Answers to Common Questions About LASIK Eye Surgery

Questions answered about refractive surgery LASIK Eye Surgery

Laser/ LASIK eye surgery, also known as refractive surgery, has been around for nearly thirty years and has changed the vision and lives of millions of people during that time. LASIK is the most popular version of this vision improvement method. LASIK stands for “Laser in situ keratomileusis,” and it is used to help improve astigmatism, farsightedness, and nearsightedness. The procedure itself is simple; it involves lifting the layer over the cornea, shaping the cornea according to the patient’s specific eye needs, and putting the layer back down over the cornea.

The surgery itself takes only about fifteen minutes per eye. It can take anywhere from a couple days to a few weeks for vision to normalize, and most people will have 20/20 vision when all is said and done. The cost, from $1,500 to $2,500 for each eye, is quite a bargain compared to a lifetime of glasses, contacts and regular eye exams.

LASIK Eye Surgery Preparation

The doctor will first conduct an eye examination to be sure you are a good candidate for the surgery. He will look at the size of your pupils, your particular eye defects and the general condition of your corneas. He may have you stop wearing your contacts for a short time, about two weeks before the surgery. Once confirmed that you are a good candidate, the doctor will use a tool called a corneal topographer to determine the measurements of the curve in your eye, to map it out. He may use another tool that makes light waves across your eyes for an even more detailed eye map.

lasik eye surgery procedure guide
Source: visianicl


LASIK Eye Surgery and Your Doctor

On the day of surgery, the doctor will prepare you for surgery, by numbing your eyes with specially formulated eye drops. In case you are nervous about the surgery, the doctor can also give you medication to help you relax during the procedure. He will then do the surgery which will most likely go by faster than you would have thought.

When the surgery is done, the doctor will tell you to stay still for a few minutes, until he has a chance to examine your eyes to be sure everything looks good. You may feel like you need to rub your eyes, and your eyes may be sensitive to light. Also, someone will need to drive you home – your vision may be blurry for the rest of the day. You may also experience seeing what look like halos and starbursts, but the next morning, expect your vision to be clear. You will need to go in so the doctor can look at your eyes again, to make sure you’re now street legal without wearing glasses. Keep Bovie in mind for any after-care supply needs.

After LASIK Eye Surgery

Some people still need to wear glasses, such as people over 40 who have a normal condition called presbyopia (loss of near vision), but their prescription would be much lighter than before. There is also a small percentage of people who have had more serious after-effects of unsatisfactory, and even terrible, results. Some of them wish they had never had it done. It turns out that 98.8% are completely content with the results of their surgery. Nevertheless, like anything else that you do for your body, you need to have a healthy respect for what you are thinking about doing.

So if you are thinking about having Lasik surgery, you should consider the following:

  • There are many myths surrounding eye laser surgery, i.e. that it’s painful, and that you can’t see results right away. It’s a good platform on which to begin collecting information about laser eye surgery.
  • Do your homework. There is a lot of information about it and you need to know the facts, including how it may affect your vision, good and bad.
  • Research your doctor. Review client reviews and the number of surgeries completed.
  • Talk to your doctor, and be sure to ask as many questions as you can.
  • Be honest with your doctor when he asks you questions; if he has the wrong information, the surgery may cause permanent damage to your vision.

If you are a good candidate and everything works out well, you will enjoy your improved vision and you definitely won’t miss your glasses.

 

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