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What is LASIK?

The eye and vision errors
The parts of the eye. Indicated are the conjunctiva, sclera, choroid,
optic nerve, retina, chamber angle, lens, cilary body, vitreous humor,
aqueous humor, iris, pupil, cornea. The cornea is a part of the eye
that helps focus light to create an image on the retina. It works in
much the same way that the lens of a camera focuses light to create an
image on film. The bending and focusing of light is also known as
refraction. Usually the shape of the cornea and the eye are not
perfect and the image on the retina is out-of-focus (blurred) or
distorted. These imperfections in the focusing power of the eye are
called refractive errors. There are three primary types of refractive
errors: myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. Persons with myopia, or
nearsightedness, have more difficulty seeing distant objects as
clearly as near objects.  Persons with hyperopia, or farsightedness,
have more difficulty seeing near objects as clearly as distant
objects. Jerry Katzman MD Astigmatism is a distortion of the image on
the retina caused by irregularities in the cornea or lens of the eye.
Combinations of myopia and astigmatism or hyperopia and astigmatism
are common. Glasses or contact lenses are designed to compensate for
the eye's imperfections. Surgical procedures aimed at improving the
focusing power of the eye are called refractive surgery. In LASIK
surgery, precise and controlled removal of corneal tissue by a special
laser reshapes the cornea changing its focusing power.

Precautions
The safety and effectiveness of refractive procedures has not been
determined in patients with some diseases. Discuss with your doctor if
you have a history of any of the following:
    * Herpes simplex or Herpes zoster (shingles) involving the eye area.
    * Glaucoma, glaucoma suspect, or ocular hypertension.
    * Eye diseases, such as uveitis/iritis (inflammations of the eye)
    * Eye injuries or previous eye surgeries.
    * Keratoconus
Other Risk Factors
Your doctor should screen you for the following conditions or
indicators of risk:
    * Blepharitis. Inflammation of the eyelids with crusting of the
eyelashes, that may increase the risk of infection or inflammation of
the cornea after LASIK.

    * Large pupils. Make sure this evaluation is done in a dark room.
Although anyone may have large pupils, younger patients and patients
on certain medications may be particularly prone to having large
pupils under dim lighting conditions. This can cause symptoms such as
glare, halos, starbursts, and ghost images (double vision) after
surgery. In some patients these symptoms may be debilitating. For
example, a patient may no longer be able to drive a car at night or in
certain weather conditions, such as fog.
    * Thin Corneas. The cornea is the thin clear covering of the eye
that is over the iris, the colored part of the eye. Most refractive
procedures change the eye's focusing power by reshaping the cornea
(for example, by removing tissue). Jerry Katzman MD Performing a
refractive procedure on a cornea that is too thin may result in
blinding complications.
    * Previous refractive surgery (e.g., RK, PRK, LASIK).  Additional
refractive surgery may not be recommended.  The decision to have
additional refractive surgery must be made in consultation with your
doctor after careful consideration of your unique situation.

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