What Is LASIK Eye Surgery?
Laser in-situ keratomileusis, or LASIK, is a popular procedure for correcting eyesight in patients who are nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism. It’s one of a number of vision-correcting procedures that involves reshaping your cornea, the clear front section of your eye, so that light concentrates on the retina in the rear. ALSO READ : EYE HEALTH
Why is LASIK performed?
Your eyesight becomes blurry when light does not focus properly on your retina. This is referred to as a refractive error by doctors. The following are the basic types:
- Nearsightedness is a condition that occurs when a person (myopia). When things are close to you, they are clear, but when they are farther away, they are hazy.
- Seeing things clearly (hyperopia). You can see things farther out more clearly, but things closer to you seem hazy.
- Astigmatism. This may cause things to become fuzzy due to the shape of your eye.
To find out if LASIK is a good option for you, talk to your doctor. You should not have the operation if you have any of the following conditions:
Are you under the age of eighteen years old?
Are you expecting a child or nursing one?
Certain medications must be taken.
Have you recently experienced a lot of changes to your eyeglass prescription?
Do you have a thin or uneven cornea?
Have you been told you have glaucoma or that your eyes are abnormally dry?
For example, you have diabetes, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis.
The Advantages of LASIK Surgery
The following are some of the advantages of LASIK:
- It’s been around for nearly a quarter-century. After that, over 96 percent of patients achieve their vision goals. This number could be raised even higher with an improvement.
- There is very little, if any, discomfort.
- There are no bandages or stitches on the wound.
- Your doctor can alter your vision if it changes as you get older.
- After LASIK, you will probably not need glasses or contacts as much, if at all.
Risks of LASIK Eye Surgery
LASIK, like any operation, has some risks, including:
- It’s a difficult procedure. It’s uncommon, but there’s a chance you’ll have vision problems for the rest of your life. This is one reason to select a surgeon with extensive experience in these procedures.
- After LASIK, you may lose your “best” correctable vision, which is the best degree of vision you had when using contacts or eyeglasses.
- LASIK is not covered by most insurance plans.
Side Effects of LASIK Surgery
After LASIK eye surgery, some patients experience discomfort for the first day or two. Other negative effects are uncommon and usually fade with time. They are as follows:
- Glare
- Seeing images with halos
- Driving at night can be difficult.
- Vision that shifts from one moment to the next
- Eyes that are dry
- Eyes that itch
- Sensitivity to light
- Your eye has a few little bruising.
