Give Yourself the Gift of Clear Vision: Is LASIK Right for You?

Many people have flawed vision and have to wear corrective lenses – but that doesn't have to be you. Read on to learn why giving yourself the gift of LASIK is just what you need for clear vision in the new year.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to wake up every morning and be able to see without needing glasses or contact lenses? Well, it's entirely possible with LASIK eye surgery.

The holidays are quickly approaching, and the best gift to give yourself is a clear vision. At Ophthalmology Associates of Bay Ridge, our team of four eye specialists offers LASIK eye surgery for clear vision.

Whether you’ve been dealing with vision problems for a short time or your entire life, our team offers general eye exams, laser vision correction, and LASIK to restore your vision.

How LASIK works

LASIK eye surgery is a procedure that utilizes laser technology to reshape the cornea. It's an excellent option for people living with farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism.

Before the procedure, we place numbing drops in your eyes to minimize any discomfort. We then put a device under the eyelids to keep them open during the quick procedure.

The laser creates a thin flap on the surface of the cornea to gently lift and reveal the tissue beneath. From there, it reshapes the cornea to correct vision problems. Once the adjustment is made, the flap is placed back into position, where it naturally seals and heals without the need for stitches.

The procedure is quick, lasting approximately one minute per eye. Some potential side effects may occur after LASIK surgery, including dry eyes, halos, and light sensitivity.

You can see an immediate improvement after LASIK surgery. Still, your vision continues to improve over the next few weeks as the eye heals.

Is LASIK right for you?

If you wear corrective lenses and want the gift of clear, unassisted vision for the holidays, LASIK is right for you. However, it's not an option for everyone.

You may be a good candidate for LASIK if you're at least 18 years old and have poor vision. For best results, your vision should remain unchanged for at least a year, but two years is even better.

Pregnant or nursing women aren't good candidates for LASIK due to hormone fluctuations that affect the results. You should also be in good health, without diabetes, glaucoma, or cataracts.

The most significant factor in LASIK is your overall prescription for your eyes. You're a good candidate for the procedure if you have hyperopia up to +6 diopters, myopia up to -12 diopters, or astigmatism of no more than 6 diopters.

What to expect after LASIK

After LASIK surgery, it's common to experience temporary blurry vision, mild discomfort, and sensitivity to light. However, these usually resolve quickly, sometimes within the first 24 hours of eye rest.

Within the first day, vision improves by up to 90% and continues to improve over the next week or so. You'll need to use eye drops to prevent infection and reduce inflammation as the eye heals.

It's essential to avoid injuring your eyes or rubbing them during the healing process. It's also necessary to avoid getting soap or tap water in your eyes and to stay out of swimming pools or saunas.

Your vision improves significantly after LASIK, with most people no longer requiring corrective lenses to see clearly. It lasts for years, but some individuals may need reading glasses after the age of 40.

Contact Ophthalmology Associates of Bay Ridge today to schedule a LASIK consultation appointment. You can also book online by clicking here.