Is LASIK and its benefits worth doing?
The treatment of vision problems such as farsightedness or nearsightedness can be done with LASIK. The procedure is reliable and fast. The idea of needing eye surgery is scary. To reshape the cornea underneath, the procedure requires a tiny cut to its surface. This procedure isn’t for everybody. Is it worth it?
Why get LASIK eye surgery?
Clear Vision Free of Glasses/Contacts
The best thing about LASIK is that you can no longer wear glasses or use contact lenses. It will be much easier to forget your glasses and contacts, not have to search for them in the mornings. The outdoors and sport can be enjoyed without glasses. LASIK lets you live the active life you want. Because you do not have to buy new glasses or contact lenses every year, LASIK can be very cost-effective.
Patients are often amazed by how simple LASIK is and how much it can improve their vision. With LASIK, you can now enjoy many activities previously associated with careful planning and costly equipment.
LASIK may be the right option for you if you’re tired of using contact lenses and eyeglasses. LASIK is a refractive procedure that treats the eye.
LASIK is a highly-respected surgery. People are generally happy with the results, and they have not experienced complications that might cause loss of vision. Although some side effects can be common (e.g. Dry eyes, temporary visual disturbances like glare), they are very rare. They are usually temporary and resolve in a matter of weeks or months.
Vision issues corrected with LASIK eye surgery
Myopia (nearsightedness). Nearsightedness is when your eyeball appears slightly bigger than usual or the cornea curves excessively. The light rays can blur distant vision by focusing on the retina. However, it is possible to clearly see distant objects from close-by objects.
Hyperopia (farsightedness). Hyperopia (farsightedness) is a condition where your eyeballs are shorter than average and your cornea is flatter than normal. The light will then focus on the retina instead of behind it. It can blur near and distant vision.
Astigmatism. The cornea’s irregular shape can cause astigmatism. It can disrupt the focus of near and distant vision.
Why not get LASIK Eye Surgery?
LASIK is not advisable if:
Your eye condition causes your corneas to be bulging or thinned, or if your family has a history with this condition
You have decent overall vision.
You have severe nearsightedness
You have thin cornea or very large pupils
You have blurred vision caused by age-related changes to the eyes. Many people over 40 are considered unsuitable. This condition occurs when the cornea is too rigid to permit close-up vision.
You are involved in contact sports that may include blows to the face.
Your doctor might not recommend LASIK surgery if any of these conditions exist:
Immunosuppressive drugs and HIV can cause autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis. Refractive surgery can be prevented from the body healing as it should. This includes HIV, Lupus and rheumatoid.
Some medications may pose a danger to laser vision correction. Corticosteroids and certain acne medication can affect the healing process.
If you’re involved in contact sports such as boxing, wrestling, or Mixed Martial Arts then LASIK might not be the right option for you. You may have PRK, or other laser vision correction option that may be okay for you.
LASIK is not recommended for those with dry eye syndrome. Dry eyes may cause severe post-Lasik symptoms and discomfort. Dry eyes may also cause a slower healing. This does not necessarily mean someone suffering from dry eyes can’t have Lasik. To determine the severity of your dry eye condition, you will need to have it evaluated by your healthcare provider. Dry eye medications may be prescribed to some patients prior to Lasik surgery.
Recent vision problems are due to medications, hormone changes, pregnancy, nursing, or age.
You may have eye conditions such as eye inflammation, eye injury, corneal disorders or lid disorders.
Some of the risks involved in LASIK surgery:
Dry eyes. LASIK surgery may cause a temporary drop in tear production. Your eyes may feel dry for up to the first six months following surgery. Your vision quality can be affected by dry eyes. Your eye doctor may recommend that you use eye drops to treat dry eyes. Dry eyes may even require special drops.
You can have double vision, halos and glare. You may have difficulty seeing at night after surgery. It usually lasts a few days but could last up to several weeks. You may experience double vision, increased light sensitivity and halos around bright lights.
Even though you may have excellent visual results, your ability to see in low light conditions (such as fog and dusk) could be worse than it was before surgery.
Undercorrections may result. If the laser is too harsh, you won’t get the clarity that you desire. Nearsighted individuals are more susceptible to needing under-correction. You may require another LASIK procedure within a year to remove more tissue.
There might be occasional incidence of overcorrections. The laser may cause excessive tissue destruction. Overcorrections may prove more difficult to fix than those that are corrected.
Astigmatism is rare, but may happen. Astigmatism can be caused by uneven tissue removal. Additional surgery may be necessary, as well as glasses or contact lenses.
There could be flap problems. Flap problems may occur when the flap of the eye is pulled back from the front. It can cause infection or excessive tear production. The flap could be damaged if the corneal outer tissue layers grow beneath it.
There is a chance of regression when your vision slowly changes back to the original prescription, called regression. It is rare.
Vision loss or changes are very rare. Surgery complications can cause vision loss very rarely. Other people may not see as well or as sharply as before.
So, Are you a candidate for LASIK eye surgery?
When it comes to LASIK, there are no correct or incorrect answers. Take into consideration all points and your preferences and risk tolerance, as well as realistic expectations. Before making a decision about LASIK, consult an eye surgeon who is experienced. Go ahead if it feels right. If not, do it slowly.
LASIK Colorado Springs is proud to have the top LASIK surgeons in the country and use the latest technology to deliver exceptional vision results. To receive the personal care that you need, book a consultation with one our LASIK eye physicians in Colorado Springs. To determine whether you’re a candidate, our eye doctors will examine your medical history.