What is LASIK?  It is the acronym for “laser in-situ keratomileusis”.  LASIK is the most commonly performed type of laser surgery to correct a wide range of common vision problems.  Salt Lake City LASIK involves using a laser to permanently change the shape of the cornea, which is the clear covering of the front of the eye. 

Starting with the basics of the eye’s physiology, it is like a camera.  As the camera has a lens, the eye has a lens.  There is a variable opening, which is the pupil.  The pupil retracts and opens in reaction to the amount of light that is directed to the eye.  At the back of the eye is a complex layer of cells known as the retina.  The retina reacts to light that it receives and conveys information to the brain. 

When the cornea becomes irregular in shape and refracts light to the wrong area of the retina, vision is compromised and objects become blurry or fuzzy and are not clear close up or far away.  There are three kinds of eye vision problems:  nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.  All of these “refractive errors” can be corrected with corrective lenses such as eyeglasses, contact lenses or LASIK (refractive surgery).  While LASIK is a very common method of laser surgery at Salt Lake City LASIK clinics, it is important to research the right doctor with a comprehensive background and state-of-the-art technology. 

It is also necessary to determine whether or not you are a candidate for this procedure.  Even though people qualify in three broad categories, some people are not eligible for LASIK surgery.  The ideal LASIK candidates are:

• Over 18 years of age and have had a stable glasses or contact lens prescription for a least two years. 
• Sufficient corneal thickness.  A LASIK patient should have a cornea thickness to allow the surgeon to safely create a clean corneal flap of appropriate depth.  
• Affected by one of the common types of vision problems or refractive error — myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism (blurred vision caused by an irregular cornea), or a combination of the three depending on the degree of refractive error.  
• Disease free whether vision-related or otherwise, which may reduce the effectiveness of the surgery or the patient’s ability to heal properly and quickly.  
• Also, non-candidates include individuals who have diseases such as cataracts, advanced glaucoma, corneal diseases, corneal thinning disorders (keratonconus or pellucid mariginal degeneration) or certain other pre-existing eye diseases that may affect or threaten vision.
• LASIK candidates must be adequately informed about the benefits and risks of the procedure.  
• A thorough examination performed by an ophthalmologist is required. 

While this procedure is common and takes minutes to perform, leading up to making the decision carries serious considerations to discuss with your eye healthcare professional.  The LASIK candidate must understand the benefits as well as all the risks that are associated with Salt Lake City LASIK corrective surgery and investigate all aspects of the procedure.