Lasik / Laser Eye Surgery: Demystifying LASIK
LASIK - A now common procedure
One of the first things that springs to mind when considering
corrective eye surgery is the term, "LASIK". An acronym for
"laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis," this rather common
procedure is used to correct certain vision problems through
refractive surgery.
Since its debut in the 1980s, there have been conflicting
stories about what LASIK entails and whether or not it's truly
successful.
Laser eye surgery is typically used for those who suffer from
nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. Until the advent
of LASIK, eyeglasses and contacts were used to treat these
issues, but only served as aids to vision rather than
corrections.
Those who have undergone a successful laser eye surgery
procedure should find that their need for such aids are
extremely diminished or eliminated altogether.
Reshaping your eyes
Technically speaking, LASIK eye surgery reshapes the cornea from
within the eye itself using laser to accomplish the task.
If, for instance, your cornea is not shaped correctly to fit the
dimensions of your eye, this procedure may be effective. By
utilizing laser to extract bits of tissue from the cornea in
order to reshape it, the refractive error can be corrected and
the visual images will then be focused directly onto the retina,
which may eliminate the need for aids such as eyeglasses and
contact lenses.
After a thorough eye examination, you'll be expected to choose a
doctor to perform the LASIK eye surgery. Once this has been
done, you'll be scheduled for a consultation with the doctor to
discuss the process, and you'll have the opportunity to voice
whatever questions or concerns that you may have prior to the
procedure.
Don't wear your glasses for up to a month before the op'
You should expect to be instructed not to wear your glasses or
contact lenses for two to four weeks prior to your surgery, in
order for the cornea to return to its natural shape, without
interference from external visual aids.
When an individual wears contact lenses, for instance, the shape
of the cornea is changed, so it's important to remove these and
leave them out for up to a month before surgery. In addition,
your doctor will instruct you not to apply any lotions, creams,
make-up or other products around the area of the eyes for awhile
prior to the procedure.
On the day of your LASIK eye surgery, you'll receive anesthetic
drops in each eye in order to eliminate pain. You'll then be
placed on a table which is positioned underneath the laser
equipment, and the doctor will instruct you to look up at a
small blinking light.
During your laser surgery, a special instrument will be utilized
to hold your eye open, allowing the doctor to perform the LASIK
surgery, while the other eye is protected by a shield.
With a couple of hours you'll be on your way home
After making a small incision, the doctor will then expose the
cornea, and apply the laser technology that's needed to reshape
and repair the eye. Once accomplished, the flap that was cut
open to expose the cornea will be put back into position and
will heal on its own, without the need for stitches. An hour or
two after the surgery is completed, you'll be allowed to go home.
Depending upon the individual, the amount of corrective
treatment that was administered and the quickness of the healing
process, what can be expected after surgery will vary from
person to person. Speak with your physician regarding recovery
expectations before and after the surgery and follow any
instructions that are given, in order to ensure a successful
LASIK eye surgery experience.