Wearing glasses or contact lenses may not be the first choice for vision correction, which is understandable. What comes to the rescue is Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) eye surgery: a refractive laser surgery to correct vision. Often, it is a preferred alternative to glasses or contact lenses. So, if you or your loved one is planning for vision correction through LASIK eye surgery, here are a couple of things you need to know.

Here is why it is done
LASIK eye surgery is typically done for the following three vision problems:

• Hyperopia
  Hyperopia or farsightedness is when a person’s eyes cannot see nearby objects clearly. It happens when the average eyeball curve is too flat. As a result, instead of focusing on the retina, the light focuses behind it.
• Myopia
  Nearsightedness or myopia results from the cornea curving too sharply and the eyeball being slightly elongated than normal. In this case, light focuses in front of the cornea, leading to blurry distant vision.
• Astigmatism
  This is due to unevenness in flattening or curving of the eyeballs. Astigmatism results in both near and farsightedness.

LASIK surgery procedure
Here is what happens in the LASIK surgery procedure.

• The patient lies on their back on a reclining chair in the procedure room. The LASIK surgery system is a large machine containing a microscope that assists in providing a magnified view of the retina. The parameters can be observed on the computer screen attached to the system.
• The area around the eye is cleaned. A numbing drop is poured into the eye before holding the eyelids open using a lid speculum.
• The doctors will use a mechanical, bladed device called a microkeratome or a laser keratome to make an incision in the cornea. A ring is placed on the eye, and high pressure is applied to create a suction for better access to the cornea.
• The doctors will cut a flap in the cornea using a microkeratome or laser keratome. Once the cornea is exposed, laser energy is focused inside the cornea tissue, which will create innumerable tiny bubbles that will fuse to separate tissue underneath the cornea surface, thus creating a flap.
• The doctor will close the flap and let the exposed tissue dry.
• Once dried, the doctor will position a laser over the eye, and the patient will be asked to stare at a light. When the eye is in the correct position, the doctor will initialize the laser, which will remove the corneal tissue. The computer attached to the system is programmed to a specific intensity to vaporize a particular amount of corneal tissue.
• Once the flap is put back into its position, a shield is placed over the operated eye as protection. It is crucial to wear this protection to prevent rubbing eyes and putting pressure, as no stitches are used to hold the flap in place.

Precautions to be taken before and after the surgery

• Before surgery
  The ophthalmologist (eye doctor) performs an initial baseline evaluation to see if LASIK eye surgery will benefit the patient. If yes, the doctors will instruct to stop wearing contact lenses and switch to wearing full-time glasses before base evaluation. It is important to stop wearing contact lenses to let the cornea come into its normal shape.It is also essential to let the ophthalmologist know if the patient is under some treatment for other health conditions. It is also crucial to stop wearing creams, lotions, and makeup, as these products can form debris around the eye and eyelashes, thereby increasing the risk of infection during the surgery.
• After surgery
  After the LASIK eye surgery is performed, the operated eye may burn and itch. In such a case, the ophthalmologist may prescribe a mild pain reliever. Both eyes may water even after the surgery is over, and the patient may still have a hazy or blurry vision. However, one is strictly advised against rubbing the eye because it might dislodge the flap, damaging the eye further.The patient may also be more sensitive to light and glare and may even see haloes around light. Some patients may also have redness in their eyes. However, this is only due to the surgery, and the symptoms go away after a few days. However, one must see a doctor if the symptoms mentioned above do not subside.

  Waiting three to five days following LASIK eye surgery is also necessary before beginning any non-contact sports like baseball, football, and golf. Doctors also recommend waiting at least two weeks post-surgery before using lotions or creams, as the debris may enter the eye and damage the flap. It is crucial to avoid swimming, using whirlpools or hot tubs, and engaging in other water sports for at least two months.