Basic LASIK Laser Eye Surgery Considerations

LASIK laser eye surgery is a procedure that is used to correct vision in patients with myopia, hyperopia, and/or astigmatism. It involves the use of a microkeratome to make an incision in the outer surface of the cornea, creating a corneal flap. A more advance procedure called IntraLASIK uses a laser instead of a microkeratome blade to make the incision.

The flap is then drawn back and a laser is aimed at the cornea to reshape it, after which the flap is repositioned. Almost all laser vision correction procedures done in America use LASIK.

Side Effects

Although LASIK laser eye surgery is a cosmetic procedure, it still causes side effects such as corneal scarring and infections. However, the incidence of such serious complications is rare.

More common side effects are over- or under-correction, and blurry or hazy vision soon after. However, if the error in correction is minimal, it is normally left alone. For example, 20/40 is considered optimal.

Do not expect LASIK laser eye surgery to give you 20/20 vision. Seeing 20/20 is sometimes not a factor of the surgeon's competence but the condition of the eye.

Some patients, however, experience some visual symptoms such as glare, poor night vision, and low light contrast sensitivity. Such symptoms are either corrected with additional procedures or with corrective lenses.

Choosing a Surgeon

The side effects from LASIK laser eye surgery can be minimized by an experienced doctor. Studies show that the chance of complications is inversely proportional to the increase in the number of surgeries performed. Doctors who have performed over 1,000 LASIK surgeries hardly experience complications in their patients any longer.

It is also important that doctors provide patients with a breakdown of costs and clarify if additional LASIK surgeries are included in the original LASIK fee. This is a touchy issue since more and more patients are learning that the advertised amount may include hidden charges.

Many patients in the US now demand that re-treatments be given free of charge within the first year of surgery, since most of the bigger, established eye centers offer this guarantee. Some centers even offer a lifelong guarantee on their LASIK surgeries under certain reasonable circumstances.

Choosing a Center

One of the factors that affects the cost of LASIK laser eye surgery is the location of the eye center. The highest LASIK prices are found in the Northeast and the South, while eye centers in the West generally charge lower prices.

However, price should not be the sole reason in selecting an eye center. Consider, instead, the reputation and track record of the place, the facilities, the staff, and the attending surgeon.

The most important thing is to feel comfortable and confident with your choice since the results of your LASIK laser eye surgery will be with you for life.