The human eye is a wonderful organ and a precious gift from the creator. However, with time, even the eyes lose their spark and need some treatment. One such treatment is the LASIK surgery which is aimed at correcting the vision of the patient. It is a type of laser refractive surgery and, many people get it done as an alternative to glasses and contact lenses. However, one should be aware of the specifications of any treatment before they get it done. So, here is what a patient needs to know about lasik eye surgery.
What happens during a lasik eye surgery
During this surgery, the surgeon uses a specific cutting laser to change the shape of the cornea very precisely to correct the vision. The cornea is a clear tissue at the front of the eye and has a dome-like shape.
When a person’s vision is normal, the cornea plays the role of refracting the light so that an image is formed on the retina. But conditions like myopia, hypermetropia, and presbyopia distort the ability of the cornea to refract the light efficiently, thus impacting the vision. The glasses or contact lenses of appropriate power help with these conditions but don’t correct the refracting ability of the cornea.
Why is a LASIK surgery done?
Lasik eye surgery is performed for the following conditions.
- Myopia – nearsightedness or elongation of the cornea
- Hypermetropia – farsightedness or contraction of the cornea
- Astigmatism – uneven curve or flattening of the cornea
Many people feel that wearing corrective glasses or contact lenses is a hassle. So, they tend to find alternatives like LASIK surgery or similar procedures.
Risks and complications
Like every other surgical procedure, LASIK surgery comes with some risks and complications as well.
- Due to the surgery, the tear production can drop, leading to dry and sore eyes.
- There can be some difficulties in the vision, namely double vision, halos, and glares.
- When not performed precisely, the surgery can remove too little or too much of the clear cornea tissue leading to complications in the vision.
Corrective surgery of any body part comes with some risks along with advantages. So, one should weigh their options before going for a LASIK surgery.
