Summer is here, which means that people are getting their sunglasses ready to enjoy sunlight as much as possible. However, this can present a problem for those who have to use glasses to see. Therefore, what better way of getting rid of glasses for sunglasses than with LASIK surgery, allowing everybody to enjoy summer!
In the field ophthalmology, LASIK, standing for “laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis”, is a type of refractive surgery, which is a surgical procedure applied to improve the refractive capabilities of the eye and decrease or eliminate dependency on glasses or contact lenses.
This type of surgery may include various procedures, such as corneal reshaping, lens implantation or replacement. Refractive surgery can reduce or even eliminate the symptoms of certain eye conditions, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, presbyopia, and astigmatism.
The LASIK technique is based on the remodeling of the corneal stroma through an Excimer laser, which comes after the creation of a flap through the use of a microkeratome or femtosecond laser, which will be repositioned in its original position once the procedure is finished.
This refractive surgery offers a wide range of benefits, dramatically improving quality of life with people achieving 20/20 vision or better after performing it. And the best thing is that the whole procedure only takes 10 to 15 minutes. Of course, certain measures have to be followed for the next few days to ensure a good recovery.
However, as good as this type of surgery is, not everyone is a candidate for it, being exceptions:
- Patients with corneal pathologies, such as keratoconus, herpes simplex keratitis, scars, or pterygium.
- Patients with retinal pathologies, such as retinal detachment or macular degeneration.
- Patients with progressive, unstable, or advanced myopia.
- Monocularity.
- Patients with glaucoma or cataract.
- Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or under hormonal therapy.
- Diabetic or hypertensive patients.
- Patients with autoimmune diseases.
- Psychiatric patients.
For these reasons, it is important to discuss details and concerns with the eye doctor or surgeon before accepting to have the surgery in order to achieve the best results possible.
