What to Expect During LASIK Surgery

If you are someone that is considering having LASIK surgery, you are probably wondering what to expect both during the procedure and after. When you have all the facts, it makes it much easier to relax, and enjoy being able to see how you need to again.

First, you have to be certain that you are an acceptable candidate for Lasik surgery. Some of the most basic guidelines for getting Lasik eye surgery are:

1. It is necessary for you to be at least 18 years of age to have Lasik eye surgery, since the eye is still growing before then. If you have the surgery too soon, it could affect your vision later on in life.

2. You will also have to have had your eye prescription for at least a year without any changes, since this means that there has been no dramatic change in your eyes, allowing the surgery to be much more effective.

3. Older people can get Washington DC Lasik surgery done as long as they still have natural tear production, to aid in healing after the surgery.

4. If you have dry eye syndrome, you will probably not be able to receive Lasik eye surgery since tears are needed to help in the healing process after surgery.

5. People who are nursing or pregnant should wait to get Lasik.

Lasik eye surgery works through a procedure where the ophthalmologist takes off the cornea surface so that they can operate under the surface, and then it is put back in place. Lasik surgery realigns the cornea with the retina the way it is supposed to be for proper vision. This is what happens during the surgery:

1. While in a chair that reclines, the patient get drops to numb the area.

2. To allow the eyes to remain open, a lid speculum is placed over the eyes.

3. The doctor places a ring on the eyeball and applies suction to the cornea.

4. A very thin circular flap is cut in the cornea.

5. The ring is taken off and the patient has to look at a certain light so that the eyes remain in a fixed position.

6. The laser works by cutting the tissue of the cornea, which reshapes it. Then, the corneal tissue is put back in place on the new cornea.

7. In a few days, the flap will heal, resulting in vision that is clear.

After Lasik surgery, it is advised that you don’t drive, and stay away from any activities that might result in eye injury while eyes are healing.

Some of the good things about Lasik are that for those without side effects, the vision is improved right away. There is very little recovery time as well.

Some potential drawbacks to the procedure are that it is still very expensive, around $2000 for a single eye. It is also not free of risks. It is estimated that as many as one in six people might suffer with complications that could possibly affect their vision, like having distorted vision. Also, there is a risk that the cornea might become infected, which slows the healing process. Some people have to have the procedure done again if there is an over or under correction done the first time.

For many, Lasik surgery allows them to live free of contact lenses or glasses. They suffer little discomfort, and healing is very rapid. Seeing your eye doctor is the best way to determine is Lasik surgery is right for you.