The LASIK Eye Surgery Basics

By Daniel Laurel

 

LASIK, also called laser in-situ keratomileusis, is a form of eye surgery renown for correcting refractive errors in the eye. Refractive errors happen when the eye doesn't focus the way it should. In normal vision, the image falls through the eye and focuses precisely on the retina, the membrane in the back of the eyeball. If a person is nearsighted, the image focuses in front of the retina. If the person is farsighted, the images focus on the back of the retina. In another problem called astigmatism the cornea, or the front surface of the eye, is somehow irregular.

Why LASIK?
LASIK has become popular because it works very well in correcting vision problems. The treatment is not terribly painful, though there's some discomfort a day or two after the operation. The procedure doesn't require stitches or bandaging. Best of all, patients report that their vision improves right away. Most people who have LASIK have such improved vision that they no longer need to wear contacts or glasses.

Considerations
However, LASIK still isn't a miracle cure. The surgery is complicated and mishaps can happen. A corneal flap needs to be cut very accurately in the eye. If this procedure is done incorrectly, it can impair a patient's vision. Other side effects can be patients experiencing glare or halos. They can lose some of their night vision and develop dry eyes. Indeed, a person who wants LASIK and already has dry eyes will probably be dissuaded from having the operation. Other conditions that might rule against a patient having LASIK surgery are autoimmune diseases like HIV or rheumatoid arthritis.

People with a condition called keratoconus might also not be good candidates for LASIK surgery. This is where the cornea is so irregular that it's actually cone shaped. People with very unstable vision should also not have LASIK. Women who are pregnant or nursing should wait until they've given birth or stopped nursing to have LASIK.

Before the eye surgery, a patient will meet with an ophthalmologist or a member of his or her staff to make sure they're a good candidate. The patient will have a medical history taken and be examined.

He or she will also have tests conducted on his or her eyes.

The Surgery and After Before the LASIK surgery the patient is given eyedrops to numb their eye. Some patients are also sedated. Then, a very precise laser called a femtosecond laser makes a flap in the cornea. It's then peeled back like a lid and another type of laser is used to sculpt the eye tissue to make sure that the light can focus properly on the retina. Then, the flap is replaced. The operation takes about ten minutes.

After the patient is taken home, he or she should rest for a few days. The ophthalmologist will prescribe eye drops, because the eyes will be dry afterwards. The patient will then have follow-up visits to the ophthalmologist. The first might be a day or two after the surgery. Other visits will follow over a span of six months or so.

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