LASIK Eye Surgery
In the morning, have you ever had to grab your glasses to see the blaring alarm clock? Do you consider yourself "blind as a bat"? If you nodded your head to either of these questions, you've probably heard about the LASIK eye surgery that can, in some cases, fix all of those problems. LASIK is a relatively new procedure for select candidates who know both the benefits and risks of the operation. LASIK stands for Laser- Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. This is an operation in which the shape of the cornea is permanently changed by a laser to correct vision problems. Some of the disorders that can be corrected are: astigmatism, hyperopia, and myopia. An astigmatism is "a distortion of an image on the retina caused by irregularities in the cornea
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or lens" (Food and Drug Administration). A hyperopia is "the inability to see near objects as clearly as distant objects" (Food and Drug Administration). A myopia is "the inability to see distant objects as clearly as near objects" (Food and Drug Administration). While contact lenses or glasses can help a person see better, they are not a permanent solution. With just a few weeks of preparation and recovery, LASIK is a relatively easy procedure for a patient. Before surgery, there are a few steps that one must follow in order to increase the likelihood of optimal results. First, schedule an appointment with a neutral eye doctor. Make sure that you have removed hard contact lenses for at least 4 weeks, or soft contact lenses for 2 weeks, prior to the evaluation in order to give your eyes time to adjust back to their natural shape, this is extremely important, because otherwise the measurements will be incorrect, causing unpleasant results. It is a good idea to have a second evaluation done by an eye doctor who knows that you do not intend to have the surgery done by him. This doctor will be more likely to tell you if you are not a good candidate. The day before surgery, you should discontinue use of lotions, makeup, or any unnecessary chemicals, especially around the face. The day of the surgery, you should have transportation home after the surgery. Next, just relax as much as possible (Food and Drug Administration). The LASIK eye surgery takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish. You will lay on a reclining chair on your back in the operating room. Shortly before the operation begins, a numbing drop will be placed in your eye. The entire eye area will be scrubbed thoroughly. Then, the doctor will use a lid speculum to hold your eyelids open. Next, a suction ring will be positioned over your cornea and high pressure will be applied. This creates suction to the cornea. Then, the microkeratome, the blade, is used to cut a flap of cornea. The instruments are then removed, leaving your vision very blurry. Afterwards, the doctor will lift and fold the flap of cornea, and then dry the tissue of the eye. Next, the laser is arranged over the eye. You are then asked to stare at the light, which is not the laser, but the focal point. Once your eye is in the correct position, the laser will begin and continue as long as you stare at the light. The laser removes the amount of tissue that the doctor programs into it. After it is done, the flap is placed back into position and the lid speculum is removed. Finally, the doctor places a shield over your eye for protection. The doctor will then schedule 3 appointments to see how you are recovering (Food and Drug Administration). Following the surgery, there are several things you must do to ensure good results.
Once you get home after the LASIK eye surgery is done, you should take a three hour nap, with the eye shields in place, to initiate the healing process. Your eyes may burn, itch, or simply be irritated; however, it is very important that you do not rub them. If you do, you risk moving the corneal flap out of position. For the first two days following the surgery, you should wear sunglasses inside and outside. For the first week, you should: wear the eye shields to bed, do not wear eye make-up, do not go swimming, and generally just protect your eyes from contact and sunlight. Also, there are usually two different medicated eye-drops that are prescribed. One is an antibiotic that is used to prevent infection. The second is a steroid that is used to control inflammation. Both of these should be administered every 4 to 6 hours for the first week. The healing period lasts three to six months. During this time, you should use preservative free tears at least 4 to 6 times per day, or whenever your eyes feel itchy or dry. If you have had both eyes operated on, you may notice some fluctuation in vision over this time. This is caused by inflammation and will continue as the eyes …show more content…
heal. LASIK eye surgery is only recommended for certain people, depending on several factors. The best candidate is someone who is at least 18 years old, with a stable eye prescription of at least a year and a half. The person must also have adequate corneal thickness so that the doctor can make the flap during surgery. The candidate cannot suffer from any disease that reduces the patient's ability to heal properly. If a person does not meet all of these requirements, they will not be able to have LASIK at that time. However, a candidate who has certain diseases, such as cataracts, advanced glaucoma, corneal disease, or other eye diseases can never have the operation (Eye Surgery Education Council). Candidates who meet all the requirements should also have realistic expectations for the results. Not everyone who has LASIK will have 20/20 vision. This can never be guaranteed by a doctor. However, 56% of all patients will achieve results of 20/20 vision or better, and over 90% will achieve 20/40 vision or better (Eye Surgery Education Council). These results depend upon the prescription prior to the surgery, the lower the prescription, the more fine-tuned a procedure can be. Also, vision may not be as crisp as it was with glasses or contact lenses, even if you have 20/20 vision. Glasses or contact lenses may still be needed after the operation; however, a lesser prescription should be used in this case. LASIK is still a surgery, and people should consider both the benefits and risks of the operation. The advantage of LASIK is that you can see without the assistance of glasses or contact lenses. Many people who suffer from vision problems find even the chance of having perfect vision very appealing. People who play sports enjoy the freedom of not having to worry about their glasses or contact lenses getting in the way. LASIK is a matter of convenience and ease, if all goes well. However, there is a dark side to LASIK. Some doctors have jumped on the bandwagon simply to make as much money as fast as possible. Therefore, you should not choose a doctor or facility based on the price of the operation. The operation is costly; just because one doctor is willing to give you a better price than another, certainly does not make him a better doctor. There are also a number of medical complications that can occur. There is the risk that you may lose vision. This means that either you will need to increase your prescription, or that your vision cannot even be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Also, you may have trouble with night vision. These problems can include glares, halos, or even double vision. These complications can make it extremely difficult to drive at night. Additionally, some patients develop dry eye syndrome, in which their eyes are no longer capable of producing enough tears to lubricate the eye (Food and Drug Administration). In conclusion, LASIK eye surgery may seem like a miracle operation; however, many aspects need to be considered by each patient. It may not always be the best choice for a person. It is a relatively short procedure that can make people feel like it's not a big deal, but it is. People need to make sure they are informed of the possible risks and complications before the procedure. After all, you only get one set of eyes, take care of them.
