LASIK Eye Surgery

LASIK-What Does It Mean?

LASIK is actually an acronym that stands for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. OK, now that you know what it stands for (do you really?) here is what it is and what it does.

What Can LASIK Surgery Accomplish?

LASIK is a type of refractive surgery performed by ophthalmologists using specialized lasers. LASIK normally corrects myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism. Myopia means near-sightedness, where a person can see objects that are close-up but has difficulty focusing on things in the distance. Conversely, hyperopia means that a person is far-sighted, that is, they can see objects that are far away but have trouble focusing on things that are close. Astigmatism causes a distortion of vision, where a person may experience an overall blurriness. Many people who are near- or far-sighted also have some degree of astigmatism.

Following successful LASIK surgery, many people (but not all) will be able to finally get rid of their glasses and contact lenses. Imagine how great it would be to wake up in the morning and be able to see the alarm clock WITHOUT putting on glasses. Even better is being able to play your favorite sport without corrective lenses of any sort. Swimming without contacts, tennis without contacts, golf, football, baseball…well you get it…all without wearing your cumbersome glasses or irritating contact lenses.

LASIK eye surgery is now one of the most common elective surgeries performed in the U.S. With new advances in technology, more people are becoming prime candidates for laser eye surgery. Even if you weren’t a good candidate for laser refractive surgery in the past, new surgical techniques may allow you to now have this miraculous surgery.

So Just Who IS a Good Candidate for LASIK?

If you are over the age of 18, have had a stable eye prescription for at least one year, are in general good health and have no eye conditions that may prevent post-surgical healing, you may be a good candidate for LASIK surgery. In addition to these criteria, your corneas must be of a certain minimal thickness to allow the surgeon to make the flaps needed for the procedure. However, there is another type of laser refractive surgery that people with thinner corneas may be excellent candidates. This is called PRK; instead of flaps, the surgeon actually gently abrades the surface of the cornea to achieve corrected vision. I know these both sound gruesome and painful; more about this later. Of course you will check with your ophthalmologist about what surgery is right for you but, for your information, my cornea (and my son’s), were too thin for LASIK. We both had PRK and are both very happy with the results.

Is LASIK Surgery Really Safe?

I know, it’s your eyes and the idea of anyone cutting or abrading them leaves you slightly light-headed. Relax, after ten years of clinical trials, the FDA approved LASIK surgery equipment in 1995, that’s almost 15 years of excellent surgical results following ten years of testing; that’s about 25 years of LASIK surgery experience. Complications following LASIK are actually less than one percent, less than the risk associated with wearing contact lenses!

What to Expect During & After My LASIK Surgery ?

Prior to your LASIK surgery, your surgeon will put in eye drops to numb your eye/s (no needles, I promise). He may also administer a mild sedative to calm your nerves. You will lie down on a comfy chair (like in the dentist’s office), look up at a “target” of sorts & that’s it. In anywhere from five to fifteen minutes, both eyes will be surgically corrected.

Your vision will be improved immediately following your procedure and will continue to improve for weeks or even months. You will be given post-surgical instructions and instructed as to when you should return to the doctor’s office for your check-ups. That’s it, in a nutshell.

Please click on the form on this page to receive more information about LASIK and other forms of laser refractive surgery. I guarantee you will be happy you did.