What to know about LASIK

There are a number of things you should understand before having LASIK because it is a life-altering decision. It's crucial to have a thorough understanding of every aspect of the procedure so you can be ready for both before and after the operation. Performing changes on your vision will have effects that will be remarkably noticeable for the rest of your life, therefore it’s vital to get the basic facts upon LASIK and visiually effective procedures before acting for any kind of operation.

In this article we will discuss:

• How is LASIK performed?
• Do I qualify for LASIK?
• Is my age an issue for LASIK?
• What about LASIK safety?
• Is LASIK painful?
• How long does LASIK surgery take?
• Just how precise is LASIK?
• What if I blink or move while it's happening?
• Final words
• FAQ

How is LASIK performed?

An excimer laser is used in the laser vision correction procedure known as LASIK (laser in situ keratomileusis) to reshape the cornea and correct a variety of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

A thin surface flap of your cornea is first created by your Mediranco surgeon using a precision femtosecond laser or a tool called a microkeratome; this process takes a few seconds. A swift, cool ultraviolet light is then applied by the excimer laser, which has been pre-programmed with your precise correction, in order to precisely remove a very small amount of tissue from the inner portion of the cornea. By adjusting the cornea's curvature, these quick laser pulses enable images to be sharply focused on the retina. The flap is then quickly bonded back into place in the original position, usually within three to five minutes, restoring a smooth, intact surface. There have been almost 20 years of LASIK procedures.

Do I qualify for LASIK?

The outcome of a thorough preoperative evaluation will determine whether laser vision correction is necessary. Each eye needs to be examined carefully and individually using the best technology, just like you are an individual who is unique. To determine if you are a secure candidate for laser vision correction, Mediranco has a carefully planned evaluation. You should be aware that not everyone is a good candidate for LASIK. Some prerequisites are as follows:

• a two-year minimum stable prescription for glasses.
• At least 20/40 best corrected vision is required.
• clear cornea.
• no ongoing eye conditions.
• over the age of 18.

Is my age an issue for LASIK?

Although there isn't a set "maximum age" for laser vision correction, we would first need to make sure that your eyes are in good general health and that cataracts or another eye condition aren't the root of your vision problems. Your vision must be steady before deciding whether to move forward with laser vision correction. You might require reading glasses after treatment, depending on your age. By their mid-40s, almost everyone requires reading glasses. Presbyopia is the term for this.

Refractive surgery has no impact on the development of presbyopia, which is a natural change in the eye's lens. If you currently wear bifocals or reading glasses, you will continue to require them after having LASIK. Monovision is a surgical option for correcting refractive errors. A monovision procedure corrects the patient's dominant eye for distance vision while leaving their non-dominant eye slightly nearsighted. This maintains some near vision clarity but is not a substitute for reading glasses.

What about LASIK safety?

LASIK has received FDA approval as a secure and reliable procedure. But it's important to keep in mind that not everyone should get LASIK. Some individuals are not good candidates and may not respond well to treatment. You must undergo a thorough pre-operative evaluation to ascertain whether LASIK is the best option for you.

Is LASIK painful?

No. The procedure itself causes no discomfort. To completely numb the eye, many anesthetic drops will be administered to you. You might feel a slight pressure around your eye, and for a few hours following the procedure, you might experience what some of our patients describe as a gritty or lash-like sensation in their eye. However, most people report feeling very little pain. If you require a prescription, we will write one for you; however, most people only require some rest and Tylenol or Advil.

How long does LASIK surgery take?

The actual procedure usually only takes ten minutes or less per eye. The laser itself only needs 20 to 50 seconds to correct your vision, depending on your prescription and the degree of correction required. On the day of surgery, however, you should anticipate spending about an hour and a half in the office.

Just how precise is LASIK?

LASIK is very accurate, according to clinical data from the FDA and our own experience with Mediranco's Results. With the vast majority of our patients, Mediranco Surgery Center achieves excellent results thanks to careful consideration of your needs and a thorough preoperative evaluation. Approximately 1 in 10 patients may require a retreatment in one eye despite our cutting-edge technology and expertise to achieve their best uncorrected vision. This is due to the fact that we are dealing with human tissue, and every person's eye will heal in a different way.

What if I blink or move while it's happening?

Despite the fact that we all have these worries, we take precautions to make sure that blinking or moving is not a problem. You won't be able to blink because your eye will be held open with a holder supporting your lid. The holder is put in place just before the procedure and taken out just as quickly. Another frequent worry is staying still while receiving treatment. Your head can rest securely but comfortably on the back of the laser bed thanks to its contoured headrest and indent. Your surgeon will gently hold your head in place while performing the procedure to keep you steady. In order to ensure that the treatment is precisely centered, he also employs a focusing mechanism. Your only task is to keep an eye on a blinking target light.

While you are doing this, the laser's computer will be keeping an eye on your eye position using its tracking system. As everyone's eyes move slightly throughout the procedure, the eye tracker modifies the laser treatment to match those movements.

Final words

The most popular and well-known laser refractive procedure to treat vision issues is LASIK eye surgery. LASIK, also known as laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, is an option to glasses or contact lenses. You must have all the information you need to address your questions and concerns before deciding to undergo LASIK. To get assistance, you can always get in touch with Mediranco support.