Advantages of Lasik Eye Surgery

Lasik eye surgery is highly advertised with enthusiastic patients touting the fantastic results. There are several kinds of laser eye surgery, each with specific purposes. Lasik is one of the refractive eye surgeries in which the cornea is changed to improve vision.

In Lasik surgery, a thin layer of the corneal cap is lifted, and a computerized laser reshapes the interior cornea. The layer is replaced and vision improvement is usually instantaneous, with additional improvement following. In other types of refractive surgery, such as PRK, the cornea surface (epithelium) is reshaped. Lasik leaves the epithelium intact, which makes healing much faster. The corneal surface remains much smoother, resulting in higher optical quality. Lasik has less risk of infection and less need for other medications. The degree of correction is much better with lasik.

Lasik can accurately correct most degrees of farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism. It is a five to ten minute outpatient procedure, and is normally painless. One treatment usually achieves desired results, but if surgical enhancements are needed, they can be done even years after the original surgery.

The immediate vision improvement is the one benefit most quoted by patients. Day to day benefits include freedom from glasses or contacts. Money savings are realized by not having to buy glasses or contacts and contact lens solution. Playing sports without eye wear is much easier, and the improved vision may enhance one's abilities. Wearing non-prescription sunglasses is possible. New career choices may also be opened. Some job fields such as law enforcement and aviation require good vision without glasses or contacts.