LASIK eye surgery has made tremendous strides in recent years. It is by far one of the most popular elective eye surgeries and is ideal for those who are nearsighted, farsighted or astigmatism and have had their vision corrected with contact lenses or glasses. LASIK can correct these conditions as well as many other vision defects. Lasik eye surgery is also helpful for improving eyesight in people who have suffered from serious eye injuries or diseases.
LASIK eye surgery is usually done on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. The patient will be anesthetized before the procedure and then placed in a reclining chair. A thin flap of corneal tissue is removed using a laser procedure device that is designed to reshape the cornea. Once the tissue is removed, it is stitched and covered with clear plastic surgery film. The patient is then asked to return to the doctor’s office the next day to have the surgery completed.
Most patients who have undergone this type of eye surgery experience mild dry eye syndrome immediately following treatment. This is usually temporary and wears off within a few days. As the eyes heal, the patient may experience some redness, blurriness or halos at night. These flickers may not be noticeable to the untrained eye, but may be present if you have contacts and wear them every night. In addition, you may experience some light sensitivity after the procedure, especially at night.
LASIK eye surgery utilizes a laser that is designed to reshape the cornea. After the flap is created, the laser is used to reshape the tissue of the cornea and the shape of the lens. This creates an entirely new optical system that is free of lines and wrinkles. When the cornea is reshaped using a laser, a new layer of cells called epithelial is also created. This epithelial is similar in texture to the top layer of our eyelids and is responsible for keeping our eyes moist and lubricated. When the epithelial is replaced by the new epithelial layer, your eyes no longer need tears to form and there is a reduction in the risk of dry eye syndrome.
The epithelium on the surface of the cornea is removed during LASIK eye surgery. This is done so the surgeon can place the new epithelial on the surface of the eye without having to cut through the top layer of the cornea. Your eye will look clearer as a result and you will no longer need the use of contact lenses, glasses or contact lenses. Your vision will be corrected immediately and you will not have to undergo the embarrassing process of getting fitted for glasses or contacts.
As with any surgical procedure, LASIK eye surgery also has some possible complications. One of the possible complications that could occur includes a loss of vision or double vision. This complication is rare, but it could happen. The LASIK surgeon will perform a pre-operative visual inspection in order to assess any potential loss of vision that could occur in your LASIK eye surgery.
Another common complication that occurs in LASIK eye surgery is the presence of an adverse reaction to numbing drops. Many patients mistakenly believe that the laser treatment will numb their eyes, but in actuality the laser is merely working to dry the surface of the eye so that any pain caused by the application of the numbing drops will not be felt. The possibility of numbing the eyes in the course of LASIK eye surgery exists, but only in rare instances. A small number of patients may experience a temporary flash of light in their eyes that makes them briefly aware that they are undergoing laser procedure. More often than not however, there is no serious problem and the patient is able to proceed with the surgery without any issues.
Hypermetropia and myopia may be the most common problems that patients have as a result of LASIK eye surgery. LASIK eye surgery corrects these flaws, but it is important to understand that this does not mean that all symptoms associated with these conditions will go away after the surgery. The treatment for myopia and hyperopia will still need to be used throughout your life in order to keep your vision healthy. It is important that you learn as much as possible about these conditions so that you can make informed decisions about the use of LASIK eye surgery. Your eye doctor is the best resource for more information on the topic.
