If you currently wear glasses or contact lenses, you know how frustrating it can be to have less than perfect vision. Without your corrective lenses, you’re left with blurry vision that can make everyday life challenging. Thankfully, a procedure known as LASIK is available to help correct your vision and prevent the need for glasses or contact lenses. This procedure has been around for many years and works to correct your vision using a laser-guided surgical technique. Here are some of the basics of this procedure and how it can help.
What is LASIK?
LASIK uses a guided laser to reshape the cornea of your eye, which improves the way that your eye focuses external light rays onto your actual retina. The procedure is done quickly in-office and requires minimal recovery time. Millions have already had LASIK surgery done and are thrilled with the results that they’ve been able to achieve. Most patients are able to achieve either 20/20 or 20/40 vision, preventing the need for glasses or contacts. Some patients may still need to wear corrective lenses when reading or driving, but this will vary from one person to another.
Is LASIK Right for You?
In order to be eligible for the LASIK procedure, you need to be at least 18 years of age and have diminished eyesight. Certain prescription drugs can interact with the procedure and reduce recovery time. For this reason, it’s important that you speak with your ophthalmologist at Boston Laser to ensure that you’re still a viable candidate to have the procedure completed in-office. You should be healthy enough to undergo laser surgery and should have had an eye exam within the last year. During a consultation at Boston Laser, we can determine if LASIK is right for you. Most patients who want LASIK surgery can easily have the procedure completed.
What to Expect with LASIK
A complete eye exam is required prior to having LASIK done at Boston Laser by one of our certified ophthalmologists. A thorough consultation is done prior to the procedure, as this is the best time for you to ask any questions you may have. You will need to sign a consent form that addresses any concerns relating to the LASIK procedure during this time.
A special anesthetic that numbs the eye is all that is needed to perform LASIK surgery. This is in the form of an eye drop, so it is comfortable and noninvasive. The procedure itself takes just 10 to 15 minutes for each eye, so you will be completely finished in about 30 to 45 minutes. During the procedure itself, a small suction cup is used to keep the eye in-place. A laser is guided to reshape the cornea and the small area that was affected is reattached as needed. No stitches are required, making the procedure easy and quick for most patients who are choosing to have it done.
Recovery and Aftercare
The recovery time for LASIK is very quick, but it’s recommended that you take a few days off of work to give your eyes time to rest and heal. This is especially vital if you work a job that requires you to be staring at a computer screen for hours a day, further drying the area. Special eye drops may be needed to keep the eyes moist while they heal. It’s important not to drive until your vision has been restored. It might be essential for you to make several trips back to the Boston Laser offer in order to have aftercare checkups and make sure you’re recovering well.
Schedule a Consultation
LASIK is an excellent option to restore your vision without the need for corrective lenses. To get started on discussing whether LASIK is best for you, contact our office by calling or filling out our online form.
