What You Need To Know Before Getting LASIK Eye Surgery

Laser-assisted in situ keratomileuses, or LASIK eye surgery, is an outpatient refractive surgical eye procedure designed to treat several vision problems, including nearsightedness, astigmatism, and farsightedness. During LASIK, a laser is used to reshape the cornea, which is the clear, round dome located in front of the eye, to increase the eye’s ability to focus light rays onto the retina located in the back of the eye. Although LASIK is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures in America, it is not for everyone. Here are ten things to keep in mind before surgery.

10. Be Aware Of The Limitations

While laser refractive surgery can be used to help correct certain conditions such as astigmatism and nearsightedness, there is no guarantee that a person who undergoes surgery will not have to use reading glasses when they get older. Researchers hope to improve the long-term results of LASIK in the future; however, LASIK patients may still need help reading later in life despite the surgery. Most people with mild nearsightedness can expect to have uncorrected vision of 20/40 or better after LASIK, either with or without glasses. Individuals with more severe cases may not see such improvements.

9. Risks Involved

There is comfort in knowing that LASIK surgery is one of the most commonly performed operations in America; however, laser refractive surgery is still considered a major surgery with many possible adverse outcomes. Complications of the surgery may include under correction, overcorrection, damage to the cornea, inflammation, and making the pupil off center. Although statistics indicate that complications of LASIK are as low as five percent, there is no guarantee that any surgery will be risk-free.

8. Other Risk Factors

Be aware of all possible risk factors of LASIK surgery before the procedure. Blepharitis is characterized by inflammation of the eyelids that crush the eyelashes, which also increases the risk of an infected or inflamed cornea during recovery. Large pupils may also develop after the surgery. Symptoms include ghost images, double vision, glare, halos, and starbursts. Many refractive procedures change the eye’s ability to focus by reshaping the cornea, which can cause result in vision loss or other complications. LASIK surgery may also cause dry eyes.

7. Picking A Trusted Practitioner

Watch out for false claims when selecting a surgeon to perform the surgery. After laser refractive surgery, many patients will enjoy improved vision; however, there are no guarantees that vision will be 20/20, 20/25 or 20/30. Anyone who makes these claims should be reconsidered. An ophthalmologist or optometrist can do LASIK surgery. Be aware that an optician is a loosely used term to describe someone who fits glasses and should not necessarily perform eye surgery.

6. Ineligible Conditions

Talk to an eye doctor before scheduling surgery to determine if there are any conditions present that would disqualify a patient from being eligible for LASIK surgery. People with certain corneal diseases, dry eyes, and other rare eye conditions should not undergo LASIK. An eye doctor will need to perform an eye exam to determine if the eye is healthy enough to heal from surgery. According to the United States Food and Drug Administration, certain autoimmune conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, immunodeficiency diseases (HIV), and people who take certain medications may not be able to heal from LASIK surgery correctly.

5. The Possibility Of A Second Surgery

Up to as many as ten percent of LASIK patients require a re-treatment or a more extensive correction. Often called a second surgery, enhancement or a re-treatment, some people who undergo LASIK may need another surgery procedure to reach their desired visual correction. People with severe cases of astigmatism, nearsightedness, or farsightedness are more likely to need a second surgery than those with mild cases. Any patient with a severe case of vision problems should be aware of the possibility of a second surgery.

4. Side Effects

Be aware and willing to accept the side effects of surgery before scheduling a procedure. Some people may experience problems with the corneal flap after surgery, making further treatment or surgery necessary. There is a small chance that even with the use of glasses or contacts, vision will worsen after the surgery. Common side effects of LASIK include hazy or blurry vision, dry eye, glare, haloes or starbursts around lights, pain, light sensitivity, and red patches on the white of the eye.

3. Know The Procedure

LASIK surgery is performed in an outpatient surgical suite in which the patient lays under a surgical device called an excimer. An eye doctor will first numb the eye with a few drops of topical anesthetic. An eyelid hold is then placed to prevent the eyelid from closing, and a suction ring is placed on the eye to prevent the cornea from moving. The cornea is then lifted and flattened, and a hinged flap of tissue is created with a laser or blade. The flap is lifted and folded back before the excimer laser measures it to fit the eye correctly.

2. Recovery

After the corneal flap is placed, the surgeon has a patient look at a fixation or target light to sculpt the corneal tissue. The surgeon places the flap back into position and smoothes it into place. Within two to five minutes, the underlying corneal tissue sticks to the flap and the surgery is done. After surgery, the patient will need to have a driver. To assist with recovery, a doctor may place a shield over the eye. The protection can be worn during sleep. Eye drops will be provided to help with healing and dryness.

1. Weigh The Options

Many doctors are aware of at least a few more options if a patient is unsure about LASIK. Photorefractive keratectomy, or PRK, is another type of laser surgery that can also be used to treat astigmatism, farsightedness, and nearsightedness. It has been around longer than LASIK and may be a better option. A medical professional may be able to determine if another type of reconstructive surgery is best. In some cases, an eye condition can be treated using methods other than surgery. Only a doctor will be able to advise otherwise.