Whether you’re looking to ditch your glasses or want to enjoy clearer vision, LASIK could be the right choice for achieving your vision goals. As one of the most popular laser vision correction procedures, it has provided clearer vision for millions of people worldwide.
However, choosing the right procedure to correct your vision is a big decision and should not be made without doing some research. Keep reading to learn more about what eye doctors want you to know about LASIK.
What Do You Need to Know about LASIK?
LASIK is a procedure that helps patients enjoy crisper, clearer vision, and reduce their reliance on visual aids by correcting common refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. If you’re considering LASIK, it’s important to learn about the basics of the procedure, including:
1. LASIK is a Quick and Easy Procedure
If the thought of an eye procedure makes you nervous, you are not alone. Many people initially feel anxious about LASIK.
The good news is that LASIK is a very quick procedure, taking only about 10-15 minutes per eye. It involves making a small flap in your eye with a femtosecond laser, then using an excimer laser to reshape the corneal tissue underneath, correcting your refractive errors.
Then, the flap is put back in place and acts as a natural bandage while you heal. Another common worry that many people considering LASIK have is that the procedure will be uncomfortable or painful.
In reality, most people experience minimal to no discomfort or pain. Before LASIK begins, numbing drops are placed in your eyes to ensure you are comfortable throughout the procedure.
Your LASIK surgeon may also offer you a mild sedative if you are feeling anxious.
2. LASIK Has a Fast Recovery
Compared to other vision correction procedures like PRK, LASIK’s recovery times are fast. Some people experience clearer vision within just a few hours of the procedure, while most have noticeably improved vision within 24 hours.
It’s advisable to take a few days to rest and recover after LASIK, but you’ll likely be back to your regular routine in no time. At your follow-up appointments with your LASIK surgeon, they will let you know when it is safe to return to activities like driving, working, and exercising.
While recovery can vary from person to person, most LASIK patients are cleared to resume normal activities the next day.
3. It’s Important to Follow Post-LASIK Care Instructions
After your procedure, your LASIK surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to care for your eyes. For the best results, it is important to carefully follow all of your post-procedure care instructions.
For most patients, these care instructions include using prescription eye drops to reduce inflammation and prevent infection, avoiding rubbing your eyes, protecting your eyes from UV light and other irritants, and only wearing eye makeup once your LASIK surgeon has cleared you to do so.
The more strictly you follow your post-procedure instructions, the smoother and faster your eyes can recover from LASIK.
4. Not Everyone is a Good Candidate for LASIK
Unfortunately, LASIK isn’t for everyone. If you have concerns about dry eye syndrome or thin corneas, your eye doctor might suggest other vision correction options, like the EVO ICL.
You must also be at least 18 to undergo LASIK, as you need a stable prescription for the procedure to be effective. If you’re over 40, LASIK might not offer the long-lasting vision correction you’ve been looking for either.
As you age, the natural lens of your eye slowly loses the elasticity that enables it to shift focus from near to far, a condition known as presbyopia. Patients with presbyopia are typically better suited for refractive lens exchange, a vision correction procedure that replaces the natural lens with an intraocular lens, or IOL.
The only way to find out whether LASIK is right for you is to attend a consultation with your eye doctor at Johnson Laser Eye. They will use factors like your medical history, eye health, and visual goals to determine whether you are a good candidate for the procedure.
5. LASIK Can Eliminate Your Need for Visual Aids
One of the most significant benefits of LASIK is that it can reduce or even eliminate your reliance on glasses and contacts. Imagine how much easier your daily routine would be without having to clean your contacts or fumble for your glasses in the morning.
If you live an active lifestyle, exercising and playing sports can be much easier as well. You won’t need to worry about missing that shot because you had to adjust your glasses mid-game or stress about eye infections from wearing contacts in the swimming pool.
For patients who like to travel, LASIK can provide significant benefits as well. Without needing to pack contact lens solution or backup glasses, you can save room in your carry-on and have confidence that you’ll see all the sights in stunning clarity.
6. LASIK Can Be a Great Financial Investment
Although LASIK may have a higher upfront cost, the amount of money patients save on the expenses of visual aids means the procedure eventually pays for itself in most cases. Think about how much extra cash you’ll have left over when you no longer have to pay for contact lenses, lens solutions, glasses, glasses repairs, or cases.
Johnson Laser Eye also offers payment plans to help finance your procedure over time. On the day of your consultation, your LASIK surgeon will discuss these options with you to help you find the best plan to suit your budget.
Do you want to learn more about LASIK? Schedule an appointment at Johnson Laser Eye in Wilmington, NC, today!
