LASIK Eye Surgery - Meaning, Procedure, Benefits & Complications

LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis. It is a process of permanently changing the shape of your cornea. Hence having a LASIK eye surgery can be a permanent solution to fix those vision problems caused by refractive error. In addition, this surgical process is quite painless and takes a minimal time to complete.

Keep reading this blog to know about this surgery, its benefits and other details.

LASIK eye surgery is a common procedure that helps people reduce their dependence on glasses or lenses. The results post this surgery have shown that a person’s astigmatism, near-sightedness and far-sightedness or refractive errors have reduced significantly.

You will only qualify for this surgical process if you have been wearing contact lenses or glasses for a long time. In addition, you must also have a stable vision.

There are mainly three types of vision problems that can be corrected if LASIK surgery is successfully performed.

1. Myopia or Near-sightedness

This is caused if your eyeball is longer than normal or if the cornea curves sharply. Therefore, the light only focuses in front of the retina and blurs distant vision. If you have myopia, you will see close objects clearly but not the objects that are far away.

2. Hypermetropia or Far-sightedness

Hyperopia or hypermetropia is caused when your eyeball is slightly shorter or your cornea is too flat. In such cases, light focuses behind the retina. Hence this makes the vision blurry for closer objects than those located far away.

3. Astigmatism

This is a condition when the cornea unevenly curves or flattens. Astigmatism results in disruption of focus, which eventually blurs the vision.

As you have got some idea about what Lasik surgery is, you are aware of the main process, which is to change the shape of your cornea.

However, let’s understand the process. It usually involves two vital steps: creating a corneal flap and reshaping the cornea. This precise method is done with a Laser and advanced tools.

Your doctor will take just 30 minutes of the operating room for this procedure. Sometimes the surgery time can vary as it depends on your eye condition and the amount of correction you require.

Since you are considering LASIK, it suggests you have certain levels of vision impairment and are looking for a permanent solution. Therefore, before the surgery, your Ophthalmologist will prescribe a general check-up. The following pointers will help you know how to prepare and what you should expect for this evaluation:

1. Stop Wearing Contact Lenses for a While

If you regularly wear contact lenses, it is suggested to stop wearing them for a while, but wear glasses before the check-up. This is because contact lenses change the shape of your cornea.

So, not allowing your cornea to understand its natural shape can impact negatively during the surgery. The consequences of not leaving contact lenses for a certain period can lead to inaccurate measurements and incorrect surgical plans, eventually resulting in poor vision.

2. Inform About your Medical History

Sharing your medical history with the doctor is essential, as the surgical process is dependent on this information. These are the following things you must share with your doctor.

• Approximate time of you using glasses or contact lenses.
• Whether you have any current or previous medical or eye condition.
• Medications you regularly consume and others that you are allergic to.

3. Inquire About Other Specifications

While undergoing a thorough evaluation, you must inquire with your doctor regarding the following subjects. 

• Whether you are a good candidate for LASIK.
• LASIK eye surgery cost in India and the process of paying the amount.
• Risk factors and benefits of LASIK.
• The precautions to follow post-surgery.

4. No Products Before LASIK

On the day before surgery, you must stop using any kind of product on your skin. It includes creams, lotions, makeup, and perfumes. Doctors recommend not to use them before surgery because the debris from these products can cause infection.

Your doctor can also ask you to scrub your eyelashes to remove any foreign particles prior to the surgery.

5. Arrange Transportation

Generally, during these sessions, doctors ask someone to tag along with you as they will have eye patches, and it becomes difficult to move alone. In addition, post-surgery, you will have been given medications that may blur your vision. This is why make sure to arrange transportation to and from your surgery.

Here are the steps that doctors follow for LASIK surgery.

Step 1: At the beginning of the LASIK surgery, eye-numbing drops are given.

Step 2: Your eyelids are gently held open to position a precision flap-making instrument.

Step 3: The surgeon will ask you to focus on a fixation light while they activate the instrument. A few seconds later, they will be able to fold a corneal flap that opens up the middle layer of the cornea.

