What is lasik eye surgery?

Lasik eye surgery is a procedure to correct vision problems. Anyone that wears glasses or contact lenses may be eligible for this type of procedure and have their vision problems corrected. LASIK is an abbreviation for laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis which is the medical name for this type of surgery. Lasik eye surgery is just one type of refractive surgery available to help correct poor eyesight and problems with vision. It is certainly the most common type carried out. Refractive surgery is so called because it is a procedure that changes the shape of the cornea. Sometimes eyes do not refract light rays in the best way, and that can leave a person with either long or short sightedness. Refractive surgery can correct this problem and ensure that eyesight is sharper and clearer than it was before.

Why have lasik eye surgery?

The following eye problems could all be corrected with lasik eye surgery:

Shortsightedness (also called myopia) that occurs when the cornea curves a little too sharply. Light rays focus in front of the retina but blur when it comes to distant sight. In other words shortsightedness is when you can see objects close up but not far away. Lasik eye surgery can flatten the cornea slightly so light rays can focus both up close and far away.

Farsightedness (also called hyperopia) that is a consequence of having a cornea that is too flat and needs making more curved. When someone suffers from farsightedness they can not see objects up close very easily and often only have sharp vision of objects located far away.

Astigmatism is another relatively common problem that can be "fixed" with lasik eye surgery. This is when the cornea is shaped unevenly and perhaps is more curved on one side than the other. This can really affect vision and anyone who has this problem is likely to need glasses or contacts to see well. The surgery can correct this refractive problem and possibly allow the patient to throw away their glasses for good.

Presbyopia is another problem that lasik surgery can help. This is a condition that occurs as the body ages. Eyesight often becomes weaker as a person gets older and loss of focus on nearby objects can occur. Lasik eye surgery can slow down age related changes and keep eyesight strong and sharp.

What to expect with Lasik eye surgery

The procedure is extremely quick and simple. It is carried out without needing an overnight stay in hospital. Your eye doctor will provide anesthetic via some eye drops to ensure you cannot feel a thing during the procedure. The actual surgery takes just a few minutes per eye, maximum 20 minutes per eye although it is usually a lot less. Following surgery you will sit quietly in a room for half an hour or so to rest the eyes and the body briefly. During this time the anesthetic will start to wear off although it is still not possible for you to drive a car. You should have a friend or relative come and pick you up from the hospital or have a taxi on hand with the driver well aware of the situation. You may be given patches or goggles to wear over the eyes for a day or two. This helps the eyes rest and ensures no debris can get in and cause an infection. It is advisable to avoid television, a computer or reading for a few days although your doctor can advise you on what is or is not possible following surgery. There will be a few follow up consultations needed at the hospital so the doctor can check on progress and ensure the eyes are healing as they should be following this procedure.

Is lasik eye surgery safe?

Lasik eye surgery is a very safe procedure and has helped thousands of people enjoy better, sharper and clearer vision all around the world. The procedure is quick and is carried out on in an eye hospital on an outpatient basis. From blepharospasm to myopia and a host of other refractive problems, lasik eye surgery is an effective way to be rid of eye problems altogether.