Facts on LASIK Surgery
- LASIK Surgery was approved by the United States Food and Drugs Administration (USFDA) in 1999.
- Almost 700000 LASIK surgeries are performed every year on a global level.
- According to the president of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, 96-98% of patients have a 20/20 vision after the LASIK surgery.
Ideal Candidate for LASIK Surgery
The results of LASIK surgery are maximized when you fulfill some eligibility criteria. The ideal candidates for LASIK eye surgery include the following-
- The individual must be at least 18 years of age.
- The person should not be suffering from any underlying medical conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, autoimmune vascular disease, etc.
- The person should not be taking any medicines that can interfere with the results of the LASIK surgery.
- The individual should not be having any pre-existing eye problems such as eye injury, eye infections as keratoconus, cataracts, keratoconus, problems in the cornea, and damage to the retinal and optic nerves.
- Pregnant or lactating women should wait for a considerable amount of time before considering LASIK surgery. The hormones secreted during pregnancy or lactation affects the vision as the anatomy of the eye changes.
- The individual must not have a condition of dry eyes that causes itchiness.
- After proper consultation with the doctor, the person should stop wearing contact lenses for a couple of weeks as decided by the doctor.
- The candidate must have a minimum of approximately 0.5 mm of corneal thickness.
Questions To Ask Before LASIK Surgery
People undergoing LASIK surgery for the first time are often confused about the questions they should be asking the surgeon prior to the surgery. Here is a list of questions that you can ask the doctor-
- Will my age affect the effectiveness of the results of the LASIK surgery?
- Is there any change in the prescription or there has been any change?
- What kind of results should I expect once the surgery is complete?
- Are the results of the LASIK surgery long-lasting?
- Will there be any need to undergo another LASIK surgery?
- Which medications should I stop taking prior to the surgery? When can I resume these?
- How long does it take to completely recover from LASIK surgery?
- Do I need to make any lifestyle changes including workout, eating habits, etc.?
- What is the success rate of LASIK surgery in India?
- What are some possible side effects I should look out for after LASIK surgery?
- How to overcome these possible side effects?
- What is the approximate cost of LASIK surgery? What additional benefits are provided within the budget?
Preparation for LASIK Surgery
Preparation is an integral part of any surgical procedure. The eye is one of the most sensory organs of the body hence, it requires extra care. Here are a couple of things that doctors instruct the patient to take care of before the surgery-
- Let the doctor about your medical history including past or present medical/eye conditions
- Take prescribed eye drops for LASIK surgery
- Do not take any caffeinated drinks to prevent dehydration
- Bring the eye drops along with you on the day of the procedure
- Download a playlist and online books to keep yourself entertained
- Avoid wearing contact lenses. Discontinue wearing soft contact lenses for one week while it is one month for hard contacts
- Make arrangements before the surgery by asking someone to drive you back after the surgery
- On the day of the surgery, do not wear any makeup, perfumes or lotions
- When you come to the hospital, wear comfortable clothes, preferably opening in the front
Risks of LASIK Surgery
LASIK surgery is a quick and safe procedure. But as it involves making changes in the anatomy of the eye, there can be some minor side effects. Some of the common risks that can occur after LASIK surgery are-
- Infection in the eyes
- Oversized pupils
- Dryness of the eyes
- Glare and halos
- Double vision
- Astigmatism
- Problem with the flap that leads to infections and tears
- Regression which is the vision changing back to the patient’s original prescription
- Loss of vision
- Change in vision
- Undercorrection in which the laser doesn’t removes remove sufficient tissue
- Overcorrection in which the laser removes excess tissue from the cornea
Recovery after LASIK Surgery
It takes around 6 to 12 hours for the initial recovery after LASIK surgery to complete. Generally, the patient can have a clearer vision within 24 hours of the surgery. However, some people may take two to five days. LASIK surgery incurs some common side effects but these can be easily cured if proper post-operative instructions are put in place. Below mentioned are some common tips prescribed by Pristyn Care doctors-
- Do not drive yourself back home after the procedure.
- Protect the eye with an eye patch even when you are sleeping to prevent damage.
- For the first four days of the recovery, do not put any pressure on any of the eyes.
- Do not go for swimming at any cost during the entire recovery period.
- Avoid taking part in any contact sports as this increases the chances of infection.
- Once you reach home, take proper rest for the entire day.
- Neither read nor watch television as it can put a strain on the eyes.
- Use the prescribed eye drops containing antibiotics and steroids as prescribed by the doctor.
- Visit the doctor to check the progress after the surgery without fail.