LASIK is the most commonly performed refractive surgery. You can hear people calling it ” Lasix, ” but the correct name is LASIK , which is short for ” laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis ” .
Why is it so popular ? LASIK has advantages over other methods of vision correction , including a relative lack of pain and after that a good picture , usually by the next day.
An instrument called a microkeratome is used in LASIK eye surgery to create a thin , circular flap in the cornea. Otherwise making latest flap is with a laser.
The surgeon folds the flap back up out of the way , then removes some corneal tissue underneath using an excimer laser. The excimer laser uses a cool ultraviolet light beam to precisely remove ( “root ” ) very small pieces of tissue from the cornea to reshape it .
When the cornea is reshaped in the right way , it works better to focus light into the eye and onto the retina , providing clearer vision than before. The flap is then put into place , covering the area of the removed corneal tissue .
Both nearsighted and farsighted people can benefit from the LASIK procedure . Myopic persons with the aim to flatten the cornea is too steep , the sighted people , one cornea steeper than desired. Excimer lasers can also correct astigmatism by smoothing an irregular cornea into a more normal shape .
Before LASIK procedure
If you are considering submitting to LASIK laser surgery , it is important first of all , choose a good doctor . But , how? Generally , people often ask for opinions to other people who have been patients of physicians.
Once you’ve chosen your surgeon , you should ask for advice . He will decide if you are a good candidate for LASIK . Your ophthalmologist will perform an eye exam to determine if your eyes are healthy enough for the procedure and what kind of vision correction you need .
Your doctor will also look for signs of disease such as dry eye syndrome . These diseases must be addressed and resolved before doing LASIK. Even if your eyes have a normal tear film , the eye surgeon as a precautionary measure , may recommend a treatment to reduce the risk of dry eye syndrome after LASIK .
It is also very common that the surgeon use a corneal topographer . This device measures the curvature of the eye and creates a kind of map of the cornea.
Finally , the doctor will ask about any health problems you have or medications you are taking . Some health conditions will disqualify you altogether for LASIK , but others can only postpone the procedure until a later date.
During LASIK surgery
LASIK is an outpatient procedure ( you walk into the center where you detected in only surgery , perform the procedure and when walking salts . Indeed, the surgery itself takes less than five minutes , and the patient is awake all the time. Sometimes the surgeon will give the patient a mild oral sedative before surgery .
Although surgery is relatively quick , LASIK is a very delicate and it is important that this is carried out by a highly skilled surgeon and with the right equipment . It is also important that you have someone to accompany you to the surgery center and take you home afterwards.
Before LASIK surgery , the eye will apply numbing drops so you do not feel any discomfort during the procedure.
The doctor will ask you to lie and then the surgery is . A kind of retainer is placed under your eyelids to keep them open. Normally , this is not as uncomfortable as it sounds.
This creates a corneal flap using whatever device you are using. Then laser energy is applied to reshape the eye. The flap is replaced to serve as a kind of natural bandage . The surgeon uses a computer to adjust the excimer laser. Laser light pulses painlessly reshape the cornea . Hear a constant sound , which means that the laser is operating. It is also possible to smell a mild odor during laser treatment , this is normal.
After the procedure is over , you will rest for a while. If you undergo surgery on both eyes on the same day , the general surgeon , will begin work on their second eye immediately after treatment of the first eye .
Your surgeon may prescribe pain medications after surgery, but many people feel nothing more than mild discomfort after LASIK . That’s one advantage of LASIK over PRK , which can cause significant eye discomfort for a few days .
After LASIK : Short -term
As with any surgery , it is important to follow your doctor’s instructions exactly . Take adequate rest , use all prescribed medications as directed and call your doctor right away if you think there is any problem . Chances are you can continue with your routine life right away and you can go to work the next day. We do not recommend strenuous exercise during the week after surgery. Do not rub the eye .
After LASIK : Long term
With LASIK surgery , vision of most people immediately improved , but some find that their vision gradually improves even more in the coming days or weeks .
LASIK results vary. Most people reach a 100% perfect vision with LASIK . Some improvement can be achieved only .
LASIK postoperative complications can include infection or nighttime glare .