What is Lasik Surgery - A Guide to Lasik Surgery Procedure

LASIK stands for "laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis" and LASIK surgery works by altering the shape of the cornea with an excimer laser. The surgery is getting more popular these days and it eliminates the need to wear glasses or contact lenses right after the surgery is done.

What you need to know before having LASIK surgery?

You will need an initial consultation with your doctor before you opt for LASIK eye surgery. It is a best to stop wearing contact lenses before this consultation and wear glasses instead because contact lenses change the shape of your cornea up to several weeks after you wear them.

For patients who wear hard lenses, you need to stop wearing them a month before your initial consultation, rigid gas permeable lenses should not be worn for three weeks before the evaluation and soft lenses should not be worn for two weeks before.

Your doctor will need to know about any past or present eye conditions and other medical conditions and also whether you are allergic to any medication or taking any. Your doctor will examine your eyes and tell you what the complications and alternatives to LASIK surgery are, what to expect during and after the surgery and whether LASIK eye surgery is a good idea for you.

The LASIK Eye Surgery Procedure

Numbing eye drops are placed in your eye before surgery and the eye area will be cleaned. Your eyelid will be held open with a lid speculum. The surgeon will use either a laser keratome or a mechanical microkeratome is used to cut the corneal flap, leaving a hinge on one side.

If a blade is used, a ring will be placed on the eye and high pressure will be applied to create suction. Your vision will dim and this might feel uncomfortable. The microkeratome is attached to the suction ring and the flap is cut.

If a laser keratome is used instead of a blade, the cornea will be flattened with a clear plate. Your vision will dim and you will feel pressure and possible discomfort. Laser energy is focuses into the cornea to create tiny bubbles instead of a blade cut. The corneal flap is lifted by the doctor and the bubbles work as a hinge.

After the laser is positioned over the eye and you have to stare at a light. The light is to keep your eye fixed on one spot and it is not the laser used in the procedure. The laser, which makes a ticking sound, is used to remove corneal tissue. When the laser has finished removing tiny amounts of the cornea, the flap is repositioned.

An eye shield will be placed over your eye after the operation since there are no stitches to keep the corneal flap in place. You must wear this shield so you do not accidentally rub your eye or get anything in it until the flap has recovered completely.

Although many people have had successful LASIK eye surgery and are delighted with the results but, as with any kind of surgery, it is best to spend time discussing the options with your doctor before deciding on LASIK surgery as the way to go.

Visit LaserEyeSurgeryArchive.com to find out more about LASIK eye surgery procedure and other vision correction procedures.