The Criteria for LASIK Eye Surgery
In order to have LASIK eye surgery, your eyes must be healthy. Eye conditions like dry eye syndrome and pink eye (conjunctivitis) can cause healing to take longer and create a poor response to the surgery. Your eyes should also have a cornea that is not too thin. Since LASIK eye surgery is used to reshape the cornea (the front surface) of your eye, a thin or misshapen cornea can lead to poor results following surgery. Your pupils cannot be too large. Some people have naturally larger pupils. This condition often results in halos, glares, or starbursts following LASIK eye surgery. Finally, in order to have a successful LASIK eye surgery, your prescription must be within a set limit to have the surgery performed. These are the most important guidelines to consider before you visit for LASIK surgery. To learn more about the specifics regarding these criteria, visit our office.
How LASIK Eye Surgery Works
If you are approved to undergo LASIK eye surgery, your likelihood of having amazing results is good. Before your surgery, you will be administered numbing eye drops. These drops will prevent any discomfort. You could also receive a mild sedative to keep you calm and relaxed during the surgery. While in surgery, a small laser or tiny mechanical surgical tool will be used to create a thin flap in the cornea. The flap will gently be folded back to access the underlying layer of the cornea called the stroma. Some of your corneal tissue will be removed with another laser. The laser beam will remove tiny amounts of tissue so your cornea can be reshaped to better focus light on the retina. This process will greatly improve your vision.
Following your surgery, you will need to be driven home. You may experience slight burning or itching, but these side effects will be minor and will dissipate quickly. You may also notice blurry vision or haziness right after your surgery, but this is a normal part of the healing process. Within a few days or a few weeks, your healing should be complete. A day or two after the surgery, you will visit again so we can test your eyesight and approve you for returning to work or driving. Typically, your results will be significantly improved eyesight, and you may even achieve 20/20 vision, if not better. Depending on your eyesight before the surgery, results will vary.
For most patients, LASIK eye surgery has exceptionally high success rates. If you are experiencing poor eyesight that is age related, you should consider visiting to learn more. We can help you better understand what to expect from your surgery and how it can improve your life.
