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Lasik Surgery in Denver

A Guide to Getting Lasik Eye Surgery in Denver, Colorado

Lasik surgery has become increasingly popular in recent years. You might say it has swept the nation, as far as vision-correcting procedures go.

But what exactly is Lasik eye surgery, and is it right for you? And if you do decide to pursue Lasik surgery as an option, where do you and who do you talk to?

These are the questions we will address in this guide to Lasik surgery in Denver. But before we go any further, we need to start with the basics. Let's discuss what, exactly, Lasik surgery is in the first place, how it works, and what advantages it brings.

What is Lasik Laser Surgery?

Lasik eye surgery is a surgical procedure that's designed to correct a person's vision and thereby reduce their dependency on glasses and contact lenses.

You often see Lasik written in all capital letters because LASIK is actually and acronym for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. This is the full medical term for Lasik laser eye surgery. In this page about Denver Lasik surgery, and elsewhere on this website, we have written the word Lasik in its common, non-capitalized form -- merely for the sake of simplicity and website readability. But wherever we mention Lasik on this website, we are referring to the same thing: LASIK, or Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis.

Denver Lasik Eye Surgery - How it Works

Lasik is a two-step procedure in which a laser is used to reshape the patient's cornea. In this way, the Lasik surgeon is able to correct certain types of vision impairments, such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.

The first step is to make a small flap in the tissue around the cornea, as shown in the illustration above. This is performed with a microkeratome, a precise surgical tool with a tiny blade that allows the Lasik surgeon to create the flap. With the flap "folded" open, the laser can then pass through to the cornea, where the second step takes place. The Lasik surgeon will then "remodel" the cornea tissue underneath, thereby correcting (ideally) the corneal condition that is causing the vision problem. When this is done, the flap is repositioned and the Lasik eye surgery is complete.

You can watch an animation of the Lasik process at the FDA's website.

How Long Does it Take?

Compared to other forms of eye surgery, Lasik is a fairly quick procedure. A skilled Lasik surgeon can typically perform the surgery in about 30 minutes. You'll actually be awake for the surgery, too. You lie on your back for the surgery, at the start of which a numbing drop will be placed in your eye. The area around the eye will be cleaned, and a lid speculum will be put in place to hold the eyelids open. Next, a suction ring will be used to keep the eye from moving, and the procedure begins.

After the Surgery

In nearly all cases, post-surgery patients will receive antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops as a precaution. Dark goggles are also used to protect the patient's eyes from bright lights, usually for a week or so after the surgery.

In the short term after your eye surgery, you may experience some discomfort of the eyes, and the surgeon may prescribe a pain reliever for this. You may also experience glare, sensitivity to lights or halos around objects. These conditions are typical during the post-operative recovery period, and they typically subside with days or weeks as the eyes continue to heal themselves.

Choosing a Denver Lasik Surgeon

Fortunately, due to the size of Denver, Colorado (with a metro population well over 2 million people), there is no shortage of Lasik surgeons in the Denver area. With that being said, finding a highly qualified surgeon is the most important thing. Lasik surgery is like any profession in that the practitioners of Lasik will have varying degrees of skill and experience.

Here some checkpoints to consider when selecting a Lasik eye surgeon in Denver, Colorado:

• Actual experience -- There is no substitute for hands-on experience when it comes to Lasik eye surgery, or any surgery for that matter. So find out how long the surgeon has been performing Lasik, and how many operations he or she had done.
• Patient success rate -- From a patient's perspective, surgery success should be more important than the sheer number of surgeries performed. Ask Denver Lasik surgeons about their patient success rates, with regard to corrected vision, full recoveries, etc.
• Patient success rate -- Like most highly technical fields, Lasik eye surgery relies on technology that is constantly evolving. Find out if your prospective surgeon is using the best and latest technology available.
• Bedside manner -- Granted, you won't really be in a bed when having Lasik surgery. You will be in a special type of recliner, and only for 30 minutes to an hour. So in this instance, "bedside manner" simply refers to the ease with which you can talk to your Lasik surgeon. Does he or she make time for you and answer all of your questions? You deserve it, so make sure you have their undivided attention.

Continue Your Education

This article is by no means a comprehensive lesson on Denver Lasik surgery treatments. If you are considering Lasik eye surgery in Denver, you should certainly conduct additional research. This includes researching the advantages and disadvantages of Lasik, researching Lasik eye surgeons in the Denver area, and talking to friends or family who have undergone the procedure.

Related Resources: Advantages of Lasik | Glossary of Terms

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