LASIK SURGERY

LASIK (or Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis) is the most modern surgical procedure for correcting vision problems like myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. This is an advanced laser vision correction technique in which the curvature of the cornea is reshaped using a laser that is capable of removing tissues with precision up to a micron level. For this procedure patients should be at least 18 years of age and the refraction (spectacles power) should be stable (unchanged) for at least a year. Persons who typically opt for LASIK are those who find spectacles visually unacceptable, those who are intolerant to lenses, those who would like to participate in outdoor sports or opt for professions demanding excellent uncorrected vision.

However, though doctors strive to make the refractive error zero after LASIK, this may not always be possible. The main purpose of surgery is to offer sufficient good vision to patients so that they are not dependent upon glasses most of the time. Some of the possible side effects of LASIK are undercorrection, overcorrection, glare, halos, and reduced contrast sensitivity. Therefore patients must have a detailed eye examination before surgery, followed by a realistic discussion with the surgeon on the expected outcome of surgery.