LASIK eye surgery
Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) eye surgery
The word “LASIK” stands for “Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis.” LASIK is a short and effective procedure that reduces a person’s dependency on eyeglasses and contact lenses. It is particularly effective for individuals with nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Vision improvement with LASIK is quick, and most people can drive the day after the surgery without the need for glasses or contact lenses. However, it may take about two to three weeks, and sometimes a few months, to achieve the final and complete vision.
LASIK eye surgery is performed to improve the vision of the eyes and often eliminates the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses. It is a form of laser surgery capable of correcting a wide range of vision problems, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. This procedure provides quick vision improvement with minimal post-surgery discomfort. It combines two surgical steps to correct refractive errors.
How is LASIK Eye Surgery performed?
This surgery is very simple and performed on an outpatient basis. It is done using numbing eye drops, and it’s painless with no injections involved. The surgery typically takes about 5 minutes for each eye, and the laser treatment itself lasts 5 to 20 seconds. Individuals seeking LASIK should not have any eye conditions such as glaucoma, dry eye, retinal diseases, cataracts, corneal thinning, or keratoconus.
During LASIK, a thin layer, approximately 160 microns thick, is removed from the surface of the cornea. Then, with the help of a computer-controlled excimer laser, the cornea is reshaped to match the patient’s eyeglass prescription. Following LASIK, some people may experience a burning sensation, foreign body sensation, and teariness for several hours, but usually, no pain medication is needed. Most people can return to their normal activities the day after the surgery.
For individuals who wear soft contact lenses, it is recommended to discontinue use for at least one week before the examination and LASIK surgery. For those who wear hard contact lenses, the discontinuation period increases to three weeks before the examination or LASIK procedure.
