LASIK is a common acronym for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. It is a surgical procedure that uses a special laser, also known as a keratomileusis laser, to reshape the cornea. Keratin is the protein that makes up the eyes and it is also what determines the shape of the cornea; when this protein is cut or flattened, it can cause the cornea to be misaligned causing blurred vision and in some cases serious vision problems. For this reason LASIK is extremely popular and can be done in the office under local anesthesia in about ten minutes.
One of the most common reasons people get lasik surgery is to change the way they wear their lenses. Currently, there are several different options available for people who want to reduce or stop wearing their lenses. One option is to increase the amount of light that the lens lets through. In addition to increasing the amount of light allowed through the lens, lenses with lower levels of UV light blocking can also be used. Although these two techniques are used primarily for cosmetic reasons, there are other benefits to these techniques as well.
Another benefit of lasik that many people ask about after the fact is the cost of the procedure. Typically lasik surgery will require two visits; one for the eye drops and one for the actual procedure. The cost of a lasik surgery can be compared to the price of glasses with one lens (with lenses on) over a period of time. Generally the cost of lasik surgery is between five hundred and thousand dollars; however, the actual cost will depend upon the surgeon’s fee schedule, the type of lasik required, the amount of extra eye wear needed, any complications during the procedure, your age, etc.