Lasik is effective in treating myopia, are there any risks?

LASIK is an eye surgery procedure with laser technology to correct vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or cylindrical eyes. Eye LASIK surgery can be an option for those of you who are uncomfortable wearing glasses or contact lenses. But like other eye surgeries, LASIK also has side effects that are important to know if you want to do it.

What is LASIK surgery?

LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is a type of refractive surgery, which is eye surgery that aims to improve the refractive error (refraction) of the eye. LASIK eye surgery can treat nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hypermetropy), and cylindrical eyes (astigmatism).

As reported by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the LASIK procedure relies on laser technology used to correct the curvature of the cornea so that the eye can focus light onto the retina precisely.

The cornea is located at the front of the eye which functions to capture light to be transmitted to the retina at the back of the eye. The retina will later deliver light signals to be processed into images in the brain.

In this procedure, the eye surgeon makes flap, that is, a thin layer or fold in the cornea. The surgeon then folds back flap then by using a corneal tissue laser that is located below flap will be scrapped until the cornea forms a normal curvature.

For people with nearsightedness, LASIK surgery is used to flatten the cornea that is curved too sharply. However, for people who have farsightedness, refractive surgery is performed to add to the curvature of the cornea that is too flat. Eye LASIK can also allow an irregular cornea to become normal for people with astigmatism.

How is the eye LASIK procedure performed?

LASIK eye is done with a device called excimer laser in an outpatient operating room. First, the eye will be given a few drops of topical anesthetic to numb the eye.

An eyelid holder is placed between the eyelids to keep the eye open and prevent the patient from blinking. A suction ring is placed on the open eye to flatten the cornea and prevent the eye from moving.

The patient may feel pressure from the lid holder and the suction ring, which is similar to a finger being pressed firmly against the eyelid. When the suction ring is placed in the eye, the vision will dim or darken.

After the cornea is flattened, flap on the corneal tissue formed using the device microsurgical, like a laser or scalpel. Flap The cornea is then lifted and folded back. After that, excimer laser will measure the eye before programming.

The doctor will check that the laser is in the correct position. After the laser cuts the corneal tissue, the doctor places it flap go back and smooth the sides.

Flap will adhere to the corneal tissue in 2-5 minutes without requiring stitches. After the operation is complete, the doctor will provide eye drops and eye protection to protect the eye from friction. Recovery of vision after lasik surgery will take 3-6 months after surgery.

What should be prepared before LASIK surgery?

Before performing LASIK eye surgery, you should do the following:

• Do not use soft lenses for 2 weeks prior to initial evaluation.
• Do not use toric soft lenses or rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses for 3 weeks prior to the first evaluation.
• Do not use hard lenses for 4 weeks prior to the first evaluation.
• Does not use a variety of creams, lotions, make up, and perfume the day before surgery.

What should be done after LASIK surgery?

After performing LASIK surgery, it will take 3-6 months for your eyes to see properly.

During the recovery period, patients usually experience side effects such as dry eyes, blurred vision, and sensitivity to bright light. To overcome this side effect, the doctor will usually prescribe antibiotics and steroid eye drops.

In addition, some post-LASIK eye care that you should do, include:

• Not doing any exercise for 3 days
• Do not use make up any eyes for 2 weeks
• Do not rub your eyes too hard during the recovery period
• Do not use shampoo and face wash during the recovery period
• Wearing sunglasses when going out and exposed to the sun
• Avoid driving long distances or for long periods
• Not doing strenuous activities or sports for 1 month, especially swimming and other water activities such as saunas and bathing.
• Using eye protection at night for 1 month
• Not getting on a plane because it is on a higher ground can increase pressure on the eyeball and slow recovery.

Don't forget to obey all the rules given by the doctor so that the eye can heal properly. You will undergo routine postoperative control with your doctor to evaluate the results of the surgery.

Other facts about LASIK eye surgery

Many myths are circulating around LASIK surgery. To find out the truth, consider the following facts:

1. LASIK does not create blindness

Until now, there have been no cases of blindness due to complications of LASIK eye surgery. The risk of blindness from this operation is the same as the risk of blindness from wearing contact lenses which means that the risk is very small.

2. Not all LASIK methods are safe to do

Each LASIK procedure involves fabrication flap on the surface of the cornea. The LASIK IntraLase procedure makes use of a laser to create flap, while the ordinary eye LASIK procedure uses a knife to make flap.

IntraLase has its own risks, such as sensitivity to light, although they are rare. Your eye surgeon will help you determine the right procedure to perform.

3. Not everyone can participate in LASIK surgery

Although many people have had LASIK eye surgery, many people have not been able to do it. Refractive surgery is indeed more priority for people who have severe myopic eye conditions, such as having minus eyes above -4 diopters or this decrease in vision continues to increase every year.

Approximately 30% of patients evaluated by ophthalmologists routinely, are refused LASIK surgery. The causes are being under 18 years of age, pregnant or breastfeeding, having certain diseases or health conditions, or eye conditions that are less stable.

However, pregnant women and nursing mothers can actually do this operation. After doing LASIK, pregnant women can still give birth normally. The reason is, giving birth normally or by caesarean section does not affect the condition of the vision and the retina of the mother in labor.

For certainty and suitability with your health condition, consult your doctor whether LASIK eye surgery can be done

4. LASIK surgery is pain free

LASIK is the most popular effective procedure today which is largely due to the ease of operation itself. Eye drops are used to sedate the eyes, and keep you comfortable during the operation. This procedure itself generally only takes 15 minutes for both eyes.

You will feel the pressure for a moment. However, in general, the laser eye process is pain free. If you feel nervous before the procedure begins, the surgeon will give you a light sedative to make you more relaxed.

LASIK complications that may occur after surgery

Although LASIK eye treatment is quite safe, you still need to be aware of the possible complications of this eye refraction surgery:

1. Complications flap

If flap not made properly,flap unable to properly adhere to the cornea and striae (fine tissue), and microscopic wrinkles can appear on flap. This results in reduced quality of vision. Choosing an experienced ophthalmologist can reduce the risk of these eye complications of LASIK.

2. Irregular cylinder

This can occur if the laser is not focused properly on the eye, creating an uneven surface at the front of the eye. This can cause double vision. In this case, the patient needs re-eye LASIK treatment.

3. Keratectasia

This is a very rare but serious complication of refractive surgery. This is a condition when the cornea abnormally protrudes forward. This occurs if the cornea before surgery is too weak or if too much tissue is removed from the cornea.

4. Undercorrection, overcorrection, decreased vision

Undercorrection / overcorrection occurs when the laser removes too little / too much corneal tissue. In this case, the patient will not get the clear vision they expect and will still have to wear glasses or contact lenses for some or all of the activities.

Eye LASIK is indeed effective in correcting visual problems, but eye disorders caused by increasing age such as presbyopia and cataracts cannot be treated with surgery. Other vision correction procedures may be a solution such as corneal implants, and eye lens replacement surgery.

Don't forget that the benefits of LASIK surgery last longer, you also maintain eye health by frequently resting your eyes while working and eating nutritious foods that contain omega and vitamin A.