Millions of Americans turn to Lasik eye surgery each year to improve their vision and eliminate the need for glasses. According to Dr. Stephen Slade, MD, FACS, with Vision Texas, it’s one of the safest procedures you can have. Slade defines vision correction as changing the shape of the cornea. The cornea is the clear membrane covering the iris or the colored part of the eye. Surgeons use a laser to lift a thin layer of the cornea. They use another laser to remove a tiny bit of tissue, and then replace the flap back into position. The surgery is minimally invasive and the eye heals itself quickly.

PRK is another option for those seeking vision corrections. PRK is similar to Lasik but the top layer of the cornea is removed instead of making a flap. The laser is then used directly on the cornea. Slade says patients don’t heal as quickly and are a bit less comfortable during and after the procedure.

A study of the eye and measurements prior to surgery determine exactly what will changes will achieve the best vision correction. Nearsighted people have corneas that are too steep. Farsighted people have a cornea that is too flat. People with astigmatism have oblong and irregular corneas. In each case, the cornea is reshaped to correct the vision in a procedure that lasts about 5 minutes.

Dr. Slade performed the first Lasik surgery in the United States in 1991. Since then he has performed tens of thousands of the procedures many on other eye doctors. “Lasik surgery, as practiced today, is actually the safest most successful surgery done,” said Dr. Slade. “The complication rates are the lowest, the satisfaction rates and success rates are the highest.”

Dr. Slade suggests doing your homework before you decide to have the procedure done. “Find out if you are a candidate, what your options are and what your chances of success are,” said Dr. Slade. “Then, go home, take your time and think about it. Do more homework and get a second opinion if you wish. Then, decide to have the surgery.”

Evaluations are free from most eye surgeons and it’s the best way to determine if the surgeon is a good match. Also, ask the doctor a lot of questions. Dr. Slade suggests speaking directly to the doctor. First, ask about experience. The longer they have been doing Lasik surgery, the better. Ask if the surgeon has his own laser equipment. Dr. Slade says he’d be more comfortable with a doctor that has their own equipment that they maintain, are familiar with and in control of. Dr. Slade also suggests selecting a surgeon that is cornea trained. The surgeon will receive the cornea specific training after ophthalmology.

Costs for Lasik surgery vary but recent studies have shown that the average cost is $2,000.00 per eye.

Complications are rare but Lasik is surgery. Surgical procedures can have complications or side effects such as halos or glare at night. Dryness, scratchiness and itching of the eyes can also occur. Fuzzy vision is common in the first few hours but clears quickly. Infections occur in some patients but at a lower rate than those wearing soft contact lenses.

Many of the side effects have been eliminated by the latest techniques such as SBK, a hybrid of Lasik and PRK. Now, surgeries are customized for each individual eye eliminating problems with glare or halos.

The day of surgery is usually a predictable routine. The patient spends about 2 hours having their eyes re-evaluated and tested to make sure the measurements are correct. The surgery itself takes about 10 minutes. Patients are held for about a half hour to make verify the success. Most patients see 90% of their improvement once the fuzziness wears off a few hours after surgery. Dr. Slade suggests sleeping for a few hours right after the surgery and states that most patients can return to work the next day.

Confidence in your surgeon is important and be sure to do your homework!

Web site: www.visiontexas.com