There are many things you should know about laser eye surgery. Many consider it 100% safe, but it is important to remember that there is always a certain chance of risk, as with any other surgical procedure. Most patients generally get a 20/40 vision, and do not need to wear glasses anymore after surgery, but certain issues should still be taken into account, before one decides on a laser eye surgery. It is definitely a very advanced procedure, and aims to correct the problems of vision. In the procedure, light rays are refracted or bent by the cornea, so as to direct them on the retina. Any person thinking of going in for laser eye surgery should be informed about the procedure, the benefits and risks, and of course – choosing a reliable and suitable eye surgeon is a must. It’s always important to remember that just as with any other surgery, there are certain complications that may occur, so it is always better to be informed and then make a decision. In fact, one possible adverse effect of laser eye surgery is the ability to see distanced objects clearly, but see up-close objects as blurry.

With laser eye surgery, there is always the risk of losing sight eventually, so it is essential to remember that the procedure is irreversible. Once you go in for it, there is no looking back. Sometimes, there is a possibility of the flap getting dislocated right after the surgery, so it is important for the patient to sleep, this prevents any dislocation. Your surgeon would be explaining the risks and the benefits of laser eye surgery to you, and would also tell you about any complications that might occur. Do remember to do your research, so that you know exactly what you are getting into. If your surgeon is evasive, or does not answer your questions properly, take that as a warning sign, and set about getting a new doctor. Do make a good choice of an eye surgeon, go by recommendations and experience.

The great thing about laser eye surgery is that it drastically reduces the need for glasses or contact lenses. The procedure itself is quite expensive, so take a good look at the insurance you have, and your cover plans. Severe side effects like losing vision completely are rare, though it is always advisable to be informed, because both the PRK and the Lasik procedures have a few risks.

0.1% of those who go in for PRK procedure have corneal infection, and less than that in the case of Lasik. If you are one of those, be prepared to have some discomfort and experience delayed healing, but long-term effects are not usual. Another possible side-effect is under correction, or over correction. It is impossible for the surgeon to predict with 100% certainty how your eyes would be responding to the procedure, so it might still be necessary to wear glasses or contact lenses, even post-surgery. However, some do choose to go in for more surgical procedures, to bring about an improvement in results.

The recovering process after a PRK procedure has corneal haze – which is actually quite normal, and does not affect the final vision in the long term. Sometimes, though, there might be an interference with the vision. Another side-effect which is sometimes possible is regression, that means the surgery does not work and the state of the eye becomes the same as before the surgery, within a month. In these cases, another surgical procedure must be carried out to correct this.

Lasik eye surgery is a kind of laser vision correction that would permanently alter the shape of a person’s cornea – this improves the vision vastly, and brings about a drastic reduction in the need for glasses or contact lenses. Clear vision is defines as the proper refraction of light rays by the cornea and the lens – this makes the images focused on the retina. If there is improper focus and then the images come out blurry – this is called a refractive error, and the cause of it is an imperfectly shaped eyeball, lens or cornea. So what does Lasik eye surgery do, then? It uses an Excimer Laser (a UV laser), which removes the corneal tissue precisely, bringing about a corrected corneal shape which gives better focusing.

Before surgery, the eyes are completely examined to make sure of proper health, and tests are carried out to determine the cornea’s curve, the position and size of the pupils, the eyes’ shape, and the cornea’s thickness. In fact, the last issue is taken into account to make sure that enough cornea tissue is left after surgery.

The patient has to give a signed informed consent form, which states that he/she is aware of the risks involved, the benefits, the alternative options, and the possible complications. The procedure itself is relatively short, and takes about 10 to 15 minutes for each eye, it is a kind of outpatient surgical procedure.

So what kind of anesthetic is used? Only an eye drop is given, this numbs the eye’s surface. The entire procedure is carried out while the person is fully conscious and awake, and the eye surgery can be done either on one eye, or both eyes, in the same session. The microkeratome, which is a kind of special life, cuts a hinged flap of corneal tissue from the outer layer of the eyeball. This is lifted out of the way, and then a special laser is given, which changes or alters the shape of the corneal tissue lying beneath the eye. How much tissue should be removed is calculated before the procedure, and upon completion of the reshaping, the flap is replaced and secured by the surgeon. Stitches are not required, but an eye patch is placed over the patient’s eye, which protects the flap, and prevents any rubbing or pressure on the eye – thus giving it enough opportunity to heal.

Why exactly is Lasik eye surgery carried out? Well, it is needed by those who use contact lenses or glasses, due to nearsightedness, or myopia. However, it is also occasionally used to correct farsightedness. Sometimes, even, it aims to correct astigmatism. Certain factors in patients are preferred before carrying out the procedure – the patient should be at least 18 years old, or even 21 years old, because the vision of people younger than that is still in the process of changing, the patient should not be pregnant or breastfeeding, the patient should not be taking prescription drugs like Accutane or even oral prednisone, the patient’s eyes should be healthy, the prescription stable, and the patient should be in general good health. Also, patients who suffer from herpes infections in the eye, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, glaucoma, or cataracts are usually not recommended for Lasik eye surgery.

A detailed discussion with the surgeon is always required.

Before deciding to get a Lasik eye surgery, it is essential to take certain factors into account – like your expectations and whether they are realistic, and if you are contented with contact lenses or glasses – then perhaps the surgery is not required.Lasik eye surgery is not without its share of risks. Some of the risks are: glare of haloes, decreased distance vision at high altitudes, corneal infection, decrease in contrast sensitivity, dry eyes, corneal scarring, permanent problems with the shape of the cornea (it is impossible to put on contact lenses), scratchiness, patches or red/pink in the eyes’ whites, sensitivity to light, problems while driving at night, reduced vision, or even permanent vision loss.

It is important to note however, that while Lasik eye surgery corrects vision to a large extent, some patients might still need glasses so as to optimize vision. Post-surgery, patients usually experience some itching and burning in the eye, a sense of mild discomfort which can be treated with a mild pain reliever medication prescribed by the doctor. Patients should be informed that rubbing the eyes after a Lasik eye surgery is very harmful, as the flap might move, or get dislodged. Blurry vision is normal on the day of the surgery, but there is an improvement the next day. Follow-up appointments (usually 24-48 hours post-surgery) deal with any severe pain, or worsened symptoms. Sometimes, eye drops are given to prevent the chance of infection. Patients should be told not to drive, till the vision has improved sufficiently.