LASIK Enhancement - Does It Always Improve Your Vision?

When is LASIK enhancement procedure really needed? Read this first before you redo LASIK eye treatment and undergo one more surgery.

The treatment of vision problems like myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism has advanced greatly in the last 10 to 15 years.

The advent of LASIK vision correction surgery is the answer for many people. Most of the time, the procedure achieves the desired results.

However, like most things of this nature, sometimes a small "tweak" is needed called a LASIK enhancement. It is a secondary procedure that is usually performed within three months of the original surgery.

The idea behind an enhancement is not to improve the vision, but to ensure that the desired result is reached.

It is important that you realize an enhancement MAY actually make your vision worse and has the same risks as LASIK surgery.

How Is LASIK Enhancement Done?

The new procedure to redo LASIK eye treatment is almost the same as the original surgery with one major difference. The surgeon will use special tools to lift the flap made during the original procedure. So there is no new incision made.

With the flap lifted up, a handheld laser called an excimer laser is applied to the cornea and reshapes it accordingly.

The whole enhancement can be done within a few minutes and is normally entirely painless.

When Should I Think About An Enhancement?

Under normal circumstances, the healing process for all types of LASIK surgery average from six to eight weeks. At that time, you should be enjoying the full benefit of the surgery. In other words, your vision will be the best it will be by then.

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your LASIK procedure or it becomes medically necessary for some reason, see your eye doctor for a consultation.

It is common to actually experience a dramatic improvement in vision within 24 hours, then a little more each day for the next few weeks.

Do not be fooled by this and think that your vision is the best it can be after only a week or two. As the cornea heals, vision improves.

You can consider redo LASIK eye treatment if there are specific activities you want to do without glasses or contacts. So if you are not satisfied with the results, see the doctor for a LASIK enhancement consultation.

Are There Risks Involved With LASIK Enhancement?

There are risks associated with any surgical procedure. Enhancement should not be done simply to "up the numbers". The same risks involved with LASIK surgery are involved with enhancement procedures.

• Infections, corneal tearing and inflammation are common risks due to the disturbance of the flap being folded back.

• Abnormal growth of the outer tissue of the cornea is also possible.

• Since removal of tissue is done during enhancement, it is possible that too much or too little can be removed, leading to possible worsening of the vision overall.

In all cases of enhancement consideration, you must see your doctor to ensure the procedure is absolutely necessary for your individual case.

If you are just wanting your eyesight to be a "little better", enhancement is not the way to go.

Enhancement should only be done after complete healing and the full results of the LASIK surgery are known 100%.



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