If you’re tired of wearing glasses or contact lenses, you may be considering Lasik eye surgery – a procedure to correct vision problems. Before you sign up for the surgery, get a clear picture of what you can expect.
The Facts
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To see clearly, the cornea and the lens must bend – or refract – light rays so they focus on the retina – a layer of light-sensing cells that line the back of the eye. The retina converts the light rays into impulses that are sent to the brain, where they are recognized as images. If the light rays don’t focus on the retina, the image you see is blurry. This is called a refractive error. Glasses, contacts and refractive surgery try to reduce these errors by making light rays focus on the retina.
Refractive errors are caused by an imperfectly shaped eyeball, cornea or lens, and are of three basic types:
There’s also presbyopia – “aging eye,” a condition that usually occurs between ages 40 and 50, and that can be corrected with bifocals or reading glasses.
Lasik is not for everyone.
Only ophthalmologists (Eye MDs) are permitted to perform Lasik. Ask your Eye MD or optometrist for a referral to an Eye MD who performs Lasik. The AAO website (geteyesmart.org) has a feature that can provide you with a list of their members who perform Lasik. Ninety-five percent of all ophthalmologists are AAO members. The International Society of Refractive Surgery website (LocateAnEyeDoc.com) also has names of refractive surgeons.
Ask your surgeon the following questions:
Before the surgery, your surgeon should explain to you the risks and possible complications, and potential side effects, including the pros and cons of having one or both eyes done on the same day. This is the “informed consent” process.
Complications can include:
The following side effects are possible, but usually disappear over time. In rare situations, they may be permanent.
Before: You’ll need a complete eye examination by your refractive surgeon. A preliminary eye exam may be performed by your referring eye care professional. Take your eye prescription records with you to the exams. If you wear contact lenses, stop wearing them (soft contact lenses – two weeks; toric soft lenses or rigid gas permeable lenses – three weeks; and hard lenses – four weeks) before your baseline evaluation, and switch to wearing your glasses full-time. Contacts can temporarily change the shape of the cornea, and compromise precise measurements in the pre-op exam.
Your doctor should:
If you qualify for surgery, your doctor may tell you to stop wearing your contact lenses for a while before the surgery for the same reason that you stopped wearing them before your baseline exam – because contacts can temporarily change the shape of the cornea. Your cornea should be in its natural shape the day of surgery. Your doctor also may tell you to stop wearing makeup, lotions or perfume for a few days before surgery. These products can interfere with the laser treatment or increase the risk of infection after surgery.
During: Lasik is an outpatient surgical procedure. The only anesthetic is an eye drop that numbs the surface of the eye. The surgery takes 10 to 15 minutes for each eye. Sometimes, both eyes are done during the same procedure; but sometimes, surgeons wait (sometimes days or weeks) to see the result on the first eye before doing the second eye.
The Surgical Procedure: The eye is moistened and a suction ring is positioned to keep the eye from moving and the cornea in the correct position. A special device cuts a hinged flap of thin corneal tissue off the outer layer of the eyeball (cornea) and the flap is lifted out of the way. The laser reshapes the underlying corneal tissue, and the surgeon replaces the flap, which quickly adheres to the eyeball. There are no stitches. A shield — either clear plastic or perforated metal — is placed over the eye to protect the flap.
After: Healing is relatively fast, but you may want to take a few days off from work after the surgery. All sports should be avoided for three days after surgery; impact sports or similar activities for four weeks. Be aware that:
You may want to discuss some surgical alternatives to Lasik with your eye doctor. Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), Epi-Lasik, and LASEK are “surface ablation” laser procedures similar to Lasik that are used to reduce myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism without creating a corneal flap. Both Epi-Lasik and LASEK are relatively new second generation procedures.
For more information about vision correction procedures, contact:
American Academy of Ophthalmology, P.O. Box 7424, San Francisco, CA 94120-7424; www.geteyesmart.org
The AAO works to advance the lifelong learning and professional interests of ophthalmologists to ensure that the public can obtain the best possible eye care.
American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, 4000 Legato Road, Suite 850, Fairfax, VA 22033; www.ascrs.org
The ASCRS works to raise the standards and skills of anterior segment surgeons through clinical and practice management education. The Society also works with patients, government and the medical community to promote delivery of quality eye care.
International Society of Refractive Surgery, 1180 Springs Centre So. Blvd. #116, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714; www.LocateAnEyeDoc.com
The ISRS provides scientific research, knowledge and information to all individuals who are interested in refractive surgery.
National Eye Institute, 31 Center Drive MSC 2510, Bethesda, MD 20892-2510; 301-496-5248; www.nei.nih.gov
The NEI conducts and supports research on eye diseases and vision disorders, and offers free publications for the general public and patients.
Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane (HFE-88), Rockville, MD 20852; 1-888-463-6332; 301-827-4420; www.fda.gov
The FDA oversees the safety of food, cosmetics, medicines, medical devices, and radiation- emitting products and provides information on contact lenses, intraocular lenses, refractive surgery, and corneal implants for myopia.
Produced in cooperation with the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.