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Understanding The Lasik Eye Surgery Procedure

July 29, 2007 | Author: admin | Filed under: Lasik

Understanding The Lasik Eye Surgery Procedure
By Sammy Kay

In this modern world of medical and surgical advancements, there are a rare few of us who have not heard of Lasik eye surgery. A procedure that utilizes the power of lasers to correct – and in some cases transform – our vision, Lasik has changed the way in which we deal with commonplace vision impairment. Gone are the days of simply paying high prices for glasses or struggling with uncomfortable contact lenses. Such eye surgery has become our second chance for superior vision.

Most people would be stunned to know that Lasik vision correction actually had its beginnings in 1948. Columbian doctor, Jose Barraquer experimented with the removal of over half of the cornea in patients whose vision had been compromised for a variety of reasons. Once the cornea was removed it was frozen and reshaped to allow for better vision. Upon its reshaping, it was sewn back into place in the patient’s eye. This was the rudimentary beginning of corrective eye surgery. In the 1960s, in Russia, technology was developed that allowed the reshaping of the cornea to take place while it remained in the patient’s eye. Such a procedure was done with the use of a scalpel.

The laser technology utilized today did not come to the forefront until the early 1980s in the United States when an ophthalmologist made modifications to laser technology developed by the U.S. military. But the very first Lasik procedure – as we know it today – was not performed until 1991. Today, this procedure is by far the most popular vision correction performed every year. Experience and modifications of technology over the years has streamlined the process and today it is one of the most widely performed procedures in the world.

The word Lasik stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis - a form of refractive laser eye surgery. During the procedure, the eye is immobilized using a corneal suction ring, after which a flap is created in the corneal tissue using a laser. The surgeon then folds the flap back so that the stroma – or mid-section of the cornea – can be accessed. Once the stroma is revealed, the surgeon uses an excimer laser to resurface the stroma wherein the thinnest layers of damaged tissue are removed. Once this step is completed, the flap is return to its position and allowed to heal naturally. This procedure often takes less than 10 minutes an eye – and sometimes, far less.

While there are risks associated with corrective eye surgery, it is has been found – in general – to be completely safe and effective. Hundreds of thousands of people have undergone Lasik to date and only 3-6% has reported any long-term complications following surgery – including dry eye, sensitivity to light, double vision, and others.

Most important when determining if Lasik is right for you is to have a comprehensive eye exam by a reputable doctor who can tell you the procedures to which you are likely to respond. Also ensure that you deal only with a reputable and experienced laser eye center that specializes in corrective eye surgery. http://www.TheLasikZone.com brings you the latest on Lasik. Lasik is very popular, and we want to bring you the most up to date information online! Be sure to check out our latest information page on Lasik.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sammy_Kay http://EzineArticles.com/?Understanding-The-Lasik-Eye-Surgery-Procedure&id=610951

This entry was posted on Sunday, July 29th, 2007 and is filed under Lasik. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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