Health & Fitness Tools

All You You Should Know About Lasik Eye Surgery

8th May, 2009 - Posted by health news - No Comments

Lasik Eye Surgery is a type of refractive eye surgery, with the word Lasik standing for “laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis.” Eye diseases such as myopia, astigmatism and hyperopia are cured by executing this surgical procedure. This procedure reshapes the cornea or the transparent covering of the eye by treating the corneal flap with laser technology. A highly specialized laser is used in improving the vision of the patient, eliminating the use of glasses or contact lenses. Refractive errors are also cured using Lasik eye medication. Despite the use of expensive equipment, lasik surgery cost is quite reasonable.
Lasik Eye Surgery is employed in order to treat various eye illnesses such as myopia or nearsightedness, hyperopia or farsightedness and astigmatism. The inequity in eye length and concentrating power causing nearer things to become clearer than far-away objects are healed in myopia eye medication. The difference between the concentrating power and the eye extent that causes far-away objects to become clearer than nearer objects are healed in hyperopia treatment. Numerous images manifesting themselves in the patient’s cornea are caused by a distorted cornea can be remedied in astigmatism treatment.The cost of lasik eye surgery is affordable enough that many people choose this option over contact lenses or glasses to correct these illnesses.
There are three steps in performing a Lasik Eye Surgery. First, an eye surgeon exclusively trained in the usage of lasers creates a precise thin hinged corneal flap. A corneal suction ring is applied to the patient’s eye in order to hold the eye in place. The flap is then created by using a specific type of laser called “femtosecond laser microkeratome”. Bubbles will then begin to come out within the patient’s cornea. The flap is then folded back in order to reveal the stroma or the middle section of the cornea.
The second step is using the laser to reshape the patient’s cornea in a distinctive manner. The laser used in this stage is called the “excimer laser”. The stroma is not harmed during the period the laser vaporizes the eye tissues in a sensitive manner. There is no burning or actual cutting done when removing the tens of micrometers of tissue. Continuous incidents of unclear vision and disorientation may be encountered by the patient during this stage.
There are no stitches necessary when putting back the corneal flap into the cornea after the reshaping process. The eye surgeon carefully replaces the flap over the treated area of the cornea. Air bubbles and other debris that may have paved its way unto the eye are verified and removed by the eye specialist. The flap will heal itself naturally by attaching itself to the cornea. A few weeks up to a couple of months are typically the time required.
There are several things the patient must do after lasik eye surgery. Various antibiotics and anti-inflammatory eye drops are given to the patient for the first few weeks after the eye treatment. The patient is required to moisturize the eyes with preservative-free tears and prescription drops. The patient also needs much sleep in order to speed up the recovery process. The eyes must also be protected from vivid and bright lights by using dark-colored eye gear. Rubbing of the eyes is not permitted, thereby requiring the usage protective goggles in order to prevent any possible damage, which can be inflicted to the eye whilst sleeping.