In rare cases a person who undergoes laser surgery will need more than one operation to improve their vision, but most lasik surgery doctors will work with patients before performing the operation to insure they are the best candidates for the procedure. Not everyone that undergoes laser eye surgery will experience a vast improvement in their visual acuity, although the majority has much better vision after the surgery.
The first obstacle for most people in realizing the benefits of laser lasik surgery is that most insurance companies view lasik eye surgery as a cosmetic procedure, developed for the individual's vanity. Despite may people undergoing the surgery to enhance their ability to procure occupations in which near-perfect vision is a requirement, such as pilots and law enforcement officers. In rare cases, insurance will cover a portion of the cost, but usually the expense will have to be born by the individual patients.
Then there are physical characteristics of the eye that takes into account the thickness of the cornea. During the laser surgery a beam is used to evaporate portions of the cornea to reshape it into a spherical shape. If the cornea is too thin, there is a danger that the laser beam will burn through the cornea causing permanent eye damage. Additionally, a patient may have suffered recent eye trouble and laser surgery may exacerbate any pre-existing condition. Additionally, persons prescribed steroidal medications and others that have a slower healing process are not always a good match for lasik surgery.
Patients are also considered due to their dependence on corrective lenses. Persons that require exceptionally thick glasses may not be helped with only one operation and many patients may not be amenable to undergoing the procedure more than once. Some may also want both eyes operated on at the same time, making their recovery period faster overall, but providing some challenges for post-operative care. Since the first three says require the patient to wear a protective eye patch, they will virtually be blind until their vision begins to return to normal.
In the majority of cases, vision is enhanced to 20/20 and rarely will a person require more than one operation, but patients considering the surgery must be made aware of the possibility that one operation may not correct their vision to their expectations. Prior to the surgery most reputable laser surgery doctors will attempt to point out many of the negative affects of the operation prior to information patients of the benefits. Once the operation is over, sight has been restored and patients no longer need their glasses, they can relax not having to worry about losing their glasses or popping a contact unexpectedly.
Contact wearers can also look forward to no longer being subject to the potential of eye infections from dirty contact lenses and they can enjoy more rigorous activities without fear of breaking their glasses as well as not needing them for many activities such as swimming and skiing. They can also present a more natural appearance without the need for glasses and still have naturally clearer vision.
