Before undergoing LASIK eye surgery, you will meet with a doctor who will evaluate your eyes and discuss whether you are a good candidate for the procedure. Afterward, you will sign a formal statement of informed consent that explains what LASIK surgery entails and any potential risks or side effects.If you are interested in LASIK surgery, there are certain things you will need to do. First, you will need to see a doctor who specializes in adult eye care. Next, you will need to have a comprehensive eye exam to determine whether you are a good candidate for LASIK surgery. During the exam, the doctor will check your visual acuity (the sharpness of your vision), your prescription, and your other basic eye health metrics. If you are eligible for the procedure, the doctor will explain all your options and help you decide on the best course of action for your unique needs.The pre-lasik physical exam isn't as scary as it sounds. The doctor will do a comprehensive eye exam that includes talking to you about your medical history, testing your vision and eye alignment etc. They will also have you try on different sized contacts to see what works for you. This is very important because if they don't fit right they could cause more harm than good. There is also a ton of paperwork involved. The doctor will also ask about your diet, lifestyle, and any other factors that could affect your vision. This is all very normal and standard protocol for any eye doctor!
What Is LASIK?
LASIK stands for laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis. It is a surgical procedure that is used to correct vision problems caused by irregularities in your cornea, or the layer of cells that covers your eye's visual portion. If an eye doctor determines that LASIK is right for you, they will remove a portion of the cornea using a blade or special laser. Then they will replace this cornea with a fresh one from the inside of your eye. The reason this is done is because your eyes are naturally equipped with an adjustable flap that can be controlled manually or with a special computer program. This flap is called the corneal flap. The cornea is the transparent layer that covers the front of your eye. If this layer is irregular or doesn't have enough strength, light entering your eye will be distorted and cause blurring. LASIK surgery fixes this by re-shaping the cornea.
Candidates for LASIK Eye Surgery
You are a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery if you are 18 years old or over, have a stable prescription, and you meet the visual requirements outlined below. Certain vision conditions, such as progressive nearsightedness (gradual change in the ability to see nearby objects), dry eye, and astigmatism, can sometimes preclude you from receiving LASIK surgery.Your visual requirements are also called your "LASIK eligibility criteria." If you meet these requirements, you will most likely be approved for LASIK surgery. Some of the visual requirements are:- Nearsightedness: If you have a prescription of -16 diopters or above in your right eye (or -16 diopters or more in both eyes), you may be a good candidate for LASIK surgery. This means that nearby objects will appear fuzzy, and reading small text will be difficult.- Astigmatism: If you have no more than 1 diopter of astigmatism in either eye, you may be a good candidate for LASIK surgery.- Myopia: If your prescription is below -6 diopters in either eye, you may be a good candidate for LASIK surgery. If the prescription is below -8 diopters in both eyes, you may be a good candidate for LASIK surgery.- Hyperopia: If your prescription is above 6 diopters in either eye, you may be a good candidate for LASIK surgery.
LASIK Eye Surgery Recovery
After LASIK eye surgery, your vision may be blurry for a few hours. You should not drive or engage in any other activity that requires focus and concentration until your vision is fully restored. You can also expect a few temporary side effects after LASIK eye surgery. Some of these include dryness, light sensitivity, and irritation.If you have dry eye, you may also experience dryness after LASIK eye surgery. You may also experience light sensitivity for a short period of time after LASIK eye surgery if you have a history of light sensitivity. You may also experience irritation if you are wearing contacts after LASIK eye surgery, as these lenses are usually made of hard plastic that presses against the surface of your eyes.
Conclusion
LASIK eye surgery is a common treatment for nearsightedness. It can correct your vision to 20/20 or better if you meet the eligibility criteria for the procedure. There are certain things you will need to do before having this surgery, including seeing an eye specialist, undergoing a comprehensive eye exam, and signing a formal statement of informed consent.If you are interested in LASIK eye surgery, make sure to do your research and ask all the necessary questions before making a decision.