Step 4: The cornea is then reshaped using an excimer laser. This reshaping again varies as per your vision. For instance -

• If you have myopia, the cornea is flattened to lessen the converging eye power. Hence, more tissue from the centre is removed than its sides.
• In hyperopia, the central cornea is heightened to improve the converging power of the eye. Unlike myopia, here, more tissue from the periphery is removed.
• Cases of astigmatism require the cornea to be made more uniformly curved. Therefore, tissue is removed in one direction.

Step 5: The corneal flap is then repositioned. The flap is held naturally in place until the surface has healed.

Recovering from LASIK is extremely fast. Most people tend to resume their daily activities within 24 hours. Apart from that, post-surgery, you will have to follow certain rules like using eye drops as prescribed and wearing sunglasses even at night to avoid rubbing your eyes.

The consequences of the surgery vary from one to another. Some of the common after-effects of LASIK surgery are as follows:

• Immediately after the surgery, you may feel a burning sensation in your eyes, or it can also itch sometimes.
• You can also feel mild pain and discomfort after the surgery and in such cases, doctors prescribe a pain reliever.
• Teary or watery eyes are also common.
• Hazy or blurry vision.
• Sensitivity to light, glares, starbursts, haloes etc.
• The white portion of your eyes may look bloodshot.

Once you are done with the surgical process, there are certain preventive methods to follow. Here are some of the precautions after LASIK surgery

• You should visit your Ophthalmologist within 48 hours post-surgery and then schedule a visit at regular intervals.
• You must also wait for at least three days after the surgery before resuming any non-contact sports.
• If you practise strenuous sports like boxing, football etc., do not attempt for the next four weeks after surgery.
• Wait for a minimum of two weeks before using lotions, cream or makeup around your eyes.
• Avoid swimming and bathing in hot tubs for 1-2 months.

LASIK surgery can guarantee freedom for people who feel burdened with glasses and lenses. Below are some of the major benefits experienced by the patients who have been through this procedure:

1. Corrected Vision

LASIK eye surgery is offered to those who have been taking vision aid for a long time. This process thus provides a permanently correct vision. Most of the time, it does not even require a follow-up session unless there was any mistake in the procedure.

2. Immediate Outcome

One of the major benefits of going through LASIK is that it offers immediate results. Once you have completed the surgical procedure, you will be able to experience the difference in corrected vision.

3. Freedom From Glasses and Contact Lenses

Maintaining glasses and contact lenses is expensive and makes you dependent on external aid. Once you have successfully recovered from LASIK, you will enjoy clear and proper vision without any external aid. So, you can finally quit wearing glasses and lenses.

4. Quick Surgery

Unlike other surgical processes, LASIK is almost painless and takes 10-30 minutes, depending on the amount of correction needed. Some may fear this surgery, but you must know it is a simple and quick procedure. It will get over before you even know it.

5. Fast Recovery

As this process is completely regulated by lasers and there is no stitching involved, its post-operative recovery is very fast. Complications after LASIK are hardly ever noticed.

6. Relief From Allergies

Wearing contact lenses can cause itchiness, watery eyes and other allergic reactions. This happens when there are pollutants and pollen can get trapped inside them. If you choose to have LASIK, you will eventually get relieved from such allergies.

7. Boost Self-Confidence

There are many people who feel less confident when they have to take external vision aid to survive. LASIK allows them to live a free life with no glasses or lenses. Thus, boosting confidence in them.

Although LASIK is a revolutionary surgical process and has immense benefits, this cannot be a good choice for some. The following list mentions those who are not eligible for LASIK:

• Patients below 18 years of age.
• Pregnant women or nursing mothers.
• Those who intake some prescribed drugs that may interfere with LASIK, like certain steroids.
• People with unstable vision.
• Those who already have diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, glaucoma or cataracts.
• People with dry eye syndrome or other eye health issues.

Complications from this surgical procedure are very rare, but they can have certain side effects. Some of them are:

• Double vision
• Under corrections
• Over corrections
• Astigmatism
• Problems with the flap
• Regression
• Vision loss
• Persistent dry eyes
• Recent changes in vision due to age, any hormonal changes, pregnancy effects or any medications.
• Inflated cornea, eye injuries, lid disorders.

Studies show that people who have undergone LASIK eye surgery are living hassle-free without any visual aid. It is very rare that after this surgery, people's vision turns back to the stage it was before. Nevertheless, before making any final call, consult your Ophthalmologist.