LASIK. A word bandied about for years now. While most people know that it means going from wearing glasses or contacts to not wearing glasses or contacts, most people don’t really know what LASIK is. LASIK is an acronym that stands for Laser Assisted In situ Keratomileusis. Basically, it is a procedure that permanently changes the shape of the cornea (the clear cover on the front of the eye) using an excimer laser.
An excimer laser is an ultraviolet laser that is used in refractive surgery to remove corneal tissue.
Wow. This is still just really too scientific. Let’s try to put it in layman’s terms, shall we?
LASIK surgery changes the way light is refracted or bent through your cornea so you can see more clearly and, almost always, without the use of glasses or contacts.
The actual procedure is pretty short and simple. To begin with, you relax in a reclining chair while numbing drops are put in your eyes. Once the drops have taken effect, a special device is used to gently hold your eyes open so you don’t blink during the procedure. Next, the LASIK surgeon cuts a small flap from the top of the cornea.
All the information you and your doctor discussed prior to your exam was entered into a computer connected to the excimer laser. That customized program is used as the laser quickly reshapes your cornea. Once that’s done, the LASIK surgeon puts the flap back down so it can seal and heal all by itself. No stitches required. And that’s it. From start to finish, the entire process only takes about 15 minutes per eye.
The morning after your LASIK procedure, you will probably be at about 90% for improved vision and you can go to work if you want to. The other 10% improvement will happen over the following two to three weeks, as the eye recovers from being worked on.
LASIK surgery has helped lots of people with truly poor vision see clearly again. Instead of having to grab your glasses before you are even able to get out of bed and walk around each morning, you may very well be able to open your eyes and see clearly all by yourself.
If you wear glasses or contacts, you owe it to yourself to find out how LASIK surgery can improve your view of Indianapolis every day. Besides, think how great it would be to buy lots of cool sunglasses right off the rack instead of having to change from sun to regular every time you go outside.
If you are interested in learning more about LASIK in the Indianapolis, Indiana area, please visit 20/20 Institute today.
