For many residents of Canada lasik eye surgery can make a world of difference in their life. Many that currently wear glasses or contact lenses live daily with the potential of losing their glasses or having a contact fall out at inopportune times and they would rather have the more natural appearance available by not requiring corrective lenses. They can also participate in many activities that are not conducive to wearing glasses such as swimming or scuba diving.
There are also some occupations that require good visions without the need for corrective lenses such as pilots, police officers and military. Successful lasik eye surgery can open doors for many of these positions and those that wear contacts also suffer the opportunity for eye infections or inflammation associated with their continued use. There are some inherent risks associated with lasik eye surgery, with proper pre-screening of patients and when performed by an experienced surgeon, laser eye surgery can offer several benefits.
Patients accepted for laser eye surgery will visit a lasik eye surgery center and undergo the operation while awake and mobile. They will usually receive a sedative as well as anesthetic eye drops before the two-stage operation begins. In the first stage, a small flap will be cut into the outer surface of the cornea, folded back so the surgeon can get to the top layer of the cornea. A previously made topographical map of the cornea's surface will serve as a map for the laser to be used to resurface the cornea.
The second stage involves the cornea being exposed to cool laser beams that will burn away some of the surface of the cornea, flattening ridges to a consistent level, allowing the cornea to better focus incoming light on the lens in the back of the eye. With the outer layer moved to one side, the patient's vision will be restricted to the orange light of the laser and any white light in the operating facility. Once the cornea has been reshaped, the flap will be replaced into position and the surgeon will place a protective bandage over the eye.
In about three days, the patient will have to return to the Canada lasik eye surgery center for their first follow up visit with the surgeon. The bandage will be removed and the doctor will inspect the eye to insure healing has begun. They will also be given antibiotic eye drops to help stave off the possibility of infection, especially during the first two weeks after surgery. They will also need to sleep with protective goggles to prevent them from inadvertently rubbing their eyes while they sleep to make sure the corneal flap is not disturbed during the healing process.
Regularly scheduled trips back to the Canada lasik eye surgery center will be required to insure the patient's eye is healing as expected and to help prevent any potential problems from going unnoticed. The patient will also need to refrain from participating in contact sports or other activities that may cause their head or eyes to be bumped that may interfere with the healing process. The time it takes to return to normal activities will depend on several factors, but typically takes between four and six months.
