Process Details of a LASIK Procedure

Process Details of a LASIK Procedure

It is necessary to be aware of both its advantages and disadvantages while evaluating LASIK surgery. Some advantages are well-known, including permanent vision correction without eyewear and very little pain or discomfort, while less-known ones include minimal invasive, no stitches and bandages, and possible modifications. Disadvantages of LASIK surgery include high price, irreversible cornea shapes, imperfect vision outcomes, as well as potential side effects or complications.

Except for these overall advantages and disadvantages of LASIK surgery, it is also necessary to learn about more details of the procedure. Only with enough understanding of the surgery, right evaluation can be made.

As an increasing popular laser eye surgery, LASIK is now widely performed to cure nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. As the clear part of the eye, the cornea will be reshaped during laser eye corrective surgeries including LASIK. Those refractive errors result from an abnormal way the light focuses on the retina. Irregular corneal shape is the root cause of this abnormal focus.

After an administration of local anesthesia using a mild sedative, the surgeon will use a microkeratome to cut a flap in the cornea. After that, the corneal flap cut by the precise instrument will be pulled backward, in which way the underlying corneal tissue is exposed. The most critical step is reshaping the cornea using an excimer laser. And the final step is to put back the corneal flap.

There are many things can be done after LASIK surgery. The surgeon usually prescribes eye drops to help the patient lubricate the eyes because dry eye is common after the surgery. In some cases, eye drops first instilled will cause a slight burning sensation. Moreover, the patient will be required to revisit the surgeon within 24 to 48 hours after the procedure.

Vision improvement will occur mostly within a few days and most patients can return to work quite soon. But it is better for LASIK recipients to avoid certain activities such as driving during the several days following the procedure. In some cases, side effects such as blurry vision, hazy vision, glare and fluctuating vision are possible. It is necessary to maintain regular visits to an eye doctor during the next six months.

By George Manche

Process Details of a LASIK Procedure