LASIK, or Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, also known as laser vision correction or refractive keratectomy, is a kind of cosmetic surgery for the treatment of myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism. A form of keratoplasty, it involves the use of lasers in order to reshape the cornea of the eyes through the use of a special device called a laser surgery instrument or “lens”. This instrument then reshapes the cornea through the use of energy, allowing light from the external environment to pass through the eye and thus entering the brain. The purpose of this is to create an illusion of a straighter or larger cornea in order to better correct vision conditions like myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) or astigmatism by changing the focus of the eye. While this may seem simple in nature, in reality there are several complications that can arise from a cataract surgery.
One of the most common complications that can occur after lasik is infection. As long as the patient follows the strict pre and post-operative care instructions given by their surgeon, the risks posed by infection can be relatively low. Occasionally, a patient may have a reaction to one or more components of the treatment process, which leads to bacterial or fungal infections. A typical post-operative symptom is dry eye syndrome, where the patient’s eyes become extremely dry and painful. Some people can also experience redness, irritation, itching or irritation at the site of the procedure, particularly in the case of lasik. For these reasons, the Lasik surgical provider will carefully outline the post-operative care required for each patient before starting the lasik procedure.
Lasik is commonly performed laser eye surgery on the following patients: Those with myopia (myopia normally refers to nearsightedness), astigmatism, farsightedness, presbyopia and hyperopia (farsightedness). Other lasik conditions that can be treated with lasik include diabetic retinopathy, diabetic ulcers, and keratectomy to correct symptoms of congenital heart disease. It is important to note that lasik surgery should only be performed on the healthy when lasik is deemed the best possible option for treatment.