LASIK (laser in-situ keratomileusis) is a surgery that flattens the cornea. It is the most common laser surgery for correcting nearsightedness (myopia) and astigmatism. LASIK makes a little flap in the cornea and gets rid of a few of the tissue exposed by the flap. The laser eliminates tissue from the cornea very accurately without harmful nearby tissues.
What To Expect After Lasik Surgery for Nearsightedness
LASIK is an outpatient procedure. It is done under local anesthesia in a surgeon’s workplace or a same-day surgery center. The operation on one eye takes about 10 to 15 minutes. The entire procedure usually takes less than 2 hours, consisting of preparation time, care right after the surgery, and documents.
After surgery, you might use a patch or contact lens on the eye and get a prescription for pain medication. Someone must own you home then back to the surgeon’s office the next day. During this second go to, the surgeon will examine your eye and prescribe eyedrops to avoid infection and minimize inflammation. More follow-up gos to are required, typically the next week and then throughout the first year after surgery.
- You will feel inflammation and scratchiness in the eye on the day of surgery. Your eyes might water a lot.
- Recovery is typically fast, with only moderate pain. You might go back to your normal activities within a couple of days.
- Dry-eye symptoms are common but normally temporary.
- You might need to use an eye shield for a few days after surgery.
- Your vision may be hazy or blurry for a few days or a week after surgery. Do not own till your vision has actually cleared.
- For 2 weeks after surgery, prevent active sports, and activities that may get water in the eye. The surgeon may suggest that you shower before the surgery then avoid showering for a day or 2 later to avoid getting water in the eye.
LASIK generally requires hardly any recovery time. Most people who have the surgery see rather well the next day. There is little or no pain after LASIK.
Why Lasik Surgery Is Done
LASIK is an optional, cosmetic procedure that is done to correct nearsightedness in otherwise healthy eyes.
LASIK surgery might be used to remedy moderate to moderate nearsightedness. It is likewise thought to be the best procedure for correcting high nearsightedness (greater than 7 diopters), although the outcomes of surgery become harder to anticipate with greater amounts of nearsightedness.
The procedure may not be done for people who:
- Have not had steady vision for a minimum of 1 year.
- Are below age 18.
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Have a disease or abnormality of the cornea, such as keratoconus or corneal edema.
- Have an unrestrained autoimmune or connective tissue disease.
Does Lasik Work for Nearsightedness?
Over the short term, LASIK has been shown to be really reliable in decreasing mild to moderate nearsightedness (myopia). Almost everyone notices improvements in their vision. But not everyone gets best 20/20 vision.
For people with myopia of less than 6 diopters, studies showed that after surgery, about:
- 67 to 72 from 100 had 20/20 vision or much better.
- 95 to 96 out of 100 had 20/40 vision or better.
For people with myopia between 6 and 12 diopters, research studies revealed that after surgery, about:
- 48 to 64 out of 100 had 20/20 vision or better.
- 89 to 94 out of 100 had 20/40 vision or better.
Medical professionals continue to enhance the technique and to study the long-term outcomes.
Risks After Lasik Procedure for Nearsightedness
The risk of complications from LASIK surgery is low and decreases with a more skilled surgeon. Search for a corneal specialist or surgeon who does the surgery often.
Complications and side effects from LASIK might include:
- Clouded vision (clouding of the cornea as an outcome of inflammation during healing). The inflammation typically disappears on its own. However your doctor may give you medicine or do a procedure to alleviate the inflammation.
- Night vision problems, such as halos (often described as a shimmering circle lights such as headlights or street lamps).
- Glare, or increased sensitivity to intense light.
- Double vision (diplopia), usually in one eye.
- New astigmatism brought on by wrinkling in the corneal flap or other flap complications.
- Loss of best corrected vision, which is the best possible vision you can accomplish using glasses or contact lenses.
- Overcorrection or undercorrection.
Major vision-threatening complications are unusual but might consist of:
- Infection of the cornea (keratitis).
- Elevated pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure) resulting in glaucoma.
LASIK has actually been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) given that 1995. But the procedure might have long-lasting side effects or complications that experts do not yet learn about.
Is Lasik Safe?
If you are considering having surgery to improve nearsightedness, think about all the options (consisting of LASIK, PRK, epi-LASIK, corneal ring implants, intraocular lens implants, and radial keratotomy), and discuss them with your doctor. Ask your doctor the concerns that you have about surgery (for example, what are the risks, advantages, and possible results), so that you comprehend your alternatives and can make the best choice.
LASIK is being done more regularly than PRK, mainly due to the fact that of the good results and the quicker visual recovery that LASIK offers. There is no agreement about whether LASIK transcends to PRK or vice versa for people with moderate to moderate nearsightedness.
Talk with your doctor about the risks and advantages of remedying both eyes on the same day compared to doing one eye at a time on separate days.
Ask your eye doctor for your initial eye measurements-the ones that he or she took in the past LASIK was done. It is very important to keep them with your other medical records in case you ever need cataract surgery. They assist the doctor compute future lens implants after cataract surgery.