Learning about LASIK Eye Surgery

For years, people have been suffering from eye problems. The most common problems of the eye are myopia (near-sightedness), astigmatism (blurry vision due to optical defect), and hyperopia (far-sightedness). Before, the most common methods of treating these kinds of eye problems are through the use of prescription glasses, medications like vitamins, and contact lenses. Now, surgery can be done on patients suffering from any of these three eye problems, and this kind of surgery is called LASIK laser surgery.

What is LASIK Surgery?

LASIK surgery or Laser assisted in situ keratomileusis is a kind of surgery that deals in the correction of astigmatism, hyperopia, and myopia. Unlike other treatments (photorefractive keratectomy and advanced surface ablation) for similar conditions like the abovementioned eye problems, LASIK surgery is much preferred because the recovery period is lesser, and the patient also experiences lesser pain. Furthermore, LASIK surgery beats using contact lenses or prescription or corrective glasses anytime.

Brief History of LASIK Surgery

Though eye problems have been studied over a 100 years and treatments have been developed, the discovery of LASIK surgery was an accidental one through Dr. Fyodorov of Russia during the 1970s.

The eye doctor was treating a young patient when the boy fell, breaking his prescription glasses. It was a horrific moment when a broken piece of glass cut into the patient's eye and shaved off a layer of his outer eye layer, but fortunately, there was only very minimal damage. But instead of worsening the patient's condition, the boy said that the minor cut on the outer layer of his eye had made his vision much clearer than what it had been a few moments ago. Intrigued and excited about the finding, Dr. Fyodorov studied and researched about the matter further and published his findings. But it was thanks to American doctors with bigger funds that allowed for the study to be researched much more thoroughly. And Dr. Leo Bores, after seeing the surgery done in Russia, brought it home with him in the United States where studies and researches were continued until such a time that laser was incorporated into the surgery, thus, LASIK surgery.

Now, since its inception, LASIK surgery has helped thousands to millions of people suffering from eye problems.

Risks in LASIK Surgery

Any kind of surgery is still a surgery and carries with it potential risks and complications. As such, LASIK surgery is not a foolproof method in correcting myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism although it has been a very successful procedure.

Here are some complications that a patient who has undergone LASIK surgery might suffer from: 1. There is the risk for surgery-induced dry eyes, requiring artificial tears to be placed in the eye once in a while to avoid corneal abrasion. 2. Over-correction or under-correction is also possible. 3. There can be instability in visual acuity. 4. At night, the patient may suffer from starbursts or halos wherein these things are seen around light sources. 5. Sensitivity to light may also develop. 6. It is not surprising if the patient complains of double vision or seeing ghostly images. 7. Wrinkles in the flap or striae can also develop, and debris as well as a growth under the flap can also be experienced. There can also be floaters, or the flap may be too thin. Buttonhole flap is also not surprising. 8. Induced astigmatism, epithelium erosion, corneal ectasia, posterior vitreous detachment, and macular hole can also happen.

Benefits and Advantages of LASIK Surgery

But not all LASIK surgeries end up that way. Of course, the patient will also get a lot of benefits as well as advantages in undergoing this kind of eye surgery. Among them is the immediate improvement in the vision. The patient will also save a lot of money from purchasing prescription and corrective glasses or contact lenses. Because of their improved vision, there are greater career opportunities as well as recreational and social prospects. This will also give the patient a boost in self confidence and moral.

Another good thing about LASIK surgery is that procedure is short (about five to ten minutes each eye), and both eyes can be surgically corrected on the same day. The recovery period is also relatively short with less pain, only a mild discomfort, and the procedure can be done as an outpatient basis wherein the patient can go home immediately after the surgery to recuperate.

The light sensitivity a patient may experience usually goes away after about two days. The blurry vision disappears usually after about several weeks to a few months.

Precautions

Of course, it will do the patient good to follow the doctor's recommendations and precautions. Just because you can return to your normal activities after about a week, it does not mean that you can jump straight into a Jacuzzi or drive. You still have to follow what your doctor tells you. Be compliant with all his recommendations as well as the medications (such as eye drops for the prevention of infection) that he prescribes you.