they may still need to  wear glasses, albeit on a lower prescription.

If you are over 40 and need glasses or contact lenses for both near and far sightedness, then you will need to choose which of these problems you want looked at during the vision correction treatment. You have to speak to a qualified and experienced eye surgeon in order to find out what your chances of success would be if you’re suitable for LASIK surgery.

LASIK Cost

Even if you are suitable for LASIK surgery, your next point to consider is whether the cost is acceptable to you. This is not a cheap operation (about $2500 for both eyes). What your surgeon advises you about the chances of fixing your vision problems will play part in deciding whether Lasik is worthy the investment.

Most of the top Singapore LASIK clinics will let you pay in installments if you you do not to wish to pay a lump sum. Working out how much you currently spend on contact lenses, glasses and checkups may also help you see some long term economic benefits in the surgery.

Existing Medical Conditions

If you have any existing medical conditions then you should certainly advise your doctor when you visit the clinic for the first time. Any kind of eye infection is likely to see your Lasik treatment postponed or cancelled.

Another issue which many people are not aware of is the fact that pregnant and nursing women are not suitable for LASIK treatment. This is not so much due to any potentially harmful effects but rather because your eyesight is generally affected by pregnancy, meaning that LASIK surgery may not be as successful as in other cases.

The Healing Process

After the eye surgery is carried out you will need post LASIK care. This means  you have to rest your eyes and takes things easy in order to gain the full effect of the treatment. Even if the treatment is right for you in all other aspects you may still choose to postpone it if you are not in a position to go through the recovery process.

The Lasik recovery period isn’t particularly long but if you have an extremely busy work or home life then taking the time out to let your eyes recover may not be an option for you.

Making the Right Decision if you’re not Suitable for LASIK

As we have seen, coming to a final decision about whether or not you are suitable for LASIK surgery involves considering all the medical, personal and financial factors.

Only once you have the full information on hand can you expect to come up with the right decision. If you can’t go ahead with the surgery because you’re not suitable for LASIK, you can always postpone it until the requirements are in your favor.

Imagine yourself not wearing these vision aids and yet having a perfect eyesight. You can finally do your favorite sports without wearing glasses. You can finally stop dreading to wash your contact lenses every single night, or save money by not buying daily contact lenses. You can finally make love without glasses.

Once you’ve decided that you want to undergo Lasik surgery, you will no doubt ask yourself which eye surgery clinic you should go to. Lasik surgery clinics and doctors in Singapore are plenty, but which one should you choose?

Should you choose the the Lasik eye clinic that offers the cheapest laser surgery? Or should you choose the eye surgery clinic that puts the biggest advertisement in the papers? Following are 7 tips you can follow to find the the best Lasik surgery clinic and surgeon in Singapore.

1. Lasik surgery cost is not everything

If you’ve been in Singapore long enough, you probably know that cheapest is not always the best. In fact, more often that not, anything cheap in Singapore sucks. Well, except for food.

But you’re not looking for chicken rice at your regular Singapore hawker center. You’re looking for a doctor, a corneal specialist who will cut your cornea and do what they have to do to correct your vision. You definitely want a competent and experienced eye surgeonfrom a reputable Lasik clinic to operate your eyes. You do not want some ‘capalang’ eye doctor with no credentials to mess with your eyes. So, you should not let price influence your decision when choosing a Lasik surgery clinic or doctor.

2. Educate yourself on Lasik eye surgery

Since you’re going to let someone cut your eyes, the least you can do is to know what you’re getting yourself into. Read up on Lasik surgery and understand what refractive vision correction really entails. Learn the benefits, risks and complications of laser eye surgery. Armed with this general knowledge of Lasik, you’re in a better position to choose the right Lasik surgery clinic and the right ophthalmologists who will ‘cut’ your eyes open and ‘stitch’ it back properly.

3. Get referrals from your eye doctor

If you have a regular eye doctor, you can ask him for referrals. Your eye doctor would probably know someone in the eye surgery field who has the credentials and a thousand lasik procedures under his belt.

4. Research Lasik surgery clinic online

The next thing you want to do is to turn on your computer and do some online research on lasik surgery clinics. Almost all Lasik eye clinics in Singapore have web presence, and you can browse their websites to have a feel of the types of Lasik surgery they have to offer. You can also find out about the cost, credential and their experience in performing Lasik eye surgery.

Also, you should search for reviews on potential eye surgery centres. Discussion forum is also a great source as some ex-Lasik patients may have posted their experience with a particular eye surgery clinic.

5. Call the Lasik surgery clinics

One great tip is to call the Lasik surgery clinics. If the eye clinic is cold to you or unwilling to reveal any information, you can strike the clinic off your list. If the staff can’t even serve you well on the phone, you can’t expect them to serve you well in the surgery theater.

