For your eyes only: Understanding LASIK

Although LASIK, or laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, has been a common procedure in recent years, a lot of people are still unfamiliar about it. It is a type of refractive surgery in which a laser is used to reshape the cornea, improving how the eye focuses light into the retina, thereby correcting visual acuity problems.

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Before people decide to undergo this procedure, here are some things they need to take note of:

LASIK is not for everybody. People below 18 years are not qualified for this procedure, as their vision is still changing. Pregnant or nursing women are also not allowed to undergo this procedure because measured refraction or vision usually changes during pregnancy, and LASIK requires stable vision for it to work correctly.

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LASIK may not give a perfect vision. The American Academy of Ophthalmology reports that 9 out of 10 patients achieve somewhere between a 20/20 vision and a 20/40 vision, which is still not sharp enough for some activities.

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LASIK does not prevent presbyopia. This condition is the age-related loss of the focusing power of the eye. Even people who underwent LASIK will still need glasses as they get older.

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Although LASIK greatly improves one’s vision, it still has risks and is expensive and may not be covered by some health insurance companies in the US. For people without health insurance, getting the services of medical travel companies, such as Steven Lash’s Satori World Medical and David Boucher’s Companion Global Healthcare, can be a cheaper alternative to LASIK procedures offered locally.

Satori World Medical’s official website offers a list of procedures that patients can choose to undergo overseas.