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Lasik is a commonly performed laser eye treatment. Some people call it “LASIX,” but the name is short for “laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis.” Lasik laser eye treatment has a number of advantages over many other procedures, which includes lack of pain after the surgery and that good vision gets restored by the next day. An instrument called a microkeratome is used in lasik surgery to create a circular flap in your cornea. A newer way of making the flap is by using a laser. The surgeon will then fold it back and then remove corneal tissue from underneath with the help of an excimer laser. This laser uses cool ultraviolet beam of light to remove bits of tissue to reshape the cornea. Once the reshaping is done, it is better able to focus the light in the eye and on the retina, resulting in clearer vision than was before. Flap is laid back where it originally was, covering the region of corneal tissue removal. Near sighted and far sighted people can both undergo and gain better vision from this procedure. The goal will be to flatten the steep angled cornea with near sighted people. In far sighted people, a steeper angled cornea is actually desired. Using excimer lasers the surgeon can also fix astigmatism by altering the irregularities seen in the cornea to obtain a normally shaped one.

New wavefront lasek technology, associated with customized LASIK, allows wavefront analysis where light waves are sent through the eye to obtain an exact map showing the aberrations causing problems with vision. Wavefront lasek, though more expensive is fast gaining popularity. Finally, your doctor enquires about any other health problems and medications that are taken. A few health conditions will not permit lasik surgery.

It is an ambulatory surgery. It is as simple as walking in to the center, having the procedure and walking out again. The actual procedure usually takes lesser than 5 minutes, and is done while the patient is awake the entire time. At times, the surgeon gives an oral sedative to calm the patient down. Although the procedure is very quick, this does not indicate that it requires lesser skills. A highly skilled surgeon with the right equipment will perform lasik as it is a delicate procedure. You should be accompanied by a friend or a family member for the drive back home. Most patients don’t experience any pain during this surgery. The eyes are anesthetized with special numbing drops. The surgeon uses an ink marker on the cornea before creating the flap. The flap will then be created using either the microkeratome or the laser and this is usually the surgeon’s choice. You will have to look at a blinking target light while he or she will observe your eye using a microscope. At the same time, the laser will send pulses of light onto your cornea.

Laser light pulses painlessly reshape the cornea. After the procedure is completed, you are supposed to rest for while and can then go home.