How Is Lasik Eye Surgery Done? The Basics Of Laser Refractive Surgery

By:


LASIK eye surgery is a procedure involving the use of lasers to correct vision problems. This procedure offers the exciting possibility of creating perfect or near-perfect vision, reducing or even eliminating the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses. It can be used to correct farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism. These eye issues, known as refractive errors, are caused by the cornea, which is where light enters the eye. If the cornea is imperfectly shaped, the light rays will bend, causing blurred vision.

LASIK is one of the most popular forms of laser eye surgery. What makes it different from the other types of eye surgery is the way that the cornea of the eye is accessed by the surgeon. LASIK itself means laser assisted in situ keratomileusis. This describes the creation of a flap in the corner of the eye, which is done after your eye has been numbed with special eye drops.

The surgeon is able to lift up this flap to access the cornea underneath, which is then reshaped with the use of a computer-assisted laser beam. The computer-guided laser beam is very accurate, and it uses measurements of your eye that are taken before the procedure to determine exactly how your cornea must change to improve your vision. The precise changes to your cornea created by the laser are what improve your vision. LASIK eye surgery is considered an ablative procedure because microscopic layers of the corneal tissue are vaporized by the ultraviolet energy in the laser.

The procedure itself often takes under an hour. The procedure is done while the patient is awake, and one or both eyes may be done in a single session. Following LASIK eye surgery, the surgeon simply repositions the flap over the eye. This procedure requires no stitches, and comes with little discomfort and a recovery time of just a few days. Besides the flap, the outermost surface of the cornea is not disrupted, resulting in a quick recovery time. In fact, many patients see immediate improvements in their vision following the procedure. Most patients are able to return to their daily activities within just a day or two.

LASIK has been performed on millions of patients since 1990. If you are ready to move beyond your glasses or contacts, consider whether LASIK eye surgery may be right for you.

About the Author:
An Austin LASIK surgeon can employ custom LASIK using the CustomCornea or CustomVue systems, or perform PRK, CK, or Epi-LASIK to improve your vision. Learn more about LASIK financing and find out if the procedure is right for you.



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


Tags: , , , , , , ,

|

Recent Health Articles

Comments

Still can't find what you are looking for? Search for it!

Loading

Site Navigation:

Copyright 2005-2011 ArticleSnatch, LLC - All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service.