Lasik Eye Care - What Is The Procedure?
Friday, October 17th, 2008A relatively new procedure to hit the optical world is Lasik eye care surgery. It is being used widely to correct vision problems. This procedure can correct myopia, hyperopia or an astigmatism that prevents you from seeing clearly. The procedure is performed in an ophthalmologist’s office at an eye care center. This article will detail how the Lasik procedure goes, as well as postoperative care following your eye treatment. It is a relatively painless procedure that will have you seeing clearly without glasses or contact lenses.
There are a few tests that you will have to undergo before the Lasik eye care surgery. One test utilizes a pachymeter, which measures the thickness of the eye. Eye doctors place the pachymeter against the eye and take the measurement. It does cause a bit of eye discomfort but it is a quick procedure that is absolutely essential.
During the procedure the patient is awake and the eyelids are held open by a corneal suction ring. This will definitely cause some eye discomfort but the ophthalmologist usually gives you a mild sedative and anesthetic drop to minimize the discomfort of the procedure. The first step of the procedure is for the doctor to create a corneal flap. This flap is then lifted so that the laser eye care professional can get to the cornea. The flap is created through the use of a thin, metal blade.
The second step in the Lasik surgery is to use an excimer laser to vaporize some of the corneal tissue in accordance with your particular eye care needs. After the laser is used and the right amount of cornea has been removed, it is then time to cover the cornea with the flap once again. The body’s natural healing process will hold the flap in place.
After the Lasik eye surgery is complete you will be given antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops to help minimize infections and inflammations. Before leaving the office you will be given instructions to not rub your eyes at all. You can expect some eye discomfort but that will pass before long. One further note: before having the Lasik procedure done you must consult your vision insurance plan. Many do not cover the full amount of the operation or consider it an elective procedure, which means that they will not cover it at all.
Lasik eye care surgery has changed many people’s lives. They no longer need to wear glasses or contact lenses. It helps them to see clearly when before everything was fuzzy. If you are interested in the Lasik procedure, then you should contact an eye care center to speak with a Lasik certified ophthalmologist. You will not be disappointed in the results once you have had this surgery done.