| Laser eye surgery and LASIK surgery are one | | | | not any extreme pain involved. The laser is pre |
| and the same. This is a procedure that can take | | | | programmed and automated so there is little |
| less than perfect vision and make it near perfect | | | | chance that there can be any mistakes. |
| again. There is a very high success rate with this | | | | The people that are most likely to have this |
| surgery and most people that have it are able to | | | | surgery are those whose vision has not changed |
| see very well without using corrective lenses. | | | | much, which limits the surgery and discounts |
| LASIK surgery was introduced to the public in | | | | young patients. Having a cornea that is relatively |
| 1990 and ever since it has been very popular for | | | | thin may prevent a patient from having the |
| those that can afford it. | | | | surgery. Material cannot be removed if there is |
| Laser surgery has worked well with people that | | | | not much there to be removed. This happens |
| have myopia and hypermetropia. In perfect vision | | | | when a person has serious loss of eyesight. |
| light goes into the eye through the lens. It is | | | | Those that have the age related presbyopia or |
| refracted or bent to fall on the retina, which | | | | have astigmatism are candidates for the surgery. |
| focuses the image. When you wear eyeglasses | | | | In most cases laser surgery is not covered by |
| the lens work with the natural lens of the eye to | | | | health insurance. Some doctors will allow |
| make the light refract and focus in the retina right | | | | payments while others will only take a lump sum |
| where it is supposed to be. | | | | before the surgery is completed. It is important |
| The light overshoots the retina with people that | | | | to pick a doctor that has a good track record in |
| have myopia. Instead the light hits the cornea, | | | | doing the surgery. It is not advisable to use a |
| which cannot sharpen the image. When laser | | | | doctor that charges less but has less experience |
| surgery is applied the cornea is reconfigured so | | | | in this procedure. Most costs run from USD$1500 |
| that the light gets to the retina and focusing will | | | | upwards to about $3000 and anyone who |
| no longer be a problem. The material in the center | | | | advertises cheaper rates usually add on other |
| of the cornea is thinned out and removed. In | | | | charges later. |
| hypermetropia the light is unable to get as far as | | | | This type of surgery is major surgery. It will take |
| the retina. In this case material is removed from | | | | some preparation to have it and if you wear |
| the edges of the cornea and it allows the light to | | | | contacts you will not be allowed to wear them for |
| reach the retina. | | | | a while prior to surgery. This may be just a few |
| A patient is given a painkiller that is applied to the | | | | days or up to a month or so. Afterwards eye |
| cornea of the eye before surgery. The eyelids | | | | makeup must be avoided and a guard is placed |
| are taped open and a metal tool called a speculum | | | | over the eye to protect it while sleeping. There |
| is applied to keep the eyelids apart. The surgeon | | | | are drops to be put in the eye periodically to |
| makes a small makes a small cut on the cornea | | | | prevent dry eye and a chance that you may |
| that creates a flap. The laser then removes the | | | | have to take an antibiotic to prevent an infection. |
| material from the cornea that makes it impossible | | | | Some people see relatively well right after |
| for the light to focus in the correct area. The flap | | | | surgery but it might take some time with others |
| is put back where it belongs and stitched back | | | | however, approximately ninety percent of people |
| into place. The procedure does not take long and | | | | having laser eye surgery are able to see clearly |
| though there may be some discomfort there is | | | | without having to wear corrective lenses. |