LASIK

What is LASIK?

Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) uses heat energy to reshape your cornea. 

The cornea bends light so that it focuses precisely on the center of your retina. When this clear dome that covers your eye is misshapen, light and shapes are distorted. 

As a result, you experience refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

LASIK creates a more normal shape for the cornea so you enjoy clear vision. The procedure helps reduce your reliance on eyeglasses and contact lenses.

What happens during LASIK?

During LASIK, your ophthalmologist at Southern Eye Institute removes a predetermined amount of corneal tissue and reshapes the cornea. This improves the focusing power of the eye and visual acuity.

When you come in for your appointment, a technician anesthetizes your eye using eye drops. Your ophthalmologist then uses a specialized instrument to create a thin corneal flap on the outermost surface of the eye. Laser energy reshapes the cornea and your provider sets the flap back in place.

You feel very little during the procedure and have minimal discomfort during recovery that’s easily managed with over-the-counter or prescription medications.

Who is a candidate for LASIK?

To undergo LASIK, you must be at least 18 years old. Southern Eye Institute also evaluates whether you:

• Have had stable vision for at least a year
• Are free of eye disease
• Have healthy corneas with adequate thickness

Patients with certain medical conditions and women who are pregnant may not be good candidates for LASIK.

Will I experience any side effects as a result of LASIK?

Complications associated with LASIK surgery are rare, but some patients report:

• Sensitivity to light
• Dry eyes
• Loss of visual clarity
• Glares in vision
• Irregular astigmatism

These side effects are often short-lived and go away with time.

While you do get extraordinary vision correction with LASIK, it cannot correct for or prevent vision changes that occur with age. As you get older, you may require reading glasses to maintain crisp vision.

If you’re ready to experience LASIK for yourself, call Southern Eye Institute or schedule a consultation online today to find out if you’re a good candidate.