Know
about Lasik
What is Lasik?
LASIK is a surgical procedure that can reduce
a person's dependency on glasses or contact
lenses by permanently changing the shape
of the cornea (the delicate clear covering
on the front of the eye).
Need
of Lasik
Refractive errors are a common condition
of the eye and are found in all age groups.
In normal circumstances the cornea converges
light rays on the lens of the eye, which
further converges them onto the light sensitive
retina at the back of the eye. The retina
with the help of the optic nerve transmits
a clear image or photo to the brain.
In patients suffering from refractive errors,
the cornea is unable to converge the light
rays adequately. Consequently, the rays
converge either before the retina (people
with – powers) or after the retina
(people with + powers). In both the cases,
people cannot see clearly.
The common correction for refractive errors
is spectacles or contact lens. However,
both of these though popular have certain
limitations. New advances in eye care and
laser technology has led to a permanent
cure for refraction, popularly known as
LASIK (Laser Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis).
This is a short and completely painless
surgery of 10-15 minutes where the surgeon
corrects the shape or the thickness of the
cornea through a laser.
Conditions
that could be corrected by Lasik
- Myopia or short sightedness,
which occurs due to focusing of rays before
the retina while viewing distant objects.
As a consequence, there is blurred vision.
Myopia is often hereditary resulting out
of an abnormally large eyeball or steeply
curved cornea.
- Hypermetropia or farsightedness,
which occurs due to light rays converging
beyond the retina. Near objects are blurred
while distant objects are clear.
- Astigmatism or irregularity
in the shape of the normally spherical
cornea. Irregular shape leads to distortion
of both distance and near vision.
You need
Lasik if,
- You do not want to wear spectacles or
contact lenses.
- You feel visually or physically restricted
by contact lenses or spectacles.
- You want to participate in outdoor sports
and contact sports where wearing spectacles
or contact lens may constrict your body
movement.
- You want to join certain profession
where uncorrected visual acuity is a prerequisite.
Things
to watch out for in Lasik
- The patient has to be above 18 years
of age.
- There should not have been a significant
change in the spectacle prescription in
the last 12 months.
- A proper clinical evaluation that necessarily
includes a measurement of the thickness
of the cornea.
- People with very high powers may not
get 100% results post surgery and may
still require wearing glasses.
- A through counseling by the surgeon
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