Saturday, November 8, 2008

Are you thinking about lasik eye surgery

by Susan Slobac

Are you thinking about Lasik Eye Surgery in order to correct your astigmatism, nearsightedness or farsightedness? If so, there are a few facts that you should be aware of. Although there are some for whom lasik eye surgery is not the best option, most patients find that it allows them to be free from the necessity of wearing glasses and contact lenses.

The word "lasik" is actually an acronym that means LASer assisted In situ Keratomileusis. This procedure employs a strong beam of light from an instrument called an excimer in order to vaporize tissue painlessly and quickly. The surgeon begins by cutting a small flap in the cornea with a microkeratome, which is a tiny precision scalpel. This flap is then folded backwards, allowing the surgeon to perform the laser treatment on the cornea, after which the flap is put back in place.

Healing begins shortly after Lasik Eye Surgery; no stitches are required. Although you'll most likely notice vision changes over the next several weeks, your vision should improve within a few days. Most lasik eye surgery patients are able to return to normal everyday activities within a day or two.

It should be pointed out that individuals with autoimmune diseases or those with chronic illnesses affecting healing ability might not benefit from lasik eye surgery. People with thin corneas or large pupils may should likewise avoid lasik eye surgery. A complete eye examination with an ophthalmologist is in order for anyone considering the procedure; only a trained professional who can examine your eyes under clinical conditions can advise you as to whether or not lasik eye surgery is the best option for your particular condition.

One of the reasons lasik eye surgery enjoys such popularity with patients and doctors is the fact that it is quick and relatively painless; a complete lasik eye surgery can be completed in about half an hour. Vision correction is almost immediate, althoughvision may continue to change over the weeks following the procedure.

Costs associated with lasik eye surgery vary considerably across the nation; in the Denver, Colorado metro area and along the Front Range communities, these costs run between $500 and $1500, depending on the patient; this is about mid-range for lasik eye surgery nationwide. It's important to understand that "bargain" Lasik Eye Surgery is not usually a "bargain" however; unless performed by a thoroughly trained, experienced lasik surgeon, lasik eye surgery can cause more harm than good.

About the Author
LASIK is nearly painless and has been FDA approved for over a decade. LASIK patient satisfaction rate rivals that of any other medical procedure. In this article Susan Slobac writes about the Lasik Eye Surgery.

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