What is LASIK?
LASIK, which stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, is a cutting-edge refractive surgery that corrects myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
It’s ideal for people who want to get up and go without worrying about wearing glasses or contacts.
During the surgery, a skilled ophthalmologist uses a laser or microblade to reshape the cornea, which results in crystal-clear near and distance vision.
Best of all, for most patients, the effects of LASIK are permanent, meaning you’ll rely much less on corrective eyewear for many years to come!
Who Is An Ideal LASIK Candidate?
- Age requirement: Candidates must be at least 18 years old.
- Good physical health: Candidates must be in good physical health without health problems such as uncontrolled diabetes, autoimmune or collagen vascular diseases.
- Good ocular health: A patient is ideal for LASIK if they have no eye diseases such as keratoconus, glaucoma, cataracts, corneal disease, retinal and optic nerve conditions.
- No current eye problems: An absence of eye infections and injury, as well as being transparent about ocular problems such as amblyopia or strabismus is key.
- Stable vision: The patient should have stable vision for at least one year prior to the procedure. Women who are pregnant or nursing women are not eligible until after three menstrual cycles, because hormones affect eye prescription stability.
- Corneal thickness: The patient must have a minimum corneal thickness of 0.5 mm.
Optometrists determine LASIK candidacy by evaluating eye prescription, medical background, and overall health.
Specifics of The LASIK Procedure
LASIK surgery is a relatively quick and painless procedure, taking about 10 to 20 minutes per eye. The healing process is also fast and most patients see results within 24 hours. Here's what a LASIK procedure entails:
- Anesthetic eye drops are used to numb the eyes.
- An eyelid holder and suction ring is placed on the eye to prevent blinking and movement. This may cause pressure on the eyelid or dim or black vision.
- The eye surgeon will use a microkeratome or laser to make a thin flap in the cornea tissue, lift and fold it back.
- They’ll ask you to stare at a light so your eyes stay still while the cornea is reshaped with the laser.
- After the cornea is reshaped, the flap is folded back so it can heal naturally.
Itching and burning in the eyes are symptoms that may follow immediately after the procedure. Your vision may also be blurry at first, but it should become clearer within a day.
After The Surgery
LASIK is a procedure with a fast healing time. This is what you can expect after the procedure:
- You may be prescribed eye drops and an eye shield to protect the eyes and promote healing.
- Even though you'll be able to walk without glasses, you shouldn’t drive yourself home after LASIK. Rather ask a friend or family member to drive you home.
- Resting your eyes is essential on the day of your surgery. Make sure you dim the lights in your home to ease discomfort.
- A day later, you should be able to resume normal activities, including driving. Remember not to rub your eyes until your doctor says it’s safe to do so.
- If you use Latisse or any other product that’s applied to the eye area, talk to your eye doctor about when you can start using it again after LASIK.
- Your eye doctor will schedule a follow-up visit a few days after the procedure to make sure that your eyes are healing well and that you have no complications.
At Hammonton Family Eyecare, we offer pre- and post-operative care through a co-management agreement with eye surgeons. Feel free to ask us for more information on this.
If My Vision Is Blurry After LASIK
If you’re still experiencing blurry vision months after your LASIK surgery, don’t panic. Although most patients see a significant improvement in their vision within the first day or two after the procedure, sometimes it can take time for the eyes to fully stabilize.
However, if several months have passed and you're still not seeing clearly, make sure you talk to your LASIK surgeon about your options. Some patients may opt for a second LASIK surgery to further sharpen their vision.
If another surgery isn't necessary, we can explore other options with you, such as eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Post-LASIK Eye Care
Routine eye exams are still important after LASIK surgery. Even with clear vision, they’ll help you maintain your eye health and detect potential vision problems.
Post-LASIK Eyewear
Don't let the joy of perfect vision after LASIK blind you from protecting your eyes from the sun's harmful rays! Make sure you wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection when you're outdoors.
Keep in mind that even if you've achieved clear distance vision after LASIK, you may still need reading glasses as you age to correct presbyopia, or age-related farsightedness.
Monovision contacts are an alternative to reading glasses and can be fitted by one of our eye doctors.
Contact Hammonton Family Eyecare to achieve and maintain excellent vision for years to come.
