Lasik Eye Surgery
What is Lasik Eye Surgery?
LASIK eye surgery is a procedure also known as Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. The main object of LASIK is to reduce someone's dependency on contact lenses or eyeglasses. This procedure creates permanent changes in the shape of the cornea which is the clear covering that lies in front of the eye. The best candidate for LASIK eye surgery is someone who experiences a modest level of near or farsightedness. Those with astigmatism may also be helped by LASIK eye surgery, but if someone has a large amount of astigmatism then they may not be the ideal candidate.
How do you go about choosing a LASIK doctor? Your decision should definitely not be based on cost, where the location of the doctor's office is, or the kind of LASIK technology that is used. You could ask people who know who have had the procedure done about their experiences. A good LASIK surgeon will have a solid reputation in the community. Also, you want to find a surgeon who does the LASIK procedure day in and day out. As the old saying goes ¡°ractice makes perfect¡°”! You must, in the end, find the LASIK surgeon you are comfortable with based on your own concerns and the research you have done.
If you make the decision that you want to give LASIK eye surgery a try, then you will need to have an initial or baseline evaluation by an ophthalmologist to determine if you are an appropriate candidate for the procedure. Before you have this baseline evaluation, you should discontinue wearing your contact lenses and wear your eyeglasses full-time instead. Contact lenses alter the cornea's shape so you need to discontinue wearing them from at least 2 to 4 weeks before your first evaluation depending on the type of contact lenses you wear. If you do not do this, then your LASIK surgery can have a negative outcome. The day before your LASIK eye surgery, you need to discontinue using lotions, creams, perfumes and makeup. Using these products could carry a risk of infection both during and after your surgery. You must also arrange for someone to take you to your surgery appointment and bring you home afterwards. The doctor may prescribe some medication to help you relax on the day of your surgery. Sometimes this may impair your ability to drive as well as make your vision a little blurry. So make sure you have this planned out in advance.
The actual LASIK eye surgery should usually take fewer than 30 minutes. You will be lying on your back in a recliner in the examination room that contains the laser system. This system includes a large machine that has a microscope attached to it as well as a computer screen.
The ophthalmologist will first place a numbing drop in your eye, and then the area around it will be cleaned. In order to hold your eyelids open, an instrument known as a lid speculum will be used. A ring will then be placed on your eye. Very high pressures will then be applied to create suction to your cornea. While the suction ring is in place, your vision will dim. You may also feel pressure and some discomfort during this particular part of the LASIK eye surgery procedure. The microkeratome is attached to the suction ring. The blade of the microkeratome is then used to cut the flap in your cornea. The microkeratome as well as the suction ring are removed. The flap in the cornea is lifted and folded back on its hinge, and the exposed tissue is dried. The laser will then be put into position over your eye. When everything is in the correct position, the laser will be started. The amount of laser energy that is delivered to your eye is controlled by a computer. After the corneal tissue is vaporized by the laser, the flap is then repositioned. That is essentially how LASIK eye surgery is performed.
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