Lasik General

For some, wearing glasses is not only inconvenient but also a self-perceived detriment to their looks. They are either always misplacing their specs, reaching for them to read small print, or have them perched atop the bridge of their nose. Moreover, there are those who feel awkward or embarrassed when they have them on their face. Then there are some who wear contact lenses and are aggravated by maintaining them or are discomforted by them, or both. With this in mind, let’s take a look at laser eye surgery.

LASIK is a common procedure to solve certain vision problems. It stands for Laser ASsisted In situ Keratomileusis. One of the primary goals of this laser procedure is to restore a person’s eyesight to 20/20 vision. This procedure is conducted by an eye surgeon and is usually completed in half an hour.

The operation itself involves the reshaping of your cornea so that light rays are more accurately focused on your retina. Think of the cornea as thin and transparent sheath that covers your eye’s iris, pupil, and anterior chamber. Its job is to refract light. With its partner the lens, it accounts for almost two-thirds of your eyes’ optical power.

One of the key advantages of LASIK is that it addresses myriad eye problems. It can correct myopia, sometimes referred to as nearsightedness. If you suffer from hyperopia (farsightedness) or astigmatism, laser surgery can be a solution for you. Additionally, many elderly people can be candidates for LASIK. The condition of presbyopia can be treated with the procedure.

All surgical procedures has risk attached to it. LASIK is no exception. If too little of the cornea’s tissue is removed the resulting condition is called undercorrection. Conversely, if too much of the tissue is extracted, then an overcorrection results. There are other risks as well. They include: dry eyes, difficulty seeing at night, double vision, and a “halo effect.”

Should you decide to go ahead with the surgery, there are some preparations you should make. If you use contacts then you will want to stop wearing them for the few weeks leading up to the procedure. Wear a pair of glasses instead. Do not use eye make-up the day before or the day of your doctor visit. You may have blurry vision afterwards. As such, you will want to have a pre-arranged ride home. On a financial note, not all insurance plans cover this kind of surgery. Determine up front what your total costs will be.

Do not be surprised if after the procedure you have some uncomfortable aftereffects. This is common. Your eyes may be watery. They may even itch or burn. Doctor-recommended eyedrops, pain medication, or an eye shield can all help to alleviate your discomfort. Also, prepare to go without eye cosmetics for a few weeks.

Laser eye surgery has a very good track record of success. Almost eighty percent of the people who have undergone the operation no longer need to use their glasses or contact lenses. It is safe to say that there is a very good chance of achieving at least 20/25 vision.

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