At Eye Consultants of Texas, we know that LASIK surgery is a big decision, so we expect you to have lots of questions. As one of the most reputable LASIK eye surgery practices in the Fort Worth and Dallas area, we’re here to help. In fact, your peace of mind is extremely important to us in providing the best LASIK experience possible. To help you get started, we’ve included here some of the most common things our patients usually want to know. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to call us.
What is LASIK Eye Surgery?
LASIK stands for “laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis.” This eye surgery is a common refractive procedure designed for patients who struggle with moderate levels of common eyesight problems, such nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. LASIK is the most popular and well-known refractive procedure for correcting these types of vision problems.
The LASIK Procedure
LASIK is an amazing surgery that takes around 15 minutes. The entire process, from your arrival until you head home after your procedure, usually takes about an hour. During the LASIK procedure, your surgeon uses a highly focused laser to create a tiny flap in the cornea. Your surgeon then uses the laser to craft the shape of the cornea. This enables light to properly focus on the retina to correct the problem causing your focus difficulties.
The LASIK Procedure in More Detail:
- Preparation: Eye drops are applied to numb your eyes. Some patients are also given an oral sedative medication to help them relax and make it easier to sleep when they get home. Don’t worry about keeping your eyes open during the procedure. When you’re relaxed and ready, a lid speculum is gently placed to keep your eyelids open.
- Accessing the Cornea: Your eye will be stabilized, creating a mild pressure sensation. Your surgeon will then create a thin flap in the cornea to access it. The flap is created using our femtosecond laser, which is less invasive than a surgical blade, then folded back.
- Reshaping the Cornea: Using our computer-controlled excimer laser, your surgeon directs pulses of light at the eye to precisely reshape your cornea.
- Replacing the Flap: Once your cornea has been reshaped, the final step is to replace the corneal flap, which heals on its own with no stitches required.
Benefits of Laser Eye Surgery
- Your vision will begin to improve immediately after the procedure.
- No bandages or stitches are required, although it’s common to wear a bandage contact lens for comfort immediately after surgery.
- Most patients experience no pain during their LASIK procedure. Patients usually have a dramatic decrease in the need for glasses after LASIK surgery, and most don’t need glasses or contacts at all to see objects at a distance. During FDA trials for the Alcon Wavelight Refractive Suite that we use, 100% of patients achieved 20/40 vision without glasses (minimum legal driving vision without glasses) and 94.5% achieved 20/20 without correction.
Although LASIK results are permanent, your eye prescription can change over time. A follow-up procedure can address this if you desire an enhancement.
Is LASIK really better than glasses or contacts?
Our patients often see better without their glasses or contacts than when they wore them before surgery. Now, consider the “nuisance” factor associated with wearing glasses and contacts. There’s the need for regular checkups to update your prescription. Glasses can break, get misplaced, and downright be uncomfortable. You have to put contacts in, remove them, and use saline solution. Not to mention, you have to get on your hands and knees if one falls out. All of this can put a damper on work, sports, recreation, and life in general. Simply put, LASIK is designed to help to free you of that day-to-day dependence on glasses and contacts.
Who is a Good Candidate for LASIK Eye Surgery?
Like any procedure, LASIK is not for everyone because each patient is different. In general, a good candidate for LASIK:
- Is 18 years of age or older
- Has healthy corneas
- Hasn’t experienced any significant prescription change within the past year
Other factors could determine your eligibility as well. Overall, a comprehensive dilated eye exam is the best way to determine your candidacy for LASIK. One of our experienced doctors will discuss these matters with you at your first appointment. An extremely high percentage of LASIK patients achieve improved vision and are happy they made the decision to have LASIK performed.
Is LASIK Safe? Are There Side Effects?
LASIK is considered a highly safe, effective procedure. Approximately 600,000 individuals undergo this procedure every year, according to the United States Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Still, as with any surgery, LASIK comes with some risks, and your doctor will discuss them with you prior to your surgery. These can include:
- Sensitivity to glare
- Seeing halos around bright lights
- Double vision
- Dry eyes
- Flap issues, such as infection, excessive tears, and swelling
- Flap complications
- Infection
Is LASIK Painful?
Patients are often surprised that their LASIK procedure was quick, easy, and didn’t hurt, with most reporting little or no discomfort during surgery. The numbing drops and sedatives we provide will help you feel more comfortable during your procedure and after you get home.
After surgery, your eyes may itch, burn, or be watery, and your vision will be blurry at first. There is little, if any, pain afterward, and your vision recovers very quickly (your individual risks will be discussed at your consultation). For more information regarding the risks and benefits associated with the Wavelight® Refractive Suite treatment, please visit Wavelength Refractive Suite or www.fda.gov.
How long does it take to recover from LASIK surgery?
It’s important to have someone drive you home after your LASIK procedure. Once you get home, we want you to rest your eyes and sleep.
Typically, LASIK recovery time doesn’t take very long. During recovery, your eyes may itch, burn, or perhaps tear up more than usual for a few hours. These are normal during the healing process. You’ll be asked to use preservative-free artificial tears and medicated eye drops to prevent infection and to aid in healing. We’ll need you to return to us the next morning after surgery so that we can check your eyes. Most patients can drive themselves to this first appointment, but it’s always a good idea to have a backup plan. In addition, most patients can return to work and resume many of their usual activities as soon as the next day. However, you should avoid swimming or submerging your head and face in the water for a couple of weeks. UV sun-protection sunglasses are strongly encouraged for all LASIK patients for the first six months after surgery.
If you’re not a LASIK candidate, you may still quality for other effective vision correction options that we offer including Photorefractive Keratectomy, or PRK. Our doctors can explain this to you in a way that’s informative and easy to understand. Call our office in Grapevine at 817-410-2030 to schedule an appointment or schedule online.
