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LASIK Laser Eye Surgery

LASIK Laser Eye Surgery has been successfully performed on millions of eyes. Lasik surgery is the most commonly performed surgical surgery for correcting vision. This year alone, more than 2 million people are expected to undergo Lasik eye surgery. Don't get too comfortable with those figures though because the long-term effects will not be known for some time yet.

The name LASIK is actually short for "laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis". LASIK laser eye surgery is a complex surgical procedure used to treat all degrees of nearsightedness. The surgeon who performs the surgery will use a small knife to cut a flap of the cornea, then remove part of the underneath tissue with a laser and return the flap back in its place.

Advantages of LASIK Laser Eye Surgery

Most physicians agree that LASIK laser eye surgery is appropriate for correcting severe vision problems. The procedure is usually a preferred alternative to photorefractive keratectomy, PRK, as it requires less time for full recovery, and the patient experiences less pain overall. In addition, patients who have undergone a LASIK laser eye surgery can see accurate enough to drive and read within just a week.

Risks of LASIK Laser Eye Surgery

In a small number of patients, LASIK laser eye surgery can have some negative side effects. Although you're sitting in a chair in a doctor's office and conscious, Lasik eye surgery is surgery and as such, there are risks and complications to consider. Such complications include over or under-correction, scarring of the cornea, astigmatism, corneal infections, lower contrast sensitivity or problems with driving at night. Even though LASIK laser eye surgery has been successfully performed for some time, the long-term effects will not be known for some time yet.

Are You a Candidate for Lasik Eye Surgery?
Not everyone is a candidate for Lasik Eye Surgery.

Who wouldn't be a candidate for Lasik eye surgery? Obviously, if you were not in good overall health, you don't want to sign up for any elective surgery.

You must be at least 18 years old and have had a steady prescription for glasses or contacts for at least the previous 2 years.

There are other criteria of which you may not be aware so discuss these with your doctor.

After Lasik Eye Surgery
After Lasik eye surgery, life can become very different and quite often considerably better.

Your vision will certainly be blurry for a day or two after your surgery. Some side effects that can arise include continued blurry vision, halos around light and glare. You may have difficulty driving at night for some time. It could take several months for your vision to stabilize. At first, you can expect some burning, itching, and even a little pain.

Be sure to carefully follow the instructions your doctor will give you for after the surgery. Follow these carefully. If you have severe pain, contact your doctor immediately.

As with any medical procedure, approach LASIK eye surgery with your eyes wide open, ask a lot of questions and then you will be prepared to make an informed decision about whether or not Lasik eye surgery is right for you.

There is a lot of Lasik eye surgery information available on the internet. The National Eye Institute maintains a website that has a lot of information regarding different types of eye problems and the corrective procedures associated with them. The American Optometric Association also has a website containing information you may find useful.

Whatever you do, once you've made the decision to have Lasik surgery, don't let anyone scare you into not having it. The pain, if any is minor and the discomfort only lasts for a few days. If you and your doctor have decided that you would make a good candidate for this type of surgery, don't listen to someone else who probably is scared themself. The overwhelming majority of those who have had Lasik eye surgery are happy with the result and you, most likely, will be too.

LASIK Laser Eye Surgery

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