What is LASIK?
LASIK is a vision correction procedure that uses specialized lasers to reshape your cornea. This can correct refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism:
Nearsightedness
If you’re nearsighted, your cornea has too much curvature, causing light to focus in front of your retina rather than directly on it. LASIK corrects this by gently removing microscopic amounts of tissue from the central cornea, reducing its steepness. This adjustment shifts your focal point back to where it belongs, right on your retina, giving you clear distance vision.
Farsightedness
Farsightedness occurs when your cornea is too flat, making nearby objects appear blurry because light focuses behind your retina. The laser carefully reshapes the outer areas of your cornea, creating a steeper curve in the center. This brings your focal point forward onto the center of your retina, improving your ability to see close-up objects clearly.
Astigmatism
Astigmatism happens when your cornea has an irregular shape (more like a football than a basketball), creating multiple focal points that blur your vision at all distances. LASIK smooths these irregularities, transforming your cornea into a more uniform, spherical shape.
This creates a single, clear focal point on your retina. Astigmatism correction can be performed simultaneously with nearsightedness or farsightedness treatment, addressing all your vision issues in one procedure.
At Somerset Ophthalmology, our LASIK surgeons exclusively perform bladeless LASIK using the state-of-the-art IntraLase Femtosecond Laser. The blade-free approach represents the cutting edge of vision correction technology. By using lasers for every step of the procedure, we achieve unparalleled precision and safety.
This advanced technique has helped countless patients achieve the clear, confident vision they’ve always wanted, without the daily hassle of glasses or contacts.
Who is a Candidate for LASIK?
Before undergoing LASIK, your eye doctor at Somerset Ophthalmology will perform a thorough consultation to determine if you are a good candidate. This comprehensive screening process is essential to ensuring safe, effective LASIK outcomes.
Good candidates for LASIK are typically:
- 18 years or older
- Patients with a stable prescription for at least one year
- Not pregnant or nursing
- Free from eye conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, or severe dry eye
- Free from autoimmune conditions that could impact the healing process, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or Sjogren’s syndrome
- Patients with thick enough corneas for the procedure
- Patients with realistic expectations about LASIK outcomes
- Patients who want to reduce or eliminate their need for visual aids
At your LASIK consultation, your eye doctor will review these candidacy factors, conduct a comprehensive eye exam, go over your medical history, and discuss your lifestyle goals to determine if the procedure is right for you.
Take Our LASIK Self-Test to See if You are A Candidate!
What Happens During LASIK?
On the day of your LASIK procedure, you should arrive at our office about an hour before your appointment. Your eye surgeon may offer you a mild sedative to help you relax.
Then they will gently clean the skin around your eyes and apply anesthetic drops to numb them. A small device will hold your eyelids open so you can focus on the procedure without worrying about blinking.
Your LASIK surgeon begins by creating a thin flap on the surface of your cornea using the IntraLase Femtosecond Laser. This sophisticated technology delivers precise energy to the exact depth required, without ever touching your eye’s surface. Once created, this flap is carefully folded back.
You’ll focus on a small target light while the excimer laser reshapes your cornea. This laser has been customized specifically for your eyes based on detailed measurements taken during your consultation.
The actual reshaping takes just 60 to 120 seconds per eye, depending on your prescription. You might notice some pressure, but the numbing drops ensure you won’t experience pain. The procedure concludes with your surgeon repositioning the corneal flap, which seals itself naturally, no stitches required.
What to Expect During LASIK Recovery
After your procedure, you’ll be monitored in our recovery area for about 30 minutes before being cleared to return home. Your vision will likely be hazy initially, so ensure you have someone to drive you.
It’s best to take it easy for the rest of the day and prioritize rest. Any discomfort you experience during the first 12 to 24 hours can typically be managed with standard pain medication. It’s common to notice increased sensitivity to light, as well as tearing and puffiness, during the first few days.
Your eye doctor will outline specific recovery instructions, including:
- Applying prescription eye drops to help prevent infection and lessen inflammation
- Wearing a protective eye shield while you sleep
- Avoiding getting water in your eyes or swimming
- Refraining from strenuous exercise
- Not touching or rubbing your eyes
- Wearing UV-protective sunglasses while outside
You’ll come back for a check-up within 24 hours so we can monitor your healing. Many patients discover they can see clearly enough to drive by the next day, though you’ll need clearance from your eye doctor first.
Most activities can resume immediately after this follow-up visit. However, you may have to wait several weeks to resume contact sports and swimming. While most patients notice significant visual improvements within 1 to 2 days, complete visual stabilization typically occurs over 6 months.
What Will My LASIK Results Be Like?
Choosing LASIK is a personal decision that deserves careful thought. Our goal is to help you achieve functional vision without constant dependence on glasses or contacts. While individual results vary, the overwhelming majority of our patients report high satisfaction with their outcomes and enjoy freedom from visual aids in their daily lives.
Significant complications from LASIK occur very rarely. The procedure has an excellent safety profile and provides lasting results. Like all surgeries, there are inherent risks, but advanced screening and cutting-edge diagnostic equipment help us substantially reduce them.
How Much Does LASIK Cost?
While LASIK can seem like a high upfront cost, many patients find that choosing this one-time procedure over the recurring costs of glasses and contacts actually saves them money in the long run. Somerset Ophthalmology also partners with CareCredit to provide financing plans that help you pay for the procedure over time.
This allows patients to easily fit LASIK payments into their monthly budget without having to wait to enjoy clearer vision. Individual LASIK cost varies from person to person, depending on the type and severity of your refractive errors. Contact our office for details about LASIK pricing.
Are you ready to learn more about achieving visual freedom with LASIK? Schedule a LASIK consultation at Somerset Ophthalmology in Troy, MI, today!