LASIK Facts to Know

LASIK is the acronym for laser assisted in situ Keratomileusis. It is a laser eye surgery that helps to reshape the cornea so that a person can see without the use of corrective lenses.

LASIK is a very popular surgery and many people are considering getting LASIK. If you are one of them then read on for some LASIK facts that you should know before surgery.

- LASIK was invented in 1950 by Jose Barraquer. He developed the microkeratome machine used in LASIK surgery.

- The Excimer laser, the main laser used in LASIK surgery, was invented in 1968 at the Northup Corporation Research and Technology Center at the university of California.

- LASIK has a lower pain and complication rate then other forms of laser eye surgery.

- The laser is not used in every part of the surgery. In most LASIK surgeries the initial flap in the cornea is made with a scalpel.

- The flap cut in the cornea is not secured in any way after surgery. It is simply laid back into place and left to heal naturally.

- Contact lenses can cause the cornea to be reshaped and so patients are recommended to stop wearing them for six or more weeks, depending on how long the patient has worn contacts, before surgery for the best LASIK results.

- Antibiotics are often prescribed prior to surgery to help prevent infection after surgery.

- A patient is awake during LASIK surgery.

- Wearing the dark glasses after surgery is important to protecting the eyes from bright lights.

- Pupil size can cause side effects after the surgery which can cause vision problems.

- Subconjunctival hemorrhage, where blood vessels in the eye rupture and bleed into the whites of the eyes, is a common side effect of LASIK, but is minor and corrects itself within days after the surgery.

- A slipped flap is one of the most common complications of LASIK. A person can minimize their risk by following all doctors orders after surgery.

- Some patients may still need to wear reading glasses after LASIK surgery because this condition is not related to the cornea or shape of the cornea and is, instead, an age related occurrence.

- High heat and humidity can effect the results of LASIK surgery and recovery process.

- LASIK is used for correcting myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism only.

- Satisfaction with LASIK results ranges from 92 to 98%.
by Joseph Then