Are you thinking about laser eye surgery? Good candidates for the procedure should consider themselves lucky because, depending on what sources you check, 55%-85% of patients have 20/20 vision after corrective laser surgery. Improvements in vision may take a while to settle in after surgery and may require fine-tuning, but in the end the vision correction is for life. That is great news for anyone who has endured years of glasses or contacts.

LASER is an acronym for Laser Assisted in situ Keratomileusis. The surgery works by removing a pre-determined part of the tissue behind the cornea, the clear covering of the eye, thereby changing the curvature of the eye. The procedure itself usually lasts only thirty minutes, but the preparation should begin awhile before that. First, a thorough exam is needed to ensure that you are a suitable candidate. If you are suited for laser eye surgery, you should weigh the pros and cons carefully. Never jump into any surgery on a whim. One thing to note is the need to cease wearing contacts two to four weeks prior to having your eyes measured for surgery, depending on the type of contacts you wear. Your corneas need that breathing period to regain their natural shape. An incorrect measurement opens you up to a world of unpleasant possibilities, as you can imagine.

In preparation for the surgery, eye drops will be administered to numb the affected area. The eyelids will be clamped open for the procedure. A ring is placed around the eye and suction applied. This part of the procedure may cause discomfort. It endures only until a flap can be cut in the cornea through which the surgery will be completed. The tissue is dried, and use of the laser can commence. The laser pulses sound like ticking as the underlying tissue is removed.

After the surgery, instructions will be given regarding the post operative days. There will be a short time when certain kinds of exercise are to be avoided, and for a couple of weeks lotions, makeup, and other products should be kept away from the eyes. Drops will be prescribed to ease dryness and discomfort immediately following the surgery, but all in all, however, recovery is not a problem.

Thousands of people have enjoyed clear vision as a result of laser eye surgery. It can mean a lifetime free from annoying eyewear.