LASIK eye surgery may result in the removal of corrective lenses. However, it is not suitable for everyone. A vision correction operation is a life-changing choice, and there are a few factors you should be aware of before undergoing LASIK.
It is critical to be properly informed about all parts of the operation so you may be prepared before and after surgery.
What Is LASIK Eye Surgery?
If you’re weary of wearing glasses or contact lenses, and when you search LASIK on the internet, you can often see the comparison PRK vs LASIK. You might wonder if LASIK surgery suits you. LASIK is a refractive eye surgery procedure. Most patients with laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis eye surgery have 20/20 or better vision, which is adequate for most activities.
In some cases, certain adverse effects are prevalent, notably dry eyes and brief vision problems. However, symptoms normally go away after a few weeks or months, and very few individuals consider them a long-term issue.
Your findings are affected by refractive error and other variables. Refractive surgery works well for people who have mild nearsightedness. People who need astigmatism treatments with a significant degree of nearsightedness or farsightedness have fewer predictable outcomes.
What To Expect From Lasik Eye Surgery
Do Your Research
Not all LASIK surgeons are created equal, like with any medical therapy. Some people make a career off of LASIK, while others may not conduct as many treatments. Other surgeons may be board-certified ophthalmologists, LASIK technicians, or both. Research the individual’s qualifications regardless of who you choose to receive therapy. Request referrals to gain honest feedback from LASIK patients. Regarding research, ensure you focus on the appropriate variables when deciding where to get LASIK.
In other words, if you only look at the lowest price, you may be obtaining surgery from an unqualified person. The Kraff Eye Institute offers the best LASIK eye surgeons with the best results.
Remember, these are your eyes, and investing a few more bucks to safeguard and retain your good eyesight is worthwhile!
Hide Nothing
Your eye surgeon will also inquire about your overall health. Certain medical issues that have nothing to do with your eyes might raise the risks of LASIK eye surgery. Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, HIV, and other autoimmune illnesses are diseases or conditions that damage your immune system, impede your capacity to recover, or make you more susceptible to infections.
Taking immunosuppressive drugs for whatever cause. Uncontrolled diabetes may put you at risk of complications. Your doctor must have all of the pertinent information in your chart. Don’t hide or minimize any of your ocular or medical problems, medicines, or allergies.
Your doctor can only utilize the information you choose to offer, so provide as much detail as possible. Make no personal assumptions about what is essential to your doctor. Let them make that decision.
Consume More Water Before Surgery
Water makes up about 60% of your body. Every cell, tissue, and organ requires water to function properly. Water helps you stay hydrated, eliminate waste, and promote healing. Because laser eye surgery might temporarily leave your eyes more prone to dryness, it’s critical to hydrate from the inside out. The use of over-the-counter artificial tears will also assist in reducing the sensation of dryness after your therapy. Bottom line: staying hydrated has no disadvantages!
Drinking alcohol before LASIK surgery might dehydrate you and interfere with the drugs used during the operation, so avoid it on the day of surgery.
Follow Pre-Surgery Instructions
Your eye doctor would advise you to cease using contact lenses or cosmetics the week before your LASIK treatment. Although this may be inconvenient, you must follow these directions. Contact lenses change the curvature of the cornea. Wearing them before your operation helps your corneas to recover to their original shape, allowing the LASIK process to provide the best vision possible.
You must refrain from using soft lenses for 5 to 7 days before your pre-operative checkup and surgery. If you wear toric lenses for astigmatism treatments, you will need to take them out for 10 to 14 days. For other specialty lenses, you will be told how long you must remain without them before surgery at your initial appointment.
Wearing cosmetics, lotions, or fragrances might increase the chance of infection following surgery, so it’s better to avoid them before the treatment.
During Surgery, You Will Be Awake
You are given sedative medicine before LASIK to help you relax. However, unlike other procedures, laser eye surgery will be performed while you are conscious. LASIK surgery is performed as an outpatient treatment. You will be awake during the process, but your surgeon will use eye drops as an anesthetic to numb the surface of your eyes.
Be prepared to pay close attention. Some individuals are afraid of being awake, although observing what’s happening in front of their eyes may be exciting.
Lasik Eye Surgery Cost
Most patients budget for the whole cost of their LASIK operation but often neglect to account for the post-surgical eye drops. These prescription eye drops are critical for preventing infection, oedema, and dry eye syndrome, all of which are risks following the LASIK operation. You will be given a list of drops before and after your LASIK treatment. In most circumstances, these drops constitute an extra fee that is not included in the overall LASIK eye surgery cost.
Most insurance companies consider laser eye surgery elective and do not pay the expense. You should be aware of the expense of the procedure.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you now better understand how to prepare for eye surgery. There aren’t many things to do before having laser eye surgery. Also, there are no correct answers when it comes to LASIK eye surgery. Consider the considerations listed above, assess your preferences and risk tolerance, and ensure you have realistic expectations.
For this, speak with an eye surgeon in whom you have faith and get your questions answered. Finally, if it seems right, go forward, but if it doesn’t, don’t hurry into anything.