Lasik Eye Surgery

Approximately every two months informative seminars are offered for patients who want to learn more about lasik services, and to discuss questions about procedures performed.  The seminars are held at Dr. Wang's office. You can sign up for this seminar online, or by calling his office at 615/321-8881.

Laser Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis, or Lasik Surgery is the most popular type of refractive laser eye surgery. More and more people are seeing this procedure as a viable alternative to wearing eye glasses or contact lenses. The surgery can be done for both near and farsighted people. It is used to correct myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.

If you are interested in pursuing Lasik surgery, you will need to contact an ophthalmologist who specializes in the procedure. Get a referral from a doctor or former patients. You want to be sure to have an experienced surgeon. When you meet for the consultation, feel free to ask about his education, training and experience with this type of surgery.

Before the Surgery

You will be told to stop wearing contact lenses for at least ten days prior to the procedure. If you wear hard lenses, you may need to stop wearing them six weeks or more before your Lasik Surgery. In most cases, the doctor will prescribe an antibiotic for you to begin taking before surgery. This helps reduce the risk of infection.

The doctor will examine your eye and a topographic map will be created of  the cornea. This map shows the contour, irregularities of shape and any astigmatism in the eye. The doctor uses the information from this mapping to determine how much tissue will be removed during Lasik surgery and where it will be taken from.

During the Surgery

You will be awake during your surgery. Most doctors give their patients a sedative, such as valium. This will help you stay relaxed during the procedure. Anesthetic drops are used in the eye for pain relief. A suction ring is applied to the eye to hold it in place and keep the eyelid open. The surgeon uses an instrument called a microkeratome to cut a small flap in the cornea. This flap is folded back to reveal the middle section of the cornea.

The middle area of the cornea is the area that is restructured during the Lasik surgery. An excimer laser is used to accomplish this task. The laser vaporizes the tissue, changing the shape of the eye. During the procedure, you will only see orange and white light from the laser. When the tissue has been removed, the doctor will close the flap in the outer cornea.

After the Surgery

You should bring someone with you to drive you home after Lasik surgery. You will be given dark goggles to protect your eyes from the light. Eye shields will be used at night to prevent rubbing the eyes in your sleep. To prevent infection and help healing antibiotic and anti inflammatory drops will be prescribed. Your doctor will instruct you one when and how to use these drops.

For those who have grown tired of wearing glasses or contact lenses, Lasik surgery may seem like a dream come true.  For many people, this surgery can correct their vision and completely eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. 

“It’s the best thing I’ve ever done,” said Colleen Austin of her recent Lasik surgery.  “It was like I was seeing for the very first time.  I could see even better than I did with glasses.”

While many people have the same positive experience as Austin, it’s important to remember that Lasik surgery is not a magic pill.  It is a medical procedure that is not without risks.

Emerging technology has made the surgery safer than in the past, but smart consumers are going to study the risks ahead of time.  Also worth noting is that there is not any long term data available, because Lasik surgery has only been approved for use since 1995.

When complications do arise, it is sometimes due to lack of skill or care on part of the surgeon.  That is why it is of paramount importance to take your time when selecting the physician who will perform your Lasik surgery.  While advertising makes the procedure seem very minor, it is still eye surgery.  Don’t select a doctor based solely on price or on slick advertising.

Visit several doctors before making your final choice.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions.  A doctor who seems annoyed because of a few questions is not the doctor you want operating on your eyes.  Below are some questions you should ask.

1. How many complications have your patients had? What type of complications did they have?
2. How many procedures have you performed?
3. Are you board certified?
4. Will the entire procedure be performed by the doctor, or will an assistant take over at some point during the surgery?

Another important step in avoiding complications is to pay careful attention to the doctor’s post-operative instructions.  Following these directives closely will minimize your risks. You will likely be given eye drops. 

These drops are to reduce the risk of infection and MUST be applied as instructed.    Other instructions may include being advised to avoid swimming and sports and not to apply any lotions or makeup around the eyes for about a month.  You will also have to visit the doctor regularly for several months following surgery.
 
For most people, Lasik surgery changes their lives in a positive way.  Being able to ditch the glasses and contact lenses is, for many, worth having the surgery.  Just be sure to do your homework, find the best doctor and follow all of his instructions.

“It was definitely worth all the trouble,” said Austin.