But, if they treat you like the most important Lasik candidate in the world, the next logical step is to ask them for a free consultation where you can visit the clinic and learn more about it in-depth.

6. Visit the Lasik surgery clinics

At the Lasik surgery clinics, you will meet the potential medical staffs who will be there throughout your Lasik journey. Here you can gauge how they well they’re treating you. You want a team of medical staffs who makes you comfortable and confident that they can do the surgery well and take care of you post-Lasik.

At theLasik clinics, you can also learn how equipped they are with Lasik technology. You would want to prefer Lasik eye clinics with modern equipment rather than the ones with outdated equipment.

7. Talk to the Lasik eye surgeon

This is the person who will perform your Lasik eye surgery. You’re putting your eyesight and corneas literally in his hands. So don’t pull any punches when you talk to the eye surgeon. Treat it like a job interview where you’re the boss and he’s the job applicant.

Ask him about his Lasik credentials and medical experience. Ask him to explain the entire Lasik procedure, the risks and benefits of laser surgery, and whether or you are suitable for Lasik. Ask him about his hobbies. If he can answer these questions to your satisfaction without making you nervous or uncomfortable, then he’s probably the right candidate and you should consider getting the treatment at his Lasik surgery Clinic.

Apple Eye Centre
Address: #11-01 Paragon Medical
Tel: +65 6235 7000
Email: info@appleeye.com.sg

http://www.appleeye.com.sg

ClearVision Eye Clinic
Address: 6 Nutmeg Road, Nutmeg Court
Tel: +65 6100 2211
Email: dr@nightlasik.com

http://www.nightlasik.com

Eye & Retina Surgeons
Address: 1 Orchard Blvd, #13-03 Camden Medical
Tel: +65 6738 2000

http://www.eyeretinasurgeons.com

Eye Clinic Singapore International
Address: 290 Orchard Road, #16-11 Paragon Tower
Tel: +65 6734 9766

http://
www.singaporeeyeclinic.com

EyeWise Vision Clinic
Address: 6 Napier Road, #08-19 Gleneagles Medical
Tel: +65 6476 1211
Email: enquiry@eyewisevision.com.sg
http:// www.eyewisevision.com.sg

Jerry Tan Eye Surgery
Address: 1 Orchard Blvd, #10-06 Camden Medical
Tel: +65 6738 8122
Email: info@jerrytan.com

http://www.jerrytan.com

Optimax LASIK Centre (S)
Address: 1 Orchard Blvd, #16-01/06 Camden Medical
Tel: +65 6836 5665
Email: info@optimax.sg

http://www.optimaxlasik.sg

Parkway Eye Centre
Address: Gleneagles Hospital, Level 3 Hospital Block
Tel: +65 6470 3366

http://www.parkwayeyecentre.com

Shinagawa LASIK Centre
Address: 501 Orchard Road, #05-01/06 Wheelock Place
Tel: +65 6738 8222
Email: info@shinagawa.com.sg

http://www.shinagawa.com.sg

Singapore Eye Vision
Address: 290 Orchard Road, #15-07/08 Paragon
Tel: +65 6836 0900
Email: lynnyeo@pacific.net.sg

http://www.lynnyeo.com.sg

SINGLASIK Centre
Address: SNEC 11 Third Hospital Avenue
Tel: +65 6322 8891
Email: singlasik@snec.com.sg

http://www.singlasik.com.sg

The Lasik Surgery Clinic
Address: 290 Orchard Road, #13-01/06 Paragon
Tel: +65 6836 1000
Email: doctor@lsc.sg

http://www.lsc.sg

1. Rest your Eyes

Instead of going straight back to work, using the computer and driving your car, you should allow at least a day or two to facilitate the healing process and allow the procedure the best chance of success.

As well as not doing anything strenuous with your eyes,  you should avoid touching or rubbing them in those vital first few hours. Once the doctor gives you the all clear to go home it is still advisable that you take a cab or ask someone to pick you up. Your vision may still be a little blurred and driving is not a great idea.

2. Avoid the Television

As part of your eye resting period in the initial few hours, you should resist the temptation to turn on the television. Having a radio or mp3 player with you will let you relax and pass the time while waiting for the immediate effects of the surgery to pass. Your surgeon will tell you how long this first period of post LASIK care will need to last for, but it should be no more than a few hours.

3. Use Sunglasses

Your medical expert will no doubt arrange a special set of sunglasses for your first day or two and you should take care to use them even if the sun isn’t really that strong. Later on you can go back to using conventional sunglasses which you’re recommended to use for the first couple of weeks. Wearing them  is essential especially on bright, sunny days.

