Lasik Vision Correction -- Is It Really Surgery?

Lasik is the new method of eye surgery that does not require the use of traditional surgical instruments, like knives, in the use of delicate eye surgery. Lasik employs the use of a laser light to adjust the curvature of the cornea. While the procedure is less than twenty years old, it has already undergone several transformations as new developments and technology constantly improve on the process.

Some people are familiar with the Lasik term but don't realize that there are several different Lasik methods now available for clients with a variety of vision correction needs. Epi-Lasik came after the original Lasik procedure and differs from the original only in that a fine 'blade' is used to cut a thin flap of the epithelium, the outer covering of the cornea. Epi-Lasik is favored for use in patients who suffer from myopia. In Epi-Lasik, as in the original Lasik, a special laser is used to sculpt corneal tissues. Lasik Wavefront is also commonly performed. Preferred candidates are those with optimal corneal thickness as well as near and far-sightedness and astigmatism. Wavefront uses three-dimensional measurements to ascertain how your eyes process images. Each person's eyes and eyesight are unique to themselves, so this is a very personalized, custom-type surgery. With this customized form of Lasik, each of your eyes is examined to test their ability to focus light rays. Such information is fed into a three dimensional map that is created, which in turn guides a laser to reshape the corneal surface so that vision irregularities can be corrected.

Wavefront is a great leap forward in laser guided light refractive surgery in that it serves not only to improve general vision, but also increases contrast sensitivity and fine detail eyesight. Other forms of Lasik are known as PRK and RK methods, though these are not as common as Lasik, Epi-Lasik and Lasik Wavefront. More people every year from around the world are opting to undergo one of these forms of Lasik vision correction surgery. While most people think that anything that takes less than fifteen minutes, without the use of scalpel, operating room and general anesthesia can't really be considered surgery, Lasik eye correction is surgery. Proper precautions and post procedure instructions must be followed to the letter in order to reap the benefits of this technology that allows nearly non-invasive surgery of the eye.

While many countries around the world offer medical insurance to cover the costs of these procedures, the United States, for the most part, does not. It is still considered to be an elective surgery. At a cost of generally $1,500 to $2,000 an eye, keep in mind the fact that this procedure is virtually painless, quick, and does not involve cutting into deep eye tissues and muscles. That alone is enough to convince most people to opt for this type of surgery over wearing glasses or contact lenses for the rest of their lives. The technology behind Lasik vision correction surgery is what makes the procedure so expensive, but it is that very technology that offers the most safety and the highest rate of success than any other procedure to date.

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