Lasik is a beneficial treatment that can restore and improve your vision. Lasik surgery is an alternative to glasses and contacts. The procedure utilizes a special type of laser to change the shape of your cornea to improve your vision. Many people have a variety of questions about the procedure, including wondering how long does Lasik last? Below you will find more information on Lasik and the benefits of the procedure.
How Long Does Lasik Last?
In most cases, the improvements from Lasik are permanent. This means that you no longer have to carry around your glasses or contacts. While some cases may require retreatment, it is rare. Oftentimes retreatment is due to progressive eye conditions and age. This is because Lasik cannot stop the effects of aging that impact your eyes, nor can it stop progressive eye conditions that can impact your vision.
What Does Lasik Treat?
Personalized Lasik treatment can improve your vision and your day-to-day life. Lasik can correct the three main types of errors in vision. The three types of refractive errors are caused by issues with your cornea and retina. Your cornea is the transparent outer layer of your eye. The retina is found in the back of your eyes. When light passes through your cornea, it will bend to focus on your retina. This process is called refraction. Refractive errors occur when the cornea doesn’t bend correctly.
The three types of refractive errors are astigmatisms, nearsightedness, and farsightedness. An astigmatism causes blurry vision due to an issue with the shape of the front of your eye. Nearsightedness (also referred to as “myopia”) occurs when your eyesight is good when you look at objects close up, but blurry when the objects are far away. Farsightedness (also referred to as “hyperopia”) occurs when your eyesight is good when you look at objects far away, but not when they are up close. Each of these issues can be corrected through Lasik treatment
Lasik Treatment
For those interested in Lasik, the first step is setting up a consultation. During the consultation, you should ask any questions you have and get all of the necessary information needed to make your decision. If you are a good candidate and decide to move forward, your procedure will be scheduled. The procedure itself is very fast and often takes less than twenty minutes for each eye. It is not painful, and you will be awake the entire time. Sedative medication may be provided to help you relax during the treatment. This is often discussed during the consultation so you are prepared on the day of treatment.
The procedure itself begins with anesthetic eye drops which numb your eyes. During the procedure, your eyes are held open with an eyelid holder. A small flap on the outer layer of your cornea is made with a laser. Lasers are used to reshape your cornea, which results in improved vision. This flap is then lifted so your cornea can be reshaped. Once complete, the flap is placed back in the natural position it was in (pre-incision). You may experience some irritation post-procedure, such as itching or burning, but that should subside within a short time. The recovery period is also very fast as most people can see results within the first 24 hours. You will need to attend a follow-up appointment to ensure your eyes are healing properly.
Orange County Eye Surgeon
If you are concerned about your vision and tired of dealing with contacts or glasses, consider Lasik at Advanced Eye Medical. Contact the Dr. Ghosheh, the top Orange County eye surgeon, for a consultation today!