Is LASIK A Permanent Procedure?

December 29th, 2020

Considering getting LASIK? This is not something you’ll regret.

With one simple, quick procedure, you can have the clear vision you’ve always wanted. Your days of needing contact lenses and glasses could be over!

LASIK is a life-changing experience, but there are a few things you should know before undergoing the procedure. Keep reading to learn more about LASIK!

LASIK is Forever

The first thing you need to know about LASIK surgery is that it’s permanent. That means that the vision correction you experience after the procedure will be with you for life. A lifetime of clear vision awaits you on the other side.

LASIK Only Corrects Current Eye Conditions

LASIK corrects your vision, but not other eye conditions. It also can’t prevent other eye conditions that may occur in the future.

This includes presbyopia, cataracts, and glaucoma. As your eyes age, these conditions can develop.

These eye conditions can often cause some vision loss. It’s important that you understand that LASIK cannot prevent vision loss from natural eye diseases and conditions.

While LASIK is permanent, it is not preventive. Many LASIK patients do end up developing eye conditions that cause loss of vision, but not all.

If you never develop cataracts or glaucoma, then you can still expect to have clear vision for life.

What Makes LASIK Permanent?

Vision problems occur if you have an irregularly shaped cornea. During LASIK, you’ll have your corneas reshaped.

This is how LASIK corrects refractive errors. These include things like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

You’ll have your corneas reshaped using a refractive laser. During the procedure, your surgeon will make a small incision on your cornea. The refractive laser will reshape your cornea through this incision.

There’s no pain during LASIK thanks to numbing eye drops you’ll receive before the procedure starts. You may feel some slight discomfort when your eyes are gently held open, but it only lasts for a second or two at most.

LASIK Candidacy

Not everyone is able to undergo LASIK eye surgery. There are certain candidacy requirements that you need to meet.

There are also certain eye conditions that can make you a bad candidate for the procedure. These are all gone over during your LASIK consultation.

Ultimately, your eye doctor will be the best judge of whether you are a candidate for LASIK. Talk with your doctor if you are interested in getting LASIK, even if you have one of the following conditions.

Dry Eye Syndrome

Recovering after LASIK requires that your eyes be healthy. It also requires that your eyes have enough natural lubrication.

This can be challenging if you have dry eye syndrome as your eyes do not produce enough quality tears. Dry eye syndrome that isn’t managed can rule out your LASIK candidacy, at least in the short term.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma occurs when pressure builds up inside your eye. This can make it dangerous to undergo LASIK.

Speak with your ophthalmologist about glaucoma surgery if you know that you have glaucoma. This will have to happen before undergoing LASIK surgery.

Healthy Corneas

LASIK surgery involves reshaping your corneas. That means that your corneas must be healthy and at least .05 mm thick to undergo the surgery.

Ready to experience the life-changing procedure that is LASIK? The first step is a LASIK consultation. Schedule yours today at the Laser Eye Center in Huntsville, AL!

If your dream is visual freedom, why not consider LASIK?