One of the most common types of laser eye surgery, LASIK has allowed millions of patients to see properly without glasses or contacts. The surgery involves creating a flap in the cornea, and then using a specialized laser to reshape the corneal surface, correcting for the corneal abnormalities that cause the patient's poor vision. The flap is then folded back over the eye, and the patient's vision improves dramatically in just a few short days. LASIK can be used to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. As all surgical procedures, however, it has both advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of LASIK for Vision Correction
LASIK is fast and painless.
The entire surgical procedure takes only 10 - 15 minutes. The surgeon can operate on both eyes on the same day, and since local anesthetic eye drops are used, LASIK is completely painless. You get to remain awake during the surgery, which means you don't have to worry about the risks and side effects associated with general anesthesia.
LASIK yields nearly instant visual improvement.
Most patients notice an improvement in their vision immediately after surgery. Over the next few hours, the blurriness retreats, and many patients can see well enough to drive and read the day after surgery. Almost all patients have nearly perfect vision within a week after surgery. This healing time is much shorter than the healing time associated with other laser eye correction surgeries including LASEK and PRK.
Patients experience very little discomfort when recovering from LASIK.
While procedures like PRK and LASEK lead to itching, burning and stinging for several days or weeks after surgery, most patients only suffer from mild itching and burning for a couple of hours after LASIK surgery. This makes it possible for most patients to return to work just a day or two after having LASIK.
LASIK has a long history of success.
The procedure has been used in the United States for more than a decade, with nearly 100% of patients achieving their desired visual results following surgery. In cases where LASIK is not as successful as desired, additional procedures can usually be used to enhance its effects and further improve vision.
Disadvantages of LASIK for Vision Correction
The creation of the flap is associated with possible side effects.
In a small number of LASIK patients, the flap becomes torn or misplaced, leading to pain and blurry vision. The flap may also become misplaced during healing. Additional surgical procedures can usually correct for these side effects. PRK, a laser vision correction treatment that does not involve creating a flap in the cornea, does not cause these potential side effects.
LASIK patients are at risk for dry eye.
About half of all LASIK patients experience eye dryness following surgery. For many, this symptom subsides in time, but for others, in lingers indefinitely and requires treatment with prescription medications. Other laser vision correction procedures such as PRK and LASEK carry a lower risk of dry eye.
Not everyone is a candidate for LASIK.
Some patients have corneas that are too thin or too flat to create a substantial flap. These patients are not able to undergo LASIK surgery, although they may be candidates for other laser vision correction surgeries. The only way to know whether you are a candidate for LASIK is to have your eyes assessed by a licensed ophthalmologist.
If you are considering having laser correction surgery, call your eye doctor to schedule an appointment for a pre-operational assessment. He or she will determine whether you are a candidate for LASIK, and may suggest other options that are well-suited for your eyes. Keep the advantages and disadvantages above in mind as you decide whether LASIK is the right choice for your eyes.
