You might have heard the term Lasik eye surgery and wondered what it was all about. While eye surgery might sound complex, Lasik eye surgery is a simple procedure that helps correct issues with eyesight, and it may be able to help you. We will review the ins and outs of Lasik in los Angeles, what it does, and why it might be the best laser eye surgery for you.
Let’s start with your eyes, the windows to the soul. The cornea (lens) of the eye helps direct light so an image is created in the retina: this is how we see. In some cases, the lens is irregular and the light focuses directly in front of or behind the retina: this causes refractive errors, AKA nearsightedness, and farsightedness. Starting to sound familiar? If you or someone you know suffers from either of these refraction problems, they probably own glasses or contact lenses. If they don’t, they might have gotten Lasik.
The Lasik surgery procedure involves a laser that cuts out corneal tissue, refiguring the cornea in order to allow it to focus correctly. The surgery is done by a licensed surgeon who has been specifically trained to do the procedure. First, a slim flap is created in the cornea using a special tool called a microkeratome. This instrument is a precision surgical tool that has an oscillating blade designed specifically for this part of the surgery. Next, the small flap that has been created is pulled back so the tissue in the cornea beneath is revealed. The doctor then uses a laser to extract corneal tissue until it is the right shape, much like a sculptor. It is an art unto itself! The way the tissue is cut with the laser is determined before the procedure even begins, in order to allow maximum precision and accuracy. After the cornea has been altered, the flap created by the surgeon in the first step is carefully placed atop the previously exposed tissue. No stitches or the like necessary. After the surgery is complete, the cornea will be the right shape to correctly focus light onto the retina. This will allow the patient great eyesight without glasses or contacts.
There is a reason that Lasik is considered one of the best laser eye surgeries in Los Angeles: there are a lot of great benefits to getting this surgery. Lasik is, in fact, one of the most popular eye surgeries in the US. The biggest and most obvious benefit would be clearer vision without the need for glasses or contacts. While not all surgery patients walk away with 20/20 vision, the surgery is sure to reduce blurriness. Patients who walk out wanting even better vision can get enhancements done afterward if need be. The surgery is done with numbing eye drops, so there is relatively little discomfort during in recovery of surgery. Vision improvement will become noticeable within only a few hours post-procedure. There is relatively no downtime either, and after the procedure, patients go home the same day. Many patients will no longer need their glasses or contacts after full-recovery and those who still need them will find they can use them significantly less.
While the surgery is extremely low-risk, there are still some possible side effects that anyone going into surgery should know about. Lasik is a surgery that has very low risks compared to other eye surgeries. But you can walk away with temporary issues in vision along with dry eyes. Since the procedure temporarily diminishes your eye’s ability to create tears, they can become dryer than normal. If this becomes a serious issue, consult your physician and they will prescribe/suggest eye drops for you. Usually, dry eyes will not last more than a few weeks, if the side effect is experienced at all. Another side effect includes poor night vision/poor vision in dim light. Some patients may notice issues with glare or double vision around light at night. This effect is not permanent either, and if it is persistent, you should consult your physician. Another possibility is overcorrection or undercorrection of vision: not reaching your goal eyesight or overcorrecting the other way can happen, but is rare. If you leave the surgery with an undercorrection, it is a relatively easy fix with a follow-up enhancement. It is almost impossible for patients to lose eyesight or to have serious vision problems post-procedure.
Now that you have a better understanding of the ins and outs of Lasik, it may be of interest to you to look into the procedure. There are many Lasik facilities in Los Angeles with great reputations and skills, such as Excel Laser Vision Institute. If you would like to learn even more about the procedure and LASIK eye surgery cost, an expert there would be happy to talk to you.