Is LASIK Surgery Right For You? (Part 1)

If you wear glasses or contact lenses, then chances are you’ve noticed the ads for LASIK surgery that seem to be everywhere. When you’ve put up with glasses for many years, or are just plain tired of the maintenance involved with contact lenses, then you may be tempted to respond to one of the advertisements. But it’s important to understand that LASIK surgery isn’t right for everyone.

LASIK is an acronym for laser in situ keratomileusis. Basically, it’s eye surgery that is conducted using a powerful laser called an Excimer. The eye area is delicate, and the Excimer has been specifically designed for this type of surgery. It is used to reshape a person’s cornea. By reshaping the cornea, the three most common eye conditions can be corrected – myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism.

The laser is used to remove excess tissue from underneath the cornea. A tiny flap is cut into the cornea’s surface and then pulled back, allowing access to the underlying tissue. The laser can be used to create the flap, or the practitioner can use a tool called a microkeratome blade.

Before the surgery is commenced, the ophthalmologist carefully reviews detailed images of the cornea, known as a corneal topography. From this, the ophthalmologist can determine exactly how much excess tissue needs to be removed in order to reshape the cornea correctly. The surgery itself only takes a few minutes, and quite often the patient doesn’t report feeling any pain. Some people have their vision restored so quickly that they can drive themselves home from the surgery, although it’s usually recommended that you make other arrangements.

If you’re keen on LASIK surgery, then you need to decide whether you can afford it. Generally, this is classified as a cosmetic type of surgery, and chances are that your health insurance plan won’t cover the costs. What you pay for LASIK surgery can vary considerably, but as you’ll probably want to use a reliable and knowledgeable ophthalmologist, you can expect to pay several thousand dollars per eye.

Once you’ve decided that you’re happy to pay the price, you must also check whether or not the surgery will be effective for you. You have to have very healthy eyes, and they must have stopped changing. A patient may also be automatically disqualified from LASIK surgery due to certain prescription limitations.

A reputable practitioner, however, will always undertake a comprehensive review of your medical history prior to recommending LASIK surgery. At the initial consultation the ophthalmologist will conduct a variety of tests, in order to determine whether there are any eye problems or disease that could make the surgery less effective. You also can’t have LASIK surgery if youre pregnant, or if you have a compromised immune system, as the eye may have problems recovering from the surgery.

In summary, if you can afford the procedures and you pass all the necessary tests to ensure LASIK surgery is right for you, then you can go head. The success rate from the surgery is high, and as it’s quick and practically painless, why not give it a go?