LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is a well-known elective eye surgery that can help reduce or completely eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. Hundreds of thousands of LASIK procedures are done every year, even though it’s not medically necessary to have the procedure.
The reason why so many people choose to have LASIK is because it can be quite life-changing. The ability for most LASIK patients to see clearly without corrective lenses is why we often hear the phrase, “I wish I had done it sooner!” from so many of our happy patients.
Refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism) cause blurry vision because of an irregular corneal shape. The cornea is the clear outer layer of your eye. The LASIK procedure is performed to alter your cornea so it takes on the desired shape. This is done using sophisticated lasers.
What Happens During LASIK?
There are 3 steps in a LASIK procedure:
- A very thin flap is made on your cornea. The reason for the flap is that your doctor needs to access the underlying corneal tissue.
- The flap is then gently folded over so a laser can be used to reshape the cornea. Miniscule amounts of corneal tissue are removed to achieve the ideal roundness. The laser is programmed in advance of your procedure, so the doctor knows precisely which areas of your cornea need treatment.
- The flap is repositioned and the healing process starts almost immediately. There is usually no need for any type of stitches if you follow your doctor’s instructions and rest your eyes after the procedure.
Amazingly, the actual corneal reshaping step of LASIK only takes a few minutes per eye. Most patients find it remarkable that such a quick laser treatment can undo something they have dealt with most of their lives: the need for glasses and contacts. In fact, it may take a little time to get used to the idea that you don’t need to grab your glasses first thing in the morning when you wake up. However, in our experience at Azul Vision, LASIK patients quickly see the lifestyle benefits of this amazing procedure.
LASIK is Not for Everyone
Although LASIK technology has come a long way since it was first FDA-approved in the late 1990s, it is still important to ensure your eye health and eye anatomy is right for this procedure. If any doctor says you can have LASIK without performing a comprehensive evaluation of your eyes, please walk away. Many of the bad results from LASIK occur because the patient was not a good candidate in the first place, the doctor was inexperienced or outdated technology was used.
At Azul Vision, we offer free LASIK Consultations for anyone interested in LASIK. We will not pressure you to have the procedure – we’ll just give you honest information about your eye health and candidacy. You decide if you want to proceed.
Find out if LASIK is right for you.
Schedule a Free LASIK Consultation today!