Advancements in LASIK Surgery: What Patients Should Expect

Understanding LASIK Eye Surgery

LASIK eye surgery has been helping people improve their vision since the 1990s, and recent advancements in LASIK surgery have made it even better and more precise. When performed by a reputable eye surgeon, LASIK has an overall complication rate of a fraction of one percent, and the procedure can address several different vision issues. Is it right for you? Read on to learn more about LASIK.

What Happens During LASIK?

During LASIK surgery, your doctor will use a femtosecond laser to create a thin flap in the cornea. Folding that flap back, the surgeon will reshape and remove corneal tissue, then put the flap back in place to cover the surgical area. The process takes about 30 minutes, and there are no stitches; the flap heals on its own. Your eye will be numbed, and your surgeon will work very precisely, with the help of a microscope and a computer screen.

What Issues Does LASIK Correct?

LASIK is not for everyone, and people with certain autoimmune disorders, a weakened immune system because of medications or HIV, persistent dry eyes, or unstable vision due to medications or hormonal changes are not good candidates. It’s also not a good choice for those with keratitis, glaucoma, herpes simplex affecting the eyes, uveitis, cataracts, eye injuries, or lid disorders. It does help fix several eye issues, though, including:

• Nearsightedness (myopia)
• Farsightedness (hyperopia)
• Astigmatism (retinal disorder)
• Keratoconus (thinning corneas)
• Enlarged pupils
• Age-related eye changes causing vision problems (presbyopia)

What Can You Expect Before and After the LASIK Procedure?

Your LASIK journey will begin with an evaluation by your eye doctor, to determine whether or not you’re a good candidate for the procedure. Contact lens wearers should switch to glasses a few weeks before this evaluation, so that the corneas will be in a natural shape before surgery, not misshapen by contacts. Your doctor will perform a thorough eye exam and ask you about your medical history, all the medications you are taking, and any eye conditions you may have. You’ll have a chance to ask questions, and your doctor will inform you of the risks and benefits of LASIK, as well as any alternative surgeries that might be right for you. The day before the surgery, you’ll need to stop using creams, lotions, makeup, and perfumes, to reduce the risk of infection, and you’ll need to refrain from using them for about two weeks after the procedure.

After the surgery, your eye may feel uncomfortable, itching or burning, or feeling like there is something in it. Your doctor may recommend a mild pain reliever, and you should expect your eyes to water, and your vision to be hazy. Don’t rub your eye, even if it itches, because this can dislodge the flap, and then you’ll need more surgery. You may be sensitive to light or see glare, starbursts, or haloes around lights, and you should probably plan to take a few days off of work. Typically, symptoms subside after the first few days, but it can take three to six months for your vision to stabilize.

Come in for an Eye Exam or to Discuss LASIK surgery

If you’re looking for an eye doctor in Derry, Londonderry, or Windham, the ophthalmologists and optometrists Spindel Eye Associates are here for you. Having spent over 35 years providing eye care in New Hampshire, our eye doctors proudly provide our patients with personalized eye care, using top of the line technology. For more information or to schedule an eye appointment call 603.421.6536 or contact us through our website.