One of the most innovative methods of dealing with eye
problems today is LASIK Eye Surgery. But what
is LASIK and how do you know if you are a good
candidate for the surgery?
Short for Laser-Assisted in Situ
Keratomileusis, the procedure involves peeling
back a small section from the top of the cornea. A focused
laser will be used to reshape the cornea and eliminate any
tissue that may be the root cause of the eye problem. While not
always a road to perfect vision, LASIK can
greatly improve one's eyesight.
LASIK is a surgical procedure
Yes, LASIK is a surgical procedure. As
such, it carries with it some risks. Before anyone can undergo
LASIK surgery, a qualified physician will
evaluate the individual's fitness for the procedure. This will
mean some preparation for the evaluation.
If you wear contact lenses, the physician will most likely
ask that you switch to eyeglasses about two weeks before you
are evaluated. If you wear hard lenses, think in terms of
several weeks. It is important that the current shape of your
cornea is obvious to the physician, and any type of eyewear
that rests on your eye can impair that information. You may
also be asked to from smoking and limit your alcohol intake as
well, so you're general eye health can be evaluated
properly.
Be prepared to provide your physician with information about
any prescription medications you are currently on, including
dosage and frequency. If you take any over the counter
medications or herbal supplements, have that information handy
as well. Any allergies you may have should also be discussed in
advance with your doctor. Because LASIK
is a surgical procedure, your general health comes into play as
well.
Should it be determined that you are a candidate for
LASIK, your doctor will also have several
recommendations for how you should prepare for the surgery. At
least the day before the procedure, discontinue use of any
creams, lotions, perfumes, colognes or facial makeup. Any
lingering traces of any of these substances can provide
opportunities for infection. Eliminating them greatly reduces
the chance for problems during and after the
LASIK procedure.
In addition, be aware that you do not need to be behind the
wheel of a car after your surgery. While you will still be able
to see, your vision will be blurred and a small shield will be
placed over your eye at the end of the LASIK
procedure. The shield has two purposes. The first is to allow
the small flap that was retracted to be placed back into
position and to heal. The second purpose is to minimize the
chances for infection during the healing process. Along with
the cap, your doctor may also proscribe pain medication that
will impact your reflexes. Arrange for a ride home and also
take into consideration that you may need to stay our of the
driver's seat for a period of time after the surgery. Your
doctor will tell you when you can resume driving.
Many people find LASIK surgery to be the
answer to their eye problems. Consult your physician and see if
the procedure would benefit your situation.