Most people have heard of LASIK eye surgery by now, but many still don’t know that much about it. By becoming more informed, you can begin deciding if LASIK is right for you.
1. The basics:
LASIK stands for laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis. It is a type of refractive eye surgery that uses a laser to reshape the cornea and correct vision. Reshaping the cornea allows light to focus more precisely on the retina, instead of some point beyond or short of the retina. It is most fitting for people who are nearsighted, farsighted or those with astigmatism.
2. It’s been around for a while:
Laser vision correction has been widely available in the United States since the mid 1990s. The technology was first developed in the early 1980s, and the first patient was treated in the United States in 1987. No long-term side effects have been recorded from the procedure since its beginning.
3. The technology:
The surgeons at Illinois Eye Center use the Wavelight Refractive Suite, the latest, most advanced form of blade-free LASIK treatment available today. This laser is completely blade-free and is used to create the corneal flap, necessary to reach the cornea. An excimer laser is then used to reshape the cornea so that light can reach the retina properly, which corrects your vision.
4. Not everyone is a good candidate:
Not everyone has the type of eyes that can be corrected with LASIK. People with severe dry eyes, cataracts, certain corneal diseases and other eye conditions should not undergo LASIK. Additionally, your refractive error plays a role in whether or not you are eligible to receive the surgery. If you are highly nearsighted or showing signs of cataracts, you may not be a good candidate and may need refinements post surgery.
5. The best candidates are:
The ideal candidate for LASIK is 18 years of age or older, has a healthy cornea, and has not had a significant change in vision in the last 12 months. Your eye surgeon will perform a thorough eye exam to ensure your eyes are healthy enough to undergo LASIK, evaluating the shape and thickness of your cornea, pupil size, refractive errors and other eye conditions. The eye surgeon will also assess the moistness of your eyes, measure the front surface and create a map of your cornea.
6. How it works:
During the LASIK procedure, the surgeon uses a laser to create a flap in the cornea. The flap is folded back and the cornea is reshaped using a laser. If the patient is nearsighted, the cornea is shaped to be more flat. For farsighted people, the cornea is made steeper. Astigmatism can also be corrected with LASIK by smoothing an irregular cornea into a normal shape. After the cornea has been reshaped, the flap is laid back in place, and the cornea is allowed to heal naturally.
7. The Recovery:
LASIK is an outpatient procedure with very little recovery time. Post surgery, patients are prescribed eye drops to keep their eyes moist and prevent infection and inflammation. Patients should plan to have someone drive them home from surgery and return the following morning for a follow-up appointment. Patients will continue to follow up with their surgeon for a few months following the procedure.
8. Payment:
Although most insurance companies do not cover LASIK surgery, there are ways to make the procedure affordable. Payment plans are available, and LASIK finance companies offer payment plans or extend monthly payments for up to five years.
9. The right surgeon:
Finding the right surgeon for you is a vital step in the LASIK process. There’s no doubt that you want to feel confident in your surgeon’s ability and comfortable going into surgery. Look for an experienced, board-certified ophthalmologist and refractive surgeon, and ask questions regarding his or her experience and complication rate. You will also want to inquire about how many LASIK procedures the eye surgeon has performed. Lastly, find an eye surgeon that makes you feel comfortable and at ease.
10. Satisfaction stats:
LASIK patients in the U.S. report a 95.4 percent satisfaction rate following surgery, and 97 percent of LASIK surgeries are successful. Those are some pretty encouraging numbers!
Deciding if LASIK is right for you
can be a tough decision. By finding out all the facts and having your eye doctor determine if you are a good candidate, you can make an informed decision that you are comfortable with and confident in.
To schedule a LASIK consultation, call Illinois Eye Center at (309) 243-2400.