Deciding on something as crucial as eye surgery is not easy. It is a preconceived notion that eye surgeries are stressful and extremely painful. When, in fact, they have become safer and quicker procedures with great results over time. LASIK eye surgery is one sure-fire procedure that has been a breakthrough in the field of eye treatments is LASIK eye surgery.
In this blog post, we have explained important factors about LASIK eye surgery, how it is performed, its recovery time, and how it effectively treats various eye defects.
What is LASIK Eye Surgery?
LASIK eye surgery, or “laser-assisted in-situ keratomileuses,” is probably the most commonly performed eye surgery to treat myopia (near-sightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism. The corrective surgery is done by creating and folding a thin flap in the eye so that the tissue below can be remodeled with a laser. It eliminates the dependency of the patients on their reading glasses and contact lenses. LASIK is much safer than wearing contact lenses since lenses have their disadvantages as well. Wearing contact lenses can cause eye infections, dry eye, and allergies if not taken care of properly. The LASIK surgeon can also remove cataracts and replace them with artificial lenses. It is a pain-free refractive surgery that helps in correcting various vision deficiencies. You can be assured of clear vision post-surgery.
Advantages of LASIK
Quick & pain-free procedure: LASIK is neither a painful surgery nor a lengthy one. It is quick and is completed in just few minutes. You may experience mild discomfort and flash and dry eyes for a period of two days, after which your vision will become clear.
Cost-Efficient Solution
When you consider LASIK, you are not only gifting yourself a clear vision but saving in the long term. This is because you would not be spending on prescriptions, broken frames, contact lenses, and solutions, etc. The cost of these adds up over the years and can all be avoided with LASIK.
A permanent Solution
It is a permanent procedure with a very low percentage of a follow-up procedure called a LASIK enhancement, usually performed to restore clear vision. The LASIK procedure is safe, with no long-term complications.
It helps Get Rid of Eyeglasses and Lenses
LASIK is exclusively done on people who suffer from myopia (near-sightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. This surgery is a boon for them as it eliminates the use of eyeglasses and contact lenses as they can see clearly after it.
Safe Procedure with High Success Rate
According to the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, LASIK has an incredible success rate, with 96% of patients achieving 20/20 vision or even better. It has insignificant surgical risks.
Speedy Visual Recovery
Patients recover immediately after their surgery. There are no bandages or stitches, which helps them revive quickly. They can resume their normal schedule within 24 hours of their surgery.
Complications After LASIK Surgery
There are lesser chances of developing any eye complications after undergoing LASIK treatment. However, you might feel temporary complications while seeing, which are recovered within two weeks post-treatment.
The potential risk factors of LASIK surgery are:
Poor sight at night
After the LASIK surgery, some individuals reported having unclear vision at night, making it difficult to see when the light is dim. But the condition is recovered within a few days of the treatment. The risk of developing double vision after the surgery is also common.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism after the LASIK surgery occurs due to mistakenly removing the tissue. The condition is rare, but anyone who goes through it may require to have another surgery.
Eye infection
Since a flap is folded or removed from the eye, there are chances that the person might develop an eye infection. During the healing time post-surgery, if the corneal tissue starts growing abnormally, it results in flap complications.
Overcorrections & Undercorrections
Overcorrections occur when too much tissue is removed from the front of the eyes during LASIK, while Undercorrections occur when too little tissue is removed during the surgery. During both complications, you might not be able to get the expected results.
Who is at Risk After LASIK?
There is no age limit for treating your eye defects with LASIK; anyone can undergo the treatment if the person has no underlying health issues. After consulting your ophthalmologist about the LASIK treatment, he will guide you if you are the right candidate to undergo LASIK surgery. He will also explain the potential complications one might get after the surgery. He will also stop you from undergoing the surgery if you have the following conditions:
- Weak immune system
- Autoimmune or chronic disorders such as diabetes or arthritis
- Pregnant & Breastfeeding females
- Eye injuries or an eye disease
- Age-related changes in the shape of the eye
- People who do contact sports
LASIK Eye Surgery Recovery Time
After the surgery is performed, you might feel tears or itchiness in your eyes and even develop blurred vision. Since LASIK is not a painful treatment or requires any suturing, the recovery time of the treatment is lesser, and you will soon get the results you are hoping for. After the treatment, you will be given eye drops or certain medications to speed up your recovery. Within two to three months, your eyesight will be stabilized, and you can see with clear vision. You will also be required to visit your doctor after two to three days after the surgery for an eye examination. However, you might have to wait a few weeks to apply makeup products around your eyes and refrain from contact sports. You will also have to prevent yourself from putting pressure on the eyes, such as rubbing.
Cost of LASIK Surgery
As you have decided to choose LASIK as your ultimate resort, you must be concerned about the cost of the LASIK surgery. The expenses involved in the process depend upon a lot of factors such as location, equipment, experience of the surgeon, etc. Also, it is important to know that most insurance providers do not cover the expenses of LASIK treatment
LASIK surgery is considered one of the most expensive surgeries, which is also associated with follow-up appointments, medications, enhancements, etc. Your surgeon might use an ultra-advanced technology that adds to your total LASIK expenses. LASIK costs between $1000 to $4000 per eye, varying in different localities.
Is LASIK Surgery Safe?
As stated earlier, LASIK is a safe surgery with no more than 1% of serious complications. However, if you are not ready to undergo the surgical treatment or are afraid or uncomfortable with it, you may take out some time to think about the multiple benefits LASIK offers over glasses or contact lenses. You need to talk to your ophthalmologist about the LASIK surgery, its potential risks, and most importantly if you have the right credentials to undergo the laser surgery.
We understand that any surgical process brings with it potential risks, but these are quite rare. It is worth your investment to look at the benefits of LASIK. However, LASIK might not work for you if you have a chronic illness or take certain medications. The healing process might get delayed under such conditions, and the results might not be satisfying. LASIK is one of the most popular choices today for permanent and painless vision correction. Though it is a safe treatment, you should consult an ophthalmologist to check the degree of astigmatism and the health of your retina and cornea in your lifestyle.
Bottom Line
Consult your family ophthalmologist or an experienced surgeon for LASIK. Make sure you tell the surgeon your medical history. Talking to your eye care professional will help you get more information on correcting your vision permanently. LASIK can be your most convenient way to see clearly.
Author Bio
Aaron Barriga works at Insight Vision Center, an Ophthalmology Center in California, as their Head of Digital Marketing and writes about eye health related topics to help readers with their vision problems. He also loves to learn about new advances in the eye and LASIK care and report his learnings back to his readers. He loves to travel to new places and has a unique hobby of collecting coasters from various bars and restaurants all over the world.
David Johnson is a versatile content writer known for his ability to breathe life into words and create engaging narratives on diverse subjects. With a passion for effective storytelling and a keen eye for detail, David crafts content that resonates with readers and sparks their curiosity. He is dedicated to delivering high-quality, informative, and enjoyable content, making him a respected voice in the digital landscape. Beyond the keyboard, David enjoys exploring the outdoors, immersing himself in literature, and finding inspiration in everyday experiences.
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