What To Expect Before, During and After Lasik Eye Surgery

Lasik stands for laser in situ kertomileusis and it is a type of laser eye surgery. This laser eye surgery is for those who want to correct their vision, therefore, not having to depend on correction glasses and contact lenses any longer. The laser eye surgery cost varies from doctor to doctor and from patient to patient, meaning, prices are not the same in every clinic or hospital and the cost also depends on the condition of the patient. However, the average laser eye surgery cost is about $1,000-$2,000 per eye.

Before

No one can just go to a hospital or clinic and have the operation immediately. Before the operation, you have to consult with an eye doctor first because he or she has to find out if you are a good candidate for Lasik eye surgery. Good candidates for this operation are those who are over 18 yrs old and whose eyes are healthy, meaning no eye infection, disease or injury and have had no change in refraction in the past year.

You need to stop wearing contact lenses even before having a consultation with your optometrist because contact lenses change the shape of your cornea. It would be best to stop wearing them a few weeks before the consultation to allow your cornea to go back to its normal shape for the doctor to properly examine your eye. You can wear glasses in the meantime.

When you have your consultation with your optometrist, you will have to tell him/her about your past and present medical eye conditions and also the medications you have taken or are currently taking, to treat your eye condition.

The doctor will then inform you on what the risks and benefits of this particular operation are. He will also tell you what needs to be done before and after the surgery. You can also take this opportunity to ask your physician any concerns or questions that you might have regarding the operation or the condition of your eye.

At least a day before your operation, you will need to stop using and applying lotion, cream, makeup and perfume as these will affect the surgery. If you are confused as to why you should refrain from using these a day before, you can ask your doctor.

Before the surgery, you will need to arrange for someone else to drive you to and from the clinic/hospital because after the surgery, your eyes need adequate rest and your doctor will not allow you to drive for a few days.

During

During the operation, when you are on the reclining chair, the doctor will then apply liquid anesthesia to your eye so you will not feel anything. He/she will then make a flap on your cornea using a tiny blade called a microkeratome. After a flap is made, a holder will then be put onto your eye to stop it from moving and blinking. The surgeon will then ask you to look at a pinpoint light. This is not the laser used to fix your eyes. You have to look at this light to get your eye into position. Once your eye is in the correct position, the doctor will then start the laser. To know more details about what to expect during the operation, ask your optometrist.

After

After the surgery, you will feel extreme discomfort in your eye, but you should not touch or rub it. You need to take the prescribed medications and follow every single advice your doctor gives you.

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