Lasik - Simple Procedure or Dangerous Surgery?

By: Tatyana Turner

Lasik is a relatively simple and fast procedure. The entire surgery takes about 30 minutes, during which you will be lying on your back in the room containing the laser system. The laser system is a machine with a computer screen and a microscope attached to it.

Whether you have shortsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism the cause is the same - your cornea is not a perfect shape. The goal of the lasik surgery is to reshape (polish) your cornea so the light going through it focuses better on your retina.

The surgeon can't use a general anesthetic because you have to remain conscious, throughout, and be able to look directly at the laser. However, anesthetic drops are used for your eyes, so you will not feel any pain - only some pressure and a little discomfort. You will be able to see during the entire procedure, although your vision might blur or flicker, for a few moments.

Lasik surgery can be separated into 6 steps

1. First of all the surgeon will drop a few numbing drops into your eye and clean the area around it. Then your eyelids will be propped open.

2. Before the laser can start its work, the surgeon will need to cut a flap in your cornea. This could be done with either a laser or with microkeratome - a special cutting instrument. It might sound scary, but don't worry: you won't feel the cutting.

3. After that, the laser will be positioned over your eye and you will have to look directly at it for about 60 seconds. The reshaping has not started yet, but your eye needs to get used to being focused on the light.

When your eye is in the perfect position, the laser will start its work. The laser is controlled by a computer, which is preprogrammed by the surgeon to remove a specific amount of corneal tissue.

4. After your cornea is reshaped, the flap is put back on it place.

5. Stitches won't be used to keep the flap in place; instead, doctors use a special protective shield to hold it. The shield will protect your eye from being touched accidentally.

6. That's it! Usually you can go home straight after the procedure, but you will have to organize a lift for yourself because you might feel a bit dizzy and your vision will be blurred, at first; obviously you shouldn't drive, under these conditions. The improvement in vision is usually noticable the same day, or by the following morning, at the latest.

Straight after lasik surgery you might feel some discomfort, like there is something in your eye. The most difficult thing is to resist the urge to rub your eyes, but you mustn't touch them until the flap is healed.

There are also several restrictions, after the surgery. You shouldn't use any eye make-up for two weeks, play any sports for four weeks, or swim or take a hot bath for two months. Also you will have to come in for a follow up visit within 48 hours after the surgery, plus a few more visits during the following six months.

Article Source: http://bb-articles.com

About the Author:

Tanya Turner is an eye health expert and a founder of Contact Lenses Consumer Guide where you can find reliable information about eye health and lasik surgery.

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Useful LASIK Surgery Information

By: Christa Kowalczyk
If you are planning to undergo a LASIK surgery then this article is certainly meant for you. LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis and is a procedure that permanently changes the shape of the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye, using an excimer laser.

Many of us consider this operation to be fairly easy which assures the elimination of eyeglasses or contacts and restoration of a correct vision. But the experts say that this common perception is indeed wrong. Although this surgery is a vision correcting operation performed with ease, the scenario of undergoing this surgery has to be dealt with a more practical approach.

One has to be aware of the complete process and the outcomes before undergoing this surgery. Here we share some important information on the LASIK surgery.

A large percentage of nearsighted, farsighted, and astigmatic patients are potential candidates for undergoing this surgery.

Patients who are 18 years of age or older, have healthy eyes that are free from retinal problems, corneal scars, and any eye disease are suitable. Along with being medically suitable, the best candidates are people with a lifestyle or occupation in which they are dissatisfied with their contact lenses or glasses.

By having an evaluation, examination, and consultation with you, the doctor will be able to determine if you are a good LASIK candidate. This surgery does not guarantee the elimination of eyeglasses or contacts as is the common perception. It is a surgery to correct vision problems and in some cases the patients still wear glasses. Think and discuss your particular case with the surgeon to get a correct picture of what your chances will be.

This surgery is performed as an office procedure in the comfort and convenience of an excimer laser eye surgery suite. The entire treatment takes about 5 to 7 minutes per eye or approximately 15 minutes for both eyes. This surgery does not guarantee perfect vision. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) reports that seven out of 10 patients achieve 20/20 vision, but 20/20 does not always mean perfect vision.

So if you hear such claims don't get carried away as that does not mean perfect vision. Not everyone can perform this surgery concerning to the most delicate part of your body. Look for an experienced, board-certified ophthalmologist. Ask questions regarding your surgeon's experience and complication rate. Get every doubt cleared from the surgeon about the surgery as you will be staying awake throughout the surgery and certainly you don't expect any surprises during that time.

Only ophthalmologists (Eye MDs) are permitted to perform this operation. It is always better to know the risks involved in the surgery. Laser refractive surgery is surgery. There is no such thing as "minor eye surgery" which is propogated by most advertisements and materials.

Complications such as overcorrection, undercorrection, making the pupil off center, damaging the cornea, inflammation, and infection can leave you miserable. Well the statistics say that about 2% or 5% complications occur, but if it happens to you, it's 100%! Yes LASIK is a better way to correct vision problems but it is better to always enquire about the alternatives and the methods to correct the vision without the surgery.
Article Source: http://www.rightarticle.com
Get all the information you need to know before getting Lasik surgery at Lasikurgeryfacts.net.

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