All About LASIK Eye Surgery!

Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) uses a computer controlled laser to reshape the eye's cornea ( the transparent part in the front region of the eye), so as to enable light passing through it to focus correctly onto the retina of the eye.

When do you need this surgery?

This surgical procedure is ideal for people having following conditions making spectacle use mandatory :

1. Myopia or nearsightedness - Far off objects appears blurry
2. Hypermetropia or farsightedness - Close objects appear indistinct
3. Astigmatism - Overall fuzzy vision

What Are the Advantages of LASIK Eye Surgery?

LASIK has many benefits, including:

1. It corrects vision. Around 96% of patients will have their desired vision after LASIK. An enhancement can further increase this number.
2. LASIK is associated with very little pain due to the numbing drops that are used.
3. Vision is corrected nearly immediately or by the day after LASIK.
4. No bandages or stitches are required after LASIK.
5. Adjustments can be made years after LASIK to further correct vision if vision changes while you age.
6. After having LASIK, most patients have a dramatic reduction in eyeglass or contact lens dependence and many patients no longer need them at all.

Facts about the surgery -

- Practically painless procedure done under numbing drops

- Short surgery time as well as recovery time
- No use of stitches
- Reduced dependency on glasses and contact lenses
- Better vision as compared to vision through high power glasses
- Minimum age to opt for the procedure is 18 years

What Happens During LASIK Eye Surgery?

During LASIK eye surgery, an instrument called a microkeratome or femtosecond laser is used to create a thin flap in the cornea. The cornea flap is then painlessly peeled back and the underlying corneal tissue is reshaped using another laser. After the cornea is reshaped so that it can properly focus light onto the retina, the cornea flap is put back in place and the surgery is complete.

LASIK is performed while the patient is under local anesthesia in the form of eye drops and usually takes about 10 minutes to complete. Patients may also request mild sedation. Plan to have someone drive you home after surgery.

LASIK in Presbyopia or Presbylasik:

The surgery can also be opted for individuals who suffer from presbyopia, which is long-sightedness brought on by the loss of flexibility of the eye lens, and usually occurs in individuals in their middle and old age. The condition renders individuals with the inability to focus on objects that are close by, leading to difficulty in reading smaller prints or doing chores close up.

In Presbylasik or Multifocal LASIK different power zones are created for seeing at varying distances - near , intermediate and distance vision. Consulting a doctor is best as he or she can help you to decide on the right course of action.