LASIK EYE SURGERY
What is a Lasik Eye Surgery? LASIK eye surgery is the best known and most commonly performed laser refractive surgery to correct vision problems. Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) can be an alternative to glasses or contact lenses. During LASIK surgery, a special type of cutting laser is used to precisely change the shape of the dome-shaped clear tissue at the front of your eye (cornea) to improve vision.cornea itself also will provide the necessary refraction.
What is a Lasik Eye Surgery? In eyes with normal vision, the cornea bends (refracts) light precisely onto the retina at the back of the eye. But with near sightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) or astigmatism, the light is bent incorrectly, resulting in blurred vision. Glasses or contact lenses can correct vision, but reshaping the cornea itself also will provide the necessary refraction.
Why it's done LASIK surgery may be an op on for the correc on of one of these vision problems: Ă˜Nearsightedness (myopia). When your eyeball is slightly longer than normal or when the cornea curves too sharply, light rays focus in front of the re na and blur distant vision. You can see objects that are close fairly clearly, but not those that are far away.
Nearsightedness (myopia)
Why it's done Ø Farsightedness (hyperopia). When you have a shorter than average eyeball or a cornea that is too flat, light focuses behind the re na instead of on it. This makes near vision, and some mes distant vision, blurry.
Farsightedness (hyperopia)
Ø As gma sm. When the cornea curves or fla ens unevenly, the result is as gma sm, which disrupts focus of near and distant vision.
What are the risks? Risks may include: • Corneal infec on • Dry eyes • Glare or haloes • Light sensi vity • Night driving problems • Reduced vision or permanent vision loss • Scratchiness
What is required before the procedure? ü A complete eye exam will be done before surgery to make sure the eyes are healthy. ü Other tests will be done to measure the curvature of the cornea, the size of the pupils in light and dark, the eyes` refrac ve error and the thickness of the cornea. ü The pa ent will sign a consent form which confirm that knows the procedure`s risks, benefits and alterna ve op ons.
During the procedure LASIK surgery is usually completed in 30 minutes or less. During the procedure, you lie on your back in a reclining chair. You may be given medicine to help you relax. A er numbing drops are placed in your eye, your doctor uses an instrument to hold your eyelids open.
A suc on ring placed on your eye just before cu ng the corneal ap may cause a feeling of pressure, and your vision may dim a li le.
What are the risks? • A small number of people may need to have another surgery because the condi on is over or is under-corrected. • Some mes they s ll need to wear glasses or contact lens. • Decrease in contrast sensi vity – even with 20/20 vision, objects may appear fuzzy or gray • Corneal scarring or permanent problems with the cornea`s shape, making it impossible to wear contact lens
What is required after the procedure? • The pa ent may have burning, itching or the feeling that something is in the eye. This should not last more than 6 hours in most of the cases. • An eye shield or patch will be placed over the eye to protect the flap – should heal overnight. • It is very important not to rub the eye a er Lasik so that the flap does not dislodge or move.
What is required after the procedure? • The doctor may prescribe mild pain medicine and a seda ve. • Vision is usually blurry or hazy the day of surgery but should heal in one day. • Pa ent should avoid swimming, hot tubs, whirlpools, contact sports, use of make-up. • The doctor will give specific instruc ons.
What is the outlook? ยง Most of the people`s vision will stabilize in a few days a er surgery but in some cases it may take between 3 to 6 months. ยง Some people need a second surgery to get the best possible results ยง If the distance vision has been corrected with Lasik than it is very possible for the pa ent to s ll need reading glasses at the age of 45.