LASIK is a corrective eye surgery option for people who want to reduce their reliance on glasses or contact lenses. During the procedure, a surgeon uses a laser to reshape the cornea to make your vision clearer. Read the passage below to get detailed information about laser eye surgery. 

What is LASIK?

LASIK is an abbreviation for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, the most commonly performed laser refractive surgery to correct vision problems. An ophthalmologist carries out this procedure.

This laser surgery works by altering the shape of your cornea, the clear front part of the eye. This change in shape allows the eye to focus light more accurately on the retina, resulting in clearer vision.

Following this procedure, you may no longer require glasses or contact lenses to see more clearly. You may only need them on specific occasions, like reading or driving at night. 

Why Do You Need LASIK? 

This procedure can be a great choice if you prefer not to rely on glasses or contacts for clearer vision. The following are vision problems that you can correct with LASIK surgery: 

1. Nearsightedness (Myopia)

Nearsightedness occurs when the eyeball is longer than usual, or the cornea is overly curved. This causes light rays to converge in front of the retina, resulting in blurry, distant vision, while objects up close are usually clear.

2. Farsightedness (Hyperopia)

In cases of farsightedness, the eyeball is either shorter than usual or the cornea is too flat. This results in light converging behind the retina rather than directly on it. As a consequence, near vision is often blurry. Occasionally, even distant vision may be affected.

3. Astigmatism

Astigmatism occurs when the cornea either curves or flattens unevenly, causing distortion at all distances. The causes of astigmatism remain unknown to this day, and no known preventive measures exist.

4. Presbyopia (Age-related Hyperopia)

As a person gets older, the eye's lens will loosen, leading to difficulty focusing on nearby objects. While LASIK cannot directly address presbyopia, a method known as monovision (blended vision) can be applied. This involves correcting one eye for distance vision and the other for close vision, enhancing your ability to see objects up close, particularly during activities like reading.

Who Can Have LASIK Surgery? 

To have this laser eye surgery, you need to meet specific requirements, namely: 

• Ideally, you have to be over 21 years old. At this age, your vision is likely to mature. 
• Your eye prescription should have remained relatively stable over the past year.
• Your refractive problem must be treated with LASIK.
• Your overall eye health should be good, especially your corneas. It also must possess sufficient thickness. 

On the other hand, there are groups of people who are not eligible for this corrective eye surgery. Here are some of them: 

• Have unstable refractive problems. It changes every time you have an eye evaluation. 
• Extreme levels of myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, or presbyopia. 
• Extreme dry eye. 
• Thin corneas. 
• Wounded corneas. 
• Corneas with cone form (keratoconus). 
• Chronic glaucoma. 
• Cataract that impairs vision. 
• Have some eye illness profile. 
• Diabetes is not controlled correctly. 
• Pregnant women. 
• Breastfeeding women. 

Before the surgery, your doctor will inquire about your medical and surgical background. Then, he will conduct a thorough eye examination using wavefront-guided technology to assess your vision and determine if you are a suitable candidate for the procedure. 

What To Do Before LASIK? 

There are some steps you can take to prepare before the procedure: 

• Skip the eye makeup. Before and during the procedure, you should not put on any eye makeup, cream, or lotions. Further, your doctor might advise you to cleanse your eyelashes more frequently before the surgery. This aids in removing any debris and reduces the chances of infection.
• Stop wearing contact lenses. If you wear contact lenses, you will be advised to stop a few weeks before the eye evaluation and surgery. Because contact lenses can change the shape of your cornea, you can only wear glasses during these weeks. 
• Prepare your ride back home. After the corrective eye surgery, you might still feel the effects of the medicine given to you. Your vision may be blurry or sensitive to glare, so you will need someone to take you home. 

LASIK Procedure Details 

LASIK surgery usually takes around 30 minutes. You will be placed on a recline on a chair with your back supported. 

Before the procedure starts, you will receive numbing drops to your eye and might also be given medication to induce relaxation.

After the numbing drops work, the doctor will place a tool called a suction ring to keep your eye open. This may lead to a sensation of pressure and a slight dimming of your vision. 

During the procedure, you will be instructed to look at a point of light. Keeping your eyes focused on the light helps your eyes stay in the fixed position while the laser reshapes the cornea. 

The surgeon's next step is making an incision with a tiny blade or cutting laser, allowing them to fold the hinged flap in the front of your eye. This technique grants access to the cornea, which can be reshaped using a carefully programmed laser.

A tiny bit of corneal tissue is destroyed whenever the laser beam pulses. As the laser removes your corneal tissue, you could smell something unpleasant. Some people claim to have smelled something like burnt hair.

After modifying the cornea, the surgeon will meticulously realign the flap. Stitches are typically not required because the flap will heal independently.

If you require LASIK surgery for both eyes, the doctor typically performs the procedure on the same day. Of course by informing you beforehand. 

LASIK Recovery Process

Since LASIK uses local anesthesia, you can go home directly after the procedure. 

Some individuals who have had this laser eye surgery mostly encounter mild discomfort such as itching, grittiness, a burning sensation, and increased tear production. Your vision may also be temporarily blurred. 

There is no need for excessive concern, as the recovery process tends to be quick. Generally, your sight will be good in a few days. Meanwhile, it takes up to 2-3 months for your eye to heal completely and be able to see clearly. 

To ensure your eye is healing properly, you should visit the doctor 1-2 days after the surgery. The doctor will then provide you with a schedule for further check-ups to monitor your progress over the next six months.

You should also seek your doctor's advice before applying makeup around your eyes or engaging in activities that might pose a risk to your eyes. Adhering to this guidance is crucial to minimize the potential for complications or adverse side effects.

Risks of LASIK

Lasik procedure comes with the risk of problems or complications that you should consider. Here are some of the general risks that are often felt after the procedure : 

• Eye pain or discomfort. 
• Dry eyes. 
• Hazy, foggy, blurry vision.
• Irritated or scratchy eyes.
• Sensitivity to glare.
• Seeing halos (rings) or starbursts around lights.
• Occasional double vision.
• Reduced ability to see in low light.
• Heightened sensitivity to light.
• Small pink or red patches of blood on the white of the eye typically resolve over time.

Apart from those issues, this procedure can sometimes entail rare serious risks, such as:

• Eye infection.
• Undercorrection is when the laser removes too little tissue from your eye. Hence, you need another surgery called enhancement to remove more tissue. 
• Overcorrection refers to too much tissue that is removed from your eyes. The process of fixing it is more complicated than under-correction. 
• Loss of best-corrected vision refers to a condition in which one's vision is worse after LASIK surgery than it was before.
• Blindness. 

Some individuals may experience temporary side effects that will resolve with time. However, in uncommon instances, these side effects may persist and require another treatment. 

Generally, your ophthalmologist will talk about your level of risk before surgery. If he does not, make sure you initiate the discussion to minimize the negative side effects. 

If you're considering LASIK surgery, The Sanur stands out as one of the finest options. The Sanur is a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for Health located in Bali.

Here, we have an eye clinic equipped with the latest medical technology, professional doctors, and world-class services. Coupled with a healthy and serene environment. 

This makes The Sanur the most comfortable and reliable place to undergo LASIK eye procedure. Schedule a consultation at The Sanur now to experience a safe and comfortable LASIK eye procedure.