LASIK EYE SUGERY
What is LASIK eye surgery?
LASIK is a type of eye surgery that uses lasers to fix vision problems, specifically those caused by refractive errors. A refractive error is where your eye fails to bend light properly, distorting your vision. It can cause, for example, blurry vision, nearsightedness and farsightedness.
“LASIK” is an acronym that stands for “laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis.” “In situ” translates into “in position” or “in place” and “keratomileusis” is the medical term for the reshaping of the cornea in your eye.
What causes a refractive error?
A misshaped cornea causes a refractive error. Your cornea is the top, outermost layer of your eye and your lens is flexible tissue behind your iris (the circular membrane behind your cornea that, among other things, gives you your eye color). Your eye’s lens and cornea refract (bend) light onto your retina, which sends information to your brain. That information transforms into images.
How does LASIK eye surgery work?
Put simply, your ophthalmologist will change the shape of your cornea so that light hits your retina correctly. The procedure is performed by a laser.
LASIK helps with refractive errors. The most common refractive error conditions include:
- Astigmatism: Astigmatism is a very common eye condition that causes blurred vision.
- Nearsightedness (myopia): Myopia is a vision disorder where you can see objects clearly that are nearby, but not those that are far away.
- Farsightedness (hyperopia): Hyperopia is the opposite of myopia. You’re able to see objects far away, but struggle with those up close.
How common is LASIK eye surgery?
Out of all the laser treatments for refractive errors, LASIK is the most common. Over 40 million LASIK surgeries have been performed worldwide.