Q. I’m thinking about getting LASIK eye surgery. Is it safe?
A. LASIK, which stands for Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis, improves vision by reshaping the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye.
Using a laser, an eye surgeon can free patients of eyeglasses and contact lenses. The results of LASIK have been improving because of technological advances and the experience of surgeons. More than 90 percent of people who have undergone refractive (vision-correction) surgery don’t have to wear glasses or contacts most of the time.
LASIK is a relatively new technology. The first laser was approved for eye surgery in 1998. The long-term safety and effectiveness of LASIK is unknown.
According to the LASIK Study Task Force formed in 2007, studies indicate a 95.4 percent satisfaction rate among patients worldwide. The Task Force consists of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the U.S. National Eye Institute.
But of the 7.6 million people who have undergone the procedure in the United States since the 1990s, about 150 have written letters of complaint to the FDA.
LASIK is an option if you are nearsighted, farsighted or have astigmatism. Some people with presbyopia — a vision error that comes with age — may benefit from LASIK eye surgery. However, the surgery may give presbyopes clear distance vision but poorer near vision.
Certain conditions preclude individuals from having LASIK. These include cataracts, advanced glaucoma, corneal diseases and corneal-thinning disorders.
During the eye exam prior to LASIK, the surgeon charts your eye to determine which areas of your cornea need to be altered. The surgery is then done with a laser programmed to remove the right amount of tissue in each location on the cornea.
During the surgery, you lie on your back in a reclining chair in an exam room. The surgery usually takes less than a half-hour. Often, LASIK is done on both eyes in the same sitting. In most cases, your vision won’t be better at first. Vision improves over several months.
After the procedure, your eyes may hurt, burn, itch or water for a few days. In addition, you may be sensitive to light and experience blurred vision for a week. You may also have dry eyes and difficulty driving at night for about four weeks after surgery. It may take up to 3-6 months for your vision to stabilize after surgery.
Refractive surgery is usually considered elective. Medicare and most insurance companies won’t cover the costs. LASIK costs anywhere from $800-$3,000 or more per eye.
If you have a question, write to fred@healthygeezer.com.
Source: Times Herald-Record
Times Herald-Record