Lasik Eye Surgery – A Boon For Everyone

May 10, 2011 by admin  
Filed under Health

Kevin Pederson asked:


Lasik Eye surgery is a surgical process that is aimed at reducing a person’s dependency on glasses or contact lenses. The article provides basic information on LASIK eye surgery.

LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) surgery permanently changes the shape of the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye, using an excimer laser. A flap in the cornea is cut using an special knife called microkeratome. A hinge is left at one end of this flap. The flap is folded back revealing the stroma, the middlesection of the cornea. Pulses from a computer-controlled laser vaporize a portion of the stroma and the flap is replaced. This is just one of the techniques of Lasik.

Lasik Eye Surgery: Is this the right time? Examine your eyes with your eye doctor to start with. You must be in good general health and should be over 18 years of age. You should not have any eye diseases of concern like cataracts or glaucoma. Laser vision correction can treat a very broad range of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
Does the Lasik eye surgery hurt? Is it painful? The surgery may be a bit uncomfortable for a few patients. One good way to learn more about how it might feel is to talk to someone who has had the procedure, such as a friend or relative, or a staff member at the doctor’s office. Most of the times, its just the fear of the unknown. Anesthetic drops are used to numb the eye just before surgery begins and you may be given a mild sedative. After your procedure, your eye may feel a foreign body sensation or irritation for a few hours, but most patients are quite comfortable after taking a short nap. You will be given drops for your eyes to counteract the potential dryness you may experience for several days following the surgery.

Recovery period after Lasik Most Lasik patients usually see quite well the day following their procedure and may be able to resume most of their normal daily activities, but patients with higher prescriptions may recover more slowly. Although the speed of visual recovery depends on personal healing patterns, most patients notice dramatic visual results within the first few days following their procedure.

What are the risks from Lasik surgery? There are very few risks with the laser vision correction procedure. However, the chances of having a vision reducing complication have been documented in a number of clinical studies to be minimal. Do not forget that millions of people have had excellent results from laser vision correction.



Lasik Eye Surgery Recovery Issues

July 15, 2009 by admin  
Filed under Wellness

Carson Danfield asked:


In the vast majority of cases, recovery from LASIK eye surgery is quick and uneventful. However, as with most all medical procedures, there are certain risks, ut if you take the recommended precautions, you’ll have little to worry about.

One of the most important aspects in promoting the healing process is to avoid dry eyes. Dry eyes can act like an abrasive to the cornea and invite infection. You’ll want to use artificial tear drops on a regular basis during healing, especially if you sense dryness. An additional unwanted side effect of dryness is the increased tendency to want to rub your eyes.

Rubbing, particularly during the first week or two should be strictly avoided. Rubbing can scratch the cornea or even worse – it can cause the corneal flap to become detached, requiring medical assistance for correction.

During the first four hours after LASIK eye surgery, your doctor will prescribe certain medications to be applied frequently, usually at 15 minute intervals. These medications will usually consist of steroids to promote healing and antibiotics to prevent infection. Be sure to adhere to the prescribed regimen of applying these medications.

You may want to limit reading, watching television or working at the computer for the first couple of days after LASIK eye surgery. Even though you’ll notice a marked improvement in your vision, you may be subject to headaches if you overdo things during the early stages of your recovery.

Avoid any dusty areas or anywhere that has particulate matter in the air. For example, don’t mow the lawn, as the mower can still up grass clippings or other debris that can enter your eyes and cause complications. Also be aware that pet hair can sometimes float in the air and get in your eyes, even if you don’t notice the intrusion.

Be careful when showering so that you don’t allow the stream of water to hit your eyes. Also, don’t allow soap or shampoo to enter your eyes. Avoid steam rooms and swimming pools during the healing process. It’s also a good idea to forego any strenuous exercise or sports activities. It’s important that you protect your eyes from any undue pressure and don’t let any foreign objects come into contact with your eyes.

During the healing process, you may notice that your eyes are very sensitive to bright light, so be sure to wear sunglasses if you go outdoors.

Complications during recovery from LASIK eye surgery are rare, but they do occur. If you notice anything questionable during your recovery period, be sure to consult with your doctor immediately.