What is LASIK eye surgery?
LASIK eye surgery actually stands for Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. LASIK is a refractive eye surgery procedure where a laser reshapes the outer surface of the eye known as the cornea. By changing the shape of the cornea doctors can improve vision.
Take our LASIK self test
If you are seeking LASIK in Raleigh, North Carolina we are happy to help you learn about LASIK and your candidacy potential for this eye surgery. Please feel free to take our short LASIK self-evaluation test to get on the path to better vision. After taking this test you will be contacted by Raleigh Ophthalmology if you meet the pre-requisite requirements. All LASIK candidates will be required to undergo a pre-operative eye exam before candidacy is approved.
What is a Cataract?
A cataract is a cloudy or opaque area in the normally transparent lens of the eye. As the opacity thickens, it prevents light rays from passing through the lens and focusing on the retina, the light sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye. Early lens changes or opacities may not disturb vision. But as the lens continues to change, several specific symptoms including blurred vision; sensitivity to light and glare; increased nearsightedness; or distorted images in either eye, may develop.
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Common Questions
Q. What is LASIK?
A. LASIK is a procedure that improves vision by changing the shape of the cornea with a laser and is a very effective treatment for a wide range of vision problems. LASIK continues to grow in popularity and is the number one elective surgery in the country.
Q. Why do people have LASIK surgery?
A. Research has shown that there are four main reasons that people choose to have LASIK. They are:
- Life simplification: No longer having to deal with glasses or contacts
- Independence: Freedom from dependence on glasses and/or contacts
- Performance: Ability to perform better in sports-related activities
- Ability to see 24/7 when it counts: Better vision for all occasions (e.g., at a play, evening out, playing golf)
Q. Who is a good candidate for LASIK?
A. LASIK can treat a very broad range of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. The best way to determine who is a good candidate is with a thorough eye exam. Candidates must be 21 years of age or older, in good general health, and have good eye health with no diseases such as cataracts or glaucoma. Click here for more information on LASIK candidacy.
Q. What results can a person hope to achieve?
A. LASIK has proven overwhelmingly successful in reducing dependence on glasses and contact lenses. Clinical studies show that most LASIK patients (with mild to moderate prescriptions) have the potential to achieve 20/20 vision or near 20/20 vision. Generally, this means they no longer need or have reduced dependence on glasses or contacts to drive, play sports, watch movies and TV, or participate in careers requiring excellent vision.
Q. Is LASIK Painful?
A. During the LASIK procedure, there is no pain. Instead, there is a sensation of firm pressure for just 8 to 10 seconds while the corneal flap is being created. Following the procedure, patients may experience some mild scratchiness (usually described as the sensation of having an eyelash or two floating on the surface of the eye) that is relieved by the use of artificial tears and several hours of rest.
Q. Can I have both eyes done at the same time?
A. Most patients undergoing LASIK prefer to have both eyes treated on the same day since it is more convenient for them, however this is a decision entirely between the patient and the doctor.
Q. Will I be awake as the procedure is being performed?
A. Yes. Your doctor will ask you to look at a blinking light within the laser during the procedure. This will ensure that the laser treatment will be centered properly over the center of your vision during the treatment.
Q. What if my eye moves during the procedure?
A. Your Ophthalmologist will continuously observe your eye and head position during the laser treatment. If necessary, he will stop the laser treatment if your eye (or head) moves too much, but this almost never occurs. Several of our lasers have computerized tracking devices that also monitor the position of your eye. These trackers detect and compensate for small movements of the eye by guiding the laser beam to compensate for these small movements. As a result, the laser remains precisely centered over the treatment area.
Q. When can I go back to work after LASIK?
A. Most patients will be able to return to their normal activities within a few day.
Q. Will the effects of the treatment be permanent?
A. Given the results of the U.S. clinical trials and the results reported internationally, the treatment appears to be permanent, however LASIK will not prevent age related conditions such as cataracts or presbyopia.
Q. What are the side effects of this procedure?
A. The most common side effect after laser vision correction is dryness of the eyes. This dryness is almost always temporary and can be treated with a variety of artificial tears solutions and other methods which increase the amounts of natural tears in the eye. The use of "punctal plugs" (which allow the eye to retain more of its natural tear secretion) is probably the best way to prevent this side effect from occurring, and can also dramatically reduce symptoms associated with dryness should it occur. Another side effect of laser vision correction is the "halo" effect which is usually noticed as some degree of glare or halo around lights at night.
Q. How do I proceed? What is my next step?
A. Click here to schedule your LASIK Consultation to learn more about LASIK laser vision correction and to see if LASIK is right for you!