What is the Best Age for LASIK Surgery?

Posted on July 11, 2012 by mgarfield

People with poor vision often wonder if there is a particular age for LASIK surgery that is better than other ages. LASIK eye surgery is an increasingly popular procedure, delivering almost miraculous results in vision restoration, but there are ages that fall outside the range that doctors consider safe for LASIK. Here, Dallas LASIK surgeon, Dr. Gary Tylock, explains why there is a consideration of age for LASIK.

The short answer is that there is no ideal age for LASIK. The option for the LASIK procedure is dependent on many factors, which can only be decided by a physician, on a case by case basis. In general, however, there are some guidelines that LASIK surgeons follow.

While there is no ideal age for LASIK, there are some regulations regarding ages for which LASIK vision correction is not suitable. The FDA has only approved the procedure for those over eighteen years of age. In addition, while there is no maximum age limit for LASIK, patients over age forty-five will often need to continue using near vision correction, like reading glasses, after the surgery.
The real question about suitable candidates for LASIK has more to do with other factors.
- Growth and cornea stability are two considerations, and physicians often like to wait until your prescription has remained unchanged for at least two years, before performing laser eye correction.
- Eye health is often a problem as we age, and eye related disorders like cataracts or glaucoma may prevent people from being good candidates for the procedure, even if they seem to be the right age for LASIK.

If you have the right conditions and age for LASIK, choose a surgeon with knowledge and experience. In Dallas, you could not ask for a better option than the Tylock Eye Care and Laser Center, led by pioneering LASIK surgeon, Dr. Gary Tylock. Visit the website for more information or connect with the online community on Facebook and Twitter.

Definition of LASIK: The Terminology Broken Down

Posted on June 29, 2012 by mgarfield

LASIK surgery has become a popular procedure, but many are still not sure of the definition of LASIK. Even for people with a rudimentary understanding of LASIK, many of the terms used in conjunction with the procedure can seem foreign and confusing. Here, Dr. Gary Tylock, a Dallas LASIK surgeon, breaks down the terminology, in order to give a clear definition of LASIK.

A good starting point for the definition of LASIK is to define what the term stands for. An acronym for Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis, LASIK eye surgery involves creating a flap, to expose the inner layers of the cornea. Once this flap is created, the doctor uses a laser to reshape the cornea and correct vision, and then puts the flap back, where it holds itself in place as it heals. The LASIK procedure is fast, lasting only about ten; it requires no stitches, and it is virtually painless.

Once you’ve answered the question “what is LASIK surgery”, you might be ready to go a little deeper. There are several different types of laser eye correction procedures, including IntraLASIK, Bladeless LASIK, Custom LASIK, and flap-less laser vision correction. IntraLASIK and Bladeless LASIK are the same thing, and involve using a laser to create the flap, instead of the small blade, called a microkeratome, used in traditional LASIK. In flap-less laser vision correction (PRK), the surgeon removes the epithelium instead of creating a flap, and reaches a much more superficial layer of the cornea. This is usually recommended for people who already have a very thin cornea. CustomLASIK is also known as Wavefront LASIK, and is very similar to traditional LASIK. The difference is that the Custom LASIK procedure uses technology that gives it the ability to correct vision to a higher standard. The Tylock Eye Care and laser center combines IntraLASIK or Bladeless LASIK with Custom LASIK, to give their patients Custom IntraLASIK, the safest most advanced form of the procedure.

Now that you have a better sense of the definition of LASIK, you may wonder if it is right for you. In the Dallas area, there is no better place to answer that question than at the Tylock Eye Care and Laser Center. Founded by Dr. Gary Tylock, a pioneer in the field of laser vision correction, the Tylock Center features a dedicated staff, excellence in patient care, and state of the art technology. Visit the website to learn more, or connect with the online community on Facebook and Twitter.

LASIK Safety: Certifications for LASIK Surgeons and What They Mean

Posted on April 20, 2012 by mgarfield

LASIK is one of the most popular outpatient surgery in the nation, but even though laser eye surgery risks are minimal, patients should be careful to choose a surgeon concerned with LASIK safety. A big part of LASIK safety is choosing a physician with extensive experience in laser eye surgery, who is also well respected by peers. This means going beyond the stated claims, and looking closely at the certifications held by the doctors you are considering. Dallas LASIK surgeon, Dr. Gary Tylock, a pioneer in the field of LASIK eye surgery, explains what the various certifications mean.

