If you have a refractive error, like nearsightedness, farsightedness, or an astigmatism, you might think eyeglasses or contact lenses are your only treatment options. However, LASIK eye surgery presents an affordable, efficient, and lasting alternative for many people.
At Wide Eye Optometry in Encino, Santa Clarita, and Palmdale, California, Mary Demirjian, OD, and our team can determine whether you’re a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery. Here are five reasons to consider the procedure.
LASIK is an acronym that stands for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. It’s an outpatient procedure that corrects refractive errors, or vision problems that affect how light bounces (or refracts) off the retina at the back of your eye.
In a healthy eye, the cornea causes light to bend precisely onto the retina, resulting in clear, crisp vision. But if you have a refractive error, the light bends imprecisely, causing blurry vision.
During LASIK, a highly trained ophthalmologist uses targeted light energy (a laser) to reshape your cornea, correcting the refractive error and sharpening your vision.
There are various benefits to undergoing LASIK eye surgery; here’s a look at the top five:
Undergoing any operative procedure is stressful, but LASIK is nothing to worry about. The procedure takes 30-45 minutes on average and doesn’t require a hospital stay. Your surgeon administers anesthetic eye drops that numb your eye to ensure comfort. If you have anxiety, they can also give you a mild sedative to help you relax.
During LASIK it’s normal to feel mild eye pressure, but it isn’t painful. If you’re uncomfortable at any time, let your surgical team know.
Although most insurance providers don’t cover LASIK, the cost pays for itself over time. Most people pay between $1,500 and $5,000 per eye, but it’s a one-time procedure.
Whereas, if you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, you regularly need to update your frames, lenses, and/or contact supply. Over the long run, you could wind up paying significantly more.
Refractive errors often worsen over time, meaning if your vision is blurry now, it will likely continue to decline. That might not seem like a big deal, but it can significantly affect your quality of life. You’re more likely to experience headaches, eye strain, and dry eyes, and you must update your prescription regularly to ensure your vision stays sharp.
LASIK, on the other hand, is a one-time treatment. Most people experience lasting results and don’t need to undergo eye surgery again.
Contact lenses and eyeglasses improve your vision, but they can also be a hassle to deal with. Think about all the times you remove your glasses just to clean fingerprints and smudges off the lenses.
Contacts are even more challenging. They can irritate your eyes and, without exacting care, even increase the risk of eye infections. After LASIK surgery, you don’t have to worry about any of these problems.
Most surgeries require weeks or even months of downtime, but LASIK is different. Most people who undergo the procedure return to work, driving, and other activities within a couple of days. Although it takes several months for your vision to stabilize and fully improve, the recovery won’t keep you from your normal routine.
LASIK eye surgery offers many benefits. If you’re interested in learning more about the procedure, we can help. Call or click online to schedule a LASIK consultation at your nearest Wide Eye Optometry office in Encino, Santa Clarita, or Palmdale, California, today.