9 Must-Know Facts About LASIK Eye Surgery

Are you considering LASIK eye surgery to stop relying on eyeglasses or contact lenses? Free and clear eyesight may seem lovely, but there are many factors to consider before making a decision. 

We’ve compiled the top 9 LASIK facts to assist you as you navigate through this complex procedure. We’ll give you useful information about the operation’s details, potential side effects, and recovery time for LASIK eye surgery. 

This blog will educate you about the benefits of LASIK, finding a trustworthy surgeon, potential alternatives to the surgery, and other helpful information. Keep reading to learn all the essential aspects related to laser vision correction.

Fact 1: What is LASIK?

Laser eye surgery has been a recognized medical process since the late 1980s. Lately, more and more people have started choosing LASIK as their preferred laser surgical procedure. To help understand why this is so: all laser eye surgeries are not necessarily LASIK, but every LASIK procedure must use lasers to correct vision.

The key factor that makes it stand out from other treatments lies in its specialized ultraviolet light which vaporizes targeted cells without causing any harm to the surrounding tissues.

With such precise and effective results, no wonder people prefer it over traditional methods. This is why it’s called a “cool laser.” Eye surgeons can fold back the top of the cornea and target mapped tissue beneath, vaporizing superfluous material. Afterwards, they refold the flap so that improved focus is granted.

Fact 2: LASIK Eye Surgery Benefits

• Enhanced Vision – Not surprisingly, the most prominent benefit of getting laser vision correction surgeries such as LASIK is improved eyesight. Even though there is no promise that you will have perfect sight post-surgery, approximately 96% of those who undergo a LASIK procedure successfully achieve good vision. Those who don’t still observe noticeable enhancements in their visual clarity and reduced dependence on eyeglasses or contact lenses.
• Quick Healing – Generally speaking, it takes 24-36 hours for your eyes to heal unless any unforeseen issues arise with the flap positioning. You won’t need annoying bandages either and will be able to return to work or drive quickly.

• Safe – Laser vision correction is as safe a procedure as it has ever been, yet the flap technique still carries with it some potential risks which one must be aware of.

Fact 3: Risks of LASIK Surgery

• Dry Eyes – This particular problem can last for days or weeks. It occurs when the reduced sensitivity of the eye nerves brought on by the laser procedure prevents your eye from sensing its need for lubrication. As a result, you might experience uncomfortable, dry, and itchy eyes.

• Complications With Flap – The flap technique is by far the riskiest aspect of LASIK eye surgery. The procedure is fiddly, and the flap is extremely thin and fragile. This indicates that there is a chance of problems like the flap wrinkling up, causing distorted vision, the flap becoming displaced, the flap breaking or being incomplete in some manner, and debris getting caught under the flap.

Fact 4: Alternatives of LASIK

The four alternatives to LASIK are Refractive Lens Exchange Surgery, Epi-LASIK, LASEK, and Phakic Intraocular Lens Implants.

• Refractive Lens Exchange Surgery – Those who are ineligible for conventional corrective surgery may benefit from the option known as refractive lens exchange surgery. The original lens must be removed with a laser before an IntraOcular lens can be put in its place. The eye’s capacity to concentrate is enhanced once the surgery is finished.
• Epi-LASIK – Epi-LASIK is less intrusive than conventional LASIK, similar to LASEK. To remove the epithelial from the interior eye, a plastic blade is used to raise it. The interior corneal tissue is then reshaped using a laser. A protective contact lens is placed in the eye after the resizing is complete to aid in the eye’s recovery.
• LASEK – During this process, an alcohol solution is used to soften the cornea’s exterior covering so that it can be removed. The use of a laser is delayed until the cornea needs to be reshaped. This technique is less intrusive and has a low infection rate. The drawback is that the healing process takes longer than with a standard LASIK treatment.
• Phakic Intraocular Lens Implants – A patient is not eligible for LASIK if they have a lens that cannot focus. A suitable substitute is phakic intraocular lens implants. Nothing is cut or peeled back from the eye during this process. There are also a few tiny undamaged areas of the cornea. A plastic or silicone artificial lens is placed in the eye between the retina and iris to improve the eye’s capacity to focus.

