Lasik eye surgery has increased in popularity over the past decade. People who have to permanently wear contact lenses or eyeglasses dash to the operating table for this procedure. The refractive eye surgery helps improve sight and can even achieve 20/25 vision.
It can be quite scary to allow someone to operate on your eyeball, but if you know what the procedure is all about, you’ll be able to figure out whether it’s right for you. If you are tired of wearing irritating contact lenses and sweaty eyeglasses, then here are a few things you have to consider to find out whether this procedure is the right thing for you.
What is LASIK Surgery?
This stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, which is a scientific way of talking about this refractive eye surgery that permanently changes the shape of the cornea.
The cornea refers to the clear lid or covering of the eyeball. To do this procedure, doctors use an excimer laser to cut the delicate flap. Other cutting devices are a sharp precise blade known as the mechanical microkeratome or a laser keratome.
Check this out to see how the procedure is done: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxI7XOrRAEE
Most people who undergo this surgery has excellent results. Even though it might sound and look pretty scary. Over 90% of patients achieve a 20/20 vision after surgery. A very high percentage of people who undergo the procedure end up being very satisfied with the results. Apart from a few post-surgery side effects like dry eyes and soreness, the healing time is fairly short.
Should I Go for The Procedure?
Before deciding whether you should consider jumping on the surgeon’s table, you must first consult a medical practitioner. Once your vision impairment is diagnosed, you’ll be able to know what kind of procedure should be considered.
If you are tired of wearing glasses or contact lenses, then this might be the perfect option for you. Here is a list of a few conditions that can cause frustration and vision impairment:
Myopia (Nearsightedness)
This is a medical condition where distant objects appear blurry, but close up objects are clear. This happens when the eyeball is slightly longer or the cornea has a sharp curve.
Astigmatism
This condition occurs when the cornea is uneven and curves, it creates an overall blurry vision when looking at distant and close by objects.
Hyperopia (Farsightedness)
The opposite of Myopia, Hyperopia is where the person can see far objects clearly, but not close ones. This occurs when the cornea is too flat and the eyeball is shorter than normal.
It does happen that only one eyeball has one of the above-mentioned conditions. In such a case, only one of the corneas will undergo the procedure. If you are looking for LASIK surgery in Charlotte NC, any one of the above conditions can be treated.
What LASIK Surgery Type is Right for Me?
Although many articles refer to the procedure as LASIK, there are a few different kinds of laser eye surgery that can be performed. Depending on your medical condition you’ll have to undergo the relevant procedure.
Whenever there are any problems with the shape of your eyeball or cornea, wearing glasses or contact lenses can adjust your sight and improve your vision. The function of the glasses and lenses is to bend light rays that enters the eyeball.
Doctors can reshape the cornea flap itself to permanently bend light rays and create a permanent solution that doesn’t involve wearing glasses or lenses. Depending on your condition you might have to undergo any of the following procedures:
- LASIK: Using a blunt blade, the surgeon separates the stroma from the epithelium.
- PRK: The epithelium (top surface of the cornea) is scraped away.
- LASEK: Using a microkeratome the cornea is reshaped.
- Implantable Lenses: To improve vision, surgeons can permanently implant corrective lenses onto the eye.
- Bi-optics: A combination of one or more kinds.
Should I Consider LASIK?
There are a few serious questions you have to ask before considering this procedure:
What is The Condition of Your Vision?
As a general rule of thumb, LASIK eye surgery is only for people who have minor refractive medical conditions. Unfortunately, it can only treat certain conditions. If you have any other unusual vision errors, then it might complicate the procedure.
The following conditions can cause problems and unsuccessful outcomes:
- Lid disorders
- Keratoconus (progressive deterioration of vision)
- Eye infections like keratitis, herpes simplex, uveitis
- Glaucoma
- Enlarged pupils
- Dry eyes
- Cataracts
Having any of the above-mentioned conditions will only worsen your symptoms. That is why it’s extremely important to get a few opinions from LASIK surgeons to consider all the pros and cons of receiving it.
When Should I Reconsider?
You should reconsider having LASIK surgery if your vision is still fairly good. Having to wear reading glasses or contact lenses only occasionally isn’t a serious enough reason to undergo the surgery.
Experiencing blurry vision due to presbyopia because of old age should also have you rethinking. Also, if you partake in heavy contact sports or have been diagnosed with severe nearsightedness, you should reconsider taking the risk.
Am I Healthy Enough?
Undergoing any form of surgery can be traumatizing for the body. If you aren’t in a stable and healthy condition, your body will struggle with the rehabilitation and recovery process afterwards.
Even if the condition is unrelated to your sight, you should still consider whether your immune system is strong enough to heal afterwards. You’ll be at a higher risk for complications if you suffer from diabetes, depression, immune system deficiencies, and chronic pain conditions.
Click here for more important questions you should ask before getting eye surgery.
LASIK eye surgery can be an excellent solution to common vision impairment conditions. As long as you consult a medical professional and understand all the pros and cons related to the procedure, you’ll be able to make an informed decision on whether or not to go ahead.
