LASIK eye surgery is a medical procedure that can correct your vision by altering the physical properties of your eye. Unlike traditional surgical procedures that depend upon the skills and steadiness of the surgeon’s hand, LASIK eye surgery is computer controlled.

The more progressive LASIK surgery centers perform in-depth analysis of your eyes as an evaluation procedure to determine if you’re a good candidate for the LASIK procedure. The evaluation process, which is largely controlled by computer itself, maps the overall physical makeup of each eye. A traditional eye exam determines your visual abilities and then an exhaustive computer analysis determines if your eyes can be enhanced by the LASIK procedure.

In addition to determining whether or not you’re a good candidate for LASIK, the procedure also records quite a bit of data that’s specific to your eyes. If you choose to proceed with the LASIK surgery, this data is used to program the computer controlled LASIK equipment to insure that your eyes are modified exactly in the proper manner so as to provide maximum benefit.

How Your Eyes Work

The cornea of the eye is responsible for projecting light onto the retina in order to produce an image. When the cornea is not shaped properly, distortion of the image will occur. This is called a refractive error. LASIK eye surgery can correct refractive errors.

There are three primary types of refractive errors -

1) Myopia is a refractive error in which a person has trouble seeing things at a distance, but they can see things that are close up.

2) Hyperopia is when a person will be able to see things clearly at a distance but cannot see things that are close to them.

3) Astigmatism is the distortion of images caused by irregularities in the shape of the cornea.

LASIK eye surgery is also called refractive surgery because it will reshape the cornea, therefore improving the ability to focus clearly.

Not everyone is a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery. To be a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery, you have to be willing to accepts the risks that go along with this type of surgery. Your eyesight should be stable, meaning that it hasn’t changed appreciably over the past several years. Also, you shouldn’t have any existing health conditions that would put you at risk while having LASIK eye surgery.

Risks of LASIK Eye Surgery

LASIK eye surgery does carry some risks, such as loss of vision. In some extremely rare cases, the patient may lose vision due to equipment malfunction, scarring or healing related complications.

One common risk of LASIK eye surgery is that any dry eye condition that is experienced right after surgery may hamper the healing process. Signs of dryness are burning, redness and decreased vision. If this dry eye condition persists, you may have to medicate to improve tear duct function and use artificial tears to maintain the proper level of moisture. You must keep your eyes moist after LASIK surgery in order to promote healing.

Things to do Before LASIK Surgery

If you wear contact lenses, either soft contacts or rigid contacts, you should stop wearing your contacts at least three weeks before your initial evaluation by the doctor. On the day of surgery, you shouldn’t wear makeup or perfumes. Also, don’t wear any fuzzy clothing that is likely to disperse lint.

Make sure that someone goes with you on the day of surgery, since you’ll need someone to drive you home after the LASIK procedure. Before the surgery, the doctor may give you medicine to relax you and your vision may be a little blurry immediately following surgery. Also, special eye drops are administered prior to the procedure which can cause additional, but temporary blurriness.

LASIK eye surgery is relatively safe and it can free you from glasses and contacts. Before you commit to LASIK surgery, make sure that you consider all the advantages and disadvantages of having the procedure. Ask the doctor lots of questions so that you can make an informed decision about whether LASIK eye surgery is the right choice for you.



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It seems that just about everywhere you turn these days people are talking about laser eye surgery. And, even while it is being mentioned in different types of media and discussed between people, there are many left to wonder exactly what this high-tech procedure is and what kind of vision problems it can successfully correct. Following is some basic information about this corrective eye surgery, which can serve as an introduction to the topic.

The most common type of laser vision surgery is called Lasik eye surgery and it does have some aspects that set it apart from other types of surgery to correct vision problems. The main distinction is that the Lasik procedure does not require the doctor to actually cut the cornea surface. This means that there are generally few complications with this kind of eye surgery and the risks to the patient and their vision is also very low.

The term Lasik is an acronym that stands for “Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis.” By utilizing a laser light, the surgeon is able to carry out the corrective procedure while leaving the surface of the eye lens completely intact and unharmed. This type of laser eye surgery provides a huge advantage over the older, traditional methods which often caused damage to the lens surface through the use of surgical instruments.

Lasik laser eye surgery has become one of the most widely used and popular methods to correct vision problems. This corrective eye surgery is best suited for those who are near-sighted, who are far-sighted, and for those who have an astigmatism, which are all vision conditions that affect a significant portion of the aging, baby boomer population.

Lasik eye surgery is able to reshape the cornea of the eye, which is the outer layer, or covering. When this is done properly by the Lasik eye doctor, the light which passes through the cornea is better focused onto the retina at the back of the eye, which is essentially where the vision “signals” are interpreted.

In addition to being overwhelmingly effective, another advantage of this remarkable procedure is that the patient who undergoes the treatment experiences very little discomfort. Also, after the Lasik corrective eye surgery, the vision is noticeably improved almost instantly and there is no need to have the eyes bandaged, nor is there any need for stitches.

