Risks and benefits of Lasik eye surgery

Lasik eye surgery has revolutionized the ophthalmic industry. Refractive surgery corrects eyesight and restores near-perfect vision. LASIK is a surgical technique which corrects a person's vision reducing the need for spectacles or contact lenses. Known as Laser Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis or LASIK, the surgery involves changing the shape of the cornea.

It is important to first determine whether or not you are a candidate for eye surgery. Generally, patients under 18 years of age, those with hormonal disturbances, or those who suffer from diabetes or hypertension are not recommended for surgery.

As in any medical treatment there benefits as well as risks involved.

The benefits are:

* Clear natural vision.

* Pain free surgery.

* Improvement in quality of life. Bad vision will not prevent you from becoming a pilot, professional athlete, or a part of the armed services.

* Eye related problems like a squint are corrected improving your appearance and enhancing your self esteem and confidence.

* The surgery reduces allergies of the eye and irritations that develop from use of glasses or contact lenses.

The risks to be considered are:

* Possible loss of vision that cannot be corrected with surgery, use of glasses, or contact lenses.

* Development of glares, halos, or double vision. Some patients develop problems with night vision, and the ability to see clearly in dim light, fog or when there is low contrast.

* Even after surgery there may develop a need to use glasses or contact lenses. There are patients in whom the surgery fails to restore 20/20 vision.

* There are chances of getting dry eye syndrome due to the inability to produce tears. There can be discomfort and a blurring of vision. This dry eye problem may become permanent and there may be a need to undergo drop therapy.

* Patients with large refractive errors do not achieve good results with the surgery, vision is not restored completely.

* There are chances of farsighted patients experience decreased vision with advancing age.

* There a post operative risks like flap complications, corneal swelling, eye dryness, light sensitivity, and blurring of vision.

Although studies show that complication rates are comparatively low and death or serious complications rare, you must:

* Find out about the surgery in detail.

* Ask the surgeon to go over your specific case in detail and discuss the risks if any.

* Select a surgeon and Lasik center with care. Never choose based on proximity to where you live or low costs. Opt for the surgery only when you are certain it will benefit you and not because it is fashionable to have Lasik surgery. In most countries the surgery is not covered by health insurance and you will have to bear the costs of the procedure. Weigh all the pros and cons before going ahead.

Andrew Bermam is a freelance writer for Contact Lenses, the premier website for cheap prospective contact lenses online services to buy all brands of contact lenses like Freshlook contact lens, soft contact lens, bifocal contact lens, solutions and more. He also freelances for the premier REVENUE SHARING discussion Forum for Health site