LASIK procedures have been performed on over 5,000,000 Americans, and surgeons report less 1 percent of those patients experienced complications after the procedure. Comparatively, contact lenses have been shown to have five times more long-term risk than LASIK procedures. In a recent study, contact lenses were shown to jeopardize eye health. The study included an advisory from the FDA.
Because contact lenses are worn directly on the eye, they pose greater risks to eye health, including infections and corneal ulcers. If these conditions are not treated, they may lead to blindness. Over a period of 30 years of regular contact lens use, patients have a one in 100 chance of developing a serious lens-related eye infection.
LASIK procedures have been proven effective for treating nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Individual results depend largely in the patient’s specific circumstances. Patients should have a comprehensive exam and discuss their expectations with the surgeon.
The surgeon completes a full eye exam that includes full corneal mapping (topography), corneal thickness measurement and the measurement of the pupil size to determine if LASIK is an effective solution. Once the exam is complete, patients should discuss their options and expectations with the surgeon to determine if LASIK is an option.
Patients have reported little to no discomfort during the procedure and typically have improved vision the following day. Typically, normal activities can be resumed 24 to 48 hours after the procedure.
PRK is a method of vision correction that is performed on top of the eye, whereas LASIK procedures are performed under a protective flap. PRK procedures are required for certain eye conditions where the cornea is too thin to work under the protective flap. Patients may find the PRK procedure less comfortable than LASIK. Full vision improvement takes up to two months.
When performed by an inexperienced surgeon, laser vision correction can have detrimental results. Patients should carefully select a surgeon to perform the procedure and not be swayed by the claims of discount vision correction centers.
Nighttime side effects, including halos, starbursts and glare around lights, were more common when LASIK procedures were first introduced. Advances in the technologies used for LASIK procedures have minimized the nighttime side effects. Some patients may experience these side effects for the first three months, but the side effects will diminish as the eyes heal.
When compared to the cost of prescription glasses over a lifetime, LASIK is an affordable option.
Patients who are considering LASIK should only choose an experienced surgeon who is certified in the latest LASIK technologies. The clinic should offer both Flapless and true “Custom” LASIK. The surgeon should perform LASIK procedures on a full-time basis, versus spending more time treating eye disease. Patients should also choose surgeons who are close to their home. This is vital with regard to follow-up care and to address any issues that may arise after the procedure. The most important quality in a LASIK surgeon is the patient’s comfort level, including trust and openness about the procedure and the patient’s expectations.
There are numerous people out there who have thought about undergoing LASIK surgery, but typically have one big question plague their decision. Is it truly worth it? For those with considerably poor vision that rely greatly on corrective lenses, the decision is often a lot more simple.
But for those that simply have a hard time while driving or reading a book the tendency to be a bit more split on the subject.
What these individuals may not understand is that LASIK is often a lot more successful in correcting minor vision problems, often to a perfect 20/20. Still that question of cost vs. benefit remains in many heads.
We at Beyer LASIK want to help those undecided to become better educated in making their choice. To that end, here is a brief list of the benefits that come with LASIK.
The first advantage is one of the most obvious. Undergoing LASIK permits for far clearer vision without the need for glasses or contacts. No more awakening to a blurry alarm clock or squinting to read road signs. LASIK allows you to see the world the way that it was meant to be seen.
LASIK also offers more freedom to those currently using corrective lenses. You can be free to jump into that pool or wear snow or other sporting goggles with absolute comfort and without any worry. And for the thousands out there that are uneasy with their appearance in glasses, that worry becomes a thing of the past!
When most people think about LASIK, they consider the financial cost of the surgery. What many fail to realize, however, is that undergoing LASIK can in fact help you to save hundreds if not thousands of dollars over the course of your life! Gone are the days of losing your glasses between the couch cushions or at a hotel. No more having to buy daily contacts, contact cases, solution. For countless of us, this can often come out to save you well more than the cost of LASIK in the long run. And when you combine these savings with the numerous different payment plans offered, LASIK quickly becomes more affordable than you ever thought possible.
Of course, this is a very basic list of the numerous benefits that come with undergoing LASIK. If you are interested in learning more about the procedure or to book your initial consultation, contact Beyer LASIK today!
