What is LASIK eye surgery and when is it done?
LASIK eye surgery is an outpatient surgical procedure thatcan be done in order to correct vision problems such as nearsightedness,farsightedness, or astigmatism. Depending on the problem that is to be treated,during this procedure, the laser is used to flatten the cornea that is toosteep, to make it steeper, or to smoothen the irregular shape of the cornea, inorder for its shape to be normal. It does not require staying at the hospital, itusually does not last more than 5 minutes, it is relatively painless, and thevision is improved the following day. These are all advantages that it has overother procedures that are preformed for the same purpose. However, after theprocedure, it is necessary to follow the advice and instructions given by thedoctor, it is necessary to use the medications that are prescribed, and to getrest. Even though the patient may go to work the very next day, it isrecommended to stay home for at least few days, and to avoid strenuous activities,as well as rubbing the eye.
What are the risks and problems related to this eye surgery?
As for the risks and problems related to LASIK eye surgery,the fact is that they do exists, but they are really rare. According to somestatistical records, even less than 1 % of the patients who underwent this procedureexperienced serious problems with vision after it. It has been recorded thatsome patients complained of double vision, dry eyes, or problems with nightvision, even though their vision was excellent after the surgery. Some complicationsthat are related to the LASIK flap include irregular astigmatism, diffuselamellar keratitis (known also as ‘Sands of Sahara’) and keratoconus. However,what should reduce the concern is the fact that the majority of thecomplications after the surgery can be repaired with another surgery. It surelyis important to choose an experienced surgeon, just like with every othersurgery, because this is the only way in which the risks can be minimized. Thedoctor is the one who has to determine whether or not the patient is a goodcandidate for this kind of the surgery, and he has to introduce the person inquestion with the possible risks and complications, no matter how rarely theyoccur.
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