If you’re tired of the inconveniences of prescription lenses, LASIK can offer a life-changing solution.
LASIK is a safe and effective procedure that can enable qualified candidates to experience life with sharp, clear, unaided vision, oftentimes even better than glasses or contacts! According to the American Refractive Surgery Council, LASIK boasts a 96% satisfaction rate—one of the highest of any elective procedure. Most patients say they wish they’d done it sooner. Keep reading to learn more about the 4 benefits of choosing LASIK!
LASIK is a type of refractive surgery that uses a laser to correct vision problems caused by the way light focuses in the eye. Laser surgery effectively treats these focusing problems which include nearsightedness, astigmatism, and farsightedness.
During your LASIK procedure, your vision correction specialist/ surgeon will:
Apply numbing eye drops to ensure you remain comfortable throughout the procedure
Give you a mild sedative to help you feel more at ease
Place an eyelid support device so that you don’t need to worry about blinking
Use a precise femtosecond laser to create a thin flap in your cornea
Use a laser programmed with your eye measurements to reshape your cornea. This involves improving the corneal tissue curvature enabling it to focus light precisely onto your retina
Carefully smooth the flap back into position. The flap starts healing almost immediately and continues to strengthen over the next several days.
The procedure takes about 15 minutes or less, and you can work most desk jobs the next day!
Some of the many benefits of having LASIK, include:
LASIK recovery is quick and straightforward. Most patients notice an improvement in their vision within hours post-procedure.
After 24 to 48 hours, eyesight is usually good enough to return to most of your regular activities, except swimming. Most surgeons recommend approximately 2 weeks out of the water Although vision does fluctuate over the first several weeks, your daytime and nighttime vision stabilizes dramatically within the first month. Some patients may require additional therapies, or eye drops to improve the recovery process and must let their surgeon and team know if they are experiencing any side effects.
LASIK permanently improves the shape of your cornea, resulting in long-term vision improvement over decades. With modern day technique and appropriate preoperative screening, the need for additional laser treatments, or enhancements, is less than 5-10% over a twenty plus year history.
It's important to remember that LASIK doesn't prevent age-related vision changes in your eyes. As you grow older, like anyone wearing glasses or contacts you will develop presbyopia, a condition that requires using reading glasses for up close vision. The condition is a precursor to the natural development of cataracts, or a clouding and stiffening of the natural crystalline lens within the middle part of the eye. Every human being whether they have had a vision correction procedure or not will develop cataracts. Cataracts always typically requires a procedure called cataract surgery to treat.
Importantly, these eye conditions are not caused by or side effects of LASIK.
LASIK can liberate you from the limitations of visual aids, simplifying your daily routine. With LASIK, there’s no need to worry about lost contacts, scratched lenses, or smudged glasses. Your mornings are simpler and evenings more comfortable.
No more waking up to a blurry, out-of-focus world. If you’re a runner, swimmer, or outdoor enthusiast, you know the hassle of glasses slipping off or lenses drying out. Lasik lets you live without limitations. .
Additionally, many patients report feeling more confident without glasses. From job interviews to first dates, LASIK can help you feel and look your best!
LASIK may seem like a luxury but it’s actually a smart financial decision over time. Even though the amount you spend on visual prosthetics might not look like much, over time, these expenses can add up quickly.
With glasses, you have to purchase frames, lenses, and add-ons like anti-glare and anti-scratch coatings. Glasses also require periodic replacement due to normal wear and tear.
When it comes to contact lenses, you’re constantly spending on refills and contact lens solutions. LASIK is typically a one-and-done procedure with a one-time investment.
This one-time investment pays for itself in only a few years compared to the lifetime costs of glasses or contact lenses. There are also various ways you can manage the cost of LASIK.
If you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA), you can use those pre-tax dollars to pay for LASIK. 0% financing options with low monthly payments and flexible plans can also help you cover the cost of your procedure, allowing you to spread the initial cost of LASIK over time.
With these payment options, you can get enhanced vision sooner without the wait. You can even combine two or more payment options, making it easier to afford a life- changing LASIK procedure.
One of the reasons modern day LASIK is so effective, safe, and successful is the strict candidacy guidelines and thorough consultations. To ensure adequate screening and informed consent, a trusted vision correction surgeon must be involved from start to finish. This means meeting and discussing your surgery in person with your surgeon, not an optometrist screener or technician. To be a candidate for LASIK, you must meet specific requirements, including:
Being at least 18 years old
Having corneas with sufficient thickness
Having a stable prescription for at least a year
Having a prescription within LASIK’s treatment limits
Having healthy eyes without conditions such as keratoconus, severe dry eye, certain eye infections, cataracts, or glaucoma
Having good overall health, free from certain conditions like poorly controlled diabetes and autoimmune diseases
Not being pregnant
Not having excessively large pupils
Ultimately, LASIK candidacy is often determined on a case-by-case basis. Prior to your procedure, you’ll undergo a thorough consultation with your fellowship trained cornea specialist surgeon.
They’ll review your medical history, evaluate your eye health, do a comprehensive eye exam, and perform various tests to determine if you’re a suitable LASIK candidate.
Trust the team at Providence Eye & Laser Specialists to help you see your world more clearly, free from glasses or contact lenses. When you're ready to take the next step, there are flexible ways to make a LASIK investment fit your budget.
Are you interested in LASIK? Schedule your LASIK consultation today to find out if LASIK is the right procedure for you.
