What You Need To Know About LASIK
Tired of wearing glasses?
We understand how uncomfortable and inconvenient it can be to wear glasses all day, especially if they don't fit properly or the frames are too heavy. Glasses limit peripheral vision and create pressure on the nose or behind the ears. Plus, you can add cost to the inconvenience if you lose or break them frequently.
Although you can wear contact lenses instead of glasses, they involve the risk of eye irritation and infections. Read this blog to learn about a refractive surgery called LASIK that will allow you to see clearly without having to use glasses or contact lenses.
What is LASIK?
Short for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, LASIK is a surgical procedure that corrects the eye's refractive power by reshaping the cornea (the clear, dome-shaped tissue at the front of the eye).
The cornea in an eye with normal vision bends light precisely onto the retina (the light-sensitive layers of nerve tissues at the back of the eyes). Your vision gets blurred when the cornea refracts light onto the retina incorrectly. LASIK can improve your vision by reshaping your cornea to provide the necessary refraction.
More precisely, LASIK can help correct the following eye problems.
● Nearsightedness (myopia). A person with nearsightedness can see nearby objects clearly, but distant objects appear blurry.The light rays end up focusing right in front of your retina, which blurs distant vision when your cornea curves sharply or your eyeball is longer than normal.
● Farsightedness (hyperopia). A shorter-than-average eyeball or a very flat cornea causes the light to focus behind the retina instead of on it, consequently making the near and distant vision blurry.
● Astigmatism. This condition affects the focus of both near and distant vision due to the uneven curve or flatness of the cornea.
Some potential advantages of LASIK include the following:
● Enhanced vision: LASIK can considerably improve visual acuity and decrease or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses.
● Quick recovery: Most patients experience notable improvements in their vision within the first few days or weeks after LASIK, with little to no downtime required.
● Long-lasting results: The results of LASIK are generally permanent, although some patients may experience some regression of their vision correction over time.
● Improved quality of life: Many patients report an improved quality of life after LASIK, with increased confidence, comfort, and convenience in their daily activities.
What to Expect From the Procedure?
During LASIK surgery, the surgeon uses a small laser to create a thin flap on the cornea's surface. The flap is folded back to access the parts of the cornea to be reshaped.
The surgeon then reshapes the cornea by removing tiny amounts of corneal tissue with an exciter laser, repositions the corneal flap, and leaves the eye stitches to heal naturally.
LASIK is a generally quick and relatively painless surgery performed on an outpatient basis. It usually takes less than 30 minutes. You may feel discomforting pressure on your eyes for a few seconds while the laser is applied and experience hazy or blurry vision for a short time after the surgery.
In general, most patients experience significant improvement in their vision the first few days after the surgery. However, it can take several weeks for the eyes to heal and stabilize fully.
During this time, your eyes may feel itchy and uncomfortable. Patients need to follow their doctor's instructions for post-operative care, such as using eye drops and avoiding certain activities that could increase the risk of complications.
Can Old Age Make You Ineligible for LASIK?
Eligibility for LASIK surgery depends on various factors, including the individual's overall health, the presence of any eye conditions, and the degree of vision correction required.
While there is no age limit for being a good candidate for LASIK, older adults are more likely to have overall health and eye conditions that may rule out the option of LASIK for them.
Here are the factors determining whether you are a good candidate for LASIK.
Age-related Eye Conditions
As we age, our eyes are more likely to develop age-related eye conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and dry eye syndrome. Eye doctors will need to evaluate the presence and severity of these conditions before determining if LASIK is appropriate for you.
Pupil Size
People with too large pupils are at higher risk of experiencing glares and halos after the LASIK surgery.
Cornea Thickness and Smoothness
Since the surgery involves creating a flap from the cornea, it may not be a safe or effective option for people with a too-thin or irregular cornea. It may not just compromise the outcomes of the surgery but also worsen your vision.
Overall Health Conditions
Some underlying health conditions more prevalent in older adults, like diabetes, may increase the risk of complications during the surgery or affect the healing process. Eye doctors must evaluate these conditions to determine if LASIK is safe for you.
Degree Of Vision Correction Require
LASIK can correct multiple refractive errors, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. However, there are limits to the amount of correction that can be safely and effectively achieved with LASIK.
If an individual has a very high degree of nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, LASIK may not be able to fully correct their vision. They may be better suited for other types of vision correction procedures. On the other hand, if a person has a very low degree of refractive error, LASIK may not be necessary or appropriate.
Ending Words
LASIK can provide clear vision without the need for glasses and contact lenses, but not everyone is a good candidate for this surgery.
Like all surgical procedures, LASIK also carries some risks and potential complications you should know about, including dry eyes, halos, glare, halos, and undercorrections or overcorrections of the refractive error. Conclusively, you will need a comprehensive eye exam and consultation with an experienced eye doctor to decide if LASIK is right for you. Feel free to explore the Healthy Vision Associationfor more information related to a healthy vision.