LASIK eye surgery is the most commonly used laser eye surgery to correct vision problems. LASIK stands for Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. If you fade up using glass or contact lens, then you can choose LASIK surgery for yourself.

In LASIK surgery, a special type of laser is used to reshape the cornea. This helps to improve the vision.

When light enters into the eyes, the eyes’ cornea bends the light onto the retina back of the eyes. It is applicable for normal eyesight. But if you have myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), or astigmatism, light does not bend perfectly. Thus resulting in blurred vision.

Using glasses or contact lenses can fix the vision problem. Also reshaping the cornea can fix the problem too.

Good Candidates for LASIK Surgery

Doctors are the best to give suggestions for LASIK. They will test your eyes. If they think you are eligible for undergoing the surgery they will suggest you.

There also are some general criteria. You must apprehend them. The standards are:

• Age: The candidate should be a minimum of 18 years old. When the eyes have been fully matured( generally 21 years) then one should do an eyesight correction operation.

• General Health: The candidate ought to be free from diabetics and autoimmune disorders. Also, you should not take any medication which affects the immune system to respond.

• Eye Health: An eye examination will determine the health of your eyes. Usually, the candidates should be free from any kind of eye disease and conditions such as glaucoma, amblyopia, strabismus, or any kind of health issue which may influence the healing process.

• Stable Vision: Your eyesight should be stable for at least one year before doing the operation. Unstable eyesight may short-live LASIK.

• Pregnancy: When you are pregnant, your body produces different types of hormones. These hormones could have an effect on your eye and vision. This may change your cornea shape that is problematic for the surgeon. Therefore, they suggest doing LASIK after the pregnancy period.

What To Expect With LASIK

BEFORE THE LASIK

If you use contact lenses, stop using them before the operation. Starts to use your regular glasses. Contact lenses modify the form of your cornea’s tissue layer.

Before the surgery, an eye surgeon will evaluate you and ask about your medical and surgical history. Tell your doctor everything.

The doctor can check if you have got any eye disease, eye infection, dry eyes, large pupils, inflammation, and high eye pressure. Your doctor will also measure the shape of your cornea, thickness, and any irregularities. Then you will be sent to the operation theater.

During The Procedure:

It takes about 30 minutes to do the LASIK surgery. While doing the procedure you will sit in a reclining chair.

Your doctor will numb drops into your eyes. After that, your doctor will use an instrument to hold open your eye.

The doctor will use a microkeratome to make a thin flip of your cornea. After taking it out the doctor will use another laser to reshape the tissues underneath the cornea. Then the doctor will place the cornea in its original place.

During the surgery, you will be asked to focus on a point to fix your cornea at a point. This will help the doctor to operate on your eye easily.

After The Procedure:

After the surgery, you may have dry eye, itchiness, and blurred vision. Thus you wish somebody takes you home after the surgery.

Your doctor may give you an eyedrop and some pain relief medicine. You will also have a follow-up appointment with your doctor one or two days after the procedure.

After doing LASIK, most people have better eyesight than before. It generally depends, how much your eye’s tissue was damaged.

You can use cosmetics after few weeks after the operation. After 2 to 3 weeks, you can start swimming, using the hot tub. But it will depend on your recovery rate and according to the advice of your doctor.

Always keep in touch with your eye surgeon and follow the instruction.

Cost Of The Surgery:

As for LASIK surgery cost, generally, insurance companies do not give you any coverage to do LASIK. Because LASIK is done not for any medical issue. Insurance companies consider it cosmetic surgery.

Usually, in USA LASIK for one eye costs $2200 and $4000 for both eyes.

Dos and Don’t after LASIK

1. Follow the instruction of your surgeon.

2. Use medicine and eyedrop according to the prescription.

3. Take your time to give the rest of your eyes.

4. Use UV-protected sunglasses.

5. Go to the follow-up appointment.

6. Do not use any electric device.

7. Do not any book or magazine.

8. Do not take shower.

9. Do not participate in any kind of sports.

10. Do not use eye cosmetics.

Comparison between LASIK and PRK

LASIK and PRK eye surgery both are laser surgery for the eyes. Both of the procedures reshape the cornea and cure vision problems like myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.

The main difference between LASIK and PRK is how the surgery is done.

During LASIK, doctors flip the cornea. Then use a laser to repair the underneath tissue.

During PRK, doctors remove the outer layer of the cornea. It grows back over time.

The cost for LASIK is $2200 for one eye and $4000 for both eyes.

The cost for PRK is between $1000 to $3000 for one eye. It depends on the medicine and damage that occurs in your eyes.

Side Effects of LASIK:

There are some risks and side effects of LASIK surgery. They are:

• Dry eyes.

• Glare, halos, and double vision.

• Undercorrections.

• Overcorrections.

• Astigmatism.

• Flap Problems.

• Regression.

• Vision loss or change.

Side Effects of PRK:

There are some side effects of PRK.

• Loss of vision.

• Permanent change to night vision.

• Double vision.

• Severe or permanent dry eye

Both LASIK and PRK have their pros and cons. Let the doctor decide which process is best for you. Always follow the instruction of your doctor and lead a healthy life.

FAQ

1. How much does LASIK cost for one eye?

Answer: General cost of LASIK for one eye is $2200, and for both eyes is $4000.

2. How much time does need to do LASIK?

Answer: Usually LASIK takes up to 30 minutes.

3. Can I drive my car after LASIK?

Answer: No, you can not drive after LASIK. Because after surgery, your eyesight may be blurred.

4. Can I blink during LASIK?

Answer: No, you can not blink during LASIK. The doctor will use an instrument to open your eyelids.

5. How much time to recover after LASIK?

Answer: Usually it takes one day to recover from LASIK surgery. You can back to normal life after three to six months.

6. When will my eye stabilize after LASIK?

Answer: It varies from patient to patient. Generally, it takes three to six months to stabilize your eye after LASIK surgery.

7. Can LASIK be unsuccessful?

Answer: LASIK can be unsuccessful. But it is a very rare case.

8. What is the full form of LASIK?

Answer: LASIK stands for Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusi