Are you looking for a permanent way to correct your vision so that you no longer have to wear glasses or contact lenses? LASIK (Laser in-situ Keratomileusis) can surgically correct your vision so that you see clearly without the use of corrective lenses.
Understanding Laser in-situ Keratomileusis
Laser in-situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) eye surgery is an extremely popular way to correct vision. It involves using a special laser to reshape the cornea in order to help light focus correctly on the macula and retina, which quickly improves visual acuity.
Benefits of LASIK Eye Surgery
- Corrective lenses are not needed after surgery
- Low-risk, fast procedure
- No stitches needed
- Used to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatisms, and presbyopia
- Vision correction is extremely fast
Good Candidates for LASIK
Individuals who are over the age of 18 and are nearsighted, farsighted, have an astigmatism, or who have presbyopia are all good candidates for LASIK eye surgery. In addition, the individual must not have had a significant change in their glasses or contacts prescription for the last year, and they have no signs of glaucoma or cataracts.
LASIK Risks
Since LASIK is an eye surgery, some risks and side effects are possible. The most common side effect is temporary symptoms of dry eye, which usually resolve within a few months of your procedure.
- Detachment of the corneal flap
- Development of double vision
- Development of glaucoma or retinal detachment
- Eye infections or sores
- May still need reading glasses
- Temporary halos around lights
- Vision may change over time
Prior to Your LASIK Surgery
Prior to your surgery, you will need an appointment to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure and so that our doctors can precisely map your corneas and develop a surgical vision correction prescription. In addition, our ophthalmologist will make sure that your corneas are thick enough to withstand the procedure. This is because LASIK surgery involves removing small sections of the cornea during the reshaping process. If everything looks good, your eye surgery will be scheduled.
LASIK Eye Surgery
LASIK eye surgery is an outpatient procedure that takes about 10 minutes per eye. You can elect to have both eyes corrected on the same day or each eye on separate days. Just prior to the procedure, you will be given medicine to help you relax and eye drops will be placed in your eyes to numb them.
Once you are ready, Cape Fear Eye Associates, PA will begin the procedure, which involves cutting a thin flap in the cornea and folding it over. Then, the exposed part of the cornea is cleaned and prepared for the surgery. Next, a laser will be positioned over your eye, and the cornea will be reshaped. After your surgery, you will be given between 30 and 60 minutes to recover. We do ask that you bring a second driver with you as you will not be recovered enough to drive yourself home.
After LASIK
A follow-up appointment will be scheduled within 24 to 48 hours after your eye surgery. This appointment is designed to make sure your eyes are healing correctly and that your vision is returning. Most individuals notice a dramatic improvement in their vision within 48 hours of the surgery, but it can take as long as two months for your vision to reach its maximum clarity. Most individuals do not need corrective lenses after the surgery.
To schedule an appointment with Cape Fear Eye Associates, PA to see if LASIK surgery would benefit you, give us a call today at (910) 484-2284.