Food and Drug Administration. Center for Devices and Radiological Health.
LASIK Eye Surgery: Learning About LASIK.
March 9, 2005. October 19, 2005. .
Food and Drug Administration. Center for Devices and Radiological Health. LASIK Eye Surgery: What Is LASIK?. March 9, 2005. October 19, 2005. .
Food and Drug Administration. Center for Devices and Radiological Health. LASIK Eye Surgery: When is LASIK Not For Me?. March 9, 2005. October 19, 2005. .
Food and Drug Administration. Center for Devices and Radiological Health.
LASIK Eye Surgery: What are the Risks and How Can I Find the Right Doctor For Me?. March 9, 2005. October 19, 2005. .
Food and Drug Administration. Center for Devices and Radiological Health.
LASIK Eye Surgery: What Should I Expect Before, During, and After Surgery?. March 9, 2005. October 19, 2005. .
Food and Drug Administration. Center for Devices and Radiological Health. LASIK Eye Surgery: Glossary. March 9, 2005. October 19, 2005. .
Eye Surgery Education Council. Expectations. 2003. October 19, 2005. < http://www.lasikinstitute.org/Expectations.html>.
Eye Surgery Education Council. Eligibility. 2003. October 19, 2005. < http://www.lasikinstitute.org/Eligibility.html>.
Eye Surgery Education Council. Expectations & Complications. 2003. October
19, 2005.
.
or lens" (Food and Drug Administration). A hyperopia is "the inability to see near objects as clearly as distant objects" (Food and Drug Administration). A myopia is "the inability to see distant objects as clearly as near objects" (Food and Drug Administration). While contact lenses or glasses can help a person see better, they are not a permanent solution. With just a few weeks of preparation and recovery, LASIK is a relatively easy procedure for a patient. Before surgery, there are a few steps that one must follow in order to increase the likelihood of optimal results. First, schedule an appointment with a neutral eye doctor. Make sure that you have removed hard contact lenses for at least 4 weeks, or soft contact lenses for 2 weeks, prior to the evaluation in order to give your eyes time to adjust back to their natural shape, this is extremely important, because otherwise the measurements will be incorrect, causing unpleasant results. It is a good idea to have a second evaluation done by an eye doctor who knows that you do not intend to have the surgery done by him. This doctor will be more likely to tell you if you are not a good candidate. The day before surgery, you should discontinue use of lotions, makeup, or any unnecessary chemicals, especially around the face. The day of the surgery, you should have transportation home after the surgery. Next, just relax as much as possible (Food and Drug Administration). The LASIK eye surgery takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish. You will lay on a reclining chair on your back in the operating room. Shortly before the operation begins, a numbing drop will be placed in your eye. The entire eye area will be scrubbed thoroughly. Then, the doctor will use a lid speculum to hold your eyelids open. Next, a suction ring will be positioned over your cornea and high pressure will be applied. This creates suction to the cornea. Then, the microkeratome, the blade, is used to cut a flap of cornea. The instruments are then removed, leaving your vision very blurry. Afterwards, the doctor will lift and fold the flap of cornea, and then dry the tissue of the eye. Next, the laser is arranged over the eye. You are then asked to stare at the light, which is not the laser, but the focal point. Once your eye is in the correct position, the laser will begin and continue as long as you stare at the light. The laser removes the amount of tissue that the doctor programs into it. After it is done, the flap is placed back into position and the lid speculum is removed. Finally, the doctor places a shield over your eye for protection. The doctor will then schedule 3 appointments to see how you are recovering (Food and Drug Administration). Following the surgery, there are several things you must do to ensure good results.