Being certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology requires physicians to complete specific training and continuing education related to the specialty. The ABO is an independent, non-profit organization responsible for certifying eye physicians and surgeons in the United States, including those who specialize in LASIK surgery. The first American Board established to certify medical specialists, it is one of 24 specialty Boards recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties and the American Medical Association.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology was founded in 1896, and is the largest national membership medical association of ophthalmologists–medical doctors specializing in eye care and surgery including medical, surgical and optical care. The Academy has more than three thousand members, but in order to be a Fellow of the Academy, a doctor must meet more stringent requirements, and have contributed to his chosen field of study.

American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons was founded in 1974, and is dedicated to advancing the art and science of anterior segment surgery. With the rapid advancements in technology and clinical science, ACRS strives to keep surgeons up to date by providing educational programs, publications, and on-line resources. The primary source of information for many physicians, the ASCRS helps improve LASIK safety through education.
The International Society of Refractive Surgeons is an international organization of eye care professionals. Initially a collaboration of four refractive surgery pioneers, the ISRS is dedicated to the scientific study of refractive surgery and the dissemination of knowledge to colleagues worldwide , all while adhering to strict scientific protocols to ensure LASIK safety.

One of the top LASIK surgeons in the country, Dr. Gary Tylock has been instrumental in refining various laser vision correction procedures that are used to improve vision worldwide. In his twenty-five years of practice, his concern for LASIK safety has not wavered, and his patients’ well being is his primary concern. He is a pioneering surgeon, and was involved in the creation of one of the country’s first excimer lasers designed for the LASIK procedure. He is a board certified surgeon, certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, and taught surgical techniques as an Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas for over twenty years. The former chief of staff at Pioneer Park Medical Center, he is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and an active member of the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons and the International Society of Refractive Surgeons. For more information on Dr. Tylock, or the Tylock Eye Care and Laser Center, visit the website, or join the online community on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

What Happens in a LASIK Procedure?

Posted on August 1, 2011 by mgarfield

Millions of patients have benefited from LASIK, but most people are not quite sure what happens in a LASIK procedure. If you’re considering LASIK, then this summary should answer your questions!

Before the procedure, the patient will be given a mild oral sedative. This allows communication with the surgeon throughout the surgery. An antibiotic eye drop and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory eye drop will be administered in the clinical part of the office. Then, when the patient is situated in the surgical prep chair, numbing drops will be put in the eye. While they begin to work, the area around the eye will be disinfected, and the patient will be escorted to the laser chair and shown a blinking red light, on which he will focus throughout the procedure. Blinking is not an issue, because an eyelid retractor will be placed between the eyelids to keep them open.

A suction ring holds the eye in position and maintains pressure while the surgeon creates the corneal flap, which is about thirty percent as thick as the entire cornea. While it is being made, the lights will go out, and some patients report feeling slight pressure. Vision will become blurry, and it is at this point that the patient will be asked to look at the red flashing light, which will move, become a blur, or disappear. The patient’s job during the surgery will be to focus on the fixation light, because that will help the surgeon’s accuracy.

During this time, the surgeon will perform something called ablation, which is the vaporization of minute amounts of cells that are impeding vision. There is no pain during the process, though patients may smell a faint odor and hear a clicking sound. This part of the surgery only takes between twenty and ninety seconds. When it is complete, the corneal flap is placed back into position, and the eye forms a natural vacuum to hold it in place. Some patients are sent home with a bandage contact lens, but it is not required.

The most important thing a patient can do, when considering LASIK, is to find a surgeon who is competent and experienced. Dallas LASIK surgeon Dr Tylock not only has twenty years of experience in the field of laser vision correction, he was instrumental in the development of some of the tools used in the procedure. It is that kind of expertise that has made him the choice of over eleven thousand patients for their LASIK procedures.