Naturally, glasses or contacts aren’t everyone’s first option. If you desire sharper vision without wearing corrective glasses, your eye doctor may recommend laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis surgery.

LASIK is a common operation that helps improve vision in persons who are nearsighted or farsighted or who have symptoms of eye strain, astigmatism, or peripheral vision loss. It’s one of numerous vision correction operations that reshape your cornea, the transparent front section of your eye, so that light concentrates on the retina in the rear.

Which Refractive Problems Can LASIK Correct?

This popular refractive surgery procedure eliminates the need for contact lenses or glasses. Candidates for this surgery frequently have moderate degrees of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Doctors may also propose this surgery for people who have presbyopia.

How Does LASIK Work?

Laser eye surgery has been established since 1987, and LASIK has surpassed previous procedures.  The energy created is the main innovation that has made LASIK the favored approach.

Consult your doctor to see whether LASIK is suitable for you. It’s a difficult operation. Although it is uncommon, there may be issues that permanently impair your vision. This is one reason to select a surgeon who has extensive expertise with these procedures and can cure your eyes that have such problems as myopia.

How Should You Approach LASIK Eye Surgery?

Before Surgery

Any procedure necessitates a thorough consultation and evaluation. Before receiving LASIK eye surgery, you should meet with your coordinator to understand what to expect before and after the treatment.

They will also review your medical history during this visit. Initial testing will include refraction, corneal thickness, ocular pressure, corneal mapping, and pupil dilation.

After the first assessment, you will meet with your surgeon to discuss any concerns you may have. Finally, all you have to do is make an appointment for the procedure. You should avoid using rigid gas-permeable contact lenses for at least three weeks before being examined.

You should not use soft contact lenses three days before the examination if you wear them. Also, do not wear any eye makeup on the day of surgery, and consult your doctor before wearing any following the procedure.

Bring your spectacles to your surgeon so they may evaluate the prescription. LASIK is the solution to your visual acuity problems. It’s time to say goodbye to your glasses or contact lenses.

During the Operation

The procedure should take no more than 30 minutes.

A huge machine with a microscope connected and a computer screen comprise the laser system. Your surgeons will insert a numbing drop into your eye, the region around your eye will be cleansed, and a lid speculum will be used to keep your eyes open.

Your doctor will use a mechanical microkeratome (a bladed instrument) to cut a flap in the cornea. A ring will be put on your eye and applied very high pressures to induce suction on the cornea if a mechanical microkeratome is employed. While the suction ring is on, your vision may decrease, and you may feel pressure and discomfort during this stage of the treatment. A suction ring holds the microkeratome, a cutting device.

Your doctor will use the microkeratome blade to carve a flap in your cornea. Microkeratome blades are intended to be used once and then discarded. The suction ring and microkeratome are then removed.

When a laser keratome is employed, a transparent plastic plate is used to flatten the cornea. During this treatment portion, your vision may darken, and you may feel pressure and discomfort.

It shouldn’t be painful but just uncomfortable; alert your surgeon if its too much to handle. You will be awake and will be able to see, but you will have hazy vision throughout the remainder of the treatment.

The doctor will then raise the flap and fold it back on its hinge, after which it will dry the exposed tissue. You will be asked to gaze at a light while the laser is placed over your eye.  You may become aware of new sounds and scents at this stage in the procedure. The laser pulse generates a ticking sound.

As the laser eliminates corneal tissue, some persons have noted a burning hair-like odor. A computer controls the quantity of laser energy given to your eye.

The flap is repositioned after the laser energy pulses melt the corneal tissue. Because no sutures are utilized to hold the flap, a shield should be put over your eye at the end of the surgery for protection. You must wear this shield when sleeping to avoid rubbing your eye and putting pressure on it and protect it from being bumped or poked accidentally until the flap heals.

Following The Surgery

It is not advised to do anything other than rest or sleep on the day of the procedure. You may experience eye irritation or burning for a few hours following surgery.

Many patients are given specific eye drops to aid with dryness and healing. For the best outcomes, you must apply eye drops correctly.

After a couple of days, your eyes should feel better, and your eyesight should be better. Your eyes will most likely recover shortly. Most individuals report an improvement in their vision within a few days. If you have any issues or odd side effects, contact your doctor.

For the first two weeks following surgery, avoid swimming and using a hot tub. Your doctor will inform you when you should return for follow-up appointments. The first will most likely be a day or two following the treatment.

Even after LASIK, your vision may change. As you become older, you may need to use reading glasses. More than 10% of patients require a second LASIK treatment to restore the benefits. However, 90% of LASIK patients have vision between 20/20 and 20/40 after surgery.

That is why, if you are facing any eye strain symptoms you should entrust Kraff Eye Institute to help you learn how to improve eyesight with LASIK.