Is LASIK Surgery Right
for You?
Understanding LASIK Surgery Part I
Advertisements for LASIK surgery are bombarding us everywhere.
For those who wear contact lenses and eye glasses can totally
understand the feeling of finally being free of the maintenance
and bother involved in wearing either. While it is really
tempting, LASIK Surgery might not be suitable for everyone.
Understanding LASIK Surgery
LASIK is actually the acronym for laser in-situ keratomy,
eye surgery typically involves the use of a powerful laser
known as an Excimer. The Excimer has been designed uniquely
to work in the delicate eye area. The laser works quickly
to reshape a person's cornea, which usually is all that is
needed to correct myopia (known also as nearsightedness),
hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatisms.
Reshaping the cornea normally is a simple matter of removing
excess tissue from underneath the cornea. In order to get
at this tissue, a tiny flap must be pulled back from the cornea's
surface. The laser can create this flap, and so can a tool
called a microkeratome blade.
Laser pulses zap as much excess tissue as the ophthalmologist
determines after reviewing a very detailed image of the cornea
called a corneal topography. In literally a matter of minutes
and often without feeling any pain, the shape of the cornea
is corrected and vision restored. As a matter of fact, vision
is usually restored so quickly that a patient can drive him
or herself home from the procedure.
Deciding on LASIK Surgery
One of the biggest decisions a person interested in LASIK
Surgery has to decide that if this type of eye surgery is
affordable. It considered as a cosmetic type of surgery and
therefore many health insurance plans won't provide coverage.
The costs for this surgery vary differently, but generally
the costs of using a reliable and knowledgeable ophthalmologist
will run several thousand dollars ?per eye! So cost is definitely
one big consideration.
If it's decided that the costs are reasonable, there are
some individuals for whom this type of surgery may not be
effective. Only healthy eyes and eyes that have stopped changing
can be operated on. There also are certain prescription restrictions
which automatically disqualify a patient from this type of
surgery.
A complete review of a prospective patient's medical history
is undertaken prior to LASIK Surgery. Several tests will be
performed at an initial consultation in order to detect eye
problems or diseases which could affect the surgery. Due to
hormonal considerations, LASIK Surgery should not be done
when a woman is pregnant or when either a man or a woman has
a compromised immune system as this condition could jeopardize
the eye's recovery.
In short, if such a procedure is affordable and the eyes
meet the procedure requirements, LASIK Surgery may be a good
option for you. The surgery itself has yield a very high success
rate and combined with the fact that it's almost painless,
so it makes tempting for everyone.
Next up, we will review the different types of LASIK Surgery
that are available and the risks and possible complications
of each.
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