Preparation
LASIK (laser in-situ keratomileusis) surgery is a laser-assisted form of eye surgery that can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and other vision problems. It is a form of refractive surgery (surgery that changes the curve of your cornea) performed on an outpatient basis by an opthalmologist. In order to be a candidate for LASIK, you must be over 18-years-old, with vision that has remained stable for at least two years prior to surgery.
Your opthalmologist will perform a complete pre-surgical eye examination to measure your cornea and ensure that you have a vision problem that is correctable with this type of surgery. At this time, the doctor can tell you what you can expect and how to prepare for surgery and also answer any questions you might have, including cost. You will be given pre-surgical instructions that will include switching to glasses for a few weeks prior to surgery if you normally wear contact lenses, how to clean the eye area in preparation for surgery and whether or not you will need a ride home after surgery.
Procedure
You will lie on your back during LASIK surgery. You will be given numbing drops in your eyes and you may be given a sedative so that you can relax during the procedure. A suction ring is used to hold your eye open and still and monitor your eye pressure. The surgeon will perform a keratectomy, which means using a tool called a microkeratome blade or a computerized laser light to cut a thin layer of your cornea to create a flap. The flap is lifted and folded back so that the cornea can be reshaped by a computer-controlled excimer laser beam. Reshaping takes only a minute and, once folded back to its original position, the corneal flap takes only a few minutes to rebond.
Post-Surgery
Most people experience great improvement within 24 hours of having LASIK surgery and continue to experience changes and improvements over the next six months. At that point, the extent of vision improvement should be final.
LASIK surgery is considered safe but carries the same risk of post-operative infection as any other surgery. Although you will be screened for potential complications during the preoperative stage, aftereffects are still possible. These include problems resulting from creating the corneal flap, overcorrection or undercorrection of vision, dry eyes and trouble with night vision. In most cases, these problems are easily resolved but can sometimes require additional surgery. The number of complications has been reduced with improvements in the equipment and procedures used for cutting the corneal flap, according to the Eye Surgery Education Council (ESEC). To further reduce any risk of complications, the ESEC suggests you look for a highly experienced surgeon.
