LASIK, or “laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis,” is the most common refractive surgery procedure. Refractive surgeries, including LASIK, reshape the cornea to correct distorted vision often eliminating the need for glasses or contacts.
Higher-order aberrations are visual problems not captured in a traditional eye exam. In a young healthy eye, the level of higher-order aberrations are typically low and insignificant. Concern has long plagued the tendency of refractive surgeries to induce higher-order aberration not correctible by traditional contacts or glasses. The advancement of lasik technique and technologies has helped eliminate the risk of clinically significant visual impairment after the surgery.
The following are some of the more frequently reported complications of LASIK:
1. Dry eyes
2. Overcorrection or undercorrection
3. Visual acuity fluctuation
4. Halos or starbursts around light sources at night
5. Light sensitivity
6. Ghosts or double vision
7. Wrinkles in flap (striae)
8. Decentered ablation
How Soon Can I Use Eye Makeup?
You may resume wearing eye makeup starting 1-2 weeks after your treatment. We strongly recommend that you purchase new eye makeup, specifically mascara, to avoid potential infection following your treatment.
The most important thing for anyone considering LASIK surgery is to determine if they are a good candidate. Finding a surgeon who will honestly assess compatibility is extremely important, and vastly preferable to a provider who does not do a careful examination, and thus risks serious side effects.
LASIK is an outpatient surgical procedure and will take 10 to 15 minutes for each eye.
The only anesthetic used is an eye drop that numbs the surface of the eye. The procedure is done with the person awake. LASIK may be done on one or both eyes during the same session.
During LASIK, a special knife (a microkeratome) is used to cut a hinged flap of corneal tissue off the outer layer of the eyeball. The flap is lifted out of the way and a special laser is used to reshape the underlying corneal tissue.