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What does this mean?  Dallas Lasik; lasik surgery, eyecareLasik Surgery - Dallas Lasik

Lasik surgery has become a hot topic these days, with many people desperately trying to avoid having to wear eyeglasses.  If you live in Texas, Dallas Lasik may be of interest.  In this article, we will cover exactly what the procedure is and the risk/benefits of the technique.

What Is Lasik?

Simply stated, "lasik" is the surgical correction of one's vision glitches. It is a permanent change to the  shape of the cornea. This causes the refraction of the light to be diverted in such a way as to improve and sometimes totally correct your vision problem.

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This change in light refraction causes the light to fall on a different part of the retina. Now, the vision appears more clearly, as the retina is vital in affecting the quality of the image that you see.  The correct name for blurriness is refractive error. This is caused by factors such as malformed eyeball, cornea, or lens.

Commonly, the type of laser used in Lasik surgery is the Excimer Laser. This laser is an ultraviolet laser that is used to very precisely remove corneal tissue to malformed shape for sharper focusing.

In Texas, Dallas boasts many Lasik surgeons who are well qualified and have years of experience. They primarily use this treatment to correct the vision of those that suffer from myopia (commonly known as "nearsightedness"). Myopic persons see things more clearly that are close but have difficulty seeing things that are far away.

Lasik Pre-Surgical Screening

 
Your Dallas Lasik Surgeon will require that a complete eye examination be done before the actual surgical procedure. This is done to make sure that you do not have any health problems that would complicate the procedure and that your eyes are healthy enough to withstand surgery. After you are cleared for surgery, your doctor will measure the curve of the cornea, the size and position of your pupils, the overall shape of the eyeballs, and lastly, the thickness of the cornea.

As with all surgeries, you will be required to complete an Informed Consent Form. This form clearly outlines all of the risks, benefits, and possible complications of your surgery. It also states that you understand all of this.

Typically, Lasik is done as an outpatient procedure, meaning that you have your surgery done in an Outpatient Surgery Center. This whole procedure should take only about 10-15 minutes per eye.

You will be awake during the whole surgery. The type of anesthetic used is a topical one. That means that it numbs the surface of the eye only. Your other functions are not affected. Usually both eyes are operated on in the one surgery.

A special kind of surgical knife called a microkeratome is used to make a hinged flap of corneal tissue from the outer layer of the eye. This flap is then lifted out of the way and this allows the use of the laser to shape the corneal tissue to the desired specifications.

Your doctor has already calculated just exactly how much tissue should be removed, ahead of the surgery. This allows for a precision use of the laser. Once the laser reshaping is complete, the surgeon replaces and secures the flap. With Lasik, no stitches are required! Of course, an eye patch or shield will the eye to protect the newly-formed flap. This helps prevent pressure and rubbing on the eye. It will be removed after the MD has determined that the eye has fully healed.

Who Can Benefit From Lasik?

 
Those that stand to gain the most benefit from lasik are those with myopia. Nearsightedness shows the most success with Lasik correction. Sometimes it may be used on those who have farsightedness or even astigmatism. This would be determined on a case by case basis.

There can be no substitute for proper pre-surgical screening of the candidate for Lasik, as there many factors to be considered before the surgeon can clear one for the surgery.

Risks Associated with Lasik

Of course, as with all surgical procedures, there are essential risks involved with lasik surgery. Here are a few of the risks:

  • Infection
  • Pain
  • Vision that is blurry, usually self-corrects
  • Surgery does not improve vision.

Choose Your Dallas Lasik Surgeon Carefully

It is suggested that you ask your surgeon several questions BEFORE you become his or her patient.

Here are several:

  • How many surgeries have you performed?

  • Do you have any references from patients in the Dallas area?

  • Have you ever had any lawsuits filed as a result of your surgeries?

  • How long have you practiced as a Dallas Lasik Surgeon?

Remember you have only one set of eyes........you must do your due diligence in choosing the right surgeon. You can also go online and check your doctors license (most states have departments of health and you can access the information there).