LASIK outpatient eye treatment has transformed the vision of millions of individuals. For most people, LASIK provides a long-lasting alternative to eyeglasses or contact lenses. Can you imagine waking up in the morning and seeing the alarm clock without blurriness? LASIK is the most frequently performed elective surgery in North America.
LASIK corrects that which is often caused by a focusing error that can be corrected by changing the shape of the cornea. (A cornea can be too steep causing nearsightedness, too flat causing farsightedness or football-shaped causing astigmatism.) In 2018, 663, 000 LASIK procedures have been performed in the United States. Here are five things you probably don’t know about LASIK, but should:
1.
Having LASIK is
not strictly an issue of vanity: Some people
assume that individuals who undergo LASIK do so simply because they do not like
the way they look in glasses. However, for certain individuals, their chronic
dependence on prescription eyewear is a substantial hindrance or even a danger.
For example,
for obstetricians who have to dash to the hospital in the middle of the night
to deliver a baby, fumbling for their glasses before they can drive to the
hospital only takes up precious time. Also, wearing glasses or even contact
lenses can be dangerous when used improperly.
Glasses can break, and, when they are not used
as directed, contact lenses can tear or cause infections. Having LASIK surgery
helps avoid those types of safety issues.
2.
LASIK is not as
expensive as you may think: When you add up
the cost of prescription glasses, contact lenses, cleaning solution and
lubricating eye drops over a lifetime, LASIK surgery is actually a more cost
effective option. Although there is an upfront fee associated with LASIK, many
patients save money over the long run because they rely less on prescription eyewear
after the procedure.
Price for LASIK can range anywhere from $220 to $250 per eye
(per my Internet sources). Unfortunately,
most insurance companies don't cover LASIK, because laser eye surgery is nearly always
considered an elective or cosmetic surgery.
3.
Many people no
longer have to wear glasses after: Thanks to LASIK
surgery most patients can greatly reduce or even completely eliminate their
daily reliance on prescription glasses or contact lenses. It all depends on the
severity of the refractive error that is causing a patient’s nearsightedness,
farsightedness and / or astigmatism.
4.
The LASIK
procedure is quick and painless: LASIK takes
about 15 minutes to perform laser vision correction on each eye. LASIK is
performed with the use of topical anesthetic eye drops, so patients do not feel
any pain and are completely comfortable for the duration of the surgery.
Some patients report feeling a bit of pressure on their eye
during the procedure, but that’s about it. Patients having LASIK spend a few
hours to prepping and recovery.
5.
The recovery
period is rapid: Most
patients notice improved vision
within 24 to 48 hours after surgery. In fact, some patients can resume driving
after their first follow-up appointment, a day after the procedure. The
majority of patients can return to work within a few days of the surgery with
dramatically improved vision.
“I had extremer astigmatism, and I’ve had to
wear glasses since the age of six. I just got tired of wearing glasses. I know have 20/20 vision as a result of my
LASIK surgery…I am so grateful I made this decision.” (Daniel, Little
Rock)[i]
[i] Sources used:
·
“Facts You Don’t Know About LASIK” by King LASIK
·
“LASIK: A Truly Life-Changing Procedure” by Laser Eye
Centers
· “Number
of LASIK surgeries in the United States from 1996 to 2020 (in 1,000)” by
Statista
·
“Your Life Your LASIK “by Revision
·
LASIK Vision Institute
·
LASIK.com
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