由 home-healthhaven 
People can experience vision problems at various points in their lives for many different reasons. In the past, the main solution was often just getting eyeglasses. However, during the 20th century, surgeons started to develop advanced techniques to treat eye damage and vision issues. One of the most popular methods that emerged is LASIK, a procedure that helps restore good vision lost due to aging or other factors.
### What Is LASIK?
LASIK is a type of refractive surgery distinguished from earlier methods by its use of a laser instead of a metal blade. The operation aims to remove problematic tissues within the cornea that cause vision issues like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
### The Procedure
Before the surgery, your doctor will provide instructions, especially if you wear contact lenses. Typically, you need to stop wearing contacts at least five days before the surgery, though sometimes it may be several weeks, especially for hard lenses. Your doctor will also check to make sure your vision prescription has remained stable over the past year and perform various other tests.
On the day of the surgery, you’ll go to the surgical center or hospital and meet the surgical team. A team member will examine your corneas using a corneal topography machine to create a map that will guide the surgeon during the procedure. If you’re nervous, you can request a mild sedative, but general anesthesia isn’t needed. You’ll receive some anesthetic eye drops to numb your eyes.
During the procedure, you’ll lie down on an operating table. The surgeon will place a corneal suction ring on your eye to keep your eyelids out of the way. Although it might look intimidating, this device is crucial. In some cases, it can cause minor tissue damage and slight bleeding, but this usually heals quickly.
Next, the surgeon will create a flap by making incisions around the outer cornea. This can be done with a small blade or a specialized laser. One side of the cornea remains uncut to act as a hinge, allowing the surgeon to fold back the flap and access the central cornea. You might feel some discomfort during this step, even with the numbing drops.
Then, the surgeon uses an excimer laser to reshape the cornea. This part usually isn’t painful. The laser vaporizes tiny amounts of tissue without damaging nearby areas. The laser is typically active for just a few seconds. Afterward, the surgeon checks for any air bubbles or debris before closing the flap. The eye heals naturally without the need for stitches. You’ll receive antibiotic ointment and anti-inflammatory eye drops. The entire process, from start to finish, usually takes about half an hour.
### Is LASIK Right for Me?
LASIK isn’t the right solution for everyone. It’s important to consider if you’d be comfortable with the procedure. Discuss your options with a qualified surgeon to determine if LASIK is suitable for you. If you go ahead with it, there’s a good chance your vision could be as clear as it was when you were young, and some people even achieve better vision than ever before.