LASIK eye surgery

What are the advantages of LASIK Surgery?

1. Swift Results: Typically, you'll notice improvements within the first 24 to 48 hours post-procedure.
2. Rapid Recovery: Recovery is remarkably fast, with many individuals able to resume normal activities, including driving to work, the day after the surgery.
3.Life-Changing Success: Successful LASIK procedures can be transformative, eliminating the need for glasses or contacts and enhancing daily activities.
4.Reduced Hassle and Expense: LASIK can free you from the inconvenience and cost of glasses or contacts, streamlining daily routines and travel without the need for packing visual aids.
5.Rare Complications: Although complications can occur, they are infrequent and often temporary.
6. Quicker Recovery Compared to LASEK: In comparison to LASEK, another type of laser eye surgery, LASIK generally offers a faster recovery period.

What are the disadvantages of LASIK Surgery?

1. Effectiveness Not Guaranteed: LASIK's effectiveness is not always guaranteed, and a follow-up procedure may be necessary, especially for higher vision prescriptions.
2. Risk Factors: It is considered somewhat riskier than LASEK, a procedure that avoids cutting the corneal flap. Additionally, LASIK is generally more expensive.
3. Potential Side Effects: Common side effects of LASIK include dry eyes, glare, and halos, which can affect some individuals.
4. Serious Complications: While rare, serious complications may occur, including eye infections, vision loss, pain, and detached retinas. The severity of complications can vary.

How Successful LASIK procedures?

96%

Can anyone get LASIK procedure?

Talk to your doctor about whether LASIK is right for you. You You shouldn’t have the surgery if you:
1. Are younger than 18 (some doctors say that at least 21 or even older, to ensure your vision has stabilized).
2. Are pregnant or nursing
3. Take certain medications
4. Have a lot of recent changes to your vision prescription
5. Have thin or uneven corneas
6. Have eye conditions such as glaucoma or very dry eyes
7. Have other health issues such as diabetes, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis

How should you prepare for a LASIK procedure?

1. On the day of the surgery, avoid using any eye makeup, creams, or lotions.
2. Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure, as you may experience temporary blurred vision or discomfort.
3. Wear comfortable clothing on the day of the surgery, as you'll want to be relaxed during the procedure.
4. Don’t wear other types of contact lenses for at least 3 days prior to the evaluation. Be sure to bring your eyeglasses so the surgeon can review your prescription.
5. Adhere to any specific pre-operative instructions provided by your LASIK surgeon. This may include fasting before the procedure.
6. Ahead of LASIK, you will have a consultation with either a coordinator or an eye surgeon. This session will cover what you can anticipate during and after the procedure. Your medical history will be discussed, and a comprehensive eye examination will be conducted. This examination may encompass tests to assess corneal thickness, refraction, and eye pressure.

How painful is LASIK?

LASIK is typically not described as painful, as the procedure itself is designed to be minimally discomforting.
Most patients report feeling pressure or mild discomfort rather than pain during the surgery.

Before the procedure begins, numbing eye drops are applied to ensure that the eye remains anesthetized throughout the surgery. This helps in preventing any pain during the reshaping of the cornea using the laser. Some patients may experience a sensation of pressure or mild discomfort when the corneal flap is created, but this part of the procedure is brief.

How long does it take to get LASIK procedure?

The LASIK procedure itself is typically quick, often taking about 15 minutes for both eyes. However, the exact duration can vary based on several factors, including the surgeon's technique, the specific technology used, and the individual characteristics of the patient's eyes.
In general, a speculum will keep your eyelids open as the doctor employs a laser or microkeratome blade (a thin oscillating metal blade operated by a machine) to create a thin flap by separating the top layers of the cornea. The procedure is not generally painful, but you may experience some pressure.
The doctor will lift and peel back the flap, utilizing another laser to reshape the tissue underneath. Subsequently, the doctor will reposition the flap, completing the surgery.

How long will your LASIK results last?

For the majority of patients, the outcomes of LASIK are enduring; however, a small percentage (apprx. 3–5%) may require a follow-up procedure known as an enhancement.

What are the risks and side effects of LASIK?

The primary side effect following LASIK is dry eye, and physicians commonly provide patients with prescribed eye drops to address it. However, a substantial portion of patients still reports experiencing some level of dry eye. If symptoms persist after a year, it may suggest the presence of dry eye syndrome.
Occasionally, LASIK may result in a loss of your ""best"" correctable vision, which refers to the highest level of vision you achieved while using contact lenses or eyeglasses. It's crucial to find an experienced surgeon who is transparent about their own complication rates, avoid deal shopping, and ensure that they’re truly a good candidate.
Symptoms like diminished vision at night or in situations of low contrast (like fog), double vision, glare, starbursts, or halos, where you see spots or flashes of light. Headaches or eye strain, due to overtreatment.

Are there alternatives to LASIK Surgery?

If LASIK is not a suitable option for you or if you have concerns about its risks, there are alternative procedures to consider.
1. PRK Eye Surgery:
PRK was the primary vision correction surgery before LASIK. It provides similar results but differs in approach. Instead of creating a corneal flap, PRK removes the outermost layer (epithelium) of the eye before using a laser to reshape the cornea. The recovery time is longer, taking about a week, and it can be painful. However, PRK is considered a safer option for individuals with thin corneas or higher prescriptions.
2. LASEK combines elements of LASIK and PRK. Like PRK, it involves applying the laser to the corneal surface without cutting a flap, making it a safer choice for thinner corneas or higher prescriptions compared to LASIK. LASEK is less painful and has a quicker recovery time than PRK.
3. Implantable Contact Lenses (ICL) involves placing a permanent acrylic or silicone implant behind the iris to correct vision, eliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses. For individuals over 60, lens replacement surgery (similar to cataract removal) can also serve as an alternative to LASIK. However, these procedures are considered more risky and are recommended only when LASIK is not suitable. Intraocular procedures like ICL can potentially lead to complications such as glaucoma, intraocular bleeding, or cataracts, unlike LASIK, PRK, or LASEK.