Are you someone who wears glasses every day or struggles to wear contact lenses? Sometimes these can feel like a real hassle, right? The glasses getting wet when it rains, the fogging, the difficulty in putting on and taking off contact lenses... What if there was a way to get rid of all this and see the world clearly without any help? That's what LASIK, a laser surgery that is popular among many people, is for. So let's talk about this simply, in a way that you can understand.
Simply put, what is LASIK?
LASIK is a highly advanced eye surgery that uses laser light to correct vision problems. It involves using a laser to very finely reshape the transparent part of your eye, the cornea .
Think of our eye as a camera. Just as the lens of a camera focuses light and creates a clear image, the cornea and lens of our eye work together to focus the light entering the eye onto the retina at the back of the eye. That's when we see clearly.
So if your cornea is a little different in shape, this light doesn't fall exactly on the retina. It focuses a little in front or behind. That's what we call refractive errors . That's why we see blurry. LASIK surgery uses a laser to reshape the cornea and make the light fall exactly on the retina. This is usually an outpatient procedure, so you can go home the same day.
What eye defects can be treated with LASIK surgery?
LASIK surgery is a successful solution for several types of refractive errors, mainly. Let's take a look at what they are.
| Eye condition | Simply explained |
|---|---|
| Myopia | Seeing things that are close clearly, but things that are far away (e.g. bus signs, TV) appear blurry. |
| Nearsightedness (Hyperopia) | Seeing distant objects clearly, but seeing things up close (e.g., reading a book, looking at the phone) is blurry. |
| Astigmatism | Because the shape of the cornea is not perfectly spherical, objects appear distorted and blurred both near and far. This can usually be accompanied by nearsightedness or farsightedness. |
| Presbyopia (nearsightedness) as you age | Nearsightedness is a condition in which the lens inside the eye loses its flexibility after the age of 40. Although LASIK cannot directly correct this, a procedure called monovision allows one eye to see far and the other eye to see near. The brain then uses both to provide clear vision. |
Does LASIK permanently improve eyesight?
Yes, the changes to the shape of your cornea that LASIK surgery makes are permanent . This means that the clear vision you get from the surgery will last for years. However, just as our bodies age, our eyes naturally change over time. Therefore, your vision may change slightly years after the surgery. It is common for many people to need reading glasses, especially after the age of 40. This is not a defect in the LASIK surgery, it is a natural part of aging.
How does the surgery happen? Let's take a step-by-step look at it.
Some people may feel a little scared when thinking about this surgery, but it is a very quick and painless procedure.
What should you do before surgery?
Your doctor will explain this to you. Usually, you will be asked not to use any makeup, lotions, or perfume on your face for the day before surgery. This can cause infection if it gets into your eyes. Also, you will need to have someone accompany you to and from the surgery, as you will not be able to drive.
What happens during the surgery?
The entire procedure takes less than 30 minutes. You are awake, but you will not feel any pain. If necessary, you may be given a small amount of medicine to relax you.
| Step | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Eye twitching | They will numb your eyes with eye drops so you don't feel the pain. |
| Eye preparation | You have a small device that keeps your eyes closed. There is a slight pressure, but it is not painful. At this time, your vision will be a little blurry. |
| Creating a Corneal Flap | A special device creates a very thin flap-like part of the cornea and turns it sideways like turning a page in a book. |
| Laser treatment | You will be asked to look at a light. Meanwhile, the doctor uses a computer-controlled laser to reshape the cornea in a matter of seconds. You may hear a ticking sound. You may also notice a slight odor. It is not a burning sensation, but a chemical reaction that occurs when the laser removes tissue. |
| Putting the lid back on | The reconstructed corneal flap is back in place. It will quickly heal naturally without any stitches. |
What happens after the surgery?
Once the surgery is over, you will see somewhat clearly. Many people say it is like "looking through a dirty glass." Your old glasses or contact lenses will no longer help after the surgery.
The doctor will give you these things:
- Eye shield: Protect your eyes from accidental contact and bruising while sleeping.
