What You Should Know About Laser Eye Surgery
Basic Guide To Lasik
By Noah Rubin
Lasik eye surgery is the most widely performed
procedure year after year. It was first introduced and
performed in the United States in 1991. Nowadays more and more people
are asking themselves: Do I really need expensive contact lenses and eye
glasses, I'm always misplacing? The answer for the more than one
million people who have undergone safe Lasik is, I am glad I underwent
the procedure.
Lasik is the acronym for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. Why is the procedure so popular? Patients report that it is relatively painless, and good vision returns the next day.
Before Surgery: If you decide to go ahead ,an initial or baseline evaluation by your eye doctor is a must to determine if you are a good candidate. You will most likely be told not wear contact lenses before your baseline evaluation. You might have to wear your glasses full-time.
Contact lenses, depending on the type you use, change the shape of your cornea for two to four weeks. Your eye surgeon will give you a checklist of things to do. Inform your doctor if you take any medication and if you are suffering from any ailment. Get the opinions of a cardiologist if you suffer from heart disease or from your primary physician first, before going forward.
The Procedure: Laser Eye surgery uses laser technology to reshape the cornea, the clear front part of the eye. This changes its focusing power. During surgery you will be given anesthetic eye drops to numb your eye. You may also be given medicine to help you relax. Your eye surgeon uses a special blade or cutting laser to cut a flap away from the front of your eye. Using a laser, the surgeon reshapes the underlying corneal tissue Once the reshaping is done, the surgeon replaces and secures the flap. No stitches are needed.
After surgery. An eye shield or patch will be placed over the eye to protect the flap and to help prevent rubbing or pressure on the eye until it has had enough time to heal. Your eye may burn or itch and be watery. You might have blurred vision. You may be given pain medication or eye drops to keep you comfortable for several hours after the procedure. Patients who have LASIK often end up with 20/20 vision.
Remember, only your eye doctor can determine whether or not you are a candidate for Laser Eye Surgery.
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