It will correct astigmatism, farsightedness and nearsightedness. Laser energy is applied under the corneal tissue flap to correct these problems.
Not everyone is a candidate for this procedure but for the people who are it has many advantages. It is a common procedure in the United States and the methods used are either conventional or wavefront. The way it works is by altering the shape of the cornea and reducing the need for corrective lenses.
Eligible candidates will have some risk associated with the reduction on corrective lens necessity. The method is a combination of the Photorefractive Keratectomy or PRK and Automated Lamellar Keratoplasty or ALK. ALK was developed in the 1950′s and is a type of refractive surgery. The way it works is by shaving the cornea which changes the way light bends and corrects nearsightedness. The cornea becomes flatter as more tissue is removed and the more refraction is achieved. Over time it has been refined but the results are not always predictable and it is not an easy procedure to do. There is also Radial Keratotomy or RK developed the the 1980′s and it is a method that is more reliable.
The first procedure used to remove corneal tissue with lasers was the PRK method. This method changes the chemistry of the corneal cells and causes them to microscopically fall away. One of the problems encountered is that corneal haze can occur which is a formation of opaque cells. This hazing restricts light and reduces vision. If your diopter correction is less than 6.00 you are a candidate for PRK.
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The benefit of Lasik is there is no recovery time, you can almost immediately see the difference and there is no pain. Corneal hazing is a rarity as there have been improvements made to the procedure over the decades. Do your research and find a doctor that has a lot of experience so that your odds of having great results will be very high.
Recovering from PRK surgery is a lot different and there is some discomfort. Initially vision will be fuzzy for about 3 to 6 days, it will take about 2 weeks for full functioning. It will take between 6 to 8 week for vision to be fully clear.
This is one of the most effective treatments for correcting vision available. It is safe and there are very few risks. Getting the information about the procedure and what you can expect during recovery will eliminate any fears you have. Lasik Surgery Houston can clear up any questions you might have.
by Chelsea Martin
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