4. Follow the Doctor’s Advice on Post Lasik Care

The people who really knows best about  post LASIK care are your eye surgeons who will know the exact condition of your eyes. They will probably prescribe you eye drops as part of your immediate eye care routine, and it is important that you use these exactly as advised. This is vital as your LASIK recovery may include side effects such as dry eyes or even a burning sensation. A lot of patients find it somewhat uncomfortable using these drops and it may take you a little time to get used to using them but they will really help you.

5. Avoid Soap and Water

In the first week or two of your post Lasik care period you should avoid swimming pools and hot tubs. The first day or two of your post LASIK care will also mean staying away from the shower, as the water and the soap can be troublesome for your recently operated eyes.

6. Sleep Comfortably

Some of us have a habit of rubbing our eyes in our sleep or turning around in our bed and unwittingly bumping our eyes against the pillow or our partner. You doctor may suggest that you wear protective eye coverings such as a flexible mask for the first few days.

7. Don’t Rush Things

If you follow these simple pieces of advice you will be giving your eyes the best chance of recovering from the Lasik surgical procedure and and also preventing any Lasik complications. In the first few weeks you should rest your eyes often and pay attention to your vision. If you experience any discomfort or vision problems during this post Lasik care period, you should inform your doctor as soon as possible.

Many people who wear glasses or use contact lenses to improve their impaired vision dream of having LASIK eye surgery to give them perfect vision and let them finally ditch the artificial sight aids.

But does this surgical procedure really give you a miraculously improved vision or does it have complications and potentially dangerous side effects attached to it? Let’s have a look at some commonly seen LASIK complications and side effects to find out.

Dry Eyes

More LASIK patients complain about this LASIK complication than any other. It is entirely normal that this should be the case, as the eye surgery involves the cutting of corneal nerves which are vital for your production of tears and for keeping your eyes moist and protected.

Problems which can be experienced after the laser treatment include a burning sensation and pain. Also, the eyelid can get slightly stuck to the eyeball due to a lack of moisture. Tests have shown that this is a side effect which does not improve over time and which cannot be properly treated.

Night Vision Problems

Another common LASIK complication, which leads to a number of complaint from patients, isdecreased night vision – a condition which in some cases can lead to a visual distortion such as starbursts and halos.  These side-effects are fairly common and some research suggests that having a bigger pupil can make this condition more likely.

The Effect on Medical Tests

A patient who has undergone LASIK treatment and later on visits an eye surgeon to see about some other medical problem such as cataract formation can find that the results of the tests may be skewed due to the effect of the laser surgery treatment.

This means that glaucoma may not be properly diagnosed and cataract removal surgery may be a lot less effective than in normal cases. This puts your long term vision, and indeed overall heath, at serious risk as the doctor cannot carry out an effective course of treatment.

A Weakened Cornea

Part of this visual correction surgery involves cutting the corneal flap, and one of the LASIK complications which causes most worry to people having this treatment is that the flap remains weakened for the rest of your life. This is something which is not really noticeable in day to day life but can lead to serious corneal conditions in the future.

Other LASIK Complications can appear over time

There are a number of eye related complaints which can appear months or even years after the Lasik surgery is carried out. These include corneal flap dislocation, retinal detachment and inflammation. At the time of the procedure and immediately after it there will most probably be no indication of these potentially serious conditions.

Accurate Success and Failure Rates Are Unknown

The number of LASIK complications which patients experience each year is not known, as there is no official register, and the first couple of conditions which we mentioned in the articles – dry eyes and problems with night vision – are usually noted as symptoms rather than as true complications. This makes it very difficult to accurately inform potential patients as to the full extent of the risks which they are planning to expose themselves to.

Back to the Glasses Again?

This isn’t necessarily a LASIK complication, but the surgical procedure involved in a LASIK treatment will not remove the necessity to use glasses when you reach the age of 40. The visual improvement noted immediately after the surgery tends to diminish over time and you may very well find yourself reaching for your spectacles again even after an apparently successful treatment.

The cost of Lasik surgery in Singapore varies from clinic to clinic but as a general idea you should be looking to pay around S$1,300 for one eye and around S$2500 for both eyes. A pre LASIK surgery consultation should cost you less than S$100. Of course, sometimes paying a little bit more for such an important medical treatment can turn out to be a very good decision.

For this reason it is best not to use the cost as the only factor in your decision regarding which clinic to use but also to take into account the other points in this article too. If the price is higher than you are comfortable paying in one lump sum then you can ask about the installment plans on offer, as just about all Singapore LASIK clinics offer this facility to spread the cost over a period of months.

