What is LASIK?
More than 150 million Americans have a refractive error, an abnormality in the eye's shape that affects vision. Refractive error is not considered a disease of the eye. It is just a difference in the length of the eye, front to back, that affects its ability to focus.
Refractive errors include several vision problems.
- Nearsightedness (myopia), or difficulty seeing objects in the distance
- Farsightedness (hyperopia), which causes squinting at print directly in front of you
- Astigmatism, or blurred vision both close up and at a distance
Your personal preference will weigh into your choice of corrective measures for refractive errors. Glasses and contact lenses can correct refractive errors, but some people do not like the look of glasses or how they interfere with physical activities. Others avoid contact lenses as they don't feel comfortable putting something into their eye.
LASIK surgery
Surgery typically offers clear vision without glasses or contact lenses. There are several types of eye surgery to correct refractive errors. Laser eye surgery, or LASIK, is the best known and most commonly performed.
LASIK is short for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. It is a surgical procedure to correct refractive errors. It is a quick and relatively easy treatment for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
During the surgery, an eye surgeon (ophthalmologist) uses a blade or laser to cut a flap in the cornea and then uses the laser to change the shape of your cornea so that it focuses light more accurately on the retina.
LASIK is expensive and is not usually covered by insurance, and there are potential complications that recently prompted the FDA to seek comments on draft guidance about the risks. (See "LASIK: FDA considers warning about possible complications," on page 10 of this guide.)
If you are considering having LASIK surgery, this report can help:
- Explain the pros and cons of the procedure
- Guide you through the decision process
- Help you find an experienced surgeon if you do intend to move forward
- Review what to expect before, during, and after your surgery.
Finally, you will learn about surgical alternatives to LASIK, such as PRK and SMILE, that may be a better fit for your eyes and lifestyle.
To learn more about how LASIK and other eye procedures, read LASIK and Other Refractive Procedures, an Online Guide from Harvard Medical School.
Image: Nastasic/Getty Images
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