Copyright 2005 Octocat Ltd
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.
About the Author:
Mike Spencer reviews reviews leading, and sometimes
controversial, approaches to improving and protecting our
health. Here he looks at the pros and cons of LASIK eye
surgery and whether it can offer any real benefits to
improved vision.
http://www.laser-eye-surgery-reviews.com