LASIK Eye Surgery

Lasik (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis) eye surgery is a popular vision correction procedure that has helped millions of people worldwide to improve their vision and eliminate the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses. It is a painless and safe surgery that can be completed in less than 30 minutes and offers a quick recovery time. In this blog, we will discuss the basics of Lasik eye surgery, how it works, its benefits, risks, and aftercare instructions.

Basics of Lasik Eye Surgery

Lasik eye surgery is a refractive surgery that aims to correct the vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. It works by reshaping the cornea, the clear front part of the eye, using a laser to improve the way light is focused onto the retina, resulting in clearer vision.

The procedure begins with the surgeon applying numbing eye drops to the patient’s eyes to prevent any discomfort during the surgery. Then, a special device called a microkeratome or femtosecond laser is used to create a thin flap on the cornea, which is then lifted to expose the underlying tissue. A second laser, called an excimer laser, is used to reshape the cornea by removing a precise amount of tissue. Finally, the flap is placed back into position, and the surgery is complete.

Benefits of Lasik Eye Surgery

The main benefit of Lasik eye surgery is the improved vision it provides. Most patients experience significant improvement in their vision immediately after the procedure, with many achieving 20/20 vision or better. Additionally, Lasik eye surgery is a safe and effective procedure with a high success rate, and most patients can resume normal activities within a few days after the surgery.

Risks of Lasik Eye Surgery

Like any surgical procedure, Lasik eye surgery does come with some risks. The most common risks include dry eyes, halos, glare, and night vision problems. These side effects are usually temporary and resolve on their own within a few weeks or months. More serious complications such as infection or vision loss are rare, but they can occur in some cases.

Aftercare Instructions

After the surgery, patients are given eye drops to help prevent infection and reduce inflammation. They should avoid rubbing their eyes, swimming, or using hot tubs for at least two weeks after the procedure. Patients should also avoid any activities that could cause eye injuries or put pressure on the eyes, such as contact sports, for several weeks.

Patients should attend follow-up appointments with their eye doctor to ensure that their eyes are healing properly and their vision is improving as expected.

Conclusion

Lasik eye surgery is a popular and safe procedure that has helped millions of people to improve their vision and eliminate the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses. While it does come with some risks, the benefits of Lasik eye surgery far outweigh the potential side effects. If you’re considering Lasik eye surgery, it’s important to consult with an experienced eye surgeon who can evaluate your individual needs and determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure.

Who is suitable for Lasik Eye Surgery?

Not everyone is a good candidate for Lasik eye surgery. The ideal candidate for Lasik should meet the following criteria:

• Age: The candidate should be at least 18 years old, as the eyes continue to change and develop until this age.

• Stable Prescription: The candidate should have a stable prescription for at least one year, which means that their eyeglasses or contact lens prescription hasn’t changed significantly during this time.

• Good General Health: The candidate should be in good general health, without any underlying medical conditions that could affect the healing process.

• Healthy Eyes: The candidate should have healthy eyes, free from any eye diseases or conditions such as glaucoma or cataracts.

• Realistic Expectations: The candidate should have realistic expectations about the outcome of the surgery, and understand that it may not result in perfect vision, and that some visual symptoms such as dryness or glare may occur.

• Adequate Corneal Thickness: The candidate should have adequate corneal thickness to ensure that there is enough tissue to be reshaped during the surgery.

• Not Pregnant or Nursing: Women who are pregnant or nursing are not suitable candidates for Lasik eye surgery, as hormonal changes during pregnancy and lactation can affect the stability of the eyes.

It is important to note that each individual’s case is unique, and only a qualified eye doctor can determine whether Lasik eye surgery is suitable for a particular patient after conducting a thorough eye exam and discussing their medical history and expectations.