Lasik Surgery - Dallas Lasik

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).