Is LASIK Too Good To Be True?
LASIK has helped millions of people achieve better eyesight than they ever thought possible. The procedure is fast, safe, and effective.
With over 96% of patients happy with their outcomes, it’s no wonder people might be suspicious of it at first. But the numbers don’t lie, LASIK is exactly as amazing as it sounds.
Keep reading to find out why LASIK isn’t too good to be true!
How LASIK Works
LASIK corrects refractive errors at their source: the cornea. Refractive errors include nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. These occur when the cornea is irregularly shaped.
To create vision, light needs to be focused on the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, called the retina. While the lens, which is located behind the pupil, is necessary for focusing light onto the retina, the cornea does the heavy lifting.
This is a problem for people with misshapen corneas. A cornea that is too long, for example, will cause light to come into focus before it reaches the retina.
A short and flat cornea will focus light behind the retina. Astigmatism occurs when the cornea is uneven, causing light to focus on several points around the retina.
LASIK surgeons begin the process of correcting vision by creating a thin flap in the first layer of the cornea. This allows the surgeon to remove microscopic amounts of tissue from the thicker middle layer of the cornea.
It also leaves a natural bandage in the form of existing corneal tissue. The amount and location of tissue that is removed are often predetermined by computer software to ensure the utmost precision. After making the corrections and closing the flap, recovery begins immediately.
Risks of LASIK
As safe and proven as LASIK is, it is still a surgery. Any surgery comes with risks that you should be aware of before committing to it.
Most complications that arise from LASIK have to do with recovery. During recovery, your eyes will be vulnerable both to tears in the flaps and to infection.
You will be given detailed instructions on how to prevent problems from arising, including:
Sleeping with eye shields on for the first few days. These will stop you from rubbing your eyes as you doze or roll in your sleep.
Avoiding getting any water in your eyes. Even the cleanest tap water can harbor small amounts of bacteria and germs. Your tear film can prevent bacteria and germs from causing problems, but you may experience dry eye as you heal which removes the protective barriers.
Do not lift heavy objects. During the first few days, even something as simple as bending over at the waist can raise eye pressure enough to damage your vulnerable eyes. Exercise should be postponed until your doctor gives you the all-clear.
If you experience problems with your recovery, it’s important to let your eye doctor know as soon as possible.
Ready to find out if LASIK could be right for you? Schedule your LASIK consultation at Kovach Eye Institute in Chicago, IL today! If all you dream of is clearer vision, why wait another minute?
