Posted by: OptiVision Eye care in LASIK
What does everybody want to know about LASIK surgery? We believe that there are three basic frequently asked questions about LASIK that patients always want answered. Of course there are countless other questions about wearing contact lenses before LASIK, which technology is best, and what happens during the surgery. The list goes on and on. We will answer many more FAQs in future posts, but today let’s delve into the three really essential facts that everyone should know if they are considering having LASIK: 1) who is a good candidate, 2) is LASIK safe, and 3) how quick is the recovery time. If you are a busy person, and most of us are, these three basic LASIK FAQs seem to be universal and the first ones our patients ask.
Who is a Good Candidate for LASIK?
LASIK corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, but some patients are surprised to learn that not everyone with these common refractive errors is a candidate for LASIK surgery. There are some key requirements as well as certain situations and eye conditions which would disqualify you.
In order to be absolutely sure you are a suitable candidate and therefore can expect great results, there are two pre-requisites: you should always have a thorough LASIK examination prior to surgery, and find an experienced and skilled LASIK surgeon who can determine if you are a good candidate. These two very important ingredients will significantly reduce your risk of any complications.
To be a good candidate for LASIK:
o You should be at least 18 years old with a stable prescription
o Be in generally good health and free of certain eye diseases
o Your cornea should be thick enough to have LASIK
o Be free of autoimmune diseases and certain kinds of diabetes
o You cannot be pregnant or nursing
o Have reasonable expectations
The dilated eye exam and extensive tests will rule out any conditions that would prevent you from having LASIK. Women who are pregnant need to wait until they have completed nursing. Some of the tests include an evaluation of the shape and thickness of your cornea, your pupil size, along with a complete medical history and a review of your medications.
Is LASIK Really Safe?
If LASIK surgery is performed on the right patients by a skilled and experienced LASIK surgeon, you can expect an extremely safe procedure with great results. Millions of patients have been treated over the last several decades with high satisfaction rates and with less than 1% of patients having had any vision reducing complications.
The US military, astronauts and first responders are all approved for LASIK, so that speaks to the overall safety of laser vision correction.
How Long does it Take to Recover after LASIK?
This is a question everyone asks and most are surprised by the answer. Recovery from LASIK surgery is amazingly fast. The primary reason that LASIK became so popular was its fast recovery time. If you have your surgery performed on a Thursday or Friday, most patients will be back to work on Monday and many can see well enough to drive and go back to their normal activities the very next day. That’s the “wow” factor in LASIK.
There is no anesthesia and no down time other than the day of surgery. You will be instructed to return home to take a nap and rest for the remainder of the day. Expect to have scheduled follow up visits so the doctor can monitor your healing and make sure there are no underlying problems.
That does not mean that you are completely healed in a matter of days. Over the next few weeks and months your vision may fluctuate as you heal, but as long as you follow all the post-operative instructions, you can resume most normal activities within a day or two.
If you are considering LASIK surgery contact the eye specialists at OptiVision Eye Care for a consultation or more information.