- Lubricating eye drops: Use for dry eyes.
- Antibiotic eye drops: Prevent infection.
- Steroid eye drops: Reduce swelling and inflammation.
In the first week, you may feel things like:
- Mild eye discomfort or irritation
- Dry eyes
- Tears flowing from the eyes
- Slight swelling of the eyelid
- Sensitivity to light
During this time, even if you feel like scratching or rubbing your eyes, do not touch or rub your eyes for any reason. This is essential for the cornea to heal properly.
Benefits, side effects, and risks of LASIK surgery
What are the main advantages?
The biggest advantage of LASIK surgery is that it allows you to achieve clear vision without having to rely on glasses or contact lenses. About 96% of people who have LASIK are very happy with the results. More than 90% of people achieve 20/20 (perfect) vision without glasses.
Possible side effects
These are not serious things, they are things that usually occur and go away after a while.
- Dry eye: This is the most common side effect. It can be a little uncomfortable for about 3 months, but usually resolves completely within 6-12 months.
- Glare or Starbursts: The appearance of glare around lights, especially when driving at night.
- Decreased night vision.
- Slightly blurred vision.
- Small red spots on the white of the eye (these disappear after a few days).
Most of these side effects occur within the first 3 months and disappear completely after about 6 months.
Are there any serious risks? (Complications)
Serious complications are very rare. 99% of cases do not develop any complications. However, it is important to be aware of the potential risks.
- Infection or swelling of the cornea (can be treated with medication).
- Weakening of the cornea (`Corneal ectasia`).
- Vision that is worse than before surgery (this can also usually be corrected with treatment).
No one has gone blind just because they have had LASIK surgery done on a qualified person. However, a very rare infection can cause vision loss if not treated properly. Therefore, it is very important to follow your doctor's instructions exactly.
How long does it take to heal? What should I not do?
The recovery time after LASIK surgery is very quick. Most people can return to work and drive within a few days. However, you should not drive until your vision is completely clear.
You should stay away from these things until your eyes heal:
- Avoid exercise (without straining the joint) for 3 days.
- Avoid applying makeup and lotion around your eyes for 2 weeks.
- Avoid contact sports like rugby and karate for at least a month.
- Avoid using swimming pools and hot tubs for 1-2 months.
When do you want to see the doctor again?
You will be asked to come back for a follow-up appointment within 24-48 hours after the surgery. Your vision will be checked and your eyes will be monitored for healing. The doctor will then tell you when you should return.
If you experience unbearable pain , or if you feel that the side effects are getting worse, call your doctor immediately.
Is this surgery really right for me?
This is the most important question. Not everyone can do LASIK. There must be certain qualifications for it.
To be eligible for LASIK surgery...
- Must be over 18 years of age (preferably in your early 20s, when eye growth has stabilized).
- The number of sightings has not changed much in the past year.
- The cornea must be thick enough and healthy.
- There can be no other major eye diseases.
What are the reasons not to have LASIK surgery?
- If the number of eyes changes frequently.
- If you have a very high degree of nearsightedness or farsightedness.
- If the cornea is not thick enough for surgery.
- If you have severe dry eye disease.
- If you have a disease called ``Keratoconus`` where the cornea protrudes forward.
- If you have cataracts or glaucoma.
- If you have diabetes or other diseases that are difficult to control.
You can only know for sure if this surgery is right for you after a complete eye exam by an ophthalmologist. Therefore, the first step is to see a qualified, experienced doctor and have your eyes examined.
Take-Home Message
- LASIK is a very safe and successful laser surgery that reduces dependence on glasses and contact lenses.
- This surgery is not suitable for everyone. You should have a complete eye exam to see if you are a good fit.
- The recovery time after surgery is very quick, but you need to follow the doctor's instructions exactly, especially not rubbing your eyes.
- Side effects like dry eyes are common and are often temporary.
- Before making any decisions, talk openly with your doctor about your hopes and concerns.
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