Lasik Eye Surgery

What Is LASIK Eye Correction?

LASIK eye correction is an acronym that stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. LASIK eye correction holds the promise of ridding a person of the need for glasses or contact lenses by using an excimer laser to change the shape of the eye and correct what are known as refractive errors that cause blurred vision. The physics behind LASIK eye correction are simple in theory but it takes equipment that works under very small tolerances to do the complex laser surgery required to change the measurements in an eye.

The refractive errors that LASIK eye correction attempts to fix are known as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. Myopia is also known as being nearsighted where one can see objects clearly up close yet they are blurred at a distance. Hyperopia is also known as being farsighted and it is where a person sees objects clearly at a distance but they are blurred up close. Astigmatism is a condition where everything is blurred be they near or far. These refractive errors are all caused by imperfections in the shape of the eye namely the cornea and this is where LASIK eye correction focuses.

The LASIK eye correction journey begins with the patient coming in for the initial consultation. Here, measurements are taken of the eye and other certain tests are performed to determine if a person is a good risk for the surgery. Factors such as age, pregnancy, corneal thickness, and prior refractive surgeries all determine if a person is good candidate for LASIK eye correction. During this consultation the patient is educated on what LASIK eye correction is so as to let the patient make an informed decision as to whether to continue on with the surgery.

If the patient is a good candidate for LASIK eye correction and decides to continue on with the surgery then preparations are made for the big day. On the day of the LASIK eye correction surgery, the some numbing drops will be placed on the patient's eye so as to protect against any pain that would cause the patient to twitch the eye and to make the patient as comfortable as possible. An instrument is placed on the eye to keep the eyelids open and through the use of either a very sharp blade or a laser, the cornea is cut away to form a flap. An instrument has been placed over the cornea prior to that to make suction so that it can be pulled away.

The next step is the actual LASIK eye correction where the corneal flap is pulled back and excimer laser pulses are applied according to computer specifications unique for this patient to remove prescribed amounts of corneal tissue and reshape the eye to correct the refractive errors. The LASIK eye correction procedure does not take too long and then once done the corneal flap is place back upon the eye and should heal naturally.

After the LASIK eye correction procedure, the patient makes follow-up visits and there could actually be enhancements made to the original surgery to correct any problems. The surgeon will closely follow the patient's progress and be alert to any problems that arise. Hopefully, when it is all done, the patient will be very close to having 20/20 vision and no longer constantly need corrective lenses.