The trend of Lasik Surgery is increasing day by day. It is crucial to know about every detail of Lasik before actually going for this. What is a Lasik Surgery? How does it execute? What are some complications and so many questions? Read the article till the end to know every tiny detail of the same.
Myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism are the most common vision issues that LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis) is used to treat surgically. The purpose of LASIK surgery is to improve vision without the use of corrective eyewear by reducing or eliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses. The actual laser procedure for LASIK surgery usually just takes a few minutes per eye.
Who can go for Lasik?
LASIK is a popular vision correction procedure, but not everyone is a suitable candidate for the surgery. To be considered eligible for LASIK, individuals must meet certain criteria and have specific characteristics. Here are some general guidelines for determining who can go for LASIK:
1. Age
Candidates typically need to be at least 18 years old. This is because it’s crucial to have a stable prescription before having LASIK. After all, the eyes continue to develop and change during childhood and adolescence.
2. Stable Vision Prescription
Before getting LASIK, prospective patients should have a steady prescription for at least one to two years. It’s imperative to hold off if your prescription has been fluctuating recently until your vision has stabilized.
3. Healthy Eyes
Candidates must not have any serious eye injuries, illnesses, or infections. People with glaucoma, cataracts, corneal disorders, or extreme dry eye may not be candidates for LASIK.
4. Specific Vision Problems
Myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism can all be successfully treated with LASIK. However, a person’s prescription may impact the level of vision correction that can be obtained.
5. Corneal Thickness
Candidates must have enough corneal thickness for the LASIK procedure’s formation of the corneal flap. Alternative procedures like PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) may be possible if a patient’s cornea is too thin for LASIK.
6. Overall Health
A candidate’s general health and medical history are also considered. Certain medical conditions or medications may affect the healing process or increase the risk of complications.
7. Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
LASIK is generally not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women due to hormonal changes affecting vision stability.
8. Realistic Expectations
Candidates must have reasonable expectations for how LASIK surgery will turn out. While the surgery can greatly enhance eyesight, it may not always be enough to replace the need for glasses or contacts completely.
How does Lasik Work?
By reshaping the cornea, the transparent front portion of the eye, LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis), improves how light is focused on the retina at the back of the eye. LASIK corrects common vision issues like nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism by changing the shape of the cornea. Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how LASIK works:
1. Anesthetic and Flap Creation
To ensure the patient’s comfort, numbing eye drops are used before the treatment. The cornea’s surface is then covered by a tiny, movable flap. A microkeratome, a portable blade, or a femtosecond laser, a highly accurate laser, can be used for this.
2. Flap Lifting
The corneal flap is gently lifted and folded back to expose the underlying corneal tissue.
3. Cornea Reshaping
An excimer laser is used to precisely remove corneal tissue after the corneal tissue has been exposed. The corneal tissue’s molecular connections are broken by the excimer laser’s cold ultraviolet light without producing heat. To rectify the refractive error causing the vision issue, this procedure reshapes the cornea by changing its curvature.
a. For nearsightedness (myopia):
The cornea is flattened to reduce curvature.
b. For farsightedness (hyperopia):
The cornea is steepened to increase its curvature.
c. For astigmatism:
The cornea is reshaped to create a more regular curvature, eliminating the unevenness that causes blurred vision.
4. Flap Repositioning
The surgeon gently places the corneal flap back into its original location after reshaping the cornea. The cornea’s inherent ability to adhere prevents the need for stitches when the flap is attached.
5. Healing and Recovery
Without sutures, the cornea’s outer surface recovers quickly, typically in a few days. Medicated eye drops are typically administered to patients to help with the healing process and avoid infection.
6. Vision Improvement
Most patients experience improved vision shortly after the procedure, with stabilized vision achieved within a few weeks.
What are the Things to Keep in Mind after having Lasik?
After undergoing LASIK surgery, it is crucial to follow specific post-operative care instructions to ensure a smooth recovery and maximize the chances of a successful outcome. Here are some essential things to keep in mind after having LASIK:
1. Rest and Recovery
On the day of the procedure, make a plan to rest and take it easy. Immediately following the treatment, your eyes may feel sensitive, and you might experience some blurriness. After LASIK, make arrangements for someone to take you home because your vision might not be suitable for driving.
2. Use Prescribed Eye Drops
Carefully adhere to the eye drop regimen recommended. You will be given medicated eye drops by your ophthalmologist to encourage healing, ward off infection, and lessen irritation. As directed, use them.
3. Avoid Rubbing Your Eyes
Refrain from touching or rubbing your eyes to avoid disturbing the corneal flap and prevent infection.
4. Wear Protective Eyewear
You might be advised to wear protective eyewear during the first few days after LASIK, especially outdoors, to protect your eyes from bright light and dust.
5. Rest Your Eyes
Avoid activities that strain your eyes, like reading, using electronics, or binge-watching TV. Take frequent breaks and rest your eyes.
6. Avoid Strenuous Activities
During the initial healing process, refrain from physically demanding activities, swimming, or other activities that could expose your eyes to potential harm.
7. Keep Water Away
Refrain from exposing your eyes to water, such as from swimming pools or hot tubs, for at least a week after surgery.
8. Attend Follow-up Appointments
Attend all of your eye surgeon’s scheduled follow-up appointments to keep track of your progress and make sure your eyes are healing properly.
9. Use Lubricating Eye Drops
To keep your eyes hydrated and comfortable, it is a good idea to use preservative-free lubricating eye drops, even if you don’t experience any dry eye symptoms.
10. Wear Eye Protection at Night
If you are advised to wear eye shields or goggles while sleeping to protect your eyes, do so as directed.
11. Avoid Makeup and Lotions
Refrain from using eye makeup, lotions, and creams around the eyes for at least a week after LASIK.
12. Inform Your Doctor
If you experience severe or persistent eye pain, vision changes, or any other concerning symptoms after LASIK, contact your eye surgeon immediately.
The Outcome
As you have now come through the details of the Lasik Surgery, we think it will be better for you to decide whether to go for this or not. At last, it is always the best option to go for the reliable and trustworthy method.
