A person who wants to have Lasik surgery for vision correction has some issues to consider. Finding the right doctor is important, but there are other concerns, too, and anyone who is interested in Lasik must be sure to have their questions addressed before they embark on an elective surgical procedure. While there are few dangers and complications with Lasik, no surgery is risk-free, and no one should have surgery without being sure they understand both the benefits and the possible risks. This can help to make a decision regarding a procedure much easier for the patient.



Before Lasik

First, of course, a person has to choose an eye doctor and a Lasik surgeon that he or she feels comfortable with and have standard examinations to make sure that the health of the eye is acceptable for Lasik. In addition, the thickness of the cornea is often measured, as a thicker cornea is better for the Lasik procedure. Other measurements are made for the prescription and amount of correction needed.

If the person desiring Lasik has been wearing contact lenses, he or she must stop wearing them for a specified period of time. This is usually determined by what kind of contact lenses are worn and how long the person has been wearing them. For example, a person wearing extended wear gas permeable hard lenses all the time will have to be out of them longer than a person wearing soft lenses on a daily basis and removing them at night. This will allow the cornea to return to its natural shape, which helps to ensure the Lasik correction will be right the first time and should not have to be 'touched up' in the future.

During Lasik

The person having Lasik will be given anesthetic eye drops, and occasionally a mild sedative, before the procedure begins. The Lasik surgeon will gently restrain the patient's head and secure the eye so that there is no chance of movement, as this could chance the vision correction. After that, a blade or a laser, depending on the type of Lasik chosen, will be used to cut a flap in the cornea, which will then be folded back. The laser will reshape the interior of the cornea, and the flap will be put back in place, where it will begin to heal almost immediately. The Lasik procedure only takes about 15 minutes.

After Lasik

Vision correction is almost immediate, and vision stabilizes very quickly, so a person does not have to wait weeks to know the extent of his or her results. It will be necessary to have follow-up appointments and to follow all of the after-care instructions very carefully, in addition to alerting the eye doctor if there are any problems such as sudden vision changes or excessive pain. Some discomfort is to be expected, and resting one's eyes for a few hours after the procedure is recommended.