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LASIK Eye Surgery Improves Vision and Treats Eye Disease

LASIK, an acronym for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, is a form of eye surgery that has become extremely popular in the last decade. It can be used to improve vision, reduce dependency on glasses or contact lenses, and to treat certain age-related eye diseases. Some of the age-related eye diseases that LASIK treats glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and presbyopia.

How the Procedure Works
LASIK improves vision by using an excimer laser to permanently change the shape of the clear covering of the front of the eye, the cornea. A knife known as a microkeratome cuts a hinged flap in the cornea. The flap is folded back to show the middle section of the cornea called the stroma. Then computer-controlled laser pulses vaporize a part of the stroma and the flap is replaced. The flap adheres quickly to the eye so no stitches are necessary.

The procedure is generally performed in an ophthalmologist's office and lasts about fifteen minutes long. Because LASIK eye surgery is done with a laser, patients don't need to be anesthetized because they feel no pain. Unlike other surgeries, LASIK has a fast recovery time, ranging from a few hours to one day.

Costs of LASIK
The cost of LASIK depends on who performs the surgery, as well as the level of complication that your particular procedure requires. While some places offer LASIK treatment for as little as $500, others can charge up to or above $5,000. One thing to keep in mind when pricing LASIK options is that quotes usually refer to the price the procedure will be for one eye. That means that you will have to double any quotes to get an accurate price of what the treatment will cost you for both eyes.

The Risks Involved with LASIK
One of the biggest misconceptions of LASIK surgery is that it completely restores a person's vision. While the procedure has been known to get patients back to near 20/20 vision, it generally only reduces the need for corrective glasses and contact lenses. In fact, most patients will still need glasses or contact lenses. However, their prescription strength will be significantly reduced.

Another risk associated with LASIK eye surgery is a phenomenon known as night glare. Night glare refers to the experience of seeing a halo around lights at night. While this isn't debilitating, it can be irritating. Patients can experience night glare after the procedure if their pupils dilate to a scope that's wider than the area that was treated or if the procedure over corrected the cornea.

People who undergo LASIK may also suffer from a loss of close-up vision after the age of forty. As a result, they tend to lose their reading vision, as well as their ability to detect detail at a close range.