LASIK Vision Correction Surgery Procedure

LASIK vision correction is an alternative to wearing glasses or contact lenses. There are various types of vision correction surgery but LASIK is the most commonly performed procedure. LASIK stands for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. Advantages to LASIK vision correction include the fact that vision is usually improved as soon as the day after the operation and there is not much discomfort after the procedure.

Both far sight and near sight can be corrected with the LASIK vision correction procedure. With far sight, the cornea is made into a steeper shape. With near sight, the cornea is flattened. Excimer lasers are also able to correct astigmatism by smoothing down an irregularly shaped cornea.

What is LASIK Vision Correction?

First of all, in the LASIK procedure, anesthetic drops will be applied to your eye and a suction ring will be fitted over the cornea. This ring will increase the eye pressure enough for the microkeratome blade to work. You will be asked to fix your eye on a bright light to keep it still.

The microkeratome is used to make a thin flap in the cornea. A microkeratome is a precision surgical instrument that has an oscillating blade. This flap can also be made with a laser. The flap is folded back and corneal tissue underneath is removed with an excimer laser. This type of laser uses a cool ultraviolet beam to remove tiny parts from the cornea, thereby reshaping it. It is normal to smell something like burning hair at this point in the procedure.

When the cornea has been reshaped, your vision is clearer. After the procedure, the flap is replaced and the eye heals. The LASIK vision correction operation usually takes less than fifteen minutes, pain is minimal and recovery time is usually a day or two, as long as you use any eye drops or anti-inflammatory drops you are given.

Is LASIK Right for You?

In order to get LASIK vision correction your existing vision must be similar to how it was two years ago. It must also fall into an acceptable correction range. Your cornea must be at least 500 microns and your pupil diameter should be under 0.3 inches to minimize complications.

Possible Complications and Side Effects

As with any surgical procedure, LASIK can have side effects. The most common side effects are under-correction when not enough tissue is removed, over-correction when too much tissue is removed and wrinkling when the corneal flap has a wrinkle in it, giving you a small blurry area in your field of vision. These problems can be reversed with a second surgical operation. If the under-correction or over-correction is slight, the surgeon might advise against a second operation.

Other possible problems resulting from LASIK vision correction surgery are halos around lights, blurred vision, double vision and increased light sensitivity. The cornea might also become scarred or damaged. The risks of these side effects are slim but it is worth being aware of the risks before opting for a surgical procedure.

Before making any plans for vision correction you should discuss it in depth with your ophthalmologist or doctor and discuss various options. LASIK is only one of several types of vision correction procedures which are available these days and it is not the most suitable type of vision correction surgery for everybody.

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