Answers to 6 Key Questions
1. What Are the Risks?
More than 5,000,000 Americans have already had LASIK and the number is increasing. Experienced LASIK surgeons report a less than 1% complication rate. Many ophthalmologists believe the long-term risk of wearing contact lenses can exceed the one-time risk of LASIK by a factor as high as 5X, and the most recent studies, including an Advisory from the FDA, suggest that contacts represent a serious risk to eye health.
2. Can I Really Get Rid Of My Glasses?
By choosing LASIK with the right doctor and advanced technology, the typical person age 18 to 45 will not need prescription glasses at all. Sometime between age 40 and 50, the typical person will likely need reading glasses whether they have had LASIK or not due to the reduced flexibility of their eye’s lenses.
This condition is called Presbyopia and can be effectively handled through a special LASIK technique known as monovision which has given thousands the ability to see both close up and far away. If you are considering LASIK and are using reading glasses, you should ask your LASIK surgeon if monovision will work for you.
3. Will LASIK Work For Me?
Most people over age 18 who suffer from nearvision, farvision or astigmatism can be helped, but a thorough eye exam is the only way to determine if LASIK can achieve your expectations.
Your doctor should discuss your goals and expectations as well as the risks and benefits of the procedure. You should feel comfortable with your doctor’s assessment of your anticipated outcome.
4. Will It Hurt? When Can I Return To Work?
LASIK in the hands of an experienced surgeon using advanced technology such as all-laser bladeless LASIK is virtually painless. After a good night’s sleep the typical patient awakens to the joy of seeing the world clearly and without lenses - usually for the first time in many years. Most people are able to return to work within 24-48 hours of their LASIK procedure.
5. Isn’t All Laser Vision Correction The Same?
No. Many of the discount centers want you to believe that LASIK should be purchased like a commodity and that surgeon experience, laser technology, diagnostic technology and follow-up care don’t matter. Laser vision correction is a surgical procedure that will affect the way you see for the rest of your life. You should make your decision on where to have LASIK based on confidence and trust in the doctor and his staff, your own judgment of their level of commitment, and what they provide in terms of personalized service and follow-up care.
However, the advent of Intralase all laser LASIK and the Allegretto Wave excimer laser system greatly reduces the chance of long term night vision problems due to laser vision correction and actually improves the night vision of many people.
