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Most of the fear related to any type of surgery lies in the unknown element of
the procedure. LASIK laser eye surgery is no different than any other type of
procedure. LASIK laser eye surgery is actually a very simple process that can
be explained easily.
You will sit down in a reclining chair in a room specially designed for LASIK
laser eye surgery. There will be a large machine with a microscope attached
to it and a computer screen as part of a laser system. The whole process
should not take more than 30 minutes to complete.
The first step your doctor will take is to clean your eye and place a numbing
drop of liquid in it. With the LASIK laser eye surgery now underway a ring will
be placed around the eye to create suction to the cornea. This will cause the
first discomfort of the surgery and blurred vision, but it will only be temporary.
While the suction ring is still around your eye a cutting instrument, called
microkeratome, is used to cut a flap in your cornea. From this point on during
the LASIK laser eye surgery you will experience some fluctuating blurred
vision.
During the evaluation for LASIK laser eye surgery your doctor should have
informed you that you will need to be able to stare at a laser for 60 seconds or
more during the surgery. You will do this after the tissue has been folded
back and dried out by the doctor during the procedure. The laser will direct
your eye to the spot that the surgical laser will use to perform the vision
correction.
At this point LASIK laser eye surgery may take on an unexpected smell, that
of something burning. This is probably because your eye is under the intense
scrutiny of the laser that is correcting your vision problems. Though the laser
may make some very human sounds (ticking) and smells (burning hair) it is
still a very controlled process.
The computer in the room that is hooked up to the laser controls the amount
of energy delivered to your eye. Some tissue will be vaporized and finally the
flap of the corneal tissue is put back in place, effectively ending LASIK laser
eye surgery.
After LASIK laser eye surgery is completed your doctor will supply you with a
shield or patch for your eye to prevent irritation. You will quickly realize how
many times your eye gets bumped or you involuntarily rub it when you cannot
do so. Wear the patch and save yourself some heartache. |
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