Wearing eyeglasses or contacts daily is something which not everyone is a fan of. If you are one of them, then you have the option to get rid of them with LASIK laser vision correction operation. LASIK is an investment in your eye health, and as with any investment, you should be aware of what you should expect. So here are some of the main points to keep in mind while going for LASIK. 1) What is LASIK? Laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK), is a procedure that uses a highly specialized laser (excimer laser) to correct myopia (near-sightedness), hyperopia(far-sightedness), and astigmatism. The procedure is a form of refractive surgery and includes the utilization of a laser for vision correction. 2) What is Excimer Laser used for in LASIK? An excimer laser is used in LASIK, which has no possibility whatsoever of hurting or damaging your eyes. The excimer laser produces an ultraviolet light beam that is 0.25 microns wide which is just 0.5% of the width of a human hair making the excimer laser incredibly precise. It is designed to penetrate only to a microscopic depth of the cornea and to eliminate or vaporize small parts of it in order to correct vision. 3) Who performs LASIK Surgery? LASIK surgery is carried out by an ophthalmologist (eye specialist) who is a medical physician & has specialized in LASIK and Refractive surgeries. Such a doctor is able to diagnose and treat refractive errors of the eye. Comprehensive training which an ophthalmologist goes through enables him/her to be equipped to offer a broad type of clinical/surgical solutions to eye care. 4) What is the procedure of LASIK? At first, a thin flap is formed in the cornea with the help of Microkeratome blade or Excimer/Femtosecond laser. The newly created corneal flap is pulled back so that the corneal tissuelying underneath it gets uncovered. Then reshaping of the cornea is done utilizing the excimer laser. Individualized patterns are used for each patient so that the cornea becomes able to focus light on the retina in a proper manner. Subsequently, the corneal flap is repositioned in its previous function covering the corneal tissue. Only 10 to 15 minutes are taken to complete this entire procedure. 5) Who is suitable for LASIK? Anyone who desires to minimize their dependence on glasses or contact lenses may consider LASIK. However, to be a suitable candidate, the patient must be at least 21 years of age; have a stable vision without significant increase in the past one year; have eyes free from injuries or diseases; and not be pregnant or nursing. Before the procedure, a comprehensive pre-operative consultation and tests are carried out to examine the patient’s suitability for LASIK.
