Informative on LASIK
...as a very interesting history. A. LASIK has been performed internationally for 10 years. 1. Dr. Stephen Brint first performed it in the United States in 1991. 2. However, similar procedures used to reshape the cornea have been performed over 50 years ago. B. Many pioneers contributed to the development of LASIK. 1. In 1949, Dr. Jose Barraquer of Columbia developed the idea of layered surgery became known as the first to perform keratomileusis based on Ernest W. Kornmehl, the author of LASIK. 2. Years later, in 1985 Dr. Casmir Swinger developed a method of reshaping the eye without freezing the cornea. 3. Two years later, Dr. Luis Ruiz, used an automated microkeratome, which is the instrument used to cut the corneal flap, to reshape the eye. Transition: Now that you have some insight on where LASIK comes from. I will like to move on to the process. II. When a person has considered having LASIK, a specific process/procedure must be carried out. A. First, you would want to know whether you are a good candidate for the surgery. 1. In order to have LASIK you must of course have refractive errors such as myopia known as nearsightedness, hyperpia that is farsightedness, and astigmatism known as double vision. 2. The ideal age is 18 and up. 3. Even though you may have the refractive errors does not necessarily consider you to be a good candidate. a. Those with eye prescription that changes more than one diopter in 12 months and those with health conditions such as thin cornea, glaucoma/cataracts, pregnancy, and heart disease may be poor candidates for LASIK. B. Next, the patient should find out exactly how the procedure works. 1. LASIK is performed while the patient is awake. 2. Right before the surgery begins, the patient will be given anesthetic eyedrops while positioned comfortably on her/her back under the excimer laser. a. Notice that the optometrist is using a VISX laser machine, more doctors use VISK than any other system according to Ernest W. Kornmehl. 3. The actual procedure only takes 25-30 minutes for both eyes. a. First, the eye is treated with anesthetic drops to numb the eye. b. The blade of the microkeratome begins to create the thin corneal flap and then advances across the cornea. c. The flap is folded back ready for the laser beam to reshape the cornea. d. Notice that the cornea is flatten and then the flap is replaced over the treated cornea. 4. The surgery is over and now the patient can go home. a. The doctor will provide antibiotic drops to promote healing and lubricating eyedrops. b. The doctor will also give the patient wrap arounds to prevent sunlight from the eyes. c. Healing time varies from a few weeks too three o six months. C. Then you will want to find out how much LASIK costs. 1. For an estimate of pricing, LASIK averages between $1,550 and $3,000 per eye based on a leading refractive industry newsletter. 2. The cost varies from surgeon to surgeon and depends on how extensive the correction may be. D. Once those steps are completed, the patient’s most...