How Does
Preliminary Consultations
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Lasik begins with a series of consultations with a doctor. During these consultations, the doctor will check the cornea's ability to refract light, the pupil size, the shape of the cornea and the cornea's thickness. These measurements are necessary to see if the patient is a good candidate for Lasik surgery.
What Lasik Involves
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Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, or Lasik, is usually done as an outpatient procedure. During the procedure, a laser or micro-blade is used to cut a small flap in the cornea. This will leave a hinge at one end of the flap. This flap is then folded back to expose the layer of the cornea known as the stroma. Laser pulses then remove parts of the stroma.
The Lasik procedure is different for different types of vision correction. For short-sightedness, the cornea is made flatter. For far-sightedness, the cornea is made steeper. The correction for astigmatism involves making the cornea more spherical.
The procedure is conduced using a topical anesthetic. Some patients ask for a sedative before the surgery. The natural tissue of the eye is used as a bandage, so no stitches of artificial bandages are required. It is often recommended that patients rest with eyes closed for a few hours after the procedure to promote healing.
Follow Up Care
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A follow up visit is usually required within 48 to 72 hours of the surgery. The doctor will check visual acuity and discuss any short term vision problems. Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops are prescribed for the weeks after surgery. Follow up appointments to make sure healing is occurring normally are frequent for the first six months. They often occur at one week, one month, three months and six months.
Success Rates & Side Effects
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Lasik has a very high rate of success. Success rates are higher for patients who start the procedure with better vision. They are lower for patients requiring more vision correction. In extreme cases, more than one Lasik procedure may be required for vision correction.
In spite of Lasik's high success rate, in rare cases side effects occur. Side effects can include dry eyes during the healing process, eye discomfort in the 24 hours after surgery, irregular astigmatism, corneal haze or glare, under or over correcting of vision, an inability to wear contact lenses, scarring, infection, vision loss, or the loss of the corneal flap requiring a corneal graft.
eHow Article: How Does Lasik Work?
