How Lasik Eye Surgery Can Work For You

It is reported by The New York Times that over 12 million people have undergone Lasik eye surgery with a rate of 95% satisfaction. For years, it has been the miracle procedure that has given people the ability to throw out their glasses and contacts and see the world with new eyes. So how do you know if Lasik eye surgery is for you?

When Lasik is NOT the Answer

Lasik eye surgery is an option for nearly anyone over the age of 18, but the FDA recommends patients to wait until after their early 20’s to undergo the surgery. The FDA also cautions those who are actively involved in contact sports (such as wrestling, boxing and martial arts) to reconsider surgery since these types of sports often involve facial injuries and blows. Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not undergo the surgery, nor should patients with fluctuating hormones due to conditions such as diabetes. If you have an autoimmune disease or an immunodeficiency condition, it may affect your recovery time. Certain medications may also prevent the body from healing properly, so you should always check with your doctor to see if you are taking anything that would interfere. Finally, you will want to make sure that your vision has remained stable over the past year and that you do not have refractive instability (which may be caused by one of the previously listed conditions or ages). Lasik surgery has also not been determined for patients with certain diseases, such as herpes simplex, shingles, glaucoma, ocular hypertension or other diseases and conditions of the eye. Be sure to discuss the risks thoroughly with a doctor before committing to surgery.

Lasik Miracles

Wikipedia.com describes the process of Lasik surgery in fairly simple terms: “The operation itself involves creating a thin flap on the eye, folding it to enable remodeling of the tissue beneath with a laser. The flap is repositioned and the eye is left to heal in the postoperative period.” Most Lasik surgeries take just a few minutes and recovery lasts only a few weeks. Patients are awake during surgery but may receive a sedative and anesthetic eye drops. Recovery consists of taking eye drops that contain antibiotics and anti-inflammatory ingredients, as well as wearing protective coverings over the eyes to shield out light and prevent patients from rubbing their eyes during sleep. Lasik surgery could be called the 15-minute miracle, because that’s pretty much all the time it will take. For millions of people, it has changed their life for the better and has allowed them the chance to see the world with brand-new eyes and perfect vision. Lasik Chicago just may be the miracle you’ve been waiting for.