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Considering LASIK? Ask These 5 Questions First
LASIK can help you see the world more clearly and get more enjoyment out of your favorite activities. However, there are several important questions you should ask before pursuing the procedure.
LASIK is a popular and effective vision correction surgery used to treat conditions like myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. However, LASIK is not for everyone, and a patient must meet certain criteria in order to be considered a good candidate for the procedure.
Before you decide to undergo LASIK, there are a few questions you should ask yourself and your eye doctor. Once you have a comprehensive understanding of the procedure and the results you can expect to achieve, you’ll be able to determine whether LASIK is a good fit for your lifestyle.
Here are five questions to ponder as you go about making this important decision:
1. Is my vision loss interfering with my life?
If you’re considering LASIK surgery, the answer to this question is probably, “Yes.” That said, you should carefully examine how your vision loss is affecting your life. Have glasses or contacts become a burden, preventing you from enjoying your favorite sports and activities? Do you worry about being unable to act in the event of an emergency? If these concerns ring true, you may want to consider how LASIK can help you lead a more active and confident life.
2. Am I a good candidate for LASIK?
Once you’ve determined your interest in LASIK, it’s important to ask your eye doctor if the procedure is right for you. Underlying conditions such as severe glaucoma, diabetes, or thin corneas can interfere with the results of LASIK surgery. A good candidate for LASIK will also have a relatively stable corrective prescription — i.e. one that hasn’t undergone a major change in the preceding 12 months.
3. How long is the recovery period?
In order to properly prepare for your procedure, patients need to have a clear sense of what the recovery period will entail. Fortunately, most patients recover from LASIK very quickly, seeing improvements in their vision within one to three days. Many people are even able to drive and return to work the day after their procedure. However, during the week or so after surgery, you should be sure to wear protective eye shields at night and avoid strenuous activity that could irritate your healing corneas.
4. What results can I expect?
After their eyes have healed, an overwhelming majority of patients (98.5%) are satisfied with their LASIK results. During the recovery period, it’s normal to experience some blurriness or fluctuations in vision, but these symptoms will generally clear up in a few days. In some rare cases, if a patient’s vision has not improved in line with expectations after six months, their surgeon may recommend an enhancement procedure.
5. Is the procedure the right choice for me?
Once you’ve considered the questions above, you’ll want to take a holistic view of how the procedure will align with your lifestyle and vision goals. Is it the right time for you to have LASIK? Eyesight tends to fluctuate until age 25, and again after age 40 or so, so it’s often recommended that patients have the procedure within this timeframe.
You may also want to consider the benefits LASIK provides to your work, family, and social life. Many patients find that after undergoing LASIK surgery, they have the freedom to enjoy new sports and activities without the hassle of glasses or contact lenses.
If you want to learn more about the benefits of LASIK, talk to your eye doctor about whether the procedure is right for you. Schedule your VIP consultation today to get started on your journey to clearer vision.
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