Health Care

Lasik laser eye correction is a form of refractive surgery. The word lasik is the short term for "Laser assisted in situ kerotomileusis".

Lasik correction is a surgery that changes the shape of the cornea to correct hyperopia, myopia and astigmatism eliminating the need for glasses and contact lenses. People with myopia or near sightedness see things clearer when they are close as opposed to far objects. People with hyperopia or far sightedness have trouble seeing near objects as clearly as far objects. Astigmatism is when the image in the retina is distorted, this is caused by an abnormal shape of the cornea.

Lasik eye surgeons correct the refractive error by using a knife called a microkeratome to cut a thin c shaped flap in the cornea. The flap is then folded back exposing the stroma which is the center of the cornea. Pulse from an excimer laser uses an ultra violet beam to remove part of the stroma giving a normal shape to the cornea. The flap is then replaced.

The cornea is the thin layer of skin in the front of the eye. Its job is to help focus light to create an image on the retina. This is known as refraction. When the cornea becomes out of shape it creates an out of focus, blurred or distorted image called refractive errors.

Lasik eye correction is relatively pain free and improved vision is usually obtained by the next day. Making it a very safe and popular option for better vision. Nearly 99% of people having lasik eye corrective surgery done will experience 20/40 vision or better. This is enough to obtain a drivers license without any restriction. Over 90% of the surgery will result in a 20/20 vision.

Some patients may need to repeat the surgery if the eye becomes near sighted or far sighted again but it is a very small percentage as with today's doctor screening, the chances for complications are limited.