9 Frequently Asked Questions About LASIK
If you are considering having LASIK surgery, you may be anxious about the procedure. Below we will resolve certain questions concerning LASIK surgery, with the aim of helping you to calm your mind. Lasik is a very common procedure and there are many benefits of Lasik in addition to the freedom of not having to wear glasses and no longer having to visit a Michigan optometrist.
1. Does LASIK hurt?
As opposed to what you may have heard, Lasik is not very painful. Before starting LASIK surgery, your eye surgeon will place anesthetic drops in your eyes to avoid pain during the procedure. Most patients experience a slight sensation of pressure while the laser shapes the cornea.
2. Can LASIK be performed on both eyes at the same time?
Of course, LASIK surgery detroit produces an almost immediate improvement of vision, in addition, the healing time is minimal, and therefore this procedure can be performed in both eyes during the same surgery. The laser is used in each eye for less than 60 seconds. If the patient prefers to have one eye treated at a time, it is certainly possible, but it is rare for patients to take this route as there is no benefit. Even during Monovision Lasik where each eye is set to a different prescription, they are treated in one procedure.
3. What happens during the procedure?
First you must meet the requirements for Lasik candidacy. After applying anesthetic drops to your eyes, the eye surgeon makes a very thin flap on the surface of the cornea. Then uses a cold laser to mold the cornea; The remodeling of the cornea will depend on your specific prescription. Subsequently, the doctor places the flap in its place and repeats the procedure in the other eye. It is important to keep in mind that high-quality LASIK providers perform all laser procedures, using lasers to create the flap and shape the cornea. Other providers perform the flap with a scalpel.
4. Is anesthesia used during the procedure?
As mentioned above, anesthetic drops are administered before the procedure. Sometimes, the eye surgeon may administer an oral medication to help patients stay relaxed and calm down during the procedure. LASIK surgery does not require needles or intravenous drugs.
5. How long does LASIK take?
One of the most surprising aspects to patients about this procedure is the speed with which it is carried out. LASIK surgery takes less than 15 minutes once the patient is in the treatment room. However, the laser is used for less than 60 seconds per eye.
6. What happens if I blink or move my eye during the procedure?
During the procedure, the Michigan Lasik surgeon will use a small speculum to keep the eyelids open; so blinking is not a concern. Some patients may experience some discomfort when placing the speculum. The patient must focus his vision in an intermittent light during the procedure. During surgery, uncontrollable eye movements are expected, however, the advanced lasers used for the LASIK procedure include an eye tracker, which follows these movements to ensure accurate delivery of laser pulses. If you choose a contact lense implant vs Lasik your experience will be very different
7. Will I be able to see right after the procedure?
Most patients notice an immediate improvement in their vision after LASIK surgery. Naturally, you will experience some intermittent blurred images immediately after the procedure, but this usually goes away in a few hours. This is much different than the results of michigan cataract surgery which can be much more complicated.
8. Will my eyes hurt after the procedure?
The days after the procedure, you may experience a decrease in the production of tears that can cause dry eyes, eye redness, and itching, some patients may also experience sensitivity to light as well as flashers and floaters in their vision. However, you should keep in mind that this is part of the normal healing process. Medicinal eye drops are usually used for a week after surgery, the surgeon may also recommend the use of artificial tears to help control eye dryness.
9. Are there any side effects of LASIK?
After LASIK surgery patients may temporarily suffer from dry eye syndrome, which can be treated with the use of artificial tears without a prescription. Other rare side effects (<3%) include:
- Fluctuating vision
- Difficulty with night driving due to halos
- Sensitivity to light
An attentive and experienced Michigan eye surgeon will take the time to answer these nine questions and any additional questions you may have.
Keep in mind that patients who undergo a photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) procedure experience more discomfort and their vision takes longer to stabilize than patients who undergo a LASIK Surgery in Michigan.
