Is LASIK Surgery For You?

LASIK surgery is one way of correcting vision without having to wear corrective lenses. This is an operation which is classified as refractive and is performed by a medical doctor who specializes in surgery of the eye. The operation is designed to clear up myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. Myopia is the medical term for not being able to see things clearly that are far away; hyperopia is being able to see things far away but not close up; and astigmatism is another name for generalized blurriness. This procedure can be very effective but it's not always the best option for every person. Here are some things to think about:

- What to expect of the procedure: Before the surgery is performed, a thorough examination will be done of the eye. Contact lens wearers should stop wearing them for several weeks before the exam because these devices alter the results of the examination. The actual procedure takes approximately half an hour to perform. The doctor will apply a numbing solution and use a special surgical tool to cut the cornea into a proper sized flap.

- What happens after the operation: Afterward, a patient should expect to have some pain and sensitivity to light. The eye may also itch but it's crucial that the individual refrain from scratching the region or complications can occur. It will be necessary to go back to the surgeon within two days to allow him or her to check on the condition of the eyes. It will also be necessary to return to the specialist for checkups off and on during the initial year.

- The vision: It will take several months for the vision to stabilize as the cornea will be healing and adapting to the new configuration. In the early days, haloes may appear around stop lights and street lights so night driving may require getting used to.

- Risks: As with any medical procedure, there will be risks of complications. Most LASIK surgeries are successful but some patients have residual difficulties such as:

- Under-correction: Because the exact healing result won't be known until after the procedure, there are times when the eyesight has been under-corrected.

- Over-correction: Sometimes the eyesight is over-corrected, creating a different outcome than expected.

- Decrease in tears: Tears may decrease temporarily which will result in drying sensations which may be uncomfortable. This usually clears up after recovery.

- Unsuitable candidates: Some individuals are not suited for this procedure.

-Pregnant or nursing mothers
-Individuals who can't stare at a light for 60 seconds
-Immune deficient patients
- Those with thin corneas
- Boxers or athletes who regularly get knocked in the head might damage their corneal flaps

Individuals who are tired of wearing contacts and eyeglasses, have the funds to pay for LASIK surgery since insurance doesn't cover it, are in good health and have adequate anatomical structures within their eyes to support the procedure are viable candidates. If a person is interested in having their vision corrected with this refractive operation, they should make an appointment with a reputable eye doctor to find out more information.