LASIK surgery is a revolutionary procedure that allows people to see clearly without glasses or contacts. After a simple procedure that typically only takes a few minutes to perform, many patients are able to see with stunning clarity. However, LASIK surgery is not for everyone as it cannot cure all vision problems.
What are the different types of vision problems that LASIK can be used to correct?
In Houston LASIK procedures are most often performed on individuals who are either nearsighted, farsighted and/or have astigmatism.
What Does It Mean to Be Nearsighted?
A person suffering from nearsightedness can commonly see close objects clearly, but requires vision correction for distance. This is the person who can ordinarily read a book or work on a computer without glasses, but is required to have some kind of vision correction when driving a car. When a person is nearsighted, light is not properly reflected off of the retina, causing blurry vision. Some people are nearsighted as a result of eyeballs that are unusually long or a cornea that sits at too steep of an angle.
What Does It Mean to Be Farsighted?
Farsightedness is another common condition for which people may have a LASIK procedure performed. When a person is farsighted, they may have excellent distance vision, but have difficulty trying to read a map in the car or a menu at a restaurant. The culprit in this condition is the shape of the cornea, which causes light to refract improperly.
What Is An Astigmatism?
People whose cornea is shaped more oval than round generally suffer from a condition known as astigmatism. Astigmatism can cause a comprehensive blurriness of vision, but many people who have this condition are also either nearsighted or farsighted. LASIK can treat astigmatism and nearsightedness/farsightedness in just one procedure.
How does LASIK work to correct these vision problems?
LASIK, which stands for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, works by permanently changing the shape of the cornea. This is done through the use of a laser that carefully removes tissue from the cornea to change its shape. This helps to refocus light properly on the retina, resulting in clearer vision. In some cases, a second laser may be used to create a flap on the cornea. This helps the LASIK surgeon to more easily access the inner layers of the cornea.
What Are The Benefits of LASIK?
LASIK surgery has a number of benefits over other forms of vision correction.
- It is a very precise procedure that can be tailored to each individual patient.
- It is a relatively quick and easy procedure that can be done in just a few minutes.
- It has a very high success rate, with most patients achieving 20/20 vision or better.
- It is a safe and painless procedure with a very low risk of complications.
- LASIK surgery can often be performed on both eyes in the same day, allowing patients to enjoy clear vision as soon as possible.
Successful LASIK surgery can significantly change the patient’s life. For most patients, after just one procedure, they are able to read, drive, go to movies, play golf, swim and exercise without having to worry about wearing glasses or contacts. Most see improvement directly after the surgery is performed and experience only a minimum of downtime.
Because LASIK surgical procedures have been utilized successfully on people with common vision impairments like nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, it is one of the most well known and respected eye care treatments available.
Frequently Asked Questions About LASIK
Who is a good candidate for LASIK surgery?
To be a good candidate for LASIK surgery, you should:
– Be at least 18 years old
– Have had a stable eyeglass or contact lens prescription for at least two years.
– Not have any health conditions that could affect the healing process.
– Be free of any diseases of the cornea.
– Have healthy corneas that are thick enough for the surgeon to safely create a flap.
What is the recovery like after LASIK surgery?
The recovery from LASIK surgery is usually very quick and easy. Most patients report being able to see well enough to drive and return to work the next day. There may be some slight discomfort and sensitivity to light immediately after the surgery, but this typically goes away within a few hours.
How long does LASIK last?
Because LASIK surgery reshapes your cornea, the effects will be permanent. However, it is possible for your vision to change over time due to the natural aging process.
Schedule a Free LASIK Consultation Today
To find out more about LASIK surgery, schedule a consultation with the experienced surgeons at Berkeley Eye Center today. We will perform a comprehensive eye exam and go over all of your options with you to help you make the best decision for your vision.