What You Need to Know About Lasik Eye Surgery

An eyesight problem, such as myopia or nearsightedness, can be annoying when you needed to see a menu from a distance and you can't make out the words. So, you're left to deciphering the list based on the images you see. It's also embarrassing when someone coming up to you and waving hello, but you can't make out the person's face. For some people, a Lasik eye surgery seems the permanent solution to their eyesight problems. However, before you set an appointment for this breakthrough procedure, you should know the following important points first.
All About Lasik: Who Should Have It and Why
First of all, Lasik isn't a procedure that's recommended for every optical health problem. It's not particularly effective for people with glaucoma, cataracts, retinal disease, disorders of the cornea, and infections of the eye due to herpes. In addition, this procedure or any other refractive surgery won't cure presbyopia, which is the medical term for failing eyesight caused by aging. Typically, this condition develops between the age of 40 and 50 years old.
Patients must be at least 21 years old to undergo a laser treatment like Lasik. In truth, this refractive surgery has resulted to 20/20 vision for 9 out of 10 people with nearsightedness, hyperopia or farsightedness, or astigmatism wherein images appear blurred regardless of distance from the person. Some patients even reported having 20/40 vision after the procedure. However, doctors frequently advise patients to wait until their myopic eyesight reaches an impasse during their late twenties. Once the condition became stable, doctors will operate on the patient's eyes.
Lasik is not especially recommended for women who are pregnant or breast-feeding. It's also important that the patient has been in general good health and doesn't suffer from diabetes, rheumatic arthritis, and lupus. Also, this procedure shouldn't be performed when the patient currently takes any of the following: Accutane for acne, Imitrex for migraines, Cordarone for abnormal heart rhythm, or oral solutions of Prednisone (or Deltasone) for treating arthritis, blood disorders, or severe allergies.
Consider the Risks and Rewards
Formally, LASIK stands for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, which uses laser to correct problems in the cornea and improve its ability to focus light into the retina. It can correct several problems with vision and distance, but its effectiveness fades over time and it cannot prevent aging from affecting one's eyesight. It could be helpful to people who must be active at work or for recreation, but couldn't wear glasses or contacts without losing them in the process. However, like other medical procedures, this eye surgery also presents significant risks, including night vision problems, corneal infection or permanent scarring, increased sensitivity to light, dry eyes, and decreased sharpness of vision.

0 comments:

Post a Comment