Eye Surgery Insights.com

Lasik Eye Surgery: Are You A Candidate?

The popularity of Lasik eye surgery has grown to such an extent that more than two million people are expected to undergo the procedure this year alone. By far, most of those who’ve had Lasik eye surgery have been pleased with the results, though the surgery is not always 100% effective, and the long term effects of the surgery are still unknown.

One of the aspects of Lasik eye surgery that makes it slightly more risky is the complexity of the procedure. Lasik eye surgery requires a surgeon, using a knife called a microkeratome, to cut a flap of corneal tissue, to remove the targeted tissue beneath it with a laser, and then replace the flap. Generally Lasik eye surgery involves fewer negative side effects and the eye heals faster. However, since it involves cutting part of the eye tissue, the risk of severe complications is greater.

In fact, not everyone is a candidate for Lasik.

Who might not be a candidate for Lasik eye surgery? Obviously, if you’re not in good overall health, elective surgery such as this is probably not in your best interests. If you’re a diabetics, it’s generally beleived that you would probably not be a good candidate for Lasik eye surgery. If you’re pregnant or nursing, it would be wise to wait until after your child has been born and your body is strong again before considering Lasik eye surgery.

You must be at least 18 years old and have had a prescription for glasses or contacts for no less than the previous two years. In addition, your cornea, the part of the eye that’s cut to make a flap so the laser can remove the targeted tissue, must to be at least 250 microns thick in order for the flap to be successfully cut. If an eye doctor reports that your cornea is too thin for Lasik eye surgery, heed his advise. Otherwise, you risk irreversible damage to the cornea if the incision doesn’t go right.

To make sure Lasik eye surgery is in your best interests, disclose your personal health history and any medications you’re taking to your eye surgeon. Steroids, as well as other drugs, tend to delay the healing process. There are certain diseases which can also delay the healing process. So make certain your eye surgeon has all the facts in order to make the proper determination about the procedure’s appropriateness for your situation.

Finally, be aware that there are some occupations you’ll no longer be able to pursue if you have Lasik eye surgery. Certain jobs within the armed forces, pilot, and those jobs that require frequent immersion in water are examples of occupations that affected by this surgery. Even if you’re not currently affiliated with one of these jobs, you’ll want to take into consideration your future pursuits.

A few considerations for after the Lasik eye surgery:

* Your vision will be blurry for at least a day or two after your surgery.
* Complications that can arise include continued blurry vision, halos around light and glare.
* You may have difficulty driving at night for some time.
* It could take several months for your vision to stabilize.
* Initially, you can expect some burning, itching, and even some minor pain.

Lasik eye surgery is the same as any surgery … you need to be well informed and have all the facts before you make the decision to proceed. If there’s anything you don’t understand, ask your surgeon to explain it. Make sure you’re a good candidate, and listen to the advise of your doctor.