These various factors all combine to provide the patient with a fast recovery and with an extremely low risk of any kind of complications or infection, which were actually quite commonplace before laser eye surgery became available. The cost of Lasik surgery can be at least partially covered by many vision insurance plans. However, even for those who do not enjoy such coverage, the cost of Lasik is quite minimal compared to the enormous benefits they receive from the procedure.



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Most patients who undergo refractive surgery are delighted with the results. However, just like any other surgical procedure, there are also some risks that come with it. This is why it is very important to be aware of the possible complications, effects and laser eye surgery risks.

Here is a list of the most common laser eye surgery risks, and complications

In order to understand the complications, there has to be a simple understanding of the procedure of Lasik eye surgery. Lasik eye surgery involves the cutting of a small flap in the front covering of the eye or cornea. The flap is lifted so that the laser may reshape the eye and then the flap is replaced as a type of bandage.

The flap is cut using a type of bladed instrument called a “microkeratome” or else with a laser. The surgeon’s preference determines what technology is used. Using a laser to perform this portion of the procedure allows for more precision and, therefore, fewer complications are likely to arise.

Now, if the flap is not cut correctly it may fail to form properly to the surface of the eye. The flap might also be cut too small or thin, which would cause wrinkling upon the attempt to adhere the flap to the surface of the eye. These complications can lead to an irregularly shaped eye surface and in time may lead to astigmatism or blurry vision.

Vision Loss

After the procedure, a very small percentage of all patients experience a vision loss which cannot be corrected with glasses, contacts or a second surgery. This is a very rare, but very serious laser eye surgery risk.

Debilitating Visual Symptoms

Some patients experience halos, glare or double vision after surgery. This causes serious night vision problems. Even if they have a good vision on the vision chart, they may not see well at night, in fog or in other situations of low contrast. They may even see worse in these situations than they did before treatment.

Under Treatment or Over Treatment

This is a very frequent laser eye surgery risk. Only a small percentage of patients obtain 20/20 vision after surgery without glasses or contacts. You may need additional treatment to enhance vision, but this is not always possible. Even if you used to wear very weak prescription glasses before treatment, you may still need glasses or contact lenses afterwards. If you used to wear reading glasses before, you might still need them after surgery.

Severe Dry Eye Syndrome

Another laser eye surgery risk is to develop serious dry eye syndrome. After surgery, your eyes might not be able to produce enough tears for keeping moist. This not only produces discomfort, by can also reduce quality vision due to permanent blurring and other problems. This eye condition may be permanent. It is usually treated with intensive eye drop therapy, but other procedures can also be used.

Results Diminishing with Age

Another laser eye surgery risk is for results to decrease over time, especially in patients with farsighted vision. If your manifest refraction (an exam with lenses before using dilating drops) differs from your cyclopegic refraction (another exam with lenses after applying dilating drops), the chances of getting this side effect are higher.

For newer technologies, there is not enough research data available. As some of them have been developed only a few years ago, long-term effectiveness and safety cannot be determined yet. Even though they are more advanced, they might have some unknown long-term side effects.

As with any surgical procedure, there are a variety of complications. Care must be taken to select the right Lasik eye surgeon for your specific needs and also to decide of Lasik eye surgery is the right procedure for you. The most important factor in successful surgery is to find an experienced surgeon, who will monitor your follow up care, and be there with you if you find yourself having any of these complications.



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For those of us who deal with the ramifications of less than perfect vision on a daily basis, we know how much our routines can center on maintaining our eyewear; from uncomfortable glasses that get in our way, to contact lenses that dry our eyes and always seem to go missing at the most inopportune moments. And when you add to that the expense of vision treatment for those who wear glasses or contacts, it can be downright frustrating. But what most people have come to discover is that corrective laser eye surgery – a procedure that takes less than an hour and costs considerably less than a lifetime of vision correction prescriptions – can not only perfect your vision but address a number of eye conditions with which many people suffer.

Corrective laser eye surgery can allow you to finally have the vision you have always wanted; most patients are able to achieve 20/20 vision even immediately following the procedure. For those who have suffered with poor vision their entire lives, this can be a miracle procedure. And for those who suffer from such degenerative conditions as dry eye – wherein sufferers experience itchy, burning eyes, glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration, corrective laser eye surgery can be a saving grace.

When most people think of corrective laser eye surgery they immediately think of Lasik surgery – a popular procedure that is used to correct vision. But the truth is that corrective eye surgery is rather like an umbrella phrase under which all manner of corrective procedures fall. Lasik is indeed one of the procedures that falls under this umbrella and is considered to be an excimer laser procedure – through which the cornea of the eye is reshaped by laser. Lasik – and the procedures like it – correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The difference between the various excimer laser procedures is the type of laser that is used and the technique that is followed depending on what particular procedure is likely to bring you the most success based on the condition and shape of your eyes.

