The Benefits of LASIK

LASIK, or laser in-situ keratomileusis, is the most common laser eye procedure to correct refractive vision problems. Over 600,000 Americans each year choose LASIK to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism.

During LASIK surgery, your surgeon makes an incision across the cornea of the eye, raises a flap of tissue and reshapes the cornea to correct vision. You may have misgivings about allowing a surgeon to cut your eye, but studies show that complications occur in fewer than 1 in 20 procedures and even these are generally minor problems that don’t cause vision loss. LASIK is a good option for improving vision for many reasons:

• Patients usually do not experience pain with LASIK.
• Vision is improved immediately after surgery. An estimated 95 percent of patients who undergo LASIK improve their vision to 20/40 or better, while 85 percent return to 20/20 vision.
• In most cases, no bandages or stitches are required, and patients can resume their normal schedule within 24 hours.
• LASIK can take a few weeks to adjust your vision and the results are permanent, although the eye prescription can still change over time. The only time a follow-up procedure may be necessary is if eyesight changes slightly with age or the initial correction was not enough. Further adjustments can be made several years after LASIK surgery to correct vision if the vision has shifted.
• Patients usually experience a dramatic reduction in the need for glasses after LASIK surgery, and some patients do not need to wear glasses at all.
• Even though LASIK requires a financial investment upfront, patients experience hundreds of dollars of savings each year because they do not need to update their eyeglass and contact lens prescription.
• Vision is an important part of your job if you are in the military. Glasses can often interfere with your duties or be a nuisance to you while trying to complete active tasks. If you are retired or still an active-duty member of the military, LASIK can enhance the clarity of your vision and free you from the constant upkeep of glasses or contacts.
• Lifestyle benefits are endless. You’ll no longer find yourself being self-conscious because of your bulky frames, or constantly pushing your glasses up as they slide down your nose. You’ll have a newfound confidence that you never thought possible.

Talk to your eye care professional if you would like to get more information about how to permanently correct your vision. LASIK could be the most convenient and cost-effective option.