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Most of the million-plus people having LASIK each year to correct their vision are happy with the results, according to a 15-year literature review that indicates most reasons for discontent could be resolved with more patient education before surgery.

Ads are everywhere, on television and radio and in newspapers and to your mailbox: “Without glasses or contacts Live!” “Vision restoration!”

While noise is more LASIK surgery, but does it work? The short answer, for the vast majority of customers, is yes.

LASIK, or laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, is the surgical modification of the eye in order to restore the proper functioning. Nearly 1.4 million procedures were performed in the United States in 2006.

In the past, only certain types of patients were good candidates for surgery. The new technology allows almost every person — nearsighted or farsighted, with or without astigmatism — have LASIK, according to Dr. Jonathan Christenbury, Christenbury Eye Center in Charlotte, NC

How does surgery

The nuts and bolts of the operation are straightforward.

It is essentially a two-step process, according to the Eye Surgery Education Council. In the first stage, a section was cut from the surface of the cornea, the “window” of the eye that focuses light in the eye. A suction ring was placed on the eye to keep it stable and check the internal pressure while the flap is cut.

The cut goes through about 20 percent of the total thickness. This component is then folded side, and lasers are used to reconstruct the tissue of the cornea, or stroma, with a high degree of precision. The corneal flap is then threw up. There are no stitches required, and the healing process is usually very fast, with most patients being able to return to work within a day or two, and the improvement in vision immediately.

Vision improvement stems from changes in the cornea’s ability to focus light in the eye. Think of the microscope — if the glass is bent, the image seen through it will not be strong. If the glass is a form of reparation, which passes through the image will be displayed correctly.

Blades not used

In the most widely used procedure LASIK, corneal strand is cut by a blade mechanism called microkeratome. The cut was the main source of complications such as infection and poor form flap, although the incidence of those problems was less than one in 5000 patients.

A new procedure, IntraLASIK, employed at the Christenbury Eye Center and several other clinics in the country, replacing the microkeratome with a laser pulses 15000 times per second to create a component of a measurement accuracy desired within 10 micrometers.

“The majority of complications visibility possible with traditional LASIK are totally avoided, and not those sight-threatening side effects that are self-limited is significantly reduced,” Christenbury said. He added that it probably 100 times safer than using a blade.

Speedy Recovery

The resumption of the process is remarkably fast, but there are some very important restrictions to keep in mind. The most important is to avoid disturbances of the eye for a week to 10 days after the procedure.

Shields plastic is worn on the eyes at night, and precautions should be taken during the day to avoid rubbing or compressing the eye. It is also important to follow what other eye drops or the surgeon regime defines as a combination of antiseptic, steroid lubricating drops and ensure the goodwill of healing and the best end result.

Finding the right surgeon

Your eyes are some of your most important and sensitive assets, in order to find the right surgeon and the clinic to make your LASIK procedure should not be taken lightly. One of the main things is looking for experience. How long the clinic has been in business? How patients are satisfied?

The Internet can be a great resource here with sites such as Epinions.com hosting discussion forums and advice advice where you can get feedback directly from patients.

During your initial consultation, pay attention to how business is conducted at the clinic. The staff is receptive to your questions? They seem to know the procedure and potential complications? Have surgery prior disclosure and informed consent forms detailed and easy to understand? According to the FDA, while there is a very low risk of serious complications of the procedure, there are things that can go wrong, and they should be fully explained.

Another thing to consider is what other services the clinic offers. Do the doctors also perform PRK, a delay common procedure used in some cases where the thickness of the cornea is not sufficient for LASIK, or other services? If a single clinic offers LASIK, there may be more of a push to treat patients who can not be ideal candidates.

On the downside, make sure you choose the clinic specializing in refractive surgery. There is a lot of money to make in LASIK surgery and related fields, and therefore some clinics began offering it as a sideline to other medical services.

Do not hesitate to ask questions about the history of the surgeons. Find out what training they have had and how long it has been the practice of refractive surgery.

How much will it cost?

Most insurers do not yet cover LASIK or other procedures to correct vision, classifying it as cosmetic surgery. However, you may be able to use money in a flexible spending account tax benefits, and most clinics offer payment plans.

While all major cities has eyes centers advertising LASIK procedures for a few hundred dollars per eye, according to AllAboutVision.com, less than 3 percent of LASIK procedures actually cost less than $ 1000 per eye.

Basically, the worse your vision, the more you pay. However, the price of the procedure have stabilized in the past two years, on average, through the eyes sitting at $ 1900. This usually includes the diagnostic assessment, the procedure itself, after surgery and several drops follow-up visits.

Other factors may increase the total costs of the proceedings. The Intralase all laser option would cost about $ 250 more. Also, “custom” Wavefront LASIK using technology to create a 3-D map of the eye distortions will cost $ 200 to $ 500 more per eye.

Ultimately, however, it is much more important to choose the right surgeon than it is to get a windfall. Get two or three estimates is a good idea, but the reputation and experience of the surgeon has to be factored into the final decision.

What to Expect

Your eyes were always delicate, but after LASIK, they are further. It is essential to avoid any impact or shock for the eyes as long as your doctor says. If sports such as football, racquetball, basketball, martial arts or other activities are part of your life every week, you will need to take a break from them for some time.

For the majority of patients, the results are 20/20 vision or better, as LASIK Vision Institute. According to the FDA, there are some things that can be experienced for varying periods of time after the transaction, including:

Light sensitivity: This can last one to two weeks after surgery. If it persists, contact your doctor. It is important to wear sunglasses outdoors and avoid squinting as much as possible.

Hazy or blurred vision: This can happen especially at sunrise and after long periods of reading or using the computer for one to two weeks after the procedure. Do not rub your eyes! If your vision is blurred for a prolonged period, contact your doctor.

Dry Eyes: This is very common for up to six weeks after surgery. Your doctor will likely send home samples of lubricating drops and recommend you use regularly while awake. It is important to note that the artificial tears are not the same as lubricating drops.

The halos or glare when driving at night: For one month after the surgery, this is not unusual. The first time you drive at night after surgery, have another licensed driver available where the glare is too distracting. The problem is expected to decrease over time.

Fluctuations in vision: they may be the most worrisome problems, and can last up to six months. You may have noticed problems with reading small print or other malfunctions minors who come and go. If any of them persist, or are starting to occur more often, talk to your doctor. Keep track of disturbances by type and duration.

In six months, your follow-up visit, eyes should have greatly stabilized. The doctor must make a thorough evaluation and let you know what to do if no other treatment — if any — will be necessary.

This article adapted from Lasik Eye Surgery Guides.