Posted by: LaserVue LASIK & Cataract Center in Category: LASIK,Technology,Vision Correction Questions
Since its invention in the 1990s, LASIK laser eye surgery has transformed millions of lives worldwide. With its quick and easy procedure time and quick visual recovery, it is one of the most sought-after corrective laser procedures. With its popularity and high success rate, many people wonder whether or not LASIK is right for them. Here is a closer look at how LASIK works, how it can improve your life through visual freedom, and why it might be right for you.
What is LASIK Eye Surgery?
LASIK is an acronym for Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis. It is a vision correction procedure that reshapes the cornea to curtail the need for eyeglasses and contact lenses. It is safe, effective, and accurate, with a very low risk of complications, which if they occur, are treatable and typically non-sight threatening.
LASIK can treat a broad range of refractive errors including:
- Farsightedness (Hyperopia) up to a +4.00 D
- Nearsightedness (Myopia) up to -12.00 D
- Astigmatism up to 5.00 D
This offers hope for millions of people suffering from poor vision. Not everyone is a great candidate for LASIK, but this is determined by your doctor at your initial consultation. Thankfully, with advances in laser surgery, there are plenty of alternative surgical options if LASIK isn’t right for you.
How Does the LASIK Process Work?
Using a Femtosecond Laser, your eye surgeon creates a thin flap from the cornea’s surface. The newly created flap is then lifted, and a second laser is then used to reshape the corneal tissue lying underneath to help correct the specified vision issue. After that, the corneal flap is set back into place.
The end result is that the cornea will be able to focus light more accurately on the retina, allowing you to see images more sharply. Moreover, while most patients see an immediate, dramatic improvement, their vision continues to improve over the next several weeks.
Should You Get LASIK?
Now that we know more about LASIK eye surgery and how it works, here are some tips to help you decide whether it’s right for you.
You may want to consider investing in LASIK eye surgery if:
You Are Seeking Visual Freedom In a Day
One of the top reasons to get LASIK is that you are seeking a quick recovery. There are several ways to treat eye issues, but very few of them provide you with instant, long-lasting results. Some people like the idea of potentially fixing their vision but are not ready to undergo the procedure immediately. However, when dealing with LASIK, most eye care professionals will be prepared to schedule your surgery immediately. Also, once the surgery has been completed, you may be able to go without your glasses or contacts from that point on.
Uncomfortable Glasses or Contacts
Another major reason to consider LASIK is that you’re tired of wearing uncomfortable glasses or irritating contacts. Although some may enjoy wearing glasses or contacts, many people grow to detest them for many reasons. Some of the reasons are that glasses can pinch, break easily, and can get in the way when trying to be active or engage in certain activities. On the other hand, contacts can be irritating; they can cause the eyes to dry out and more. Moreover, each of these has the propensity to cause headaches or dizziness. However, by investing in LASIK, you can typically ditch your glasses or contacts indefinitely.
Health Concerns
In keeping with that notion, you may also want to invest in LASIK if you have health concerns. For instance, if you are especially prone to headaches, vertigo, or migraines, wearing glasses may serve to trigger these issues and make them more severe. On another note, if you have allergies or other eye-related issues, wearing contacts can be highly uncomfortable. This is because they can cause dryness, redness, irritation, itchiness, eye infections, or even oxygen deprivation. If you already have eye issues, contacts can make them that much worse.
Self-Esteem Booster
Although some people look great in glasses, it makes others feel self-conscious. If you can relate to the latter, investing in LASIK is one of the fastest ways to fix your issue. LASIK can be the key to feeling free and loving your reflection rather than being forced to wear glasses that make you feel less than your best.
Athletics
Wearing glasses can interfere with your ability to participate in certain sports and physical activities. This is because glasses are fragile and can easily break in the midst of any given physical activity. One of the only methods of fixing this is by paying for specialized (often super expensive) athletic glasses. Alternatively, you can wear an (often highly unsightly) protective cover, which still isn’t guaranteed to prevent your glasses from falling and/or breaking. However, by investing in LASIK, you will be free to play all your favorite sports without worrying about losing your glasses or being injured by your contacts.
Your Job
Another great reason to consider LASIK is that you have a job that is not conducive to wearing glasses or contact lenses. For instance, police departments, fire departments, armed forces, and even many police programs tend to discriminate against the vision impaired. Rather than missing out on your dream job, investing in LASIK is a quick, easy method to allow you to fix your vision and continue to pressure your professional goals.
Frequent Traveling
Lastly, if you are someone who travels frequently, you may be growing tired of your glasses or contacts. This is because the more you travel, the more likely you are to lose, misplace, or even break your glasses or contacts. No matter if it’s on the plane or train, at the hotel, or in the airport bathroom, there is plenty of time in which you may put down your glasses or contact case and lose them forever. By investing in LASIK, you can make this issue a thing of the past.
Schedule Your FREE LASIK Consultation at LaserVue Today
Overall, if you are interested in LASIK, you are not alone. Millions of people have undergone this procedure, and millions more are simply waiting for the right time to have the procedure done. Whether you are a frequent traveler, highly athletic, have health concerns, or are trying to pursue a new career, investing in LASIK can be your key to visual freedom. However, since everyone has different circumstances and results, make sure you take the time to research and fully consider the pros and cons before scheduling your surgery.
Dr. Jay Bansal has performed over 25,000 successful LASIK laser eye surgery procedures for San Francisco Bay Area patients. If you’re asking the question, “Should I get LASIK?”, give the doctors at LaserVue Eye Center a call to schedule a free consultation today.
