Laser Eye Surgery - PROS and CONS (lasik)

Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis is a refractive surgery which works by reshaping the eye to improve vision, this process can eliminate the need to wear contacts or eye glasses in successful procedures. During the procedure the ophthalmologist cuts open a flap in the cornea to expose the cornea bed, then a Excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea. After reshaping the flap is replaced. Many people go through the operation each year, and there are facilities located all over the world. If you are considering lasik, my best recommendation is to browse around and find the facility that is right for you. You should analyze the pros and cons of the procedure before hand to know with conviction whether the procedure could be right for you, then consult your ophthalmologist, or visit your local lasik center to address their opinions.

When considering lasik or infact any other eye surgery you should consider the following factors;

• What is the success rate?
• How good is the eye surgeon?
• What will be the cost of the surgery?
• How is it like living with laser vision?

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Lasik costs, or (laser eye surgery costs), vary greatly from one facility from another. Some providers advertise as low as $500 per eye but that offer is usually limited to a very small group of people. LASIK facilities on average charge $1000 per eye. This is a hefty investment for most people. Considering the offers of many facilities before making a decision might save hundreds. It is a good idea to visit the websites and contact several lasik facilities before making a purchase, you should also try to read reviews posted around the net.

An analysis performed by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery with over 3000 articles published over the past 10 years, including 19 studies comprising 2,200 patients revealed a %95.4 satisfaction rate among LASIK patients worldwide. There is definitely allot of good in this procedure, lets look at some of the basics.

• No more contacts eye infections.
• Contacts and Glasses are renewable expenses, LASIK is a one time investment with little maintenance.
• Quick procedure (Few minutes of operation) and immediate results.
• Little to no pain - The cutting procedure feels more like pressure being applied to your cornea rather than any sort of a cut.
• One time procedure, unlike most other procedures the entire operation need not take more than one day.
• Also unlike other procedures the operation requires only a small gap on the cornea.
• LASIK and other procedures like it can correct your vision and permit you to obtain pilot licenses, and open up certain career paths (Piloting for Navy corps, recreational piloting etc.)

As beautiful this surgery may sound, and is, there are still complications you should weigh in before getting the operation.

• Surgery could induce: dry eyes, double vision
• LASIK is a relatively new surgery and it lacks long term studies, however unexplored complications are rare.
  
• Success is dependant entirely on the surgeon, because this is a relatively new procedure there are many different approaches to the operation. BE SURE TO REASEARCH MANY DIFFERNT FACILITIES AND EYE SURGEONS.
• Due to the flap opening the surgery requires it can only be operated only so many times.
• If you have Presbyopia (the need for reading glasses) you will still need reading glasses, you could however talk to your doctor about Mono vision if you're just about 40 or over 40.

• Not every one is qualified for LASIK. If you have severe dry eyes, corneal eye diseases, amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (muscle imbalance), and other conditions
• The procedure does not guarantee results. In fact a small portion of patients with unique eye shapes still need glasses after performing LASIK surgery!
• Patients must have stable vision and be free of any major eye infection and abnormalities before the surgery. It's very important to be honest about your situation, remember this is a life altering procedure!
• If you do not qualify for the LASIK procedure there are alternatives that are available. An Implantable Collamer Lens is a permanent lenses that is surgery implanted to correct vision without the need of regular maintenance. Cataract surgery is another option which is especially valuable for older patients. As you age the health of your cataract declines causing blurriness of vision and many other vision abnormalities. Performing cataract surgery to remove the dysfunctional cataract can reverse blurriness and many other eye abnormalities you may have!