Lasik surgery, the past, present and future of eye surgery!

What is Lasik surgery?

LASIK stands for: Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis. Which is an innovative technology designed to produce extensive amounts of energy into a single dot. This allows very precise cutting of the cornea that allows reshaping it to improve your refractive error.

Why would you need LASIK surgery?

When Light reflects off an object, it passes through the cornea, gets focused into the lens then falls on the retina. If the light bends incorrectly on the cornea and falls in front of the retina or behind it or inconsistently, you will not be able to see clearly!

Traditionally, eyeglasses were enough to correct the refractive error but it had many disadvantages but now with LASIK surgery you can live your life without eyeglasses and have a 20/20 vision!

Lasik eye surgery can correct refractive errors but what are refractive errors?

If you can see near objects clearly while you can’t see distant objects clearly, then this means you have nearsightedness where light falls Infront of the retina not directly on it because the cornea is too curved or the eye globe is too big.

If you are capable of seeing far objects perfectly but can’t see near objects clearly, this means you have farsightedness where the light falls behind the retina because either the cornea is too flat or the eye globe is small.

If you can’t see objects clearly at any distance, then this means you have astigmatism, where your cornea is curved or flattened irregularly.

What are the steps of Lasik surgery?

Usually when you are diagnosed with any refractive error, your doctor first describes eyeglasses or contact lenses for at least 6 months.

If your error is stable and has not deteriorated within those 6months and you are a fit candidate for LASIK surgery, your doctor will schedule an appointment for you as soon as you wish.

 

But how will you be diagnosed fit for surgery?

First your doctor will run a few examinations to ensure your overall general health, including your blood sugar, blood pressure and more.

Then he/she will perform few ophthalmological examinations like:

• Visual acuity tests.
• Corneal topography.
• Intraocular pressure.

The doctor will fill you in on all steps of the surgery, its advantages, recovery window and how to avoid complications and side effects.

He/ she will also advise you to stop using contact lenses for at least a week before surgery, and stop taking any blood thinners.

On the day of LASIK surgery:

• Let one of your family members come with you to the hospital/center or someone to help you with your ride home.
• Don’t wear your lenses or eye makeup.
• Have a sunglass on your hands if you are leaving when the sun is still up.
• You will relax on a recliner, and your anesthesiologist will put some drops of anesthesia in your eyes so you won’t feel any pain during the procedure.
• In surgery, your eye surgeon creates a thin superficial flap with a microkeratome then using an Excimer laser he/she reshapes the cornea according to the topographic examination made earlier. This reshaping allows the cornea to look normal again, which lets the light fall directly on the retina.Top of Form

After LASIK surgery:

• You may feel that your eyes are dry and itchy. May be also it could look redder and waterier.
• Also, you may feel some pain, which can easily go with pain-killers. And avoid rubbing your eyes at all costs.
• Your eyesight doesn’t improve immediately, it may take 2-3 months till your cornea heals completely.
• Following up with your doctor is mandatory to avoid complications and side effects.

Magrabi’s advice:

Lasik surgery is a very innovative surgery, allowing you to get rid of eyeglasses and contacts forever! It is a bladeless surgery that takes less than 30 minutes. It has many advantages and helps you see clearly without the help of eyeglasses or contacts! Check with your doctor if you want to know if you are fit for this surgery.