Laser eye surgery, also called LASIK surgery can correct less than normal vision. In most cases the surgery is successful and the individual can see well without the aid of glasses or contact lenses. This type of surgery was developed in 1990 and has become increasingly popular.
Laser surgery has worked well with people that have myopia and hypermetropia. In perfect vision light goes into the eye through the lens. It is refracted or bent to fall on the retina, which focuses the image. When you wear eyeglasses the lens work with the natural lens of the eye to make the light refract and focus in the retina right where it is supposed to be.
The light overshoots the retina with people that have myopia. Instead the light hits the cornea, which cannot sharpen the image. When laser surgery is applied the cornea is reconfigured so that the light gets to the retina and focusing will no longer be a problem. The material in the center of the cornea is thinned out and removed. In hypermetropia the light is unable to get as far as the retina. In this case material is removed from the edges of the cornea and it allows the light to reach the retina.
A patient is given a painkiller that is applied to the cornea of the eye before surgery. The eyelids are taped open and a metal tool called a speculum is applied to keep the eyelids apart. The surgeon makes a small makes a small cut on the cornea that creates a flap. The laser then removes the material from the cornea that makes it impossible for the light to focus in the correct area. The flap is put back where it belongs and stitched back into place. The procedure does not take long and though there may be some discomfort there is not any extreme pain involved. The laser is pre programmed and automated so there is little chance that there can be any mistakes.
Only those people whose eyesight has been relatively the same for a long period of time are appropriate for the surgery, which generally leaves out patients that are very young. There may be some problems with those people that have a thin cornea. If there is not enough material to remove to reposition the focus, the procedure cannot be done. Most of the time these are patients that have very bad eyesight. People with astigmatism or presbyopia (relating to age vision conditions) are usually appropriate for the procedure.
Health Insurance will not support laser procedures and the patients have to pay for it themselves. There are those doctors that will take payments but most want to be paid completely up front. When you pick a doctor make sure to get one that has done this surgery time after time. A doctor that charges a cheaper price but is not experienced is not a good idea. Expect to pay anywhere from USD $1500 to $3000 for the surgery. If you find someone to do it cheaper make sure to see their policy on add on charges. You will find that every little thing will be charged and not included on the quote that was given to you to begin with. Make sure the price they request is the only thing you will have to pay for.
This type of surgery is major surgery. It will take some preparation to have it and if you wear contacts you will not be allowed to wear them for a while prior to surgery. This may be just a few days or up to a month or so. Afterwards eye makeup must be avoided and a guard is placed over the eye to protect it while sleeping. There are drops to be put in the eye periodically to prevent dry eye and a chance that you may have to take an antibiotic to prevent an infection. Some people see relatively well right after surgery but it might take some time with others however, approximately ninety percent of people having laser eye surgery are able to see clearly without having to wear corrective lenses.
Laser eye surgery and LASIK surgery are one and the same. Lasik is major surgery and should not be taken lightly. If you are thiking about having laser eye surgery you will need to find a reputable lasik doctor. You will make a good start by checking out the useful, free information on our website.