Laser Eye Surgery: Demystifying LASIK

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Title: Laser Eye Surgery: Demystifying LASIK

Word Count: 620

Author: Mike Spencer

Email: mick.spencer@...

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Laser Eye Surgery: Demystifying LASIK

Copyright 2005 Octocat Ltd

LASIK - A now common procedure

One of the first things that springs to mind when

considering corrective eye surgery is the term, " LASIK " . An

acronym for " laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis, " this

rather common procedure is used to correct certain vision

problems through refractive surgery.

Since its debut in the 1980s, there have been conflicting

stories about what LASIK entails and whether or not it's

truly successful.

Laser eye surgery is typically used for those who suffer

from nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. Until

the advent of LASIK, eyeglasses and contacts were used to

treat these issues, but only served as aids to vision

rather than corrections.

Those who have undergone a successful laser eye surgery

procedure should find that their need for such aids are

extremely diminished or eliminated altogether.

Reshaping your eyes

Technically speaking, LASIK eye surgery reshapes the cornea

from within the eye itself using laser to accomplish the

task.

If, for instance, your cornea is not shaped correctly to

fit the dimensions of your eye, this procedure may be

effective. By utilizing laser to extract bits of tissue

from the cornea in order to reshape it, the refractive

error can be corrected and the visual images will then be

focused directly onto the retina, which may eliminate the

need for aids such as eyeglasses and contact lenses.

After a thorough eye examination, you'll be expected to

choose a doctor to perform the LASIK eye surgery. Once this

has been done, you'll be scheduled for a consultation with

the doctor to discuss the process, and you'll have the

opportunity to voice whatever questions or concerns that

you may have prior to the procedure.

Don't wear your glasses for up to a month before the op'

You should expect to be instructed not to wear your glasses

or contact lenses for two to four weeks prior to your

surgery, in order for the cornea to return to its natural

shape, without interference from external visual aids.

When an individual wears contact lenses, for instance, the

shape of the cornea is changed, so it's important to remove

these and leave them out for up to a month before surgery.

In addition, your doctor will instruct you not to apply any

lotions, creams, make-up or other products around the area

of the eyes for awhile prior to the procedure.

On the day of your LASIK eye surgery, you'll receive

anesthetic drops in each eye in order to eliminate pain.

You'll then be placed on a table which is positioned

underneath the laser equipment, and the doctor will

instruct you to look up at a small blinking light.

During your laser surgery, a special instrument will be

utilized to hold your eye open, allowing the doctor to

perform the LASIK surgery, while the other eye is protected

by a shield.

With a couple of hours you'll be on your way home

After making a small incision, the doctor will then expose

the cornea, and apply the laser technology that's needed to

reshape and repair the eye. Once accomplished, the flap

that was cut open to expose the cornea will be put back

into position and will heal on its own, without the need

for stitches. An hour or two after the surgery is

completed, you'll be allowed to go home.

Depending upon the individual, the amount of corrective

treatment that was administered and the quickness of the

healing process, what can be expected after surgery will

vary from person to person.

Speak with your physician regarding recovery expectations

before and after the surgery and follow any instructions

that are given, in order to ensure a successful LASIK eye

surgery experience.

About the Author:

Mike Spencer reviews reviews leading, and sometimes

controversial, approaches to improving and protecting our

health. Here he looks at the pros and cons of LASIK eye

surgery and whether it can offer any real benefits to

improved vision.

http://www.laser-eye-surgery-reviews.com