LASIK is the acronym for Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis, a type of refractive laser eye surgery performed by ophthalmologists for correcting myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
LASIK is the most commonly performed refractive surgery procedure and is one of many surgical options for correcting your vision.
LASIK is regularly performed on people of all ages and is performed on millions of people every year.
Glasses Glasses have been used for hundreds of years to correct vision by eliminating one or more of the three basic elements of blurring; nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
Glasses or contact lenses are designed to compensate for the eye's imperfections and should always be your first option.
LASIK patients may need to wear glasses or contact lenses for some activities such as night driving or reading small type even after surgery.
Astigmatism Astigmatism is a condition caused by irregularities in the cornea or the lens of the eye that leads to distortion of the image on the retina.
Astigmatism is most accurately corrected using a laser with software that is capable of ablating an oval pattern on the cornea.
It is caused by a slightly oval shaped cornea that causes light rays to focus on more than one point in front or behind the retina and can be caused by uneven tissue removal.
Astigmatism can be treated at the same time as nearsightedness and farsightedness with the use of LASIK.
Complications Complications affecting vision after laser eye surgery are now reported at a rate of less than a few percents and less than 3% of LASIK patients undergo any lasting complications.
Although LASIK is predominantly a safe procedure there are many different potential complications.
The best way to help prevent LASIK complications is to choose a surgeon who is experienced and respected in the community for performing these operations.
LASIK is convenient because both eyes can be corrected at the same time and you are at the Laser Center for less than 2 hours.
It is an unbelievable advancement in technology and offers a great solution to poor eye sight for most people, but do not forget it is not for everyone.
LASIK is the newest method of eye surgery and does not require the use of traditional surgical instruments, like knives, in the use of delicate eye surgery.
LASIK is an opportunity to change your vision for the better, and to improve your sense of well-being.
The procedure is done most often on people who use glasses or contact lenses because of myopia (nearsightedness).