Should I Get Laser Eye Surgery?

Introduction

Laser eye surgery in medical terms is known as LASIK. The term LASIK stands for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. Laser eye surgery is used for treating eye diseases like myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. This surgery is performed by keeping the patient awake. Sometimes they give a sedative or give you some eye drops. This surgery is performed by ophthalmologists. The surgery is not complex and the patient heals quickly though, he has to take some precautions. For instance, they are not allowed to go out in the sun without wearing sunglasses, they are given medicine so that they take as much sleep as they can and the eyes should also not be rubbed.

History

The first ophthalmologist who made this surgery possible was Jose Barraquer, a Spanish surgeon in 1950, in Colombia. Ever since then, laser eye surgery has found its place in the medical world and many people get this done to rid themselves of eye glasses.

Features

The surgery is a dream come true to those people who hate to wear glasses or are possessive about their looks. Laser eye surgery is affordable and painless, and does not have many risks. It has now become a treatment for poor eyesight. Anybody can have a laser surgery except for pregnant women, persons who have a weak immune system, children under the age of 18 and people who suffer from diabetes and epilepsy. Any surgery has its risks and benefits. It is necessary to have a good surgeon who will guide you through it. If you are interested in having a laser eye surgery and read about it on Internet, it might sound scary and painful, as the eye is the most sensitive part and you just can’t take any risk for it. Local anesthesia is given before the surgery to the patients and general anesthesia to children, so that the patient doesn’t feel any pain. Then with the help of an eye-speculum the eye is kept open so that the surgery can be done. A ring will be placed on your eye ball so that it remains firmly in one place. Then your vision will get blurry and you won’t be able to see anything clear. Afterwards, a very fine instrument with a sharp blade is used and with the help of a souped-up knife the flap of your cornea will be cut. After the flap is lifted, the doctor then asks the patient to stare at the light which will help you keep your eyes fixed. Then, on the sides of your cornea, you will feel an arcing slice and then you might begin to smell burning tissue. It’s nothing to be scared of; this means your surgery has been completed.

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