Lasik surgery allows many people to escape wearing contact lens and/or glasses, even if they've worn them all of their lives. It is used in the treatment of refractive vision problems. The word Lasik means laser assisted in situ keratomileusis. It is a very popular form of treatment today because there is little pain associated with it and because it produces good results. It is a quick form of surgery taking about fifteen minutes per eye. Lasik surgery is only good for three forms of vision problem. Myopia is knows as near-sightedness. This means that the light is refracting is such a way that distant objects are blurry. Hyperopia or far-sightedness is the opposite. People can't focus clearly on near items, but their distance vision is fine. Astigmatism is a focusing problem that results in blurred vision.
The Lasik procedure is rather simple. The patient's eyes are examined prior to surgery and are measured and mapped. This allows the physician to determine the correct amount of tissue to remove. The surgery takes place with the patient awake. The physician begins by making a flap in the covering of the eye. This can be accomplished with a knife or with a laser. The laser, which is generally preferred by patients, is directed by a pre-programmed computer to make the flap. Once the flap is made it is pulled back to reveal the cornea. The physician uses a different laser to remove corneal tissue. The amount to be removed is determined by the pre-surgery design and eye mapping. When this is finished the flap is put back in place and the eye heals. Most patients have an immediate improvement in their vision although it may take up to six months before the full effects are known. The result is often perfect or near perfect vision for the patient who no longer needs glasses or contact lens. The laser reshapes the cornea. This causes the light to refract differently through the eye to the retina correcting one, two or three of the vision problems discussed above. This is usually a permanent solution to these problems. People who have Lasik surgery throw away their glasses and contact lens for good.
Lasik surgery is rarely covered by insurance although some plans are beginning to cover some of it. Check around when looking for a physician to perform the Lasik surgery. The clinic closest to your house is not always the best.
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