LASIK is a corrective eye surgery that is performed by a specially trained surgeon. LASIK should only be performed after careful consideration on the part of the doctor and the patient, and after all risks and advantages have been fully discussed and explored.
Function
LASIK is a type of laser surgery that permanently changes the shape of the cornea, thereby correcting visual acuity. When the procedure is successful, the patient will enjoy improved vision without the use of eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Procedure
During LASIK, the surgeon applies a numbing drop to the eye. Then, using a small bladed instrument or a laser, he will make a small flap in the cornea after applying mild suction or pressure to flatten the area. An ultraviolet light beam is then used to reshape the cornea. An eye shield will be placed over the eye to protect it post-surgery.
Criteria
Some criteria that must be met prior to having LASIK, according to the website All About Vision (www.allaboutvision.com), are that the patient's eyes are otherwise healthy, the patient is an adult, that there's been no change in eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions in at least a year, that the patient is free from degenerative or autoimmune diseases and, if the patient is a woman, that she is not pregnant.
Risks
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration warns of several risks associated with having LASIK. These include a loss of vision, bothersome visual symptoms, the need for additional treatments and severe eye dryness. (See Reference 1 below.)
Advantages
In comparison to other refractive surgeries, LASIK surgery offers fast vision improvement with a fairly low level of pain and quick recovery time.
Disadvantages
While nine out of 10 patients have 20/20 vision following LASIK surgery, that doesn't always equal perfect vision, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Also, insurance plans don't commonly cover this procedure as it is considered cosmetic.