Once you get home after the LASIK eye surgery is done, you should take a three hour nap, with the eye shields in place, to initiate the healing process. Your eyes may burn, itch, or simply be irritated; however, it is very important that you do not rub them. If you do, you risk moving the corneal flap out of position. For the first two days following the surgery, you should wear sunglasses inside and outside. For the first week, you should: wear the eye shields to bed, do not wear eye make-up, do not go swimming, and generally just protect your eyes from contact and sunlight. Also, there are usually two different medicated eye-drops that are prescribed. One is an antibiotic that is used to prevent infection. The second is a steroid that is used to control inflammation. Both of these should be administered every 4 to 6 hours for the first week. The healing period lasts three to six months. During this time, you should use preservative free tears at least 4 to 6 times per day, or whenever your eyes feel itchy or dry. If you have had both eyes operated on, you may notice some fluctuation in vision over this time. This is caused by inflammation and will continue as the eyes …show more content…
heal. LASIK eye surgery is only recommended for certain people, depending on several factors. The best candidate is someone who is at least 18 years old, with a stable eye prescription of at least a year and a half. The person must also have adequate corneal thickness so that the doctor can make the flap during surgery. The candidate cannot suffer from any disease that reduces the patient's ability to heal properly. If a person does not meet all of these requirements, they will not be able to have LASIK at that time. However, a candidate who has certain diseases, such as cataracts, advanced glaucoma, corneal disease, or other eye diseases can never have the operation (Eye Surgery Education Council). Candidates who meet all the requirements should also have realistic expectations for the results. Not everyone who has LASIK will have 20/20 vision. This can never be guaranteed by a doctor. However, 56% of all patients will achieve results of 20/20 vision or better, and over 90% will achieve 20/40 vision or better (Eye Surgery Education Council). These results depend upon the prescription prior to the surgery, the lower the prescription, the more fine-tuned a procedure can be. Also, vision may not be as crisp as it was with glasses or contact lenses, even if you have 20/20 vision. Glasses or contact lenses may still be needed after the operation; however, a lesser prescription should be used in this case. LASIK is still a surgery, and people should consider both the benefits and risks of the operation. The advantage of LASIK is that you can see without the assistance of glasses or contact lenses. Many people who suffer from vision problems find even the chance of having perfect vision very appealing. People who play sports enjoy the freedom of not having to worry about their glasses or contact lenses getting in the way. LASIK is a matter of convenience and ease, if all goes well. However, there is a dark side to LASIK. Some doctors have jumped on the bandwagon simply to make as much money as fast as possible. Therefore, you should not choose a doctor or facility based on the price of the operation. The operation is costly; just because one doctor is willing to give you a better price than another, certainly does not make him a better doctor. There are also a number of medical complications that can occur. There is the risk that you may lose vision. This means that either you will need to increase your prescription, or that your vision cannot even be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. Also, you may have trouble with night vision. These problems can include glares, halos, or even double vision. These complications can make it extremely difficult to drive at night. Additionally, some patients develop dry eye syndrome, in which their eyes are no longer capable of producing enough tears to lubricate the eye (Food and Drug Administration). In conclusion, LASIK eye surgery may seem like a miracle operation; however, many aspects need to be considered by each patient. It may not always be the best choice for a person. It is a relatively short procedure that can make people feel like it's not a big deal, but it is. People need to make sure they are informed of the possible risks and complications before the procedure. After all, you only get one set of eyes, take care of them.
Food and Drug Administration. Center for Devices and Radiological Health.
LASIK Eye Surgery: Learning About LASIK.
March 9, 2005. October 19, 2005. .
Food and Drug Administration. Center for Devices and Radiological Health. LASIK Eye Surgery: What Is LASIK?. March 9, 2005. October 19, 2005. .
Food and Drug Administration. Center for Devices and Radiological Health. LASIK Eye Surgery: When is LASIK Not For Me?. March 9, 2005. October 19, 2005. .
Food and Drug Administration. Center for Devices and Radiological Health.
LASIK Eye Surgery: What are the Risks and How Can I Find the Right Doctor For Me?. March 9, 2005. October 19, 2005. .
Food and Drug Administration. Center for Devices and Radiological Health.
LASIK Eye Surgery: What Should I Expect Before, During, and After Surgery?. March 9, 2005. October 19, 2005. .
Food and Drug Administration. Center for Devices and Radiological Health. LASIK Eye Surgery: Glossary. March 9, 2005. October 19, 2005. .
Eye Surgery Education Council. Expectations. 2003. October 19, 2005. < http://www.lasikinstitute.org/Expectations.html>.
Eye Surgery Education Council. Eligibility. 2003. October 19, 2005. < http://www.lasikinstitute.org/Eligibility.html>.
Eye Surgery Education Council. Expectations & Complications. 2003. October
19, 2005.
.