The Lasik Quiz

The Lasik Quiz

Lasik vision correction has caught the attention of many people who wear contact lenses or glasses with its benefit of perfect vision. They also hear Lasik procedure stories of success and the experiences of those who had Lasik but weren’t sure about it beforehand. What I have done here, is try to outline the main questions concerning the Lasik vision correction procedure for anyone who is thinking about having it. The answers were provided by reputable physicians in the Lasik field.

The obvious question that needs addressing is “Is Lasik safe?” and the answer is an almost definite “Yes!”. Success rates do vary between great and average physicians with respectively over 95 percent for the experienced and about 90 percent for the average. It is important to point out that this success depends on the candidate being healthy enough for Lasik treatment; these statistics reflect the success of a good candidate. Everyone considering the operation should discuss their specific case with a Lasik physician to find out whether or not they are good candidates.

Ask your doctor why he decided to decline a certain patient, with specific examples and reasons; you will have a good idea about how realistic he is and how professional his standards are. If you hear from a physician that anyone is a good candidate for Lasik, then that should be reason enough not to step into his office. It is always a good idea to see several experts before having the surgery done just to get an idea of what you should look for in a surgeon.

Another important question that needs answering is “Are there any possible complications or side effects?”. There are a few common but temporary side effects especially arising from light sources. Starbursts or halos around lights are observed and general sensitivity to the glare of lights at night, also there is a feeling of something different in the eye. But as I said, these are temporary and will come to pass given a few days. Only 1 to 3 percent have permanent halos or some other vision fluctuation.

That is why it is a good idea to sit down with your physician and discuss any possible future complications in your individual case. There are many different kinds of Lasik procedures, some even use light waveforms to map out the exact imperfections in the eye. Others involve only using a laser during the operation without the need for a microkeratome blade (tiny scalpel).

Probably the main question in the back of our heads remains “Will it be a painful procedure?”. This is a well-founded argument to put forth since the eyes are a most sensitive part of the human body. Find comfort in the fact that the procedure is painless. There is a little postoperative discomfort that is completely suppressed with the medication they give you at the clinic.

The question concerning the result of the procedure “Will I have 20/20 vision?” demands a great response otherwise there would be no interest in getting the surgery to begin with. Expect to have improved vision for sure. Many patients achieve almost perfect vision and the rest definitely lose their strong dependence on corrective eye wear.

Price is another issue for many, “What will it cost me and how do I pay?”. Usually, insurance does not cover Lasik treatment, but many Lasik clinics have a form of installment program they offer their Lasik patient. It is important not to choose a doctor based on his price but on his track record and level of experience. The usual price range for Lasik is between $500 and $2500 per eye. This depends on the doctor and the patient’s case.

Go online and use DocShop to find out who the Lasik physicians in your area are, then take the time to interview some of them. All the while, keeping in mind that Lasik, is a significant way of improving the quality of your life.