5 Things You May Not Know About LASIK
April 10th, 2023
LASIK is a highly safe and effective minimally-invasive laser procedure. Over half a million adults choose the procedure each year, and the majority are able to obtain excellent vision afterward.
Keep reading to learn six things that you may not know about LASIK!
1. LASIK Can Reduce or Eliminate the Need for Glasses or Contact Lenses
LASIK reshapes the cornea, the dome-shaped transparent protective outer layer of the eye. The result is permanent vision correction.
After LASIK, you will be able to experience greater visual freedom. The amazing results of LASIK will allow you to have reduced dependency on visual aids like glasses and contact lenses and will not reverse over time.
2. Recovery Time Can Vary
The actual LASIK procedure is relatively short, typically under half an hour for both eyes. While you’ll be able to see after LASIK, your vision will be blurry.
You’ll need someone to drive you home, and it’s recommended that you rest after the procedure. Your individual recovery time depends on how you feel and any side effects you may experience.
Some people return to work the next day, while others take an extra day off. If your job involves heavy lifting, it’s advised that you take additional time for recovery, as any physical strain can increase the risk of complications.
3. Not Everyone is a Good Candidate
Like any surgery or treatment, there are guidelines for patients considering LASIK. The ideal candidate is eighteen or older, in good health, with moderate nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.
It’s also important that your eyes are healthy and free of eye conditions, eye injuries, or eyelid disorders. Other eye conditions that can make you ineligible for LASIK surgery are:
- Dry eyes
- Large pupils
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
- Inflammation such as keratitis
- Infections such as herpes simplex
Individuals who play contact sports that involve facial or eye impacts are also typically not good candidates for LASIK.
4. LASIK is Permanent and Does Not Wear Off
LASIK corrects your refractive errors at the time of the procedure. However, as you get older, your near vision may grow blurry due to other changes in your eye.
For example, presbyopia commonly begins in your early to mid-forties as it becomes harder to focus on objects up close. Another natural process of aging is cataracts, which everyone will experience at some point in their life.
LASIK will not prevent you from having vision changes due to other eye conditions such as these in the future. So although you may experience years of clear vision thanks to LASIK, the procedure does not protect you from blurry vision caused by other conditions.
5. LASIK Technology Has Evolved
With advancements in the field, the precision of LASIK has been enhanced by computer imaging and modeling. For advanced practices like Laser Eye Center, LASIK is now a blade-free procedure.
A new system called iDesign, approved by the FDA, produces high-resolution scans of your eye in great detail. These scans are then used to measure the shape of the cornea and map out a surgical plan during the LASIK procedure.
Another option is iLasik, the safest, most technologically advanced laser vision correction procedure available. iLASIK combines the Advanced CustomVue treatment with the IntraLase Method, a 100% blade-free approach.
These types of advanced technology can provide a better visual outcome and allow you to have a safer procedure.
Are you interested in learning more about LASIK, including if you may be a good candidate for the procedure? Schedule an appointment at Laser Eye Center in Huntsville, AL, today!
