What is LASIK?
LASIK ConsultationLASIK is a type of refractive surgery used for correcting eye defects. Defects including myopia nearsightedness, hyperopia far sightedness, and astigmatism are performed by ophthalmologists using laser. It helps to reduce patients’ dependency on contact lenses and glasses. LASIK eye surgery helps in reshaping the cornea in order to produce clear vision. Once the cornea gets reshaped, the eye’s focusing power gets improved. LASIK surgery also helps in enhancing patients’ visual acuity. Patients undergoing laser eye surgery also have benefits of faster recovery.
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LASIK technology is improving at a rapid pace. A pre-LASIK examination is performed by the ophthalmologist who decides whether the patient is a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery. The LASIK procedure is quite simple but should be done carefully. Firstly, the corneal surface should be mapped with a computer controlled scanning device. This helps to determine the exact shape of cornea. Next step is to calculate the appropriate amount of tissue which needs to be removed. Doing so will minimize the need for corrective devices like spectacles and lenses. The final step is ablation which is carried out by a computer controlled laser. The patient should be determined before undergoing the laser procedure as the LASIK surgery is irreversible. No doubt that the benefits of the LASIK surgery are large but at the same time there are rare chances of complications like haziness, halo, corneal infection, amongst others.
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There are certain guidelines which are to be kept in mind before, during, and after LASIK surgery. Before LASIK surgery if an individual wears contact lens, then he should stop wearing them before his baseline evaluation. A baseline evaluation is done by an eye LASIK doctor to determine if individual is a good candidate or not. One should stop wearing toric soft lenses at least 3 weeks before initial evaluation. Use of hard lenses should be stopped at least 4 weeks before. One should tell his doctor about his past and present medical and eye conditions. The doctor should also be informed about all the medications taken, including medications that the patient may be allergic to before the laser eye surgery takes place. The day before LASIK surgery, using creams, lotions, makeup, and perfumes should be stopped. The LASIK surgery is a process that takes less than 30 minutes to operate. At the end of the procedure as protection, a shield should be placed over the patient’s eye which protects their eyes from accidentally being hit.
Once the LASIK eye surgery is done, ophthalmologists prescribe a course of antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops to the patients. Patients are asked to see the doctor within the first 24 to 48 hours and at regular intervals after LASIK surgery for at least the first six months. Patients are also asked to sleep more and wear protective goggles to prevent rubbing of the eyes when asleep. In order to minimize the risk of complications patients should abide by the guidelines and take precautions as suggested by their surgeons. It is very important to contact LASIK eye doctor immediately in case patient develops any unusual or worsening symptoms at any point after LASIK surgery.