LASIK is the abbreviation for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, and LASIK is definitely easier to pronounce! As the prestigious American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) describes it, LASIK "is a surgical procedure to reduce nearsightedness (myopia) by reshaping tissue in the cornea, the clear covering in the front of the eye."
AAO explains that the procedure "has evolved from a variety of refractive surgery techniques, such as photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)." In LASIK, the ophthalmologist uses an automated scalpel (a microkeratome) to create a corneal flap that is lifted. This reveals the stroma, the middle section of the cornea. The doctor then uses an excimer laser (computer-controlled) to reshape the underlying corneal tissue, and then replaces the flap. There are also other techniques related to LASIK.
Benefits of LASIK surgery
LASIK is intended to reduce the patient's dependency on glasses or contact lenses. LASIK is rapidly becoming the most frequently performed surgery in the United States. As a highly effective and successful treatment for most refractive errors, LASIK's popularity stems from the fact that patients who have undergone the procedure have experienced relatively minimal discomfort and rapid visual recovery.
Under the care of an experienced doctor, carefully screened candidates with reasonable expectations and a clear understanding of the risks and alternatives are likely to be happy with the results of their refractive procedure.AAO, the Eye M.D. Association, issued an assessment that finds LASIK safe and effective for correcting low-to-moderate myopia and astigmatism.
Risks of LASIK surgery
The levels of risk and benefit vary slightly not only from procedure to procedure, but from device to device depending on the manufacturer, and from surgeon to surgeon depending on their level of experience with the procedure. Even the best-screened patients under the care of most skilled surgeons can experience serious complications.
Some patients lose vision. Some patients develop debilitating visual symptoms. Only a certain percent of patients achieve 20/20 vision without glasses or contacts. You may still need glasses or contact lenses after surgery. Some patients may develop severe dry eye syndrome.
Results are generally not as good in patients with very large refractive errors of any type. For some farsighted patients, results may diminish with age. Long-term data is not available, as the first laser was approved for LASIK eye surgery in 1998.
The Ophthalmic Technology Assessment Committee of the AAO issued an ophthalmic technology assessment (OTA) that finds LASIK less predictable for moderate-to-high myopia and astigmatism. The assessment also reports that serious, adverse complications resulting in permanent visual loss occur rarely, but side effects such as dry eyes, nighttime starbursts, and reduced contrast sensitivity occur more frequently.
Caveats
Beware of eye centers that state something in their ads like "20/20 vision or your money back" or "package deals." Remember, there are no guarantees in medicine. You should also read the patient handbook provided by your doctor. This handbook is prepared by the manufacturer of the device used to perform the procedure. Also ask your doctor to discuss his/her outcomes (successes as well as complications), as opposed to just reading results of studies in the handbook.
Possible serious LASIK complications
During surgery: A malfunction of a device or other error could occur, such as cutting a flap of cornea through instead of making a hinge, may lead to discontinuation of the procedure or irreversible damage to the eye.
After surgery: Some complications, including movement of the flap, inflammation or infection, could require another procedure and/or intensive treatment with drops. It's possible in such cases that regardless of aggressive therapy, these complications could lead to a temporary loss of vision or, in rare cases, irreversible blindness.
Bilateral Simultaneous Treatment
Patients can choose to have LASIK surgery on both eyes at the same time, or on one eye at a time. While it might seem convenient to have surgery on both eyes the same day, this practice is riskier than having two separate surgeries. If you have one eye done at a time, you and your doctor should decide together when to have surgery done on the other eye.If both eyes are treated at the same time, your doctor does not have the advantage of seeing how the first eye responds to surgery before the second eye undergoes surgery.
Source: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/7665/the_eyes_have_it_lasik_ref...