Do you want to improve your vision and reduce your reliance on glasses and contacts? You may be a good candidate for laser eye surgery.
These procedures offer freedom from the hassle of visual aids and can provide patients with crystal-clear vision 24/7. However, it’s natural to have questions and be curious about the surgeries.
Keep reading to learn more about 7 of the most frequently asked questions about laser eye surgery.
What is Laser Eye Surgery?
Laser eye surgeries are minimally invasive procedures that use specialized lasers to correct refractive errors. Common refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism are often caused by a misshapen cornea or an eye that is too long or too short.
By reshaping the cornea, these procedures can correct your refractive errors, bringing you crisp, clear eyesight and reducing your need for glasses and contacts.
Common Questions about Laser Eye Surgery
Before choosing to undergo laser eye surgery, many patients have questions about the preparation, process, and results of the procedure, including:
1. How Do I Prepare for Laser Eye Surgery?
The most important step in the preparation process for laser eye surgery is attending a consultation with your eye doctor at Herschel LASIK and Cataract Institute. They will conduct a thorough examination of your eyes, go over your medical history, and discuss your visual goals to help determine the best procedure for you.
Certain procedures have different candidacy requirements than others, meaning it’s essential to ensure you’re getting the laser eye surgery that’s right for you. Once your procedure has been scheduled, there are some things you can do to help prepare beforehand, including:
- Getting someone to drive you to and from your procedure
- Picking up your prescriptions before the surgery
- Downloading music and podcasts to listen to while you recover
- Preparing some meals to make it easier for yourself post-op
- Making sure to drink a lot of water and eat healthy, filling meals the day before
- Familiarizing yourself with what to expect during and after the procedure
2. Does Laser Eye Surgery Hurt?
Naturally, many patients are afraid of pain during surgery. Luckily, laser eye procedures are virtually painless.
Your eyes will be numbed with anesthetic eye drops beforehand, and the use of specialized lasers allows for smoother recovery. You may experience mild discomfort and irritation while healing, but these symptoms are temporary and often subside quickly.
3. Are You Awake During Laser Eye Surgery?
You will be awake during laser eye surgery. This is because the procedure is so quick and minimally invasive that it doesn’t require general anesthesia.
4. Do I Need to Keep My Eyes Still During Laser Eye Surgery?
Your eyes will be gently held open with a special device during the procedure, so you won’t have to worry about keeping them open. You also won’t have to worry about keeping them still, as the lasers used during the procedure will track your eye movements to ensure proper positioning.
5. What is Laser Eye Surgery Recovery Like?
Recovery after laser eye surgery largely depends on the procedure that you get. LASIK patients typically notice visual improvements quickly and can often return to work the following day.
You will still need to follow certain at-home care practices, like applying prescription eye drops and sleeping with an eye shield. You will also attend a follow-up appointment the day after your procedure, where your LASIK surgeon can assess how you’re healing and clear you to resume certain activities.
Due to the removal of the epithelium, PRK patients often have a longer recovery. While its removal allows candidates with thin corneas or dry eye to enjoy a safe procedure, the epithelium takes about a week to regrow.
PRK patients may begin noticing visual improvement after 3-5 days, with peak vision around six months out from the procedure. Home care and follow-up appointments are similar to the LASIK recovery process.
However, you will also be given a bandage contact lens that helps protect your cornea while it heals.
6. What Will My Vision Be Like After Laser Eye Surgery?
While PRK and LASIK have different recovery times, both laser eye surgeries offer the same excellent results. Most patients enjoy clearer vision than they ever had before and are able to reduce or completely eliminate their reliance on visual aids.
Imagine how much easier it would be to get through your daily schedule without having to fumble for your glasses in the morning or remember to remove your contacts before bed. With clearer vision from laser eye surgery, you can enjoy all of life’s best moments in vivid high-definition, whether you’re scoring the winning goal at a soccer game, enjoying a night out on the town with friends, or sightseeing around a foreign city.
7. Is Laser Eye Surgery Permanent?
Laser eye surgeries can permanently correct your refractive errors by reshaping the cornea, offering you crystal-clear vision for decades. However, they cannot prevent vision changes due to eye conditions like presbyopia, cataracts, and glaucoma.
Many adults experience age-related vision changes as they get older, so it is important to have realistic expectations about the results of your laser eye surgery before deciding to undergo the procedure.
Do you want to learn more about laser eye surgery and find out which procedure could help you achieve the vision of your dreams? Schedule an appointment at Herschel LASIK and Cataract Institute in Orlando, FL, today!
