LASIK eye surgery is a procedure used to help people who wear glasses or contact lenses due to vision problems see without glasses. LASIK is a type of surgery that uses laser beams to improve vision problems.
Definition of LASIK Treatment
LASIK is a corrective eye surgery procedure performed with the help of excimer laser technology. The purpose of the procedure is to reshape the cornea, the outer layer of the eye. It ensures that light focuses properly on the retina and corrects refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
For Which Vision Problems is it Used?
LASIK is an extremely effective treatment method for the following vision problems:
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Myopia (nearsightedness): Used when the cornea is too steep.
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Hyperopia (farsightedness): Occurs when the cornea is not steep enough.
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Astigmatism: Caused by the cornea not having a regular shape, leading to distorted vision.
Advantages of LASIK Treatment
There are many advantages of undergoing LASIK treatment. First of all, since the recovery time is fast, most patients can return to their daily lives the day after surgery. In addition, for suitable candidates, providing permanent and long-term clear vision is another benefit of the treatment. Since the treatment is performed under local anesthetic drops, it is painless and quite comfortable. Furthermore, LASIK treatment is highly successful; most patients achieve 20/25 vision or better. These factors have made LASIK very common in correcting vision problems.
Who is a Good Candidate for LASIK?
Not everyone is a candidate for LASIK. Generally, good candidates are:
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People over the age of 18 whose vision has not changed in the past year
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Those with sufficient corneal thickness
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Those without significant eye diseases (e.g., keratoconus, glaucoma)
Pregnant or breastfeeding women and people with certain chronic diseases are generally not candidates.
How Does the Treatment Process Work?
LASIK surgery is performed in three simple steps:
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Preparation stage: Local anesthesia is applied with eye drops to make the patient comfortable.
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Flap creation: A thin corneal flap is created with a microkeratome or femtosecond laser.
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Corneal reshaping: The cornea is reshaped with an excimer laser, and the flap is replaced.
This procedure takes no more than 15–20 minutes, and the patient can go home the same day and return to normal routines earlier.
Precautions After LASIK
To achieve the highest success after treatment, the following should be observed:
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Eyes should not be rubbed for a few days.
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Prescribed eye drops should be used regularly.
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Swimming and excessive exercise should be avoided for a while.
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Follow-up examinations should be continued.
Finally, LASIK surgery is a harmless procedure that makes glasses and contact lenses unnecessary, provides rapid recovery, and delivers permanent and successful results even in the best candidates.