A LASIK Overview

LASIK is a delicate corrective procedure that is used to improve eyesight.  Not everyone is a good candidate for laser corrective surgery however for millions of patients, LASIK surgery is done with success. 

Basics In LASIK

Most people who wear glasses or contacts think about corrective surgery at one time or another. During the LASIK procedure a laser reshapes your cornea (the dome which is located at the front of the eye) to increase light rays focusing on the retina. 
Here are some things to consider before you schedule your Free LASIK, laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, surgery.  Consider the following:

• LASIK can’t be reversed.  It is a complicated surgery to a delicate part of the eye.
• Laser vision corrective surgery doesn’t come without possible complications or risks.
• Eye surgery is not for everyone; however, LASIK has been performed successfully on millions of people throughout the United States.
• Although many patients end up with near perfect vision but there is a chance that the LASIK procedure will not end up giving you perfect vision, it is possible to end up with slightly diminished precise vision.
  • 9 out of 10 patients end up with 20/20 and 20/40 vision – 20/40 vision is often not sharp enough for certain types of work.
• LASIK is used to correct distance vision. It is likely that patients may still require reading glasses in their 40’s.  LASIK is not used for correction or prevention of presbyopia which is an age-related loss of the eye being able to focus on objects nearby. 
• Nearsighted patients that don’t need reading glasses before the surgery might need them after.

LASIK benefits may decrease overtime.  In fact, more than 10% of patients may require a second surgery which is known as a retreatment.  This will restore the patients desired vision.  This process is more common in patients who had higher nearsighted or farsightedness or a higher degree of astigmatism. 

LASIK surgery is a procedure that is not covered under most insurance plans. For most candidates they can expect to pay up to $3,000 per eye for the LASIK procedure.
Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to suit your lifestyle and visual needs.  As a leader in laser vision correction and cataract surgery, our goal is to help you achieve the best vision possible without glasses or contact lenses.  More information can be found online at https://michiganlasik.com.

When Should I Have LASIK Performed?

No matter how young or old you are the health of your eyes is of the utmost importance. Our eye sight is an essential element in our everyday lives.   It is important to remember this when making decisions regarding your vision.  There are many choices when it comes to correcting issues with your vision such as eye glasses, contacts, and LASIK.  When choosing an option that is right for you a lot of people start to consider undergoing the LASIK procedure.  The thing most people are worried about is that they aren’t the right age to have the LASIK procedure performed.  If that is you, keep on reading.

What is the perfect age to have LASIK performed?

Ophthalmologists and LASIK surgeons both agree that a patients age means less than the stability of their vision when determining if they should have laser vision correction performed.  Patients that have has the same prescription for a period of time are most likely ready to have the LASIK procedure done.  This often occurs for patients in their twenties. 

Are there career benefits to LASIK?

Depending on your career, clear vision without the hindrance of eye glasses or contacts can be extremely beneficial.  Athletes are one category of individuals who would have an advantage with laser vision correction.  Contacts are not the same hindrance as eye glasses can be however there is always the concern about losing one or getting dirt in it while in the midst of an activity.

Can my eyesight continue to change one it has been corrected by LASIK?

Your vision can still change once the LASIK procedure is performed.  Laser surgery helps to increase your vision to its best but even after LASIK it can still continue to change naturally over time. Statistics show that about 10% of LASIK patients will need to have touch up procedures performed after LASIK is done. This is especially true the more drastic your vision correction was. 
If you are interested in finding out more about LASIK and how it can benefit you talk to family, friends, co-workers, and the people you trust for LASIK surgeon recommendations.  This allows you to narrow down providers before hitting the internet for reviews and scheduling consultations. 
Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to suit your lifestyle and visual needs.  As a leader in laser vision correction and cataract surgery, our goal is to help you achieve the best vision possible without glasses or contact lenses.  More information can be found online at https://michiganlasik.com.

Preventing Complications With Proper Care After LASIK

Eye care after laser vision correction is crucial in ensuring the success of your surgery.  Complications can occur with LASIK but are lessened with proper care before, during, and after the procedure.  One of the most important aspects comes just hours after the surgery.  It is recommended to rest for a minimum of four hours after surgery.  Take a nap and rest your eyes.  Some patients choose to wear protective eye shields. 

Eye shields are recommended to use when sleeping for the first few days after surgery to prevent unnecessary rubbing from occurring.  It is crucial to prevent any eye-rubbing while your eyes are healing after laser surgery.  It is important not to rush recovery which is easy to do since most patients experience a return in eyesight quite quickly. 
Post LASIK care has a great deal of importance, it is as important as the surgery itself.  In order to receive the most out of your LASIK experience follow the tips below.

• Plan Follow-Up Appointments:  Appointments will be scheduled to follow up with your eye doctor/surgeon during the first three months after the surgical procedure.  After this time period annual eye exams are necessary to ensure the health of your eyes. 
• Follow Your Doctor’s Orders:  Along with keeping follow up appointments with your LASIK surgeon it is imperative to schedule appointments with your primary eye doctor, ophthalmologist to keep up on changes in your vision.  Annual eyes exams allow future issues to be caught quickly and immediately.

LASIK Healing Timeline

• The First Week: Rest your eyes.  Use prescribed eye drops to prevent dry eyes, infection, and inflammation.  If you experience any issues, big or small, immediately call your LASIK surgeon.
• Months After: Continue to follow up with your eye doctor and report changes that occur during the healing process.  Monitoring the health, comfort, and vison changes of your eyes is necessary for preventing complications.

Returning to Normal After LASIK

For many patients they will return to work within a day or two of the LASIK procedure.  The restrictions below are a guide to follow until you are feeling ready to return to normal activities.

• Don’t drive until your LASIK eye surgeon says your vision has returned.  This normally occurs within a day or two.
• Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes all the time but especially the first week after LASIK.
• Use restraint in reading and computer usage for the first days after your procedure.
• Makeup should not be worn for at least a week after laser vision correction surgery.
• As stated above do not rub your eyes for at least once a month after LASIK.
• Exercise should be avoided for at least once a week. Contact sports should be avoided for a month.
• Patients should avoid swimming, hot tubs, or whirlpools for a week after LASIK surgery.
• Prevent dust and dirty environment to help eliminate the risk of getting something in your eye while your eye heals.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to suit your lifestyle and visual needs.  As a leader in laser vision correction and cataract surgery, our goal is to help you achieve the best vision possible without glasses or contact lenses.  More information can be found online at https://michiganlasik.com.