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Ever since it was first performed in the late 90's, Lasik surgery has been hailed as an ideal way to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. Each year, about 700,000 Americans get Lasik, making it one of the most popular elective surgeries available today. But after a spike of complaints from patients who have experienced double vision, blurry vision and other complications following Lasik, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is looking into the risks of the increasingly popular surgery. So if you have your sight set on Lasik, here is what you need to know before you go under the laser.
HOW DOES LASIK WORK?
Lasik, which is short for "laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis,” is the process of reshaping your cornea to allow light to focus more precisely on the retina, resulting in improved vision. A surgeon will use a laser to cut a small flap in the cornea. The flap is then folded back while the surgeon uses an ultraviolet light beam to reshape the cornea by removing tiny fragments of corneal tissue. Afterwards, the flap is laid back in place and covers the area where the tissue was removed.WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF LASIK?
As with any surgery, complications may arise after Lasik. Though the Lasik Study Task Force reports a 95.4 percent satisfaction rate among patients worldwide, a small clutch of patients have struggled with dry eyes or further debilitating visual symptoms like glare, halos, double vision, and even loss of sight following Lasik surgery, thus prompting the FDA inquiry. And because the surgery involves a relatively new technology, long-term data on the safety and effectiveness of Lasik is unknown, making it an even riskier procedure.IS LASIK FOR YOU?
Sure, Lasik may seem like a simple way to do away with your glasses for good, but the procedure is not for everyone. For starters, the cost – which can run from $1,000 to $2,500 per eye – may be prohibitive for many. And rule out Lasik if you have early cataract formations, thin corneas, big pupils, chronic dry eyes, or a medical condition like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or herpes. If you are not sure about the condition of your eyes, see an ophthalmologist who can run a battery of tests to determine if you are an ideal Lasik candidate or not.ALTERNATIVES TO LASIK
If you are freaked out by the risk factors of Lasik, there are other procedures to consider before you resign to hiding behind glasses or contacts for the rest of your life. They include the following:Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK): The precursor to Lasik, PRK uses a laser to reshape the cornea’s surface, but there is no flap-cutting required.
Conductive keratoplasty (CK): Corrects farsightedness or astigmatism by beaming radiofrequency waves around the cornea’s edge.
Refractive lens exchange (RLE): Fixes extreme near or farsightedness by replacing the patient’s own lens with an artificial one.
Intacs corneal inserts: Tiny and flexible crescent-shaped rings are placed in around the cornea, helping to flatten the front of the eye and decreasing mild nearsightedness.
Of course, each procedure comes with its own risks and rules, so talk to your doctor about determining which one is best for you. And to learn more about Lasik, visit the FDA’s site.
