Surgery - Lasik Surgery Facts

If you wear eye glasses or contact lenses then you must be aware about the LASIK surgery. Eyesight problem is the most common problem seen in the recent times and has its roots in the stressful lifestyle and the increased strain on ones eyes. And if you have glasses on then you must have had noticed many ads and articles on the success of LASIK surgery which is treated as the most common surgeries taking place today. Whatever information you have about LASIK surgery it is better to understand some facts about it. LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis and is a procedure that permanently changes the shape of the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye, using an excimer laser.

Many of us are under a certainly wrong impression that with the help of LASIK surgery one can get rid of glasses ad contacts. Therefore you should be absolutely clear of the facts which are involved with this newest procedure to correct vision problems.

Fact #1
Lasik surgery does not guarantee the elimination of eyeglasses or contacts as is the common perception. It is a surgery to correct vision problems and in some cases the Lasik patients still wear glasses. Think and discuss your particular case with the surgeon to get a correct picture of what your chances will be.

Fact#2
Not everyone can perform this surgery concerning to the most delicate part of your body. Look for an experienced, board-certified ophthalmologist. Ask questions regarding your surgeon's experience and complication rate. Get every doubt cleared from the surgeon about the surgery as you will be staying awake throughout the surgery and certainly you don’t expect any surprises during that time.

Fact#3
Lasik surgery does not guarantee perfect vision. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) reports that seven out of 10 patients achieve 20/20 vision, but 20/20 does not always mean perfect vision. So if you hear such claims don’t get carried away as that does not mean perfect vision.

Fact#4
One may also need additional surgery — called "enhancements" — to get the best possible vision after Lasik. So the overall procedure is not that easy which is shown in most advertisements.

Fact#5
Not everyone can have the LASIK surgery performed on them. Generally people with severe dry eyes, certain corneal diseases, and other select eye conditions should not undergo LASIK.

Fact#6
It is always better to know the risks involved in the surgery. Laser refractive surgery is surgery. There is no such thing as "minor eye surgery" which is propogated by most advertisements and materials. Complications such as overcorrection, undercorrection, making the pupil off center, damaging the cornea, inflammation, and infection can leave you miserable. Well the statistics say that about 2% or 5% complications occur, but if it happens to you, it's 100%!

Fact#7
It is better to understand the limitations of this surgery. LASIK is used to help correct nearsightedness and astigmatism. Laser refractive surgery will not prevent you from needing reading glasses as you approach middle age. There may be future advancement but, as on date, LASIK patients will need help to read later in life.

Fact#8
Always enquire about the alternatives and the methods to correct the vision without the surgery.