Laura Smith asked:


If you have ever worn glasses or contacts you have probably considered the benefits of Lasik eye surgery. Here we will look at what this surgery consists of and how it may be beneficial to you.

Lasik was developed around 1990 as a modification and blending of two other procedures that had been around since the 50′s. It is the process of using laser equipment to make a small flap that is pulled back, allowing access to the tissue below for reshaping by the laser.

The surgery has been successful in treating a range of vision problems. It has been found effective on patients with myopia, hyperopic and astigmatism.

PRE-OP

The procedure itself is quick and painless. If you wear soft contacts, it is suggested that you remove them for a minimum of 5-21 days before the surgery. For hard contact patients the requirements are a bit stiffer. Hard contact wearers should remove their contacts for six weeks before the surgery and an additional six weeks for every three years they have had them.

POST-OP

Once the surgery is complete, the patient will be prescribed a round of mild antibiotics and anti-inflammatory eye drops. In addition, you should get plenty of sleep and wear both darkened sunglasses during the day and goggles to prevent rubbing your eyes at night. This will decrease the chances for postoperative complications.

OUTCOME

The results have been most adequately calculated by patient satisfaction. In 2008, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery did an analysis on worldwide patient satisfaction over the past ten years and found that 95.4% were very satisfied with the outcome.

RISKS

As with any surgery, there are of course risks to consider. Below is a list of possible problems after Lasik surgery.

- Dry eyes: This is the most common complaint after Lasik surgery. It occurs because nerve endings in the cornea are responsible for tear production. Many times this side effect will go away several weeks after surgery, but in some cases, it may be permanent.

- Overcorrection or under correction

- Visual acuity fluctuation

- Light sensitivity

- Ghost images or double vision

These are a few of the more common side effects of Lasik surgery. A proper preoperative examination is crucial to minimizing these risks.

COST

The cost of Lasik will vary depending on provider and the condition of your eyes. The more complicated the surgery and follow up the more expensive it will be.

That being said a recent study of 2008 costs estimate the range to be between $1,000 and $3,000 per eye. Beware of advertisements that offer Lasik for as little as $500 per eye, there are often strict guidelines for this cheap alternative that most people will not fall into. These offers often come with a necessary deposit, which is non-refundable if you opt to not have the surgery.

CONCLUSION

Lasik eye surgery is a great option for some people. As technology increases the procedures become better and better. However, the advice is to seek out all the possible side effects and be sure that you could live with them. The incidence of problems is small, less than 5% of Lasik patients have any complaints but it is better to be safe than sorry.