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Lasik Eye Surgery
LASIK is a surgical procedure intended to reduce a person's dependency on glasses or contact lenses. LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis and is a procedure that permanently changes the shape of the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye, using an excimer laser. A knife, called a microkeratome, is used to cut a flap in the cornea. A hinge is left at one end of this flap. The flap is folded back revealing the stroma, the middlesection of the cornea. Pulses from a computer-controlled laser vaporize a portion of the stroma and the flap is replaced.
The surgery improves the vision in patients who have nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. usually takes less than one minute per eye. Treatment involves reshaping the cornea - the protruding portion of surface of the eye - to improve vision.
Advantages of LASIK surgery
*The LASIK technique takes less than 30 minutes to perform and is very effective.
*The technical advancements incorporated in the LASIK technique eliminates the clinically significant risks leading to visual impairment after a refractive surgery.
*Most surveys show that 92-98% of people who undergo the surgery are satisfied with the results.
Disadvantages of LASIK surgery
*The LASIK surgery, done on the most sensitive part of the eye and is not reversible.
*Even after a LASIK surgery, a person may require reading glasses during midlife.
*The surgery is usually not covered by insurance policies.
*Additional surgery or ' enhancement' may be required to enjoy the best possible result of a LASIK.
Best Candidate For LASIK
A large percentage of nearsighted, farsighted, and astigmatic patients are potential candidates for LASIK. Patients who are 18 years of age or older, have healthy eyes that are free from retinal problems, corneal scars, and any eye disease are suitable. Along with being medically suitable, the best candidates are people with a lifestyle or
occupation
in which they are dissatisfied with their contact lenses or glasses.
By having an evaluation, examination, and consultation with you, the
doctor will be able to determine if you are a good candidate.
After
LASIK Surgery
*The moments after a major life-altering
event are usually filled with joy, laughter, and camaraderie, but this
usually doesn't happen after surgery. is no different than any other surgery, but its drawbacks may be a
little different than others.
*The results of LASIK surgery are
much akin to the results of being pestered by a pet day after day. Instead of
the healing of bruises or incisions, is accompanied by more burning and itching of an area that you are
completely unable to scratch or cool. At this point, any touching of the eye
could undo everything the surgery just repaired.
*Your vision will be
blurry because of the watering and tearing up of your eye, but you cannot under
any circumstances touch your eye. The eye may appear dry or bloodshot for several
days, if this occurs you should consider taking time off of work. If you experience
severe pain from at any time you should contact your surgeon.
*Within 24-48
hours after your surgery you should have a post-operative exam to make sure everything
is healing well. At regular intervals after the up to six months you should continue seeing your doctor for checkups.
*At
the first visit after your doctor will remove the shield and make sure your eye is responding
correctly to the surgery. You will not be able to use contact lenses for sometime
to keep from further irritation and you may have to use drops or artificial tears
to help with lubricating the eye.
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