Laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis is commonly called LASIK eye
surgery. It is an outpatient surgical procedure most often performed to
correct myopia (nearsightedness). About 70% of all patients undergoing
this procedure enjoy 20/20 vision after recovery. Most of the rest of
the patients experience dramatic improvements in vision although a
small percentage of patients still need corrective lenses in certain
situations.
LASIK eye surgery is an incredibly quick, safe
procedure performed while the patient is awake. In most cases, eye
drops that numb the surface of the eye is the only anesthesia
necessary. Some patients have both eyes done in one session but others
do one eye at a time.
Visual acuity changes as we mature and
generally stabilizes once we reach our twenties. For this reason, LASIK
eye surgery is rarely performed on anyone younger than 18 and some
surgeons advise waiting until the late 20s to be sure the vision has
become as stabilized as possible.
Regardless of age, women
who are pregnant or nursing may experience a change in the refraction
of their eyes and should postpone surgery until the vision has
stabilized after childbirth.
While most people are likely
candidates for LASIK eye surgery, certain pre-existing medical
conditions may preclude the procedure. Patients diagnosed with
glaucoma, herpes infections affecting the eyes, cataracts, lupus,
rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes may be advised to avoid this
procedure.
To determine the degree of success expected from
LASIK eye surgery, your surgeon will thoroughly examine your eyes to
determine exactly where and to what degree the surgery needs to be
done. Microscopic measurements will be taken before and during the
surgery to assure accuracy. Even with this meticulous examination,
however, there is still the likelihood that an overcorrection of
undercorrection of the vision may be achieved.
In such cases,
additional surgery may be in order and glasses are always an option.
Some patients cannot wear contact lenses after surgery due to corneal
scarring that is inherent with the procedure. Others will continue to
require reading glasses or will grow to need them in middle age.
Med-Help is for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis or treatment recommendations.