Fact 5: How To Find A Trustworthy Hospital & Surgeon

Remember the following pointers before finalizing a hospital and surgeon for LASIK:

• It’s important to distinguish between the different risks and benefits of each medical procedure, as they may vary depending on the device used, or even the experience level of your surgeon.

• Do not make your decision solely based on cost and don’t be quick to settle for the first eye center or doctor that you research. Remember that your decision will significantly impact your life, so it is advisable to exercise patience and think it through meticulously.

• Exercise caution when dealing with eye centers that make enticing declarations such as “20/20 vision guaranteed”. It’s critical to understand that there are never any definite assurances in medical treatments.

• It is crucial to read through the handbook supplied by the manufacturer of your doctor’s device — used for refractive procedures — to familiarize yourself with its use. Your physician should be willing and able to supply you with this document, as well as discuss their success rates compared to those found within it. This will ensure that you understand any potential complications before agreeing on a procedure plan.

Fact 6: Is LASIK Eye Surgery Painful?

No, the LASIK eye procedure is painless. Your physician will put numbing eye drops in both of your eyes just before the operation. You might feel a little pressure while undergoing this procedure. It is normal to experience a mild itching or burning feeling in your eyes after the operation, but it will subside.

Fact 7: How Long Does LASIK Eye Surgery Take?

The time it takes to complete the LASIK process on each eye varies greatly depending on your condition. Your LASIK treatment will likely take less than 10 minutes per eye, with the actual laser correction only taking place for 25 to 100 seconds of that total time. For people who are worried or concerned about the risk of laser vision correction, this is a very comforting piece of information.

Fact 8: LASIK Recovery Time

The immediate recovery phase of the surgery typically lasts six to twelve hours, but it differs from patient to patient and depends on several variables. After having vision correction surgery, the majority of patients see properly within 24 hours, but some require two to five days to recuperate.

Fact 9: LASIK Eye Surgery – Side Effects

The common side effects of LASIK surgery are given below:

• Light Sensitivity – Most people experience some light sensitivity immediately following the treatment. Following the operation, it is advised to wear sunglasses because this issue can occasionally last for a few days.
• Discomfort – Your eyes will begin to feel pain in the first 30-45 minutes following the treatment. The early healing phase is the worst portion of the post-LASIK recovery process. The best course of action is to go home and go to bed before the discomfort sets in.
• Scratchy & Itchy Eyes – Patients frequently experience scratchy, itching, or alien body feelings in their eyes for a few days. With each passing day, these feelings typically get better. When those feelings arise, artificial tears are ideal for making your eyes feel comfortable.

• Vision Fluctuations & Halo – It’s crucial to understand that your eyesight probably won’t be “perfect” by the following day. Following any treatment, the body has a normal inflammatory response reaction. They are the causes why patients frequently experience halos at night and minor fluctuations in vision as their condition heals.

• Dry Eyes – Any LASIK candidate should anticipate experiencing dry eyes as a side effect. The process interferes with the eye’s normal mechanism for producing tears. To replace the moisture loss, most patients use artificial tear drops.

Conclusion

To summarize, LASIK eye surgery offers a reliable method for enhancing eyesight. Remember the significance of selecting a reputable facility and Ophthalmologist, and be mindful of any possible side effects like dry eyes and light sensitivity. 

Ensure thorough research and planning to achieve your desired LASIK outcome smoothly.

FAQs

Q. Is LASIK surgery painful?

No, LASIK eye surgery does not hurt. Just before the procedure, your doctor will administer sedatives to both of your eyes. You may sense some pressure during the procedure, but you shouldn’t experience any kind of pain.

Q. How much does LASIK cost?

The cost of laser vision correction for both eyes can range from Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 80,000. Your preoperative meeting will decide the precise cost estimate because each patient’s unique situation may affect the price.

Q. Mention some alternatives to LASIK.

Refractive Lens Exchange Surgery, Epi-LASIK, LASEK, and Phakic Intraocular Lens Implants are the best LASIK alternatives.

Q. How long do LASIK’s advantages last?

Your frontal eye tissue is forever changed, and these changes persist throughout your lifespan. However, the majority of individuals experience vision loss as they mature naturally. Your vision may deteriorate once more as you grow up, and LASIK cannot stop this.