For millions of individuals worldwide, glasses or contact lenses are a way of life. Near-sightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism are those refractive errors that can seriously disrupt clear vision. Thankfully, the field of medical science offers an etched solution that has revolutionized the manner in which individuals perceive the world—LASIK eye surgery.
LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is among the most widely used vision correction treatments. It assures quick visual rehabilitation, low pain, and an excellent rate of patient satisfaction. For those willing to free themselves from daily reliance on spectacles or lenses, LASIK is an attractive choice.
What is LASIK Eye Surgery?
LASIK is a form of refractive surgery that employs an extremely advanced laser to shape the cornea—the transparent front surface of your eye. The reason this shaping is done is to correct the way light rays are focused onto the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
When your cornea is irregularly shaped or abnormally curved, it refracts the light entering the eye. This creates refractive errors. The three most frequent forms of refractive errors are:
- Myopia (nearsightedness): Distant objects are blurry, but near objects are clear.
- Hyperopia (farsightedness): Far objects can be perceived more sharply than near objects.
- Astigmatism: Due to a nonuniform curvature of the cornea, resulting in distorted or blurry vision at any distance.
By reshaping the cornea, LASIK itself corrects or minimizes these vision flaws.
Read Also: 5 Reasons to Consider Contoura LASIK for Your Eye Surgery
How Does LASIK Work?
LASIK is a short outpatient surgery, typically 10 to 15 minutes per eye. It consists of two primary phases. An initial thin flap is made in the external layer of the cornea. The flap is then dislocated in order to gain access to the underlying corneal tissue. In the second phase, an excimer laser ablates specific amounts of corneal tissue in order to reshape. Upon reshaping, the flap is replaced.
The excimer laser applied in LASIK is highly accurate and enables microscopic levels of corneal tissue to be excised with no harm to surrounding areas. The laser is programmed and adjusted to the specific measurements of the individual’s eyes, usually taken during preoperative mapping.
Amazingly, no suturing is necessary. The flap on the cornea naturally reattaches to the eye and starts to heal within a matter of minutes.
Read Also: WaveLight Plus in Mumbai, India: The Future of LASIK Eye Surgery
What to Expect Before LASIK Surgery?
Prior to surgery, a comprehensive eye examination is necessary. This preoperative check-up assesses your overall eye health and confirms whether you’re a good candidate for LASIK. Key parameters measured include corneal thickness, refractive error, tear film production, pupil size, and eye pressure.
Your eye care professional may request that you refrain from contact lens use for one to two weeks prior to the exam, depending on whether you wear soft lenses, hard lenses, or hybrid lenses. Contact lenses temporarily change the shape of your cornea, which may affect your measurements.
During this phase, your surgeon will also examine your medical history, discuss your expectations, and outline the possible risks and advantages of the surgery. This is the ideal time to pose any questions and make sure you’re at ease proceeding.
Read Also: Summer Eye Surgery: Myths Vs. Facts You Should Know
After LASIK Surgery: Recovery and Results
After the surgery is done, patients are normally instructed to relax for a while at the clinic before being discharged at home. Some blurriness, sensitivity to light, and discomfort are normal immediately after surgery. Most individuals feel a remarkable improvement in their vision within 48-24 hours.
You will be given antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops to prevent infection and help heal. You might get lubricating drops also to fight against temporary dry eye symptoms. Avoid rubbing your eyes, swimming, or strenuous activities for a couple of days to enable healing.
Most return to work and normal activities in two to three days. Vision can still continue to improve and stabilize for several weeks to months. Checkups with your eye surgeon will monitor your progress.
Who is a Good Candidate for LASIK?
Although LASIK has excellent success rates, not everyone qualifies. You might be a candidate for LASIK if you:
- Are at least 18 years of age
- Have had a stable contact lens or glasses prescription for a year or more
- Are free of eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, or keratoconus
- Have a cornea with sufficient thickness for the procedure
- Are in good overall health
Conversely, LASIK may not be appropriate for you if you have:
- Thin or irregularly shaped corneas
- Autoimmune diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
- Chronic dry eye syndrome
Unstable vision caused by hormonal fluctuations due to pregnancy or some medications
Your eligibility will be determined by a complete consultation with an ophthalmologist.
PRK Eye Surgery: A LASIK Alternative
For those not candidates for LASIK, there’s another tried and true procedure called PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy). PRK came before LASIK and is best for patients with thin corneas or for patients involved in high-contact sports.
In contrast to LASIK, PRK does not entail the creation of a flap on the cornea. Rather, the surface layer of the cornea (epithelium) is completely removed prior to the excimer laser sculpting the underlying tissue. The excised epithelial layer will grow back within a few days.
Due to the lack of a flap, PRK removes the possibility of flap-related complications. But recovery is generally longer. Vision may take up to a week or longer to improve, and patients can find healing more painful. Long-term visual results of LASIK and PRK are similar, and your physician will suggest the optimum choice depending on your individual case.
LASIK Side Effects and Possible Complications
Although LASIK is safe and effective, there is no surgery that has zero risk. Most side effects are temporary and minor, but it’s important to know them before the procedure.
The most prevalent side effect is dry eyes, which can last several weeks or months. Other possible side effects are:
- Glare or halos around lights, especially at night
- Double vision or night vision difficulty
- Undercorrection or overcorrection, perhaps needing strengthening
- Flap complications, including infection or dislocation (very infrequent with current laser equipment)
Regression, where slowly the vision creeps back to its preoperative levels over a period of time
The key to reducing risks is to select a well-trained and experienced surgeon, comply with pre- and post-operative instructions carefully, and go for all follow-up visits.
What Type of Results Should You Expect?
The vast majority of patients are delighted with their LASIK outcomes. Between 90% and 95% of individuals attain 20/20 vision or better. Most of them have clear, precise vision without the use of corrective lenses.
LASIK, though, doesn’t necessarily mean perfect vision forever. With age, particularly after your 40s, age-related farsightedness (presbyopia) can still happen. This could require reading glasses even for those who previously had LASIK in their youth.
Some individuals may also need enhancement procedures months or years after the original surgery if their vision changes significantly.
Conclusion
LASIK eye surgery has transformed the lives of millions by providing them with the ability to see clearly without the use of corrective glasses. Its combination of speed, safety, and efficiency makes it a popular choice for individuals who qualify for the procedure.
But LASIK is not a uniform solution. Your candidacy for the surgery relies on several factors, such as your eye condition, corneal thickness, and daily habits. Solutions such as PRK might be more suitable in certain situations.
To get the best advice, seek an experienced ophthalmologist who can walk you through the procedure, conduct a comprehensive eye examination, and make recommendations tailored to you.
