LASIK is a very popular refractive procedure that can allow you to significantly reduce your dependence on visual aids. Many people wonder if this life-changing procedure is safe.
Keep reading to learn more about LASIK, including what happens during the procedure and whether or not it is safe!
What Happens During LASIK Surgery?
LASIK is a procedure that aims to correct refractive errors, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. During the procedure, your eye doctor will gently and precisely change the shape of your cornea, which is the clear, dome-shaped structure at the front of your eye.
Changing the shape of your cornea will positively affect the way light behaves as it travels through the eye. When you have a refractive error, the light that enters your eye does not land properly on the retina, which is necessary for clear vision.
LASIK can correct this process and allow you to experience greater visual freedom with less dependence on visual aids like contact lenses and glasses. Before the procedure, your eye doctor will numb the surface of your eye with eye drops.
Next, they will use a special laser to make a small flap in the top surface of your cornea. Once this flap is made, it is carefully placed to the side to reveal the inner layers of the cornea, which will be altered to correct your vision.
Then, your LASIK surgeon will use a different laser to reshape the inner layers of your cornea. After this is complete, they will reposition the flap for healing.
The flap will naturally heal during your recovery without the need for stitches.
Do The Results of LASIK Last Forever?
Some people notice an improvement in their vision right after the procedure. For others, it may take a few weeks to months for their eyes to adjust.
LASIK is meant to have a permanent effect, meaning that you will be able to experience the results of LASIK for a lifetime. However, LASIK will not prevent you from developing other eye conditions that may affect your vision in the future.
Additionally, some people who have LASIK may require touch-ups in the future in order to keep their vision in top condition. If you choose to have LASIK surgery, you will likely experience greater visual freedom for many years to come!
How Do I Know if LASIK is Right For Me?
One of the best ways to determine if LASIK is right for you is to schedule a consultation with your eye doctor at Metro Eye Care, where they will determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure. Verifying that you are a good candidate prior to undergoing LASIK is one of the ways LASIK surgeons ensure that the procedure is safe and effective.
During a LASIK consultation, your eye doctor will perform a thorough evaluation of your eyes that includes extensive testing and examination of your eye health. You will need to be at least eighteen years old to have LASIK.
It is also important that you are in good general health and do not have any eye conditions. Another factor your eye doctor will consider when determining your eligibility is the thickness of your cornea.
In order to make the flap on the surface of your cornea during LASIK, your corneas must be thick enough. If your corneas are too thin, the procedure will not be safe.
In this case, your eye doctor may recommend an alternate procedure.
Are you interested in learning more about LASIK or determining if you may be a good candidate for the procedure? Schedule an appointment at Metro Eye Care in Paramus, NJ, today!
