If you are tired of wearing contact lenses or glasses, this article will teach you about laser eye surgery and help you decide whether it is right for you.
Laser eye surgery, commonly known as LASIK surgery, is a type of operation that may cure many eye conditions. However, it is not for everyone because it has many risks and side effects. It is generally a painless surgery in most cases, but several factors are involved in deciding whether it is suitable for an individual.
What Is Laser Eye Surgery?
LASIK, which stands for Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis, is a common surgery that helps correct eyesight in people with poor vision.
A person might have blurry vision when light doesn’t focus on the retina as it should, a medical condition known as refractive error. LASIK corrects this issue by reshaping the cornea, the clear front part of the eye, so that light can focus on the retina, which is in the back of the eye, the way it should.
Who Is LASIK Right For?
LASIK is mainly for people who have the following eyesight problems.
Nearsightedness
Also known as myopia or short-sightedness, this diagnosis is given to people who can see things clearly when they are close to them. On the other hand, things far away are blurry. Nearsightedness occurs when the curve of the cornea is too sharp. Therefore, the problem can be fixed by reshaping the cornea through laser eye surgery.
Farsightedness
People with hyperopia or farsightedness can see things far away clearly, but things close to them might be blurry. This condition happens when the curve of the cornea is too flat. The solution for this problem is also LASIK.
Astigmatism
People with this eye condition have different-shaped eyes. The eyes of a typical person are round, like footballs, while those with this condition may have oval-shaped eyes, like rugby balls. Laser eye surgery can also fix this uncommon curvature of the cornea.
Who Is Not Suitable?
There may be several reasons an individual is not eligible for laser eye surgery. However, in general, you will not be allowed to do it if you are:
- Under 18 years
- Taking certain types of medicines
- Having uneven or thin corneas
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Having changes in your eye prescription in the last few months
- Having certain eye conditions such as dry eyes, cataracts, or glaucoma
- Having other health problems such as lupus, diabetes, or rheumatoid arthritis
- Having eyelid abnormalities or eye injuries
- Having big pupils
Why Do People Choose Laser Eye Surgery?
- Not wanting to wear glasses or being unable to wear contact lenses for cosmetic reasons
- An athlete or a diver might not be able to play or swim comfortably with glasses
- Wanting the convenience of not having to wear glasses or contact lenses
- No trouble of bandages or stitches
- LASIK involves little or no pain at all, making recovery quick.
Risks of LASIK
Just like any other surgery, LASIK is also about taking a risk, so let’s take a look at some of them:
- It is a complicated process. Always go to an experienced surgeon because any mistake in the process might permanently affect your eyesight.
- The best degree of eyesight you had earlier while wearing glasses or contacts, which is the best fixable vision, can be lost in rare cases.
- Most insurance companies do not cover LASIK as it’s considered cosmetic surgery.
Complications and Side Effects of LASIK
Changes or Loss Of Eyesight
Some people may not see as clearly as before the surgery and, in rare cases, may even experience vision loss.
Infection
LASIK can also cause eye infections if you aren’t careful, resulting in poor eyesight.
Dry Eyes
This surgery might temporarily reduce the moisture in your eyes, leading to dryness or itching. Your doctor might give you eye drops to help remedy the issue.
Halos, Glare, & Double Vision
Some people might experience this at night around bright lights. These symptoms don’t generally last longer than a few weeks, but they can occasionally be long-term.
Undercorrections
Getting the clear eyesight you were looking for will not be possible if the laser removes fewer tissues from the eye. People with nearsightedness are likelier to experience this issue than those with farsightedness. If the problem is undercorrected, another refractive surgery called an enhancement will be necessary to remove more tissues, which must be performed within one year.
Overcorrections
The laser may sometimes remove too many tissues from the eye, a problem that is harder to fix than undercorrections.
Astigmatism
If the laser removes tissues unevenly, astigmatism may result. Additional surgery might be needed to fix this problem.
How to Get Ready for LASIK?
The first step to getting laser eye surgery is to get an appointment with the best doctor you know in the city. The doctor will review your medical history and perform an eye exam, including tests to check eye pressure, corneal thickness, and refraction. You can ask any questions you have and then schedule the surgery. You might be asked to stop wearing contact lenses for at least three days before the surgery.
How Is the Surgery Done?
The doctor might numb your eyes first with some eye drops. Then, a thin flap will be made in your cornea using a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser tool. After peeling it back, the doctor will use a different laser to reshape the tissue below. Finally, the flap will be placed back where it was, which concludes the procedure. This process usually takes about 20 minutes.
Recovery
After LASIK, the doctor may suggest mild painkillers and eye drops to patients who feel like their eyes are itchy or burning or if they feel like there’s a foreign object in the eye. You will be given eye shields to protect your eyes from rubbing or any other accident. You might have to go for follow-up visits to examine the eye after the surgery. In most cases, the eyes heal fast, and patients get better vision a few days after the surgery. You might have to call the doctor if you feel any side effects.
Results of LASIK
Some patients may feel that their eyesight fluctuates after LASIK, but do not worry- this is entirely normal. It will take about six months for a person’s eyesight to become stable. However, according to medical experts, you might need additional surgery if there are any complications. Remember that corrected vision after LASIK can always regress even years later.
No one can decide whether LASIK is right for you better than you. A doctor can help clarify things, but you must weigh the pros, cons, and risks before deciding. Don’t hurry into anything if it doesn’t feel right, but if it does, then go for it!