Non-excimer laser procedures are another group that falls with corrective laser eye surgery. Such procedures involve one of three things: the insertion of permanent lenses into the eye, the reshaping of the eye using laser energy or radio waves instead of lasers themselves, or the actual cutting of the eye. These procedures are meant for those who experience severely compromised vision or cataracts.

Other corrective eye surgery may include more complex and comprehensive procedures such as cornea transplants during which healthy tissue from a donor eye is transplanted into the eye of someone whose own cornea has been compromised due to injury or illness. There is also a procedure that is used to treat Keratoconus – or the bulging of the corneas; during this procedure the surgeon places plastic inserts (Intacs) onto the corners of the cornea to flatten them.

Not surprisingly, as technology continues to advance, corrective laser eye surgery continues to make similar advancements. More and more people have come to discover that it is no longer necessary to live with permanent vision impairment. If you feel that you may be a candidate for such procedures, see your eye doctor for a thorough examination.



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If you look at the million of people all over the world that glasses or contact lenses to see clearly you will soon realize why laser eye surgery has become so popular. In the majority of cases, after surgery the patient will no longer rely on glasses or contact lenses to see the world through un-blurry eyes.

Many people turn to laser eye surgery commonly referred to as LASIK, as a way to get rid of the hassles of wearing corrective lenses. How many of us get tired of wearing glasses all the time? You may not wish to wear glasses for several reasons besides how you think you look. You may be a person that only needs glasses to read items up close and you keep taking them off and then forgetting where you put them. You may have to search through your purse to get your glasses just to read product labels in the store. All of these things can take the joy out of shopping or even reading the morning newspaper. If you decide to get contact lenses to rid yourself of those ugly glasses, then you will have the hassle of putting them in your eyes every morning, worrying about losing them, and of course cleaning them.

Today, these are just a few of the reasons that people are turning to laser eye surgery. However, are you a good candidate? People who are nearsighted or farsighted are using good candidates. However, if you expect to receive 20/20 vision from surgery you should forget it. Most people do not receive perfect vision after laser surgery.

Laser eye surgery reshapes the cornea, which improves the way in which light enters the eye. Most of the time, surgery is about 1 minute per eye. You will need to wear a shield until the cornea can heal.

Before heading out and searching for a laser eye surgeon you should learn if you are a good candidate. The best way to do this is to be examined by more than one ophthalmologist. Remember, not all ophthalmologist are licensed to perform this type of eye surgery and then there are some that their sole income is based on this procedure.

Just because this surgery is performed as an out patient procedure, it is still surgery and some complications can arise. Learn what the risks are prior to signing the dotted line.



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The pair of glasses that you recently purchased reflects a stronger prescription, have no-line bifocals and have been coated with a special substance to reduce glare. You would think that after wearing eyeglasses the majority of your life you would get used to them, but that does not seem to be the case.

The stronger prescription seems to be working out, however the bifocals are taking some getting use to and you have already noticed some scratches on that coating that was applied to reduce the glare. Also, when using the computer and reading your favorite magazine, you notice that you still have to make some frustrating adjustments in trying to read the pages.

Perhaps, you think to yourself, that it is time to get some information on laser eye surgery. You have heard quite a bit about this procedure and had even talked to some acquaintances that have undergone this surgery. You are hopeful and interested after hearing their testimonials of being able to see better and using glasses only for reading.

Information on laser surgery begins with an understanding of what this procedure is, how the surgery is performed and what are the advantages.

What is Laser Eye Surgery?

Education is a valuable and powerful tool when it comes to being personally involved with issues that directly affect you. These issues could be politics, finances, health, medical procedures, etc. Especially important, when considering any surgery, it is always prudent to be informed. Gathering information on laser eye surgery holds the same level of importance.

Information on laser surgery will reveal that this surgical procedure is conducted on both eyes to improve the refraction condition of your vision. Refraction refers to how the light is captured by the cornea of the eye. Successful laser eye surgery has been shown to be effective in the treatment of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. After effectively treating these possible vision impairments, the patient often reports less dependence upon the use of eyeglasses or contact lenses.

The Surgical Procedure

Knowing about the surgical procedure is an important part of gathering information on laser eye surgery. Through the use of a surgical instrument called a microkeratome, a slight flap, that is circular in shape, is created on the part of the eye known as the cornea. This flap is then pulled back which in turn reveals the cornea.

The qualified surgeon then uses a laser to eliminate a portion of the tissue. This procedure results in the shape of the cornea being changed. This structural change of the cornea then allows for the light entering the eye to be refocused onto the retina. This entire process then allows for the vision of the patient to be improved. The surgical procedure is then completed when the circular flap is restored.

Advantages of Laser Eye Surgery

Your gathered information on laser eye surgery will reveal many advantages to this procedure. One of those advantages is the minimal amount of pain experience. In addition, results are almost instantaneous as the majority of patients report that their vision is improved the following day.



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