Lasik (an acronym for laser in situ keratomileusis) surgery is a common household name regarding vision improvement. Approved by the Federal Department of Agriculture (FDA) roughly 20 years ago, it is not for everyone, nor does it fix every vision problem. More than 19 million Lasik procedures have been performed in the United States, and more than 45 FDA approvals have been implemented. Read on to discover some typical questions and answers associated with the surgery.
What is the basic premise of Lasik surgery? Lasik is a two-step procedure. In the first step, a micro-thin circular flap is made on the eye’s surface, known as the cornea. After the few-second process, the surgeon gently lifts the flap to expose where the vision correction treatment will happen. In the second step, a computer-glided excimer laser permanently removes the microscopic pieces of tissue causing vision problems. The flap is laid back in place and protects the reshaped cornea until it heals.
What about the lasers? Lasik does involve the use of precise lasers, which are incredibly important due to the intricate area affected. Lasers can be used safely without damaging the surrounding tissues.
Is it painful? Thanks to numbing and lubricating drops, Lasik surgery is basically painless. Patients sometimes feel pressure from the eyelid holder, used to prevent blinking. Some mild discomfort can result after surgery, which will last roughly five hours.
Are you awake? Yes, people who undergo Lasik are given a sedative to keep them calm. Moreover, if your eyes move, the laser automatically tracks it, shutting off in case of a sneeze or sudden movement.
Is the procedure safe? Lasik is an elective procedure, with more than 7,000 clinical studies conducted and published to support its safety and effectiveness. One of the highest scores out of any elective procedure, Lasik rates at a stunning 96 percent patient satisfaction. One reason for the high satisfaction is due to the fact that many patients have better vision after Lasik than they did with their best glasses before surgery. With more than 40 million procedures performed worldwide, blindness has never resulted in healthy candidates.
What are the side effects? During the healing period, the patient’s eyes might feel dry, light-sensitive, or irritated. Night vision issues such as glare, halos, ghosting, starbursts, and dry eye might occur. These issues typically resolve themselves, and some people might require additional eye drops to reduce inflammation or dry eyes. Less than five percent of the time, in rare cases, further treatment might be necessary to readdress residual vision problems.
For more information regarding Lasik surgery or to schedule an appointment, contact Rohr Eye & Laser Center today.
Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to provide personalized and extraordinary care to our patients. Whether your goal is to maintain or improve your natural vision, we are here to help you. Call us at 877-579-0202 or visit https://www.michiganlasik.com/ to schedule an appointment today.
Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.