Learning the LASIK Procedure Basics

The LASIK procedure is the most popular among people who suffer with vision problems. It provides these individuals the opportunity to throw out those contacts or glasses. If you have lived your whole life with poor vision then LASIK eye surgery is a chance to finally have complete vision.

Before your doctor can tell you if you are a good candidate for a LASIK procedure he or she will need to do an eye exam to check the health of your eyes and find the vision correction you will need. After you have become a candidate for this treatment your doctor will ask about any health problems or if you are taking any medications. Some health problems can prevent your surgeon from performing this surgery due to certain risks, and other health issues can cause you to post pone the treatment.

Before you begin your LASIK treatment your surgeon will use a corneal topographer to help him make blueprint or map of the size and shape of your cornea. Your doctor will then need to measure for thickness of the cornea before he can tell if the anatomy of your corneal is right for LASIK treatment or some other form of laser eye treatment.

When you go in for your procedure a technician will use a hygienic gentle cleaning pad to clean your eye area. After that you will then have drops put in your eyes. You will have antibiotic drops and numbing drops to prevent infection and to help with any pain or discomfort you would other wise feel. Fortunately, there is very little discomfort with LASIK procedures. After your drops you will be asked to lie down on a bed like chair directly beneath the laser. Your surgeon will then place a speculum between the eyelids. This is to prevent you from blinking.

A microkeratome is the name of the instrument that your surgeon will use to create a circular and thin layer on your cornea. The only thing you should feel is a little pressure, the drops you had before the procedure should take care of any pain. The pressure you will feel is normal. The measurements taken during your consultation will be calculated and programmed into the laser. The laser will then be able to give you the right correction you need.

Each eye should only take approximately five minutes. This is a delicate but quick process. The flap that the surgeon cut will then be put back in the same place it was. The flap will stick to your eye and you will not need any stitches. Your surgeon may ask that you wear safety type glasses that are made off clear protective plastic. Listen closely to the surgeons post op instructions.

It is always a great idea to have someone drive you home after any type of surgery. In a few short hours you will notice a huge improvement in your eye sight. Your sight will only improve more every day that you are healing. If you feel some grittiness over a day or so it is normal, you may find that you are sensitive around light and you may even see a type of glare when looking into a light.

After your LASIK procedure you should avoid a few things. You want to make sure to not rub your eyes no matter what. Also you should be careful if you are doing any activity that may be strenuous or harmful to your eyes. Try to stay away from places that are smoky or dusty, and do not wear any eye makeup. A follow up with your doctor is a must and should be included in your overall LASIK cost.