Ready to toss the costly contacts, or ditch donning those cumbersome, fragile specs once and for all? Maybe you’ve been seriously considered getting Lasik eye surgery in Orange County for some time, but were confused about the potentially daunting details involved in the (quite simple) common eye correction procedure, or just want to brush up on the basics before meeting with renowned medical expert, Dr. Ghosheh. Either way, after this mini vision-fixing crash course, you’ll be sure to see things in a much different light.
What exactly is Lasik eye surgery?
Lasik is the surgical procedure where a cool, non-thermal beam of light (laser) gently reshapes the surface of the eye (cornea) to vastly improve vision. The laser removes tissue fragments and debris to flatten the cornea (correcting nearsightedness), greaten the cornea (correcting farsightedness), or smooth out abnormalities (correcting astigmatism). In laymen’s terms, Lasik reshapes the cornea so it can aptly and efficiently focus images onto the eye’s retina for precise, sharp vision.
I’ve also heard of PRK surgery. What is the difference between PRK and Lasik?
Generally speaking, both PRK and Lasik are forms of refractive eye surgery. PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) specifically corrects nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hypermyopia), as well as astigmatism. Predecessor to Lasik, their difference lies in the surgery’s initial steps. End results of PRK are arguably analogous to Lasik, but with significant regard to recovery, which is substantially slower with a PRK procedure. With PRK, it takes a few extra days for the eyes’ new epithelial cells to regenerate and cover the entire surface of the eye, whereas with Lasik, patients experience considerably less discomfort, while their newly improved sight stabilizes rather quickly, usually within a day or two.
Is Lasik safe?
FDA deems and certifies Lasik to be safe, proven, and highly long-term effective. Minor complications, such as dry eye and nighttime glare or “halos,” are to be expected during the recovery phase and dissipate within a few days or sooner. At most, more serious implications of Lasik, such as the possibility of blindness, are less than one percent, reportedly.
Can both eyes undergo Lasik at the same time?
Yes, as this is the most common protocol.
Does Lasik hurt?
No pain or major discomfort should be felt during the Lasik procedure. However, expect your medical professional to administer anesthetic drops to eyes prior to the process. Once procedure concludes, light pain medication may be prescribed, and is contingent on the patient’s medical history and/or if they happen to experience any discomfort.
How long does Lasik take to perform start to finish?
The entire process takes less than 15 minutes per eye and is done on an out-patient basis.
How do I know if I am a candidate for Lasik?
Your eye care professional can assess your candidacy and if Lasik will yield your desired outcomes. But, here are a few key notes worth mentioning:
- Demonstrate no signs of eye deficiencies/diseases, such as glaucoma, cataracts, infection, or severe dry eye affliction
- Be 21 years of age or older
- Possess stable vision over the last year
- Not be pregnant, nursing, or suffering with hormonal fluctuations
- Possess no degenerative or autoimmune disorders
When can I resume driving or operating machinery?
You may resume driving a vehicle, riding a bike, or operating machinery as soon as your vision completely clears, sans blurriness or nighttime glares. But, usually, the aforementioned activities should be avoided the day of your Lasik surgery.
When can I return to work?
Usually, you can resume work the following the day after your Lasik eye procedure.
Can I wear makeup?
Refrain from wearing any eye makeup to your Lasik procedure, but you may resume your normal beauty routine the next day. Be sure to toss old products to avoid possible infection.
What sort of side effects can I expect from having Lasik surgery?
Following your much-anticipated Lasik procedure, you can expect a bit of dry eye, but nothing too serious that cannot be remedied using OTC eye drops. Also, as mentioned earlier, you most likely will experience nighttime glaring or “halos” until the newly-corrected cornea adjusts.
Is Lasik eye surgery permanent?
In most cases, resoundingly improved eyesight results are permanent. However, in limited instances, some vision abnormalities can resurface, resulting in frustrating blurriness. Also, eyesight can naturally change and decline with the onset of the aging process. So, you should not ever need to resort to prescription eyeglasses and/or contact lenses like you did before your Lasik procedure, considering the process goes well.
For a consultation towards clear vision, or to clear up any questions you may have, contact Laser for Eyes today. We are standing by to answer any of your concerns, and to help you get your vision back to where you want it. Join our growing family of happy customers who trust us with their eyes.