LASIK has become a top treatment to fix vision issues. More than 10 million Americans have fixed their sight with LASIK since it was approved by the FDA in 1999. With more than 700,000 surgeries completed each year. It is one of the more popular surgeries in the country. Most patients have very high satisfaction ratings, and overall, almost 99% of patients heal to 20/20 vision. Almost 50% will have better than 20/20 vision.
What is Laser Vision Correction
People who wear contacts or glasses often hear about the benefits of LASIK surgery to correct their eyes. There are two main types of surgery, including LASIK and PRK. The surgeries were created to eliminate the need for glasses or contacts and return the vision to 20/20.
Who is a good candidate for LASIK?
People who are nearsighted, farsighted, or/and have astigmatism can have LASIK surgery. You might be eligible for LASIK surgery if you have good overall eye health. It is not recommended for people who have a cornea disorder called keratoconus.
You Might Need Glasses After Surgery
Despite the high success rate, this operation does not guarantee that patients will be able to get rid of glasses for the rest of their lives. Reading very small print or driving at night may still require glasses.
How Does LASIK Work?
LASIK works by re-sculpting the cornea. The cornea is the rounded, clear surface of the eye, which helps focus the light as it enters the eye. The surgeon will create a very thin flap on the cornea with a laser. Then he uses a different laser to reshape the cornea to the ideal shape discussed in your pre-operation eye exam. The corneal flap is then returned back into its original place.
What is PRK?
PRK is a different procedure than LASIK, which might be a better option for people who have some pre-existing eye conditions like very thin corneas. The recovery time for PRK is a little longer than LASIK – about 3-5 days. It is also not as comfortable as LASIK, but the final outcome for both procedures should be the same.
Lens Implants
If you are not eligible for laser surgery because you have too strong of a prescription, you might be eligible for implantable lenses. They focus on treating nearsighted people or those who have astigmatism. The lenses are created from plastic or silicone and are surgically placed inside the eye.
Campus Eye Group
If you are considering LASIK surgery, please call us to schedule an appointment.
