Many people live with refractive errors, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Most deal with this by going to their optometrist for an eye exam and getting eyeglasses and/or contact lenses. But for some, there comes a point when wearing corrective lenses begins interfering with their lives. Glasses fog up. Contacts can make eyes feel dry and itchy, and are vulnerable to random debris in the air. Plus, you have to remember to keep all the cleaning solutions on hand. Because of these things, and the fact that it is just nice to wake up in the morning and see the world right away, more and more people are asking their eye care professionals about LASIK.
What is LASIK?
LASIK stands for laser in-situ keratomileusis and is a popular surgery that reshapes the front of the cornea, correcting the way light reflects off the retinas in the back of the eyes. During the procedure, your eyes are numbed and the surgeon uses an instrument to make a thin flap in your cornea. The surgeon works with the laser under the flap to reshape the cornea before putting the flap back in place. The procedure only lasts for about twenty minutes. While vision correction is quick, and LASIK has a high success rate, there are side effects to watch for, especially in the first days after surgery. These include glare, the appearance of halos, vision fluctuation, dry eyes, and light sensitivity.
Eye Care Before and After LASIK
While getting LASIK means that many can say goodbye to glasses, or at least have a weaker prescription, it is not the end of your eye care. Before LASIK can happen, your optometrist will need to evaluate your eyes and eye health to see whether you meet the criteria for LASIK eye surgery. Normally, your vision needs to have largely leveled out. Children under 18 are not good candidates because their eyes are still growing and developing. If you are pregnant or nursing, you should not have LASIK. Some health issues, such as diabetes and lupus, also disqualify you.
Eye Care Professionals in Colorado Springs
Once you are determined a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery, you will meet with the surgeon to discuss the next steps. After surgery, your optometrist will check to make sure your eyes are healing properly and address any concerns you may have. To learn more about LASIK or other vision correction options, contact Chapel Hills Vision Clinic in Colorado Springs, CO at (719) 599-5083 to schedule an appointment.
