Wear glasses or contacts and wish you could see without them? LASIK surgery is an option, but you need to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure.
What Is LASIK Surgery?
LASIK is a surgical process that lowers a person's reliance on glasses or contact lenses. LASIK is an acronym for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. The procedure changes the shape of the cornea, which is the clear covering of the front of the eye, by using a laser. A blade or laser keratome cuts a section of the cornea, forming a hinge on one end. The section is folded back so the stroma, or midsection of the cornea, is uncovered. A computer operated laser vaporizes part of the stroma, and the original section of the cornea is replaced.
What Happens Before the Procedure?
If you think LASIK might work for you, you will need to consult your eye doctor. Contact lens wearers need to stop wearing them for several weeks prior to the initial appointment with the eye doctor since contact lenses change the shape of the cornea. Your cornea needs to be in its original shape for the doctor to figure out how to reshape the cornea with the laser.
The amount of time you need to go without wearing your lenses depends on which type of lenses you use. Anyone who wears soft contact lenses should stop wearing them two weeks before going to the doctor. Those who wear rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses should take them out three weeks ahead of time, and hard lens wearers need to take them out four weeks in advance.
During the doctor visit, all medical and eye conditions should be reported, along with a list of prescription and over-the-counter medications you take. Tell the doctor if you are allergic to any medications. After conducting a thorough eye exam, the doctor will discuss whether you're a good candidate for the procedure, what risks, benefits and alternatives are associated with the surgery and your responsibilities prior to, during and following the surgery.
If you decide to proceed, take special care to prevent the chance of eye infection. Avoid face cream, lotion, makeup and perfume for at least a day before the surgery. Any debris along the eyelashes needs to be removed also.
What Happens During the Surgery?
The 30-minute surgery takes place in the doctor's office. Numbing drops are placed in your eye, the eye area is cleaned and a lid speculum holds your eyelids open. The next step depends on which type of keratome the doctor uses. If a blade microkeratome is used, the doctor will place a ring on your eye, and high pressure will be applied, creating suction to the cornea. The microkeratome is fastened to the ring and used to cut the section of cornea. If a laser keratome is utilized, a clear plastic plate flattens the cornea. The laser focuses inside the cornea and forms small bubbles of gas and water that join to separate the tissue below the cornea, creating the flap that will be held back for the rest of the procedure.
During the remainder of the surgery, your vision will be blurry. Next, the section is hinged back, and the exposed tissue is dried. You need to be able to stare at a light, which will help keep your eye trained on one spot while the laser works. A computer determines how much laser energy is sent to your eye. This amount was determined during your initial eye exam. Once the laser pulses vaporize the tissue, the section of the cornea is put back into place. A shield is placed over your eye at the conclusion of the surgery. Since no stitches are used, the shield prevents you from rubbing your eye and protects it from any accidental trauma.
What Happens After the Surgery?
You may feel some discomfort following the surgery. Your eye may itch or burn, and watery eyes are typical. Vision is also blurred. Don't rub or put pressure on your eye since it could move the section of the cornea and require additional treatments. Sensitivity to light is common, and some people are affected by glare or starbursts around lights. Symptoms improve within a few days. If you feel severe pain or if your vision gets worse, contact the doctor immediately.
An appointment with the doctor is recommended within the first 48 hours following surgery and at regular times for the first six months. At the first visit, the doctor will move the shield and examine the eye. Eye drops might be sent home to prevent infection. Most doctors recommend waiting a few weeks following surgery before using lotion or make-up in the eye area. Vision might vary for a few months following surgery.
 | Although LASIK surgery is widely available and increasingly affordable, don't go blindly into your vision correction surgery: Take the time to do your research and know what to expect. |
 | Knowing what to expect during laser eye surgery procedure will help you get through the nervousness that can come with such a procedure. We have the information you need to soar through the surgery. |
 | LASIK eye surgery is a quick, and seemingly simple procedure to undergo for better vision, but make sure you understand the risks before you make your final decision. |
 | Asking the right questions of your Lasik eye surgeon before having corrective eye surgery can go a long way toward easing any anxiety you might have. Consider asking your surgeon these questions before committing to him or her or a surgery date. |
LASIK is a great vision-repairing option, but what are the risks? What happens when LASIK goes wrong? |
