LASIK eye surgery is a popular elective procedure that uses lasers to reshape the transparent outer layer of the eye and improve vision. It was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1999, and since then, it has become one of the most sought-after surgeries, with doctors performing around 600,000 procedures a year. As people age, their vision begins to decline, regardless of whether they choose LASIK surgery or not. According to Dr.
Robert Maloney, an eye doctor who performs laser vision corrections, this decline never goes away. Patients need about a day to recover after surgery. Some may experience tearing, mild irritation, and tenderness on the day of surgery, but these side effects will go away after 1 to 2 hours as the eyes heal. Normal activities can be resumed the day after surgery, but swimming and wearing eye makeup should be avoided for about 2 weeks.
Most people who undergo LASIK surgery will have good to excellent vision in most situations for many years or decades. This means that you can practice sports and swim without having to worry about your glasses or contact lenses. However, you may still need to wear glasses as you age or find yourself in low light conditions. Additionally, you only need to see your eye doctor for regular annual eye exams instead of additional appointments to keep your prescription up to date. If you pay a few hundred dollars for eyeglasses each year plus a few hundred more for contact lenses, contact lens supplies and an annual visit to the eye doctor, LASIK could pay for itself in just a few years.
It also offers freedom from the constant maintenance of eyeglasses or contact lenses for those who are retired or are still active members of the armed forces. Before undergoing LASIK surgery, your eye surgeon will ask you detailed questions about your eye health and evaluate them to make sure you don't have any conditions that could cause complications or poor results from the surgery. This is especially important for those who may have presbyopia, in which the lens of the eye stiffens and makes it difficult to see up close (LASIK alters the cornea, not the lens).The healing time of a LASIK procedure is usually 24 to 36 hours unless there is a complication due to the placement of the flap. With each pulse of the laser beam, a small amount of corneal tissue is removed, allowing the eye surgeon to flatten the corneal curve or make it more pronounced. Dry eye is a fairly common condition that seems to be more prevalent in patients who choose LASIK eye surgery and its effects can last for days, weeks or even months in severe cases. That could require a conversation between doctor and patient since a second LASIK surgery has increased risks and different risks. Another lifestyle benefit of Lasik surgery is the freedom to travel without the hassle of wearing eyeglasses and contact lenses.
If you're tired of wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses, you may be wondering if LASIK surgery is right for you. Ultimately, it's important to discuss your options with your doctor so that you can make an informed decision. LASIK eye surgery offers many benefits that can improve your quality of life. It can provide improved vision without glasses or contacts and can save money in the long run by eliminating the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses. Additionally, it offers freedom from having to constantly maintain eyeglasses or contact lenses and allows people to travel without worrying about their vision. Before undergoing LASIK surgery, it's important to discuss your options with your doctor so that you can make an informed decision about whether this procedure is right for you.
With proper care and maintenance after surgery, most people who undergo LASIK will have good to excellent vision in most situations for many years or decades.
