LASIK: The Alternative to Eyeglasses & Contacts

LASIK is a simple laser surgery that can be done to help a person see better without glasses. This is accomplished through a number of little cuts that change the shape of the cornea - the cover of the eye. When this surgery is done correctly, it can eliminate or reduce a person's need for prescription lenses. I have worn glasses since I was a teenager. Since my vision is fairly stable, I would be a good candidate for LASIK. Therefore, I have considered the idea of LASIK as an alternative to glasses and done a little research on the subject. Here is what I have found out.

While the majority of patients are quite happy with the results of LASIK, it is important to keep some guidelines in mind when considering this surgery. First of all, your insurance will probably not cover it, and your employer may not allow it. There are some kinds of work that prohibit workers from having various types of eye surgery. Second, this kind of surgery will not work well for you if your vision tends to change a lot. Changeable vision could just be the natural state of your eyes, or it could be caused by a number of other factors. One of these is age. You cannot get laser surgery if you are less than eighteen years of age. If you are in your early twenties, your vision may still tend to change quite a bit. Certain conditions like pregnancy, breast-feeding, and some medical conditions like diabetes and others, can cause changeable vision. Some medications may cause your vision to change. This is particularly true if you are taking steroids. Additionally, if you do a lot of rough-and-tumble type stuff, such as karate, judo, kung-fu, boxing, wrestling, football, and so on, laser surgery is not recommended.

If none of these conditions apply to you, and you think laser surgery would be a good option for you, you will want to locate a good doctor. Interview a few doctors and ask a number of questions before settling on the one with whom you will entrust your eyes and your vision. First, be sure the doctor is willing to take time with you. Is he or she forthcoming, friendly, cooperative and willing to answer all of your questions and be sure you understand the answers? If not, move on. Remember, you are the boss in this situation. You are paying the bill.

When you have narrowed your prospects down to doctors who take the time to develop a good rapport with you, begin asking questions. Be sure that the top questions on your list are, "How many laser surgeries have you done?" and specifically, "How many have you done with this laser?", and finally, "Is this laser approved by the FDA?" You want to be sure your doctor is using new equipment that is in the best possible condition and that the equipment has been approved by the FDA, which oversees the sale of lasers for eye surgery.

Once you have decided on the right doctor, be sure that the doctor knows about any conditions you have that may interfere with the surgery. These include, but are not limited to: Dry eyes, thin corneas, large pupils, eye diseases (e.g. ocular hypertension, glaucoma) previous eye surgeries or any injury to the eyes. Even if these things occurred in the past, and you think they no longer affect you, your doctor needs to know. If you are unclear on the status of any of these conditions, be sure that your doctor does thorough testing before giving your eyes the go-ahead for surgery.

Once you have made the final decision to have LASIK, here is what you can expect. Your doctor should give you a complete briefing regarding the procedure and what to expect. He or she will require that you sign a consent form. Be sure that you read the entire form, and ask your doctor about any questions you may have. Do not sign the form until you understand everything completely. Your doctor should perform a thorough eye exam or refer you to a specialist who will do so.

When it is time for surgery, here is what you should plan on. It will take you some time to recover. Some sources recommend one day. Some recommend two. I would take at least two full days off to rest and recover completely. Understand that you will be experiencing some pain and should be on medication to manage it. Additionally, our vision will be affected after the surgery. Naturally, you will not be driving home! Be sure to have a friend or family member standing by to drive you. Expect blurry vision for a few days after surgery. In fact, your vision may not settle into it's best performance for a few months. Be patient, be in contact with your doctor, and give your eyes a chance to recover.

Having looked into LASIK, I can say that I certainly consider it a viable alternative and something that I am very interested in pursuing. I think it offers a lot of advantages. Among them are, Improved appearance, a long term savings on glasses, less hassle with caring for and keeping up with glasses, and less chance of injuring yourself if you fall or are in an accident.

I took a spill from my bicycle recently, and the first thing I thought of when I hit the ground was, "Thank God my face hit the grass so my glasses won't be broken!" However, I did have a bruise where my glasses hit the bridge of my nose, and I might have had two black eyes if I had hit harder! If I had LASIK I wouldn't have had to worry about that! I could have thought, "Thank God I'm not wearing glasses!" When I hit the ground! I think LASIK is a great choice. I hope I will be able to take advantage of it one day soon.

Generally speaking, LASIK surgery tends to go well. If you do have problems, be sure to let your doctor know. If you are unable to get satisfaction by that route, you can call the FDA. Look for their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov or call 1-800-332-1088.

To find out more about LASIK, contact the FDA information line at: 1-888-463-6332 or visit: www.fda.gov/cdrh/lasik