Lasik Eye Surgery: Is It For You?

2007-03-08 10:33:40

( Health )



The popularity of Lasik eye surgery has been increasing steadily in recent years, mainly because medical science has made the procedure more safe, convenient, and affordable for Americans. The number of Lasik eye surgeons and clinics sprouting up all over the place is just an indication of the high demand for this procedure. It seems that more and more people are looking at Lasik eye surgery to free them from their vision problems. But is it for everyone? Is it for you?


How Lasik Eye Surgery Works

Let’s start by describing the procedure. Lasik eye surgery is basically the reshaping of your cornea to treat common vision problems like hyperopia (farsightedness), myopia (nearsightedness), and astigmatism. Before the procedure, the eye is numbed with a solution and you are given a mild sedative to free you from any pain. Lasik eye surgery begins by cutting a tiny flap in your cornea. This flap is then pulled back, exposing the stroma, which is the second layer of your cornea. A special laser is then targeted on the stroma to reshape it. Finally, the flap is put back in place and the procedure is finished.

Is It Safe?

Lasik eye surgeons describe the procedure as relatively simple and painless, but it is not without possible complications. A minor post-surgery complication is subconjunctival hemorrhage. You may also experience dry eyes, sensitivity to light and double vision. The complications most often go away on their own after a while but some more serious implications have also been reported.

The Cost of Lasik Surgery

There are different kinds of Lasik procedures and they vary in costs. Before settling with one type of procedure, try to compare prices first. The internet is a great source of information about the cost of Lasik surgery. Shop around to find what best suits your budget and needs. Remember though that currently, Lasik eye surgery is still considered an elective procedure, which means that it will not be covered by your health insurance. The good news is that as the demand increased, costs have come down to the level that most Americans can afford.

So Is It For You?

To find out if you’re a good candidate for Lasik surgery, go to an ophthalmologist. He will examine the overall health of your eyes and the vision correction that you need. He will also inquire about your current health condition and what medications you are taking at the moment. Understand that some medical conditions may disqualify you from having the procedure, so be forthright in providing your health information for your own safety.

Before making that final decision to undergo the procedure, arm yourself with as much information as you can. Know the pros and cons of Lasik eye surgery and weigh them carefully. Remember that Lasik is still an imperfect science and that things could go wrong. Ultimately, the responsibility lies on you to care for that precious gift of sight that you are lucky to have.


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