Anyone who has worn glasses or contacts for most of their life knows how much of an inconvenience it can be to rely on them to see clearly. Many people with poor vision would love to be able to experience clear vision from the moment they wake without reaching for those glasses. This was never possible in the past. But now, with Lasik eye surgery, it has become a reality. Lasik surgery has become very popular in recent years because it is a simple outpatient procedure, is painless, and has a quick recovery time.
Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, or Lasik for short, gently reshapes the cornea by removing microscopic bits of tissue using a cool non-thermal beam of light. While a good result is less surgeon dependent than older forms of refractive surgery such as RK, it is still a very delicate and precise procedure. You’ll therefore want to make sure you seek out a highly experienced, well trained Lasik surgeon in your area. Things to check for are state licensure and board certification. During your consultation you’ll want to get information about how many procedures they have performed, what the complication rate is and what their policy is regarding any follow up care that may be needed.
There are several things a person should expect to have done before their surgery begins. For example, there should be a detailed eye exam to discover such things as how healthy their eyes are and the type of correction they require. They should also be examined for signs of dry eye disease, because LASIK can not be performed until this condition is eradicated. In addition, be prepared to have your eye photographed with a corneal topographer. This creates a map of the cornea, which can help your doctor know ahead of time the exact amount that needs to be removed. Finally, your doctor should ask you about your health history and any medications you are on. This is because people with certain health problems cannot have LASIK eye surgery, and other conditions may require the procedure to be postponed.
Once you are cleared and deemed a candidate for Lasik, your surgery will be scheduled. Here’s what to expect during the procedure. You will be awake but your eyes will be numbed with anesthetic drops so you won’t feel any pain. You will be reclined and the surgeon will position you under the laser. Your eye will be held open with an eyelid speculum so that you don’t blink. You will then be told to look at a light and will notice pulses of light from the laser as the reshaping of the corneal tissue is occurring. You may not even realize the procedure is taking place. When finished, the doctor will place drops or ointment in your eye and you will relax for a little while before being sent home to rest. Most of the time, both eyes will be done on the same day.
Now that you know a little more about Lasik surgery, you may want to consider getting a consultation. The results can be life changing for many people, will you be one of them?
Want to find out more about LASIK Surgery Detroit? Then visit Dan Andersen’s site and discover how to choose the best Detroit LASIK Surgeon for your needs.
Tags: eye health, laser eye surgery, LASIK, Lasik surgery