Lasik Eye Surgery

Lasik eye surgery has become the number one refractive surgery performed today. Anyone who has difficulty with their vision knows how annoying glasses or contacts can be. All the cleaning, misplacing, breaking, or tearing can be a thing of the past. Wouldn’t it be nice to wake up in the morning and not have to reach for your lenses? Read on to see if Lasik eye surgery is right for you.
After years of hiding behind their glasses, many people find an increase in their self-confidence after getting Lasik eye surgery. There are so many activities that are made more difficult due to lenses-swimming, cycling, going on a hayride, spending a day at the beach, and skydiving, just to name a few. There are even certain careers that require excellent vision, such as law enforcement and aviation. Think of the world of opportunity that could await you!
Lasik has become popular because it is relatively pain-free and results are immediate. It works for both near- and far-sightedness, as well as astigmatism. The actual surgery usually takes less than five minutes. A mild oral sedative may be given beforehand, but often the patient is alert through the entire procedure. Most people see results right away. However, others have found that their sight improves gradually over a period of time.
The name LASIK is actually an acronym for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. Here’s how the procedure works: A thin, circular flap is created in the cornea by means of an instrument or a laser. The flap is folded back and some corneal tissue is removed by using a cool ultraviolet light beam laser (excimer). After the tiny bits are vaporized by the excimer laser, the cornea is reshaped. When shaped the correct way, the cornea will be better able to focus light into the retina making vision clearer. The surgeon then places the flap back in place to cover where the tissue was removed.
There is minimal post-operative care required. You will be given a prescription antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops. You should avoid bright lights and rubbing your eyes for several days following the surgery. This will help the eyes to heal more quickly. LASIK has a 98% satisfaction rating among its patients.