Is Lasik Surgery Right For Me?

Those who have worn glasses all of their lives will be thrilled to know there may be a way to correct their vision without the use of lenses. Opting to have a surgical procedure known as Lasik may leave you free of commitment to glasses and contact lenses.

What Is It?

Lasik stands for Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis. It is a procedure that permanently changes the shape of a person’s cornea, which is the clear covering over their eye. The Food and Drug Administration describe the specific procedural details in the following passage from their website:

“…A mechanical microkeratome (a blade device) or a laser keratome (a laser device) is used to cut a flap in the cornea. A hinge is left at one end of this flap. The flap is folded back revealing the stroma, the middle section of the cornea. Pulses from a computer-controlled laser vaporize a portion of the stroma and the flap is replaced.”

While it is a surgical procedure, it is considered elective and will not be covered by insurance. This has opened a great deal of competition in the market, so shop around to be sure you are receiving the highest quality surgery, for the best price.

Who Needs It?

Those with a desire to no longer worry about wearing glasses or contact lenses should consider the surgery. Some characteristics qualify someone as a candidate. Your vision has to have been stable for at least one year. Some doctors recommend five years without a change. Factors like hormonal changes can alter vision, so if you are pregnant, suffering from diabetes, or still an adolescent, your vision may be affected.

If you are taking medication that slows healing, Lasik may not be an option for you. It is also better to not opt to have the surgery if you participate in contact sports, especially if you will not have adequate healing time. Finally, if a surgical mistake would drastically affect your career, you should avoid the surgery.

Benefits

One benefit of Lasik surgery is the immediate improvement in a patient’s vision. You will no longer need glasses or contacts. Anyone who has worn glasses for a number of years knows how uncomfortable it can be to have them on in hot, humid weather. Those who have lost a contact can attest to the fact that breaking their commitment to corrective lenses can alter their life dramatically.

Lasik surgery can broaden your career options. A lot of professions like law enforcement and aviation require excellent vision. So those who wear glasses or contacts may not be eligible for jobs in those fields. Personally, you may find that a lot of activities are difficult to participate in if you have poor vision. Activities like skydiving, cycling, and swimming can be difficult if you wear glasses or contact lenses.

While glasses are often considered stylish accessories, those who have worn them their whole life may find they feel more confident and attractive when they do not have to wear them. Many feel they have a renewed sense of self-confidence after undergoing Lasik surgery.

Risks

While Lasik is a great solution to correct the vision of those who wear corrective lenses, a variety of risks are associated with the procedure. The procedure is relatively new so no long-term research shows the effects of the procedure over time. Tests have also not shown conclusive evidence that the procedure is safe for patients with herpes, glaucoma, eye diseases, eye injuries, or previous eye surgeries. This means those who have undergone previous surgical procedures for their eyes may want to carefully consider their options.

Minor side effects are affiliated with the procedure. Some experience blepharitis, which is a crusting of the eye lashes. Patients may also find their pupils are enlarged, their corneas may be thinned, and it may aggravate eyes that already suffer from dryness. If a patient’s corneas are already thin, it could be dangerous to thin them too much.

For some, Lasik surgery does not offer the results for which they had hoped. Patients have reported debilitating visual symptoms such as glare, double vision, and halos. Their vision can also be under or over treated. Few achieve perfect 20/20 vision after the surgery. Some farsighted patients have found their surgically improved vision diminishes with age. Results for those with seriously poor vision are mediocre, at best. In rare instances, patients who have undergone Lasik surgery lose their vision completely.

The Bottom Line

If you have always worn glasses or contact lenses, and you are ready for a change, Lasik surgery may be the solution for you. If your poor vision has interfered with your life choices, Lasik can offer you an option that will open doors for you in your career and personal life.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.