Vogue Your eye health is important, and a visit to the doctor every few years can help you identify any changes that need to be addressed. Lasik surgery is one option for correcting vision if you have an eye problem, but in recent years, the use of AI has taken over the majority of this task.
What is Lasik Surgery and How Does it Work?
Lasik surgery is a popular and effective treatment for vision problems. It is a surgical procedure that uses lasers to reshape the surface of your eye. Lasik can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Lasik may also be used to improve your overall vision.
How Lasik Works?
Before Lasik surgery, your eyes are examined to determine if you are a good candidate. If you have nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, LASIK may be the best option for you. Your surgeon will create a custom laser treatment plan based on your individual needs and symptoms.
During LASIK surgery, the laser is focused on the back of your eye. The laser vaporizes the thin layer of tissue over the eye’s pupil (the black part of your eye). This liquefies the fatty tissues underneath and sculpts them into a new shape that better meets your needs for corrected vision.
Some people experience temporary discomfort after LASIK surgery, but most patients report excellent results within a few days or weeks following surgery. Many people who have LASIK say that their vision is 20/20 or better without glasses or contacts immediately following surgery. More than 90% of patients continue to have at least 20/20 vision one year after LASIK surgery.
Types of Lasik Surgeries
There are two main types of Lasik surgeries: conventional and laser-assisted. Conventional LASIK surgery uses a blade to remove layers of your cornea using a standard surgical knife. Laser-assisted LASIK surgery, on the other hand, uses a laser to do the same job.
Both types of LASIK have their own benefits and drawbacks. Here is a closer look at each type of Lasik procedure:
Conventional Lasik Surgery
The main advantage of conventional LASIK surgery is that it is less invasive than laser-assisted LASIK surgery. In fact, most people can go home on the same day as their surgery. The downside is that it requires more skill and experience to perform than laser-assisted Lasik surgery.
Laser-Assisted Lasik Surgery
Laser-assisted Lasik is considered more advanced than conventional LASIK because it uses a narrower beam of light to vaporize the layer of your cornea without having to cut it. This makes laser-assisted LASIK much faster and easier than traditional Lasik procedures. There are also fewer risks involved with laser-assisted LASIK, including less severe side effects and a higher degree of accuracy.
Pros and Cons of Lasik Surgery
There are many pros and cons to consider before deciding whether or not to have LASIK surgery. Here are the key factors to consider:
PROS:
- Lasik surgery is one of the most common procedures performed in the United States, with over two million procedures performed each year.
- The success rate for Lasik surgery is over 98%, which means that nearly all patients who undergo the procedure see a significant improvement in their vision.
- There is minimal downtime required following Lasik surgery, and most patients can resume their regular activities within a few days.
- Lasik surgery is generally very affordable, with prices ranging from around $2,000 to $6,000 per eye.
CONS:
- While Lasik surgery is relatively safe, there are still some potential risks associated with the procedure that should be considered before making a decision. These risks include infection, bleeding, and refractive error (a change in your eye’s ability to focus images).
- Some people may experience mild visual impairment following Lasik surgery, which may improve over time but may never completely disappear.
- Because LASIK technology has been evolving rapidly over the past several years, there is a risk that future improvements in laser technology could lead to more serious complications down the road.
Important Facts to Know about Lasik
Lasik surgery is one of the most popular and successful eye surgeries available, and it has been improving people’s vision for over 30 years. Lasik is a safe and effective procedure that can help you improve your visual quality by correcting nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.
Before undergoing Lasik surgery, make sure to discuss all of your options with your doctor. There are a variety of LASIK procedures available, so be sure to find one that will best suit your needs. Some common LASIK procedures include laser-assisted in situ keratomileuses (LASIK), laser-assisted subepithelial keratomileusis (LESIK), and excimer lasers for custom femtosecond laser lenticule extraction (CFLES).
During Lasik surgery, the doctor uses a laser to create a smooth surface on the front surface of your eye. This creates a “flap” that can be removed after the surgery. This flap contains the damaged cells that were causing your vision problems. The flap is then replaced by new tissue from within your eye.
Following Lasik surgery, many patients experience some degree of dryness or sensitivity in their eyes for a few weeks or months. This is usually temporary and should resolve within 6 to 12 months. However, some patients experience more severe side effects such as decreased vision or even permanent blindness following Lasik surgery. If you are concerned about any potential
Tips for Choosing a Doctor
If you are considering a doctor for lasik surgery, it is important to do your research. Here are some tips to help you choose the best doctor for your needs:
- Ask Around: Talk to friends, family, and coworkers who have had lasik surgery. They can give you a good idea of who they would recommend and whether or not they were happy with the results.
- Contact a Local Lasik Association: Many local lasik associations offer free consultation sessions in which members can ask questions and get feedback from other patients.
- Check Reviews Online: Before choosing a doctor, review online reviews of their work. This will help you find doctors with a positive reputations who have performed many successful surgeries.
- Meet With Several Doctors: It is important to meet with several potential doctors before making a decision. This way, you can get a feel for each one and decide which one is best suited for your needs and personality.