2. Which Lasik Surgery Clinic Should I Choose?

This is a huge decision for you to make and here are a couple of the options you might like to look at. One of the big names in Singapore LASIK clinics is the Singapore Medical Group, and their laser eye treatment center known as The Lasik Surgery Clinic is a popular choice. They are on Orchard Road Paragon. Here you will find a modern center with professional staff and reasonable prices.

The Shinagawa LASIK Centre is another place you might like to look at. This LASIK laser eye clinic is also on Orchard Road and is as comprehensively equipped and well staffed as the other one mentioned above.

3. What Should I Expect When I go to a Lasik eye clinic?

A pre LASIK consultation is essential, and you will undergo an examination and be asked some questions. The vision center you choose will make sure that you are made comfortable throughout this and you will be well looked after. This is also your chance to ask some questions and clear up any doubts you may have. In top clinics the staff will be happy to answer any of your questions and make sure that you are clear on the full procedure you are preparing for.

4. What Happens on the Day of the Lasik Surgery?

All of the Singapore LASIK clinics will have a slightly different approach to the day of the LASIK surgery itself. However, one thing you will find in common is that the Lasik operation itself is a fairly short and painless affair. Once the Lasik surgery is over you will be taken to rest for a short spell. You should avoid reading or watching television during this period and some people find that listening to music helps the time pass more peacefully. As you leave the Lasik surgery clinic you will need to wear special sunglasses to protect your eyes and should avoid returning to work or driving your car.

5. What happens days after the Lasik Surgery?

Your surgeon will no doubt want to carry out a follow up check on you after your Lasik surgery. You will probably be given eye drops to counter the dry eye syndrome which is a common complaint following eye surgery. Apart this you should simply take things easy for a few days and avoid getting water in your eyes or rubbing them. A protective face mask can be used at night time to help inadvertent rubbing of your eyes. Any unusual symptoms or complaints should be reported to the Lasik surgery center.

Following are 7 important points you should understand about Lasik surgery in Singapore before you go ahead with it.

1. Lasik is a costly and serious surgical procedure

Lasik surgery in Singapore costs about SGD 1300 for one eye and SGD 2500 for both eyes. Over the years Lasik cost in Singapore has dropped significantly but may still be beyond the reach of many Singaporeans. If you can’t afford to pay one lump sum for the treatment, you can also pay by installments as most of the Lasik clinics in Singapore offer such plans.

With the ease you can get this procedure done, it’s easy to forget that Lasik surgery involves the cutting of the cornea’s flap. Therefore Lasik surgery shouldn’t be entered into lightly, and you also should not be lulled into thinking that Lasik surgery is an entirely simple routine operation which carries no risks whatsoever.

There are plenty of these operations carried out in Singapore every year and most are completed with no problems at all. However, you should bear in mind the complexity and surgical nature of the operation before deciding to go ahead.

2. You will need some recovery time

Immediately after the Lasik operation you will possibly have slightly blurred vision, and your doctor will probably prescribe eye drops. After LASIK surgery, or any type of surgery really, you will need some recovery time. Post Lasik care includes resting your eyes for at least a couple of days and avoiding getting water or soap in them.

3. Lasik has a risk of complications

A couple of common Lasik complications and side effects which a patient could suffer are dry eyes and deteriorated night vision. Not everyone suffers from these conditions but they are common enough for you to take them into account.

Further complications can happen if your doctor needs to carry out tests on your eyes in the future. Glaucoma detection and cataract removal can be impaired due to previous Lasik surgery on the person concerned. Other complications can occur due to the fact that the cornea is weakened for the rest of your life following this surgical procedure.

4. Lasik doesn’t solve all vision problems

If you are over 40 you may need glasses for seeing things which are far away but also have problems seeing objects which are close at hand. This type of laser surgery will help you correct just one type of vision. This means that after Lasik treatment you may be able to do without your long distance glasses but that you still need your reading glasses.

5. Severe cases are more difficult

If you have a strong prescription for your lenses then Lasik surgery may not be able to fully correct your eyesight. What it may do is simply let you use a less powerful set of glasses. If you are very near sighted then you may need to have several operations – which are technically known as refinements – to achieve the best possible effect.

6. Deterioration can happen over time

It is not a case of simply believing that getting the eye surgery done is enough to cure your eyes for the rest of your life. After a while you can find that the improvement you noticed in the first few months following the treatment may begin to disappear.

7. Not all surgeons are equally good

It is in your best interests to find a surgeon who is fully qualified, suitably experienced and who is willing to talk you through each step of the process. If he promises you a 100% guarantee that you will walk away from his surgery with perfect eyesight then this is not a good sign, as no one can offer such guarantee with this type of refractive surgery. Each person is different and only after checking you out fully can he advise you on the best course of treatment and the likely success rate.