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LASIK Eye Surgery: Five Things you should know. |
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Written by Webmaster
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By Dr.Phil Hariram
 LASIK eye surgery has enabled millions globally to see clearly without using spectacles or contact lenses. It is the most popular refractive surgical procedure because it is almost painfree and corrected vision occur the following day. LASIK is an acronym for laser assisted in- situ keratomileusis.
Five facts you should know before deciding to go ahead with LASIK eye surgery are listed below.
1. What is LASIK? It is a refractory surgery procedure for correcting short and long sightedness. During the procedure a thin flap is made either by a cutting device called microkeratome or by the newer IntraLase laser. The surgeon raises the flap, then ablates the required corneal tissue with an excimer laser to reshape the cornea.The flap is then replaced over the area where the tissue was ablated. This flap acts as protective cover over the treated cornea. The doctor performing the procedure uses a computer to calculate and prepare the laser for the particular refractive problem of the patient.
2. What to do before LASIK eye surgery? When seriously considering this surgical procedure,the most important thing to
do is find a reputable and experienced eye surgeon. A good surgeon reduces the risks of things going wrong. The eye specialist will examine you to determine your visual defect, and the level of laser ablation necessary. If you have dry eye disease, it must be treated before the procedure. A map of the cornea will be created by a corneal topographer, and you may have a wave front analysis that maps out exactly the area of visual refractive defect. Your doctor will check your general health and current medicine and decide whether you are fit on health grounds for LASIK eye surgery. If you are not given a patient information booklet, ask for one. Before LASIK treatment you should know what to expect after the procedure. You are more likely to be satisfied if before treatment, you know the outcome and clearly understand the potential risks and complications.
3. What happens during LASIK surgery? This treatment is short and you are awake throughout. The surgeon may give you a mild sedative tablet before the procedure. Even though you will walk out of the treatment centre, you should be accompanied, to make sure you get home safely. The surgeon will put anaesthetic drops into your eye, and with you lying down, he or she will align the laser directly over your eye.
Your eye will be kept open and pressurised by a retainer with a suction ring. The surgeon will mark out the area of the cornea. The flap is then created either by a microkeratome or IntraLase laser. The flap is then lifted. The surgeon will ask you to focus on a light source while the excimer laser delivers pulses of high beam light on to the cornea.
The laser will produce a consistent clicking sound during treatment. You may note an acrid smell during treatment. The time taken depends on the extent of your optical refractory defect. The flap is then replaced. You will then rest for a while.
4. What are the complications? In the past, following LASIK eye surgery, there were as much as 5% of people that experienced one or other significant problem. Today the complications are much less and the ones occurring most frequently are haze, halos and glare. Problems can results from the hinged flap particularly if it does not adhere to surface properly, or it is cut too thin or thick. This can cause irregular astigmatism, keratoconus or diffuse lamellar keratosis (DLK). In astigmatism, you may have double vision or ghost images. In DLK, debri produce inflammation under the flap. Urgent treatment will reduce potential permanent visual loss. In keratoconus, the surface bulges. This can happen if the flap is too thick. Up to 50% complain of dry eyes after LASIK eye surgery. Most disappear after 6 months. Artificial tears will help. There may be under correction or over correction. Eye infection or irritation is uncommon but if present, will require treatment.
5. What to expect following LASIK eye surgery?During the assessment stage, make sure youare fully aware of what you should expect following and after surgery. You should expect 20/20 vision or better but remember that 20/40 or better is good enough to drive without spectacles or contact lenses. A survey conducted by US Military on 16,000 army personnel after LASIK eye surgery, between 2000 and 2003 showed that 86% had 20/20 or better vision and 98% achieved 20/40 vision or better. If the predicted outcome does not meet your expectation, then you have to make an informed decision based on the expected results, risks and cost.
Dr. Phil Hariram has a special interest in LASIK eye surgery.
For the best results, it is imperative that you do your research and be aware of what to expect. Visit his website: http://www.thelasik-eye-surgery-info.com
and for quality info and latest news. |
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