Lasik Surgery - The Path to Perfect Vision?

2007-03-08 10:33:40

( Health )



Some people need eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct defects such as astigmatism or myopia. Modern science has made it possible to employ surgical methods to correct these defects. Since most eye defects are caused by changes in the shape of the cornea, refractive eye surgery will physically correct the irregularities and restore clearer if not perfect vision to the patient.

What is Lasik Surgery?

Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis or LASIK surgery is a form of refractive eye surgery that uses laser energy to permanently reshape the cornea accordingly so as to give you clearer vision and thus reduce or eliminate your need for corrective lenses.

In LASIK surgery, a microkeratonic knife is used to make a flap on your corneal layer. The flap is folded back to reveal the stroma, which is the middle section of your cornea. Computer-controlled laser pulses vaporize a part of your stroma and then the flap is replaced.

Radial Keratotomy or RK and Photorefractive Keratectomy or PRK were the predecessors of LASIK surgery. These methods are highly similar in procedure in that they all use a knife to cut at the corneal layer. However, the other two procedures scrape instead of creating a flap to expose the stroma. Thermokeratoplasty is another refractive eye surgical method which uses a different type of laser to reshape the cornea. The entire procedure takes only less than half an hour in most cases.

When is LASIK Surgery Not Advisable?

There are certain conditions which may disqualify you from having LASIK procedure. Some jobs, like military service, prohibit this procedure. Pregnancy, being 20 or younger, diabetes, engaging in contact sports, and taking some medications may cause refractive instability, which is a deterrent to LASIK surgery.

You definitely need to consult your doctor if you have had any history of eye diseases or injuries. Other possible risk factors are overly thin corneas, large pupil, dry eyes, an already high prescription, and infections such as blepharitis which may cause side-effects after surgery.

Cost is the number one obstacle against LASIK surgery. As a LASIK surgery patient, you must also be willing to take risks, as there is no long term data regarding its effectiveness.

What to Expect

Not all patients will experience the same effects. Some patients have complained about halo effects, and over-dryness. The effects of perfect vision may not last long in older patients, as farsightedness may set in after a few years.

Even before deciding to have the procedure, you should discuss all the possible post-surgery risks with your doctor. Disclose your medical history and all optical procedures you have had, so that the doctor can make a thorough assessment of your eligibility to handle LASIK surgery with best results.

You can look up either LASIK SURGERY or LASIK EYE SURGERY CANADA for more information.


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