Steve Knowles asked:


Lasik eye surgery stands for Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis. It actually reduces people’s dependence on their glasses or contact lenses and involves a simple short surgical procedure on your eye using a cool laser beam. The whole procedure is virtually painless, takes only minutes per eye and is a one day procedure so you may go home the next day.

The Lasik procedure is as simple as the following three easy steps.

1. The cornea is like a few layers of stacked paper. An instrument

called a microkeratome gently glides across the top two of these

layers creating a flap which has like a hinge.

2. The doctor then has access to the third layer or the stroma of your

eye. The Excimer Laser then alters the shape of the cornea by the effect it has on the stroma.

3. The flap is then repositioned back over the newly contoured stroma without the need for stitches as eye tissue binds together
very quickly and simply on its own.

After this simple process, you are then sent home to rest. You will feel a

little discomfort, rather like having an eye lash stuck in your eye for about 12 hours or so until the healing process is well under way.

On average, one in 5 people are not suitable for Lasik surgery and this

can only be determined by a professional. Those not deemed suitable for Lasik may be more suited to other types of surgery so it is important to be aware of your options.

One of the best parts about Lasik eye surgery is that by the next day, your vision will have improved to the point where you can at least drive a car. Many people report their eyesight having improved to 20/20 vision!

The end result hopefully of Lasik surgery is to return the cornea to as close to a normal shape as possible, and in doing so improve your vision. Although Lasik surgery appears to produce what seem to be miraculous cures, it is also possible that complications may be included in the end result.

For those in the forty plus bracket who decide to try Lasik surgery, they may discover that they still require eyeglasses for reading. If you are thinking about Lasik eye surgery, you would be well advised to do thorough research, gather all the facts and get a solid understanding of what you should expect before committing to the procedure.

Alex Rider asked:


If you are thinking about having LASIK eye surgery consider the fact that some people may be unsuitable for this operation. LASIK surgery should possibly not be conducted on you if:

Your career could be subsequently placed on the line as a result of an eye operation. Various jobs implicitly state that eye modifications are prohibited, therefore it is imperative that you talk with your employer first.

Money is hard to come by at the present time. Currently, the majority of medical insurance doesn’t pay for surgeries of a refractive nature. Costs appear to be falling but still remain very high.

You are adverse to taking risks. A number of patients always receive particular complications. Additionally, since no long-term studies on LASIK have been performed you are effectively a guinea pig.

Your eyes are still changing yearly. If your glasses prescription has been modified within the last year constant surgical revisions would prove too costly and damaging to the eye. Eyes that are typically still changing are found in people 20 years of age or younger, those with diseases like diabetes that cause hormone imbalances, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and people taking medication that affects their clarity of vision.

You are an active contact sport participant. Wrestling, boxing or martial arts involve many strong hits to the face and in particular the eyes.

You have a disease or medications that mean any wounds you receive will heal slowly. Particular ailments like states of immunodeficiency (e.g. HIV), autoimmune disease (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, lupus), and some medications (e.g. steroids and retinoic acid) can stop an eye healing after refractive surgery has been administered.

Your age is not 18 or older, since under this age this procedure is illegal.

Surgical safety and efficacy has not been established with people who have particular diseases. Talk with your doctor if you have a potential medical background associated with:

Keratoconus glaucoma, ocular hypertension, or glaucoma suspect past eye surgeries or injuries

herpes zoster (shingles) or herpes simplex

disease of the eye (e.g. inflammations of the eye; iritis/ uveitis)

If you are considering having eye surgery your doctor will need to run tests to see if you have other risk factors like:

Thin corneas. This clear covering over the iris of the eye is what is generally modified in refractive surgery since it holds the most power with regards to the eyes ability to focus. If thin then complications that could result in blindness increase in probability.

Dry eyes. This condition tends to be promoted by LASIK surgery.

Blepharitis. This inflammation of your eyelids and associated crusty deposits on the eyelashes can further your chances of getting an inflamed and infected cornea during the post-op recovery period.

Past refractive surgery such as PRK, RK or LASIK may prohibit further surgery to the eyes. When this is the case you have to consult your doctor about your specific situation.

Oversized pupils. Evaluations should be made in professional dark rooms. People who are young or are on particular medications may under dim lighting have larger than normal pupils. Such eyes are prone to symptoms such as halos, starbursts, glare or double vision (ghost images) following surgery. For some patients these visual complications can end up being highly debilitating.

Kelly Wheeler asked:

Lasik eye surgery corrects blurry vision that occurs from a misshapen cornea. The cornea bends light rays to help them focus properly on the retina at the back of the eye. By cutting and lifting a small flap of tissue from the outside of the eyeball, a surgeon can use a laser to reshape the cornea before replacing the tissue, removing your need to wear corrective eyewear.

The procedure is done over two million times a year in the USA, with a very low rate of infection. Complications, like blurred vision, corneal scarring, dryness and haloes or starbursts around lights, generally occur in only 1% of cases and if your surgeon has performed over 1000 of these procedures, the risk is even less.

Lasik Eye Surgery Safety Tips

Lasik eye surgery is not a cure for any and all eye problems. Older patients often require reading glasses because of hardening of the lens, which can’t be corrected by laser surgery. The surgery also does not have a fantastic result for those with either very weak or very strong prescriptions for glasses or contact lenses. Being informed about your eligibility for the surgery will ultimately help you avoid disappointment and an unfavourable result.

Surgeons who offer you a “20/20 Vision Guarantee!” should most certainly be avoided. Many Lasik eye surgeries actually require a 3 month follow up and should not be taken lightly, by you or the surgeon. Only registered Ophthalmologists are permitted, and are qualified and experienced enough, to perform the procedure. So ensure that you choose your laser-wielding doctor wisely!

Lasik eye surgery does run the risk of a slight loss of vision and diminished night or fog vision that can’t be corrected by glasses or contact lenses. While a low risk, ensure that you discuss your options with the surgeon and that the benefits outweigh these risks.

Lasik eye surgery is a relatively safe procedure, with amazing benefits accompanying minimal risks. In order to have a positive experience, ensure that you’re well-informed and make educated choices, then simply enjoy your new clear vision!