After LASIK eye surgery (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis), the patient is usually free from the hassles of corrective glasses or contact lenses. Previous vision problems can be corrected through a fairly recent innovation in surgical procedures. The newest instrument developed is called an Intralase laser, used for creating a thin, circular flap in the cornea. The flap is folded back by the surgeon, and a cool ultraviolet light beam is used to precisely remove very tiny bits of tissue from the cornea to reshape it. Then the flap is replaced so it covers the area where the surgery was done. Previously, surgeries of this type were limited to people with nearsighted vision, but now both nearsighted and farsighted people can benefit from this procedure.
Following the doctor's instructions exactly as they are given is very important to full and effective recovery. Immediately following the surgery, the patient is required to rest for a while before going home. The doctor may prescribe medication for postoperative pain, although many patients have found that their LASIK expectations after surgery were minimal compared to their fears. Some mild discomfort may be felt, and several hours of rest are ordered by the physicians. In addition, patients may find the need to rest for a couple of days before returning to work. The biggest restriction is against any strenuous exercise for about a week, so as not to traumatize the eyes.
Postoperative complications can include infection, but with quick attention from the doctor, such assures can usually be cleared up in a relatively short time. More LASIK expectations after surgery include the possibility of a complication known as night glare, where halos or starbursts are seen around lights at night while the patient is driving. On very rare occasions, patients will have improved vision for a while following the operation, but then the vision gradually worsens. Sometimes a second "touch-up" operation will fix the problem.
According to a 2003 online survey conducted by Harris Interactive, ninety-three percent of the patients who had LASIK done were satisfied with the results. Please clients commenting on quality-of-life issues reflected high degrees of improvement with freedom from eyeglasses or contact lenses, improvement in personal safety and personal appearance, and greater ability to participate in sports or fitness activities. Most patients experience improved vision immediately after LASIK eye surgery, but for some the improvement is gradual over several days or weeks. However it comes about, improved vision is important to most of us, so a little patience while it happens is usually considered worthwhile.
While most people have 20/20 or better vision following the procedure, there are some who will reach only 20/40, or not even quite that good. Most states require only 20/40 vision to permit driving without glasses. There are some people whose LASIK expectations after surgery are not met, and they still need corrective lenses in the form of glasses or contacts. However, even these people usually need a much lower prescription level than before the procedure. Even if vision is perfect after LASIK eye surgery, reading glasses or bifocal contact lenses may be needed occasionally.
As with any medical procedure, there are negative possibilities that should be discussed with your surgeon before the operation. Some patients lose lines of vision on the vision chart that are uncorrectable after surgery, and some do not see as well after treatment as before in low contrast environments, such as in fog or at night. Others develop severe dry eye syndrome after the LASIK procedure, which means that the eyes are not producing enough tears to keep them moist and comfortable. This condition can also reduce visual acuity due to blurring and other symptoms, and it could be permanent. Finally, LASIK expectations after surgery cannot be very high for those patients with very large refractive errors of any type, and glasses may still be needed after treatment. LASIK is a relatively new technology. Therefore, the long-term safety and effectiveness of this procedure is not known.
Obviously, there is much to consider before having this procedure done. When considering the pros and cons, look carefully at the records and references of several good surgeons. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that anyone considering LASIK eye surgery compare the experience of several surgeons and the devices they are using. Be wary of anyone advertising LASIK expectations after surgery to be "20/20 vision or your money back" or "package deals" because there are never any guarantees in medicine. Read the patient handbook provided to your doctor by the manufacturer of the device used to perform the surgery, and discuss it thoroughly with your doctor. Decisions about eyesight and the possible effects after LASIK eye surgery are extremely important and not to be taken lightly. Above all, ask God for his wisdom and will in the matter. He provides the best vision. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path," (Psalm 119:105).
Following the doctor's instructions exactly as they are given is very important to full and effective recovery. Immediately following the surgery, the patient is required to rest for a while before going home. The doctor may prescribe medication for postoperative pain, although many patients have found that their LASIK expectations after surgery were minimal compared to their fears. Some mild discomfort may be felt, and several hours of rest are ordered by the physicians. In addition, patients may find the need to rest for a couple of days before returning to work. The biggest restriction is against any strenuous exercise for about a week, so as not to traumatize the eyes.
Postoperative complications can include infection, but with quick attention from the doctor, such assures can usually be cleared up in a relatively short time. More LASIK expectations after surgery include the possibility of a complication known as night glare, where halos or starbursts are seen around lights at night while the patient is driving. On very rare occasions, patients will have improved vision for a while following the operation, but then the vision gradually worsens. Sometimes a second "touch-up" operation will fix the problem.
According to a 2003 online survey conducted by Harris Interactive, ninety-three percent of the patients who had LASIK done were satisfied with the results. Please clients commenting on quality-of-life issues reflected high degrees of improvement with freedom from eyeglasses or contact lenses, improvement in personal safety and personal appearance, and greater ability to participate in sports or fitness activities. Most patients experience improved vision immediately after LASIK eye surgery, but for some the improvement is gradual over several days or weeks. However it comes about, improved vision is important to most of us, so a little patience while it happens is usually considered worthwhile.
While most people have 20/20 or better vision following the procedure, there are some who will reach only 20/40, or not even quite that good. Most states require only 20/40 vision to permit driving without glasses. There are some people whose LASIK expectations after surgery are not met, and they still need corrective lenses in the form of glasses or contacts. However, even these people usually need a much lower prescription level than before the procedure. Even if vision is perfect after LASIK eye surgery, reading glasses or bifocal contact lenses may be needed occasionally.
As with any medical procedure, there are negative possibilities that should be discussed with your surgeon before the operation. Some patients lose lines of vision on the vision chart that are uncorrectable after surgery, and some do not see as well after treatment as before in low contrast environments, such as in fog or at night. Others develop severe dry eye syndrome after the LASIK procedure, which means that the eyes are not producing enough tears to keep them moist and comfortable. This condition can also reduce visual acuity due to blurring and other symptoms, and it could be permanent. Finally, LASIK expectations after surgery cannot be very high for those patients with very large refractive errors of any type, and glasses may still be needed after treatment. LASIK is a relatively new technology. Therefore, the long-term safety and effectiveness of this procedure is not known.
Obviously, there is much to consider before having this procedure done. When considering the pros and cons, look carefully at the records and references of several good surgeons. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that anyone considering LASIK eye surgery compare the experience of several surgeons and the devices they are using. Be wary of anyone advertising LASIK expectations after surgery to be "20/20 vision or your money back" or "package deals" because there are never any guarantees in medicine. Read the patient handbook provided to your doctor by the manufacturer of the device used to perform the surgery, and discuss it thoroughly with your doctor. Decisions about eyesight and the possible effects after LASIK eye surgery are extremely important and not to be taken lightly. Above all, ask God for his wisdom and will in the matter. He provides the best vision. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path," (Psalm 119:105).
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