As amazing as the human body may be, there are some serious design flaws. Probably the most obvious of these is the rate at which our vision deteriorates with age. According to statistics from the Vision Council of America, nearly two-thirds of the adult population wears prescription eyewear. Another twenty percent use contact lenses to correct common, age-related sight issues. The good news is that almost all of these people, over 180 million Americans, could benefit from LASIK eye surgery. What Is It? Designed to improve visual acuity, LASIK uses lasers to reshape the cornea - the transparent front part of the eye. Improving the shape of this integral structure helps properly focus the light that passes through it onto the retina at the back of the eye. The inevitable result is a marked improvement in visual clarity. Who Needs It? Because it addresses the most common vision problems, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, LASIK eye surgery is highly effective for most patients. Only those with serious, permanent visual impairment are unlikely to benefit from the operation. It is no wonder millions of Americans have it done each year. The Numbers Few medical procedures can compare with laser eye surgery when it comes to achieving desired results. According to numerous studies, surveys, and reports, about 95 percent of patients observe a dramatic improvement in their vision after the operation. Almost all of them achieve an uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) of at least 20/40, and about 85 percent achieve a UCVA of 2/20 or higher! Those are remarkable numbers by any standard. The Benefits In addition to visual improvement, LASIK eye surgery has several advantages over other corrective procedures. There is very little pain involved because of the numbing eye drops that are used. The recovery process is also much shorter because there is no cutting involved, which means no bandages and no stitches. Even more amazingly, visual improvement is often reported immediately after the procedure. Last but certainly not least, LASIK can be used to make minor corrections as you age. These periodic adjustments can help you see clearly for years, even decades after age-related deterioration would have robbed you of your untrammeled sight. Risks Like any other operation, there are potential risks and disadvantages associated with laser eye surgery. For one thing, it is worth noting that changes made to the cornea cannot be reversed after the procedure -although we cannot conceive of a reason why patients would want to go back to their bad eyesight. More importantly, the operation is technically complex, and mistakes can be difficult to correct. In a small fraction of cases, permanent visual damage has been reported. The Verdict Easily the most effective procedure for correcting common sight problems, LASIK eye surgery has been a godsend for tens of millions of Americans. Not only is the process comparably quick and painless, but it also produces permanent results. As long as your doctor determines that you are a candidate for corrective laser surgery, there is absolutely no reason not to have it done. When considering LASIK eye surgery, Portsmouth, NH residents visit Excellent Vision. Learn more at http://www.excellentvision.com/services/.
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