People with vision correction needs often want to know more about LASIK and whether it is the right choice for them. They may come to us with several concerns, such as the desire to forgo wearing glasses or contacts for aesthetic or practical reasons, as well as general curiosity about the surgical process itself. It’s good to be informed about any medical decision, and we are here to help you make the very best choice for your own vision correction needs.
About Laser Vision Correction
During a laser refractive surgery, a tiny flap is cut in the cornea and gently folded back. The cornea is the dome-shaped, clear tissue at the front of the eye. You’ll be given numbing eye drops just prior to the procedure, as well as calming medications, if needed. Your eyelid will be held open during the process by a simple instrument. You’ll be asked to focus on a small point of light.
During the surgery, an Excimer Laser will be used to subtly reshape the cornea into a flatter shape, similar to how a contact lens corrects vision by forming a new shape on the cornea. This corrected shape refracts, or bends, light more precisely onto the retina in the back of the eye, resulting in clearer vision. The flap is then put back in place, generally healing on its own and acting like a sort of natural bandage. In total, most laser vision corrective procedures take 30 minutes or less.
When Will I start to see Results?
The overall healing process is quick and the discomfort level is extremely low. Many people who have had the LASIK procedure will say they did not feel anything during the surgery and were able to see clearer the very first day. Watery or itchy eyes may occur temporarily, going away within the first day or two. Most people will begin to have significantly improved vision within about 24-48 hours.
What are the Side Effects?
Typical side effects are very temporary and include dry eyes, difficulty seeing at night, and glaring, halos, or double vision. Vision often continues to improve gradually over weeks, up to around 2-3 months in total. More than 8 out of every 10 patients no longer need glasses or contacts after their LASIK procedures.
How Long is Recovery?
Keep in mind that while most patients do enjoy rapid recovery and vision improvement, each individual will heal from laser refractive surgery at a different rate depending upon a number of personal health factors. Everyone’s eyes are different, so even though you may have had a friend who has had LASIK, it may not be the best option for you. Rest assured, we’ll work with you every step of the way to determine the best possible course of treatment for your vision correction needs.
LASIK Correction: Is It Right For You?
Before moving forward with any vision correction surgery, your eye care provider will conduct a thorough eye exam and ask you detailed questions about your eyes as well as your total health.
Health concerns may include:
- Undermanaged diabetes
- HIV
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Lupus
- Other autoimmune disorders
- Taking iImmunosuppressive medications
In addition to the above health concerns which may increase the risks of LASIK surgery, your eye doctor will wish to also cover the overall health of your eyes, including:
- Recent eye injuries
- Eyelid disorders
- Persistent dry eye
- Recent vision changes ascribed to pregnancy, age, or hormonal changes
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
- Inflammation of the cornea, such as keratitis
- Deterioration of the cornea, such as keratoconus
Additional factors, such as extreme nearsightedness, overly large pupils, active participation in high contact sports, or overall good vision may also preclude you from being a LASIK candidate.
Ideal Candidates for LASIK
So, what makes an ideal candidate for LASIK vision correction? If you are overall fairly healthy and do not have any of the factors above intervening, then there are a few primary reasons you may be a good candidate for LASIK. These include moderate nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), or an astigmatism (uneven curve or flattening of the cornea). You should also have relatively stable vision, with an unchanged prescription. Ideal candidates are older than 18, as teenagers with myopia may need frequent prescription adjustments.
You have probably been wearing glasses or contact lenses to correct your vision for some time now. Keep in mind that if you are normally a contact lens wearer, you will be required to stop wearing them for the last few weeks prior to surgery. This is because contacts alter the unique shape of your cornea. Your eye surgeon will need to know what your unaltered corneal shape is prior to conducting laser refractive surgery. Don’t worry, you can wear your glasses instead during this time.
Average Laser Vision Correction Cost
Most insurance companies will not cover the costs of laser vision correction surgery, including LASIK. Why? This type of procedure is considered an elective or cosmetic procedure as you generally still have the less costly options of eyeglasses and/or contact lenses available to you. In rare circumstances, some insurance companies may cover LASIK if it's deemed necessary for correcting an injury or the results of a previous surgery.
On average, LASIK can cost anywhere from $2,000 - $3,000 per eye. This cost includes before and after care as well. You may find that the one time out of pocket expense will pay off in the long term due to elimination of eye glasses and contact lenses, not to mention the benefits of improved eyesight. There are also plenty of financing options to help make the procedure a bit more affordable to you.
Surgery Co-Management
If you are interested in laser vision correction, we will be happy to guide you in choosing the right surgeon, procedure, and laser for your particular vision needs. After the procedure, we take great care to monitor our patient’s healing, adjusting any prescriptions necessary for ensuring the best possible results. We find that the vast majority of all patients are beyond satisfied with their laser vision correction results!
Our office supports many surgical services such as cataract surgery, strabismic surgery, LASIK, and other refractive surgeries in conjunction with Boise area eye surgeons. Additionally, we have strong working relationships with other specialized eye care providers to manage conditions such as retinal detachments, tears, and hemorrhages. Our goal is to collaborate in the best interest of your total vision care needs.
Contact Gem State Eyecare for more information on your vision correction options today.