STANDARD LASIK or Lasik (Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a type of refractive surgery for correcting Myopia, Hyperopia, and Astigmatism. LASIK is performed by Ophthalmologists using a laser. LASIK is similar to other surgical corrective procedures such as Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK – also called ASA – Advanced Surface Ablation) though it provides benefits such as faster patient recovery. Both LASIK and PRK represent advances over radial keratotomy in the surgical treatment of vision problems, and are thus viable alternatives to wearing corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses.
With nearsighted people, the goal of LASIK is to flatten the too-steep cornea whereas with farsighted people, a steeper cornea is desired. LASIK can also correct astigmatism by smoothing an irregular cornea into a more normal shape.
LASIK is an outpatient procedure, so you don’t have to stay at the surgery center overnight. The LASIK surgeon uses a computer to adjust the laser for your particular prescription. You will be asked to look at a target light for a short time while the laser sends pulses of light to painlessly reshape your cornea. The actual LASIK surgery usually takes less than five minutes.
Anybody who wishes to consider Lasik eye surgery must be willing to understand its potential risks, complications and side effects which are duly explained by the surgeon.