Before you decide to go for a Lasik for your eye problem, it is advisable to consult a Lasik surgeon. There are a lot of advertisements being given by refractive surgery centers quoting different prices and procedures. Do not let the lesser price for the procedure alone influence your decision. Take the advice from your own optometrist and also browse through the web sites and yellow pages before you choose a Lasik surgeon, who is associated with academic medical centers or who is experienced or comfortable with latest procedures and technology.

Lasik is not performed in teens as the eyes do not stabilize. It takes lesser time to heal and the patients feel less pain, thereby making it preferable to PRK, photorefractive keratectomy. Surgeons advise the patients to stop wearing contact lenses at least 15 days before surgery as they may change the shape of the cornea. The patient is awake and mobile during the operation, the duration of which is nearly 30 minutes. In Lasik, a metal blade called microkeratome, is used to create the flap of cornea thereby revealing the stroma. Then, excimer laser is used to vaporize the tissue in a controlled manner, thereby remodeling the corneal stroma.

A course of antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops is usually prescribed after the operation. Dark goggles are given to prevent direct exposure to bright light. But the procedure also has some risks or complications. One of the most common post Lasik complications is Sub conjunctive haemorrhage, which can be corrected by drugs. Some of the other complications reported frequently are: Sensitivity to light, dry eyes, wrinkles in flap, double vision, debris under flap, erosion of epithelium. But around 92-98% of patients are satisfied with Lasik.

However, Lasik surgeons debate over the blade and bladeless Lasik procedures. Bladeless Lasik or Lasik plus is a procedure where instead of the microkeratome (blade), a laser called intralase is used to create a flap. Both have their own merits and demerits according to these surgeons. On the contrary, with intralase, the vision threatening complications are less as compared to the microkeratome method. Intralase method is suitable for even people with thin corneas. Flap quality is arguably better with intralase when compared to microkeratome."