LASIK, or Laser Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis, is a major medical breakthrough in eye correction. Before its invention, the common treatment for vision problems used to be the bulky glasses or the easy-to-lose contact lenses. The invention of LASIK has made possible the improvement of one’s vision without the use of those objects through surgery. The operation makes use of a laser in doing refractive eye surgery. As a result it’s regarded as a better alternative over Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) by eye surgery specialists. Patients would also receive the benefits of a less painful experience unlike with PRK surgery, and the recovery period can also be faster.
LASIK’s invention had its first steps with Dr. Jose Barraquer during the 1960’s when he attempted to improve the process of refractive surgery. He was the one who developed the microkeratome blade. Its function in reshaping the cornea serves as the inspiration for LASIK. Later, Dr. Loannis Pallikaris (who also founded an alternative procedure called Epi-LASIK) and Dr. Lucio Buratto refined the process and came up with the actual LASIK surgical procedure.
There are already many variations of LASIK available today. Basically, visual enhancement will be achieved through LASIK using an excimer laser in restructuring the cornea. The aforementioned microkeratome plays a role in slicing off a tiny flap located in the cornea’s interior region, exposing the middle area, or stroma, in the process. The laser will then attempt to eliminate a section in the stroma, prompting the replacement of the tiny flap.
The patients undergoing LASIK surgery are given a mild sedative and several drops of anesthetic on the eyes because they are required to be wide awake. LASIK is not always perfect, and thus, a lot of comprehensive screenings and testing are done before the operation. It is one of the most vital phases, because the medical staff should make sure if the candidate is suitable (not all corneas can withstand the surgery), and they should also check if there will be post-operation complications. It should be noted that there is a significant percentage of patients that go through LASIK with absolutely no problems, reporting visual improvements afterwards. But according to research, if the surgery is not successful, it will result in further problems that would require repeated treatment.
In the study, it was revealed that double and/or night vision, halos and glares are but some of the negative aftereffects of LASIK surgery. Some patients were also represcribed eye glasses or contact lenses as part of the recuperation process. So, if you’re vying for this treatment, full participation in the eligibility tests is highly essential.
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