Lasik eye surgery

Lasik eye surgery is one of the fastest-growing areas in the field of opthalmology (the medical branch that specializes in the eye).

For many millions it has achieved very good results - so much so that it has taken on something of the dimensions of a miracle cure-all.

Treatable conditions

There are three major conditions that Lasik can treat successfully.

• Myopia (short-sightedness).
• Astigmatism (blurred image caused by an imperfection in the curvature of the cornea, the front of the eye).
• Hyperopia (farsightedness) - or a combination of these conditions.

Not everyone is a good candidate for lasik (or lasek - a slightly different procedure).

• First, you need to suffer from one of the three conditions listed above.
• You must be over 18, and not pregnant or nursing;
• You should not be suffering from any one of a number of diseases or conditions.    These could make the surgery less effective or make you heal more slowly.

On the site you'll find information about what you can hope for after successful surgery.  Some people, however, make a bad candidates, and should probably not risk the treatment.

Lasik complications

What about the risks of Lasik complications?

The overall success rate in Lasik eye surgery is about 95%.   Although that success rate is improving, some people do have problems after Lasik surgery.

Sometimes surgeons don’t get it quite right.

And sometimes the result is perfect eyesight, at least according to an eye chart, but the patient suffers from a loss of sharpness of vision. 

Cost and eye clinics

Part of your investigation must include the problem of costs.

Be very cautious about buying on price; eye surgery is forever!

Prices vary from $1000 to about $3500 per eye, but the final cost depends largely on the extent of the surgery you may require and any follow-up treatment.

Once you’ve decided to go ahead, how do you choose a suitable eye clinic?

• Do your research (this site is not a bad place to start!)
• Be cautious about advertising.
• Be just as cautious about "guarantees".
• Get more than one estimate.
• Check out more than one eye clinic.

These are your eyes we’re talking about.