Laser Eye Surgery (LASIK)- Ophthalmology
LASIK, which stands for laser in-situ keratomileusis, is a popular surgery used to correct vision.
Approximately 96% of patients will achieve desired vision after LASIK.
In the past few decades, there have been huge advances in LASIK surgery. What was once an experimental and expensive process has now become a simple procedure that lets you easily improve your vision.
How Does LASIK Surgery Work?
When you look at something, the cornea and lens in your eye are filtering light and making the light bounce against the retina. If the cornea and lens are too thick or too thin in places, light is not reflected properly, resulting in a blurry and out of focus vision.
Laser eye surgery involves reshaping the patient’s cornea so that sunlight enters the eye and hits the retina in a different fashion. Therefore, the patient will be able to precisely focus light as it enters the eyes.
The LASIK Surgery Process
If you decide to proceed with LASIK, your doctor will first start by carefully evaluating your medical history and conducting various tests to determine the best treatment plan and determine if you are a candidate for LASIK. Tests may include measuring corneal thickness, refraction, corneal mapping, eye pressure, and pupil dilation.
On the day of the surgery, numbing eye drops are used to prevent feeling any pain. After being positioned carefully under the equipment, the doctor will use a finely oscillating machine to precisely create a thin flap in the cornea. After this, the doctor uses lasers to reshape the underlying portion of the cornea to create a shape that will properly focus light inside the eye. Afterward, the corneal flap is repositioned over the eye. During the process, you hear clicking and see flashes of light occasionally, and you may feel pressure on your eye. The whole process just takes about five minutes per eye.
Who Can Be Treated With LASIK?
Generally, doctors require patients to be at least 18, free of eye diseases, and in generally good health. LASIK can treat those suffering from mild to severe nearsightedness and mild to moderate levels of farsightedness and astigmatism. For best results, people need to have a vision prescription that has remained stable for at least a year and have a certain level of corneal thickness. Whether or not you are a candidate for LASIK relies on many individual factors, so it is recommended that you get a detailed screening and consultation before scheduling your surgery.
Potential LASIK Surgery Side Effects
Like any other medical procedure, there is always a slight risk of side effects with LASIK. The most common issue people report is dry eyes for the first few months or a glare or halo effect around bright lights. Though rare, some may suffer from more serious issues like diminished night vision, over-corrected vision, under-corrected vision, or eye infections.
Recovery Time for LASIK Surgery
Eyes usually start healing immediately after LASIK Surgery. It is common to have some blurred vision and fluctuations in your vision for several weeks or even months after LASIK. Take precautions to protect eyes after surgery such as wearing safety glasses if you are partaking in active sports or any other activities that may have risk of eye injuries. If you have any questions about recovery, please talk to your doctor.
To learn more about Laser Eye Surgery (LASIK), please check our blog on EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LASIK SURGERY.
Sources
- https://www.allaboutvision.com/visionsurgery/faq-recovery-time.htm
- https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/LASIK-laser-eye-surgery#1
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