Exactly what is Lasik and PRK vision correction?
Michigan Lasik eye surgery is a procedure that utilizes a cool, non-thermal beam of light to carefully reshape the cornea, the surface of the eye, to correct refractive error and enhance vision. The laser removes microscopic tissue to flatten the cornea (to correct nearsightedness), steepen the cornea (to remedy farsightedness) and/or smooth out corneal abnormalities (to correct astigmatism).
The objective of a laser eye treatment is to reshape the cornea so it can better focus light onto the retina for sharper, clearer vision. LASIK and PRK are the 2 most popular forms of laser vision correction.
Am I a candidate for laser vision correction?
Your Michigan Lasik Specialist is the final decider in this factor, yet below are some general standards:
- Your vision should be stable for a minimum of a year before surgical treatment.
- You must have healthy and balanced eyes meaning no infections, cataracts, glaucoma, extreme dry eye or any other problem that may affect postoperative healing.
- Your hormone levels can influence the shape of your eye if you’re expecting or nursing. You should wait till your hormonal agents are back to regular levels before undergoing Lasik or any corrective eye surgery.
- You must be age 21 or older (There are exemptions).
- You may not have any degenerative or autoimmune condition, given that this would impact healing of the cornea after treatment.
Are LASIK and PRK safe?
The FDA acknowledges LASIK and PRK as proven, safe and effective. Laser vision correction utilizes a cool (non-thermal) beam that is often computer system managed. The surgeon switches the laser on and has the ability to stop it at any moment if something occurs. Numerous safeguards remain in place to minimize the threat of error. Nevertheless, dangers do exist to any surgery or medical treatment.
Although nobody truly knows the number of complications that have been seen with Lasik, studies show that the incidence of minor problems such as dry eyes and nighttime glare is around 3% to 5%, while the risk of major incidents such as lost vision is thought to be less than 1%. There are no recognized cases of loss of sight from LASIK or PRK. Again, results are usually very good. In order to minimize risk we recommend you have your procedure performed by a Michigan lasik eye surgery specialist with sufficient training and loads of cases under their belt.
Can I have both eyes treated at the same time?
It is very common that refractive surgeons carry out a LASIK treatment on both eyes at the same time. Since it takes longer for clear, comfy vision after PRK, lots of surgeons will wait a week or two in between eyes for PRK.
Is laser vision correction painful?
You should never feel discomfort during LASIK or PRK. Your Lasik surgeon will put anesthetic drops in your eye prior to treatment. Later, the doctor may prescribe pain meds if they are essential, yet for most they are not. Lots of LASIK patients report no greater than a mild discomfort for a day or two after surgical treatment. There is more pain after PRK due to the fact that the treatment exposes the deeper layers of the cornea. For clear and comfortable vision after PRK, protective surface cells need to grow back over the treated location. This procedure can take a week or 2, sometimes longer.
How long does LASIK take?
The laser treatment itself usually takes less than 60 seconds, while the entire procedure takes around 15 minutes per eye.
How is Lasik superior to previous types of refractive eye surgical treatment?
Current FDA-approved laser vision correction approaches, such as LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis), have a higher predictability positive results with a lower incidence of complications. Additionally, older methods usually included manual blade incisions rather than automated lasers as in Lasik.
What occurs prior to a laser eye treatment?
Your Michigan Lasik eye surgery specialist will give you a detailed eye examination to make sure your eyes are healthy as well as you’re an appropriate candidate for laser vision correction. He or she will certainly check for glaucoma, cataracts and also various other disqualifying problems. He or she likewise will certainly make use of a device called a corneal topographer to picture as well as digitally map your eye. The specialist will use this map to intend your surgery for the most specific outcomes possible.
What occurs on the day of eye surgery?
LASIK as well as PRK are outpatient treatments, which implies you’ll invest around an hour at the eye surgeon’s location. Somebody else needs to drive you home after surgery, since your vision will certainly be a little fuzzy right after the surgical procedure.
First, you’ll relax in a reclining chair. The surgeon will certainly put anesthetic eye drops in your eye, place your head under the laser and place an eyelid speculum (retainer) under your lids to gently hold your eye wide open.
In LASIK, the doctor creates a thin flap in the top of the cornea, folds it back, and then utilizes the Excimer laser to eliminate corneal tissue and then places the flap back in its original position. If you’re having PRK, no flap is developed. The excimer laser simply removes the external layer of the cornea (epithelium), which begins to grow back after the surgical procedure is complete.
Exactly what occurs afterward?
Your Michigan Lasik eye surgery specialist will put lubricating eye drops or ointment in your eye to aid in the healing process. You could kick back for a little while after that and stay home for the remainder of the day making sure not to put your body under any stress. You’ll most likely see clearer vision promptly after the procedure, and this will generally increase further as the week’s pass after surgery.
When can I go back to work?
The majority of people that have LASIK return to their functional lives the next day. With PRK, several Michigan Lasik Eye Surgeons suggest 2-3 days of relaxation before returning to work.
When may I go back to using make-up?
After Laser eye surgery, you could resume wearing make-up less than one week after your surgery. Toss out your old make-up as well to reduce your risk of catching an eye infection.
When may I return to driving?
You may return to your normal driving operations when you see all right, omitting the day you had LASIK or PRK carried out. Often the following day is ok.
Will I still have to visit the eye doctor after LASIK?
Depending on your surgeon’s safety practices, you will most likely return to visit them the next day after surgery for a quick post op visit ensuring a successful procedure. Another visit is common 1 week to 1 month later then a last visit 3 months down the road. If even more visits are necessary, your doctor will certainly let you know beforehand.
What type of side effects come with Lasik/PRK?
Some people may experience dry eyes after LASIK, which typically is relieved with lubricant eye drops as well as simply with time. In it is very rare, (less than 0.1%), that a patient’s vision does not become sharper as expected.
Will I still need glasses after LASIK or PRK?
While most individuals see very clearly without glasses after laser vision correction, you still might require or desire corrective lenses for sure activities (driving at night, for instance) if you have moderate recurring refractive error after surgical procedure but this is very rare when Lasik is performed by a highly experienced Michigan Lasik eye surgery specialist.
If you’re over age 50 as well as have indications of presbyopia, eyeglasses with progressive lenses will certainly provide you clear vision in all ranges and protect your eyes from dirt, particles as well as drying out from wind or air cooling units in the summer.
Since they safeguard your eyes from 100 percent of the sunlight’s UV rays and dim immediately in sunshine, photochromic lenses are advantageous. If you are sensitive to light after surgery.
What does it cost? Is laser vision correction very expensive?
There is no standard answer to the question “what does LASIK cost?” The costs of Lasik and PRK differ from one surgeon to another and differ even more greatly between patients. Costs vary from much less than $1,000 per eye to even more than $3,000 per eye. The average cost for all laser-based vision correction treatments in the united states is approximately $2,150 per eye. You should ask your Michigan Lasik Eye surgery Expert regarding the possibility of financing a procedure.
I have more questions regarding LASIK. Who should I ask?
The absolute best resource of info about LASIK and Lasek is a LASIK doctor, and a lot of them such as the Yaldo Eye Center provide 100% Free consultations for those interested in Lasik. All you have to do is make an appointment.
