You might have seen some great advertising and marketing promotions about getting your 20/20 vision back by a simple procedure and are tempted to get rid off your glasses or contacts for good. No more prescription glasses, no more ordering contacts, no more lens cleaning solutions and worrying about eye infections if you wear them for too long.
Even though the trend in laser eye surgery is increasing, research your options before you sign the dotted line on a consent form. After all, this is your health at stake and what can be more important than the ability to see.
Not for Everyone
Laser eye surgery research should begin with evaluating with a qualified doctor if you make a good candidate. Just like any surgery, LASIK also has its risks and limitations and it is wise to be abreast of the pros and cons before you start expecting the moon and stars overnight. If you have trouble with tear production, if you have extreme far or near sightedness, if your corneas are thicker than standard measurements and if you have an auto-immune disease and are allergic to certain medications, you might not be such a good candidate for laser eye surgery and research should be conducted in to alternative options.
Before the Surgery
Laser eye surgery research also involves knowing what to do before, during and after the actual procedure. Before the laser eye surgery, research whether the doctor uses FDA approved equipment and has given you enough time to ask as many questions as you wish before signing you up. You also need to know that you should not be wearing your contact lenses for at least two weeks prior to the procedure; even longer if you wear hard lenses. You should also stop using creams, lotions and eye make up a few days in advance so that there is no chance of debris near the eye and eye lash area which could increase the possibility of infection.
After the Surgery
You also need to have someone to drive you back home from the surgery as your vision will be blurred and you will be groggy from the numbing medication. Further, you should wear the eye shield the doctor gives you so that you refrain from rubbing, itching or poking your eye as the flap that has been surgically corrected could move. Further, you should stay away completely from swimming, whirlpools and hot tubs for four weeks after your surgery; even more if your doctor recommends.
Lastly, the most important part of laser eye surgery research is to have realistic expectations. While most people are very happy with the procedure, others do not get the perfect vision they dreamt of. They may need additional procedures done which in turn requires more laser eye surgery research.
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