Wednesday, October 25, 2000
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Wednesday, October 25, 2000 |
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Getting the clear picture on Lasik eye surgery Tired of wearing glasses or contact lenses? Considering Lasik eye surgery? Lasik, one of the newest procedures for vision correction, is surgery to a very delicate part of the eye. And while hundreds of thousands of people have had Lasik, most very successfully, it's not for everyone. The Federal Trade Commission and the American Academy of Ophthalmology advise you to get the clear picture on what you can expect before you sign up for the procedure. Are you a good candidate for Lasik? Before you can weigh the risks and rewards, know that: You should be at least 18 years old and in good health. You should not be pregnant or nursing. You should not be taking certain prescription drugs, such as Accutane or oral prednisone. Even if you have the surgery, you may not get the perfect vision you're hoping for. That's because 20/20 does not always mean perfect vision. And if you have Lasik to correct your distance vision, you'll still need reading glasses when you're around 45 years of age. You also may need to return for additional surgery, called "enhancements," to fine-tune your vision. Remember that Lasik is too new to know if there are any long-term ill effects beyond five years after surgery and the procedure cannot be reversed. If you decide to proceed, ask your surgeon the following questions: How long have you been doing Lasik surgery? How do you define success? What's your success rate? What is the chance for me to achieve 20/20? What laser will you be using for my surgery? Make sure your surgeon is using a laser approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). What's involved in after-surgery care? Who will handle after-surgery care? Who will be responsible? What about risks and possible complications? What about side effects? How long will they last? For more information about Lasik, call 1-877-FTC-HELP and ask for "Basik Lasik: Tips on Lasik Eye Surgery."
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