CONSIDERING LASIK VISION CORRECTION? YOU NEED TO READ THIS FIRST

For those unaware, LASIK refers to Laser in Situ Keratomileusis. That is, a laser is administered below a corneal flap (the in situ component) so that the patient’s cornea can be reshaped (the keratomileusis component). The laser used is state of the art and very specialized, and is referred to as an excimer laser in the medical field.

In Toronto, LASIK can be used to improve your vision and treat refractive errors. It can also be adopted to reduce or outright eliminate the need for contact lenses or bifocals in many patients. The cornea consists of the transparent covering that conceals the front of the eye. LASIK is performed to reshape the patient’s cornea in order to improve their visual acuity.

Here, we will discuss the LASIK process so that you will be better prepared to make an informed decision regarding the health of your eyes.

Procedures in LASIK

The first step of LASIK is the formation of a corneal flap in the eye. A precision flap apparatus is used by the surgeon to form the corneal flap. Then, a top of the line excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea. Also, in order for the patient’s cornea to be reshaped as desired, the excimer laser will be used to extract tissue from the middle layer of the cornea.

Benefits of LASIK Eye Surgery

LASIK is a leading-edge and revolutionary type of eye surgery, which has rapidly increased in popularity in recent years due to its numerous benefits and reduced cost over the last few years.

For instance, it can help improve your vision, so you may not need to wear glasses or contact lenses anymore. Recent studies have found that 95% of people who undergo LASIK achieve a UCVA of at least 20/40, with roughly 85% of patients achieving 20/20 or even superior vision.

Thus, a single procedure, which is performed on an outpatient basis, can significantly improve your vision so that you do not need to wear glasses or lenses for many years of even several decades. LASIK often has permanent results, and will usually only require a three month adjustment period.

Furthermore, in the vast majority of cases, there are no follow-up procedures that need to be performed, and the only issue to worry about going forward is the normal ageing process or the possible development of certain illnesses that may impact vision, such as glaucoma or diabetes.

Recovery is also rapid. Most doctors will tell their patients to relax during the first day, and avoid any heavy exercise, or driving for that matter, during the first 24 hours. However, most patients will be able to return to their regular schedule the day after the surgery. Thus, most patients will be able to enjoy perfect vision the day after the surgery, which is unrivaled in the medical field.

Many people are reticent of undergoing LASIK because of the higher up-front cost when compared to contact lenses and glasses. However, many people will spend tens of thousands of dollars throughout their life, changing their contact lenses and glasses. Ergo, LASIK, which is usually a one-time procedure, will save you tens of thousands of dollars over your lifetime.

In addition, you will no longer have to worry about the inconvenience of applying the solution, and the possible risk involved with hurting your eyes while placing contacts in them. You will also not have to worry about lost contact for the rest of your life, and you can also radically alter your facial appearance by eliminating glasses from your life. That is, some people feel that there is a stigma associated with glasses, as they may give off a “poindexter” look that some people may find unappealing.

Fortunately, you can drastically alter your look by simply taking off your glasses, and you can also enjoy the summer freely by buying any shade of sunglasses that you desire without having to shop around for prescription sunglasses or special lenses for your eyeglasses.

Are You a Good Candidate for LASIK?

While refractive surgery is very safe and has minimal to no complications, it is still not for everyone. As such, you will be required to undergo a thorough eye exam to determine if you are a good condition for LASIK eye surgery. For instance, you may be too young or too old for LASIK, or your lifestyle or eye condition may make you a poor candidate for the procedure.

Certain autoimmune diseases, such as Lupus, may also impact the healing process post-surgery, which may increase the risk of eye surgery, and your vision will also need to be stable for a prolonged period in order to be a good candidate. Even your career may have an impact, as your line of work may prohibit refractive surgery in order to remain employed.

How to Choose the Best LASIK Eye Surgeon?

If you would like to obtain the quintessential visual outcome, then you may want to perform some research, as not all eye surgeons are created equal. Thus, you should take the time to read reviews on different eye surgeons in the city to better gauge their reputation, skill level, and qualifications.

Fortunately, LASIK eye surgery is a very safe procedure with minimal risks and is considered by many medical experts to be the safest elective medical procedure in the world today. Reliable, relatively inexpensive, highly effective, and permanent in most cases, LASIK may be the ideal solution for those who want to enjoy perfect vision for life with minimal discomfort and low long-term costs.

Author Bio:

Monica Benoit is a blogger in Toronto. She is currently working as an Outreach Coordinator for Clearview Vision Institute. She graduated with honours from the University of British Columbia with a dual degree in Business Administration and Creative Writing.