Eye

As someone who wears contact lenses and eyeglasses to see clearly, I understand the everyday inconveniences, like ensuring the eyeglasses do not fall off or ensuring I do not fall asleep with my contact lenses on. It is difficult, but what if I tell you there is a long-term, hassle-free solution? Yes, there is, and it is a refractive surgery called LASIK.

This article is for you if this is your first time hearing or learning about LASIK! Keep reading to understand better this surgery and how it can help you regain clear vision.

It is an open secret that LASIK has been gaining popularity because of its effectiveness in addressing vision problems, especially for individuals with nearsightedness, farsightedness, and Astigmatism. Here is how LASIK addresses these issues:

• Nearsightedness (Myopia) is a visual concern when an individual has difficulty seeing far-away objects but can see well up close. LASIK reshapes the cornea, thus improving distance vision.
• Farsightedness (Hyperopia) is technically the opposite of Myopia. It happens when nearby objects are blurry or unclear while distant objects are clear. Individuals with this vision concern are perfect candidates for LASIK as the latter can adjust and reshape the cornea to improve close-up vision.
• Astigmatism is a vision problem caused by mismatched or irregular curves in the cornea or lens inside the eyes. It causes vision to become blurred or unclear. LASIK can help address Astigmatism by correcting the cornea.

Moreover, here is the list of individuals who may benefit from the wonders of LASIK surgery:

• Individuals 18 years old and above as the vision needs to be stable before LASIK surgery.
• Individuals with no significant vision prescription changes in a year or two
• People with no cataracts, glaucoma, or any other retinal issues
• Patients who find contact lenses and eyeglasses a burden to their everyday activities

Are you still deciding whether LASIK is right for you? Talk to our ophthalmologists today to find out!

You may want to try LASIK to achieve a blur-free vision but are still unaware of what happens before, during, and after the surgery. Here is how it goes.

Before LASIK (First Step)

• Consultation and Eye exam: Eye surgery is only completed by consulting your ophthalmologist first. This procedure allows your eye doctor to assess whether you are fitted for LASIK. Typically, it includes a comprehensive eye exam, such as measuring the thickness of your cornea, mapping your eye shape, and checking for certain conditions like dry eyes. It is also perfect for patients to discuss their vision goals and medical history.
• Temporary Stop on Contacts: It is highly advisable for patients to temporarily stop using contact lenses for a week or two before the scheduled surgery. Contact lenses alter the shape of the cornea, which must be in its original shape and state before LASIK.
• Plan for Recovery: It is best to arrange your transportation and accommodation for convenience after the surgery. Arrange for someone to drive you home safely after the LASIK surgery, as your eyes will still be blurry following the procedure.

During LASIK Surgery (Second Step)

• Preparation: On the day of LASIK surgery, your ophthalmologist will administer numbing eye drops to ensure your comfort. After, you will be positioned under a laser machine.
• Flap Creation: Your eye surgeon will create a thin, hinged flap in the cornea using a laser or an extra-small blade to access the corneal tissue underneath.
• Cornea Reshaping: A laser reshapes the cornea based on the specific measurements taken during the consultation. Feeling some pressure is normal, but know that it is generally a painless part of the process.
• Flap Repositioning: After reshaping the cornea, your eye surgeon will fold the flap back to its original position, allowing it to heal naturally without stitches.

The procedure time for LASIK surgery is about 10-20 minutes; patients can leave the clinic 15 minutes after the surgery.

After LASIK Surgery (Third Step)

• Immediate Recover: Do not panic when your vision becomes blurry, gritty, or irritated right after LASIK surgery; it will subside. Blurriness can last up to 3 months on average. It is essential to know that post-op dryness is most robust in the morning and gradually improves throughout the day as the surgery alters your eyes’ biorhythm. However, dryness may last up to six months or one year. Your ophthalmologist will give you eye drops to lessen the dryness and prevent infection. Just rest for the rest of the day.
• Post-Surgery Checkups: Follow-up appointments are the most crucial step in a LASIK procedure. They are imperative so your eye doctor can monitor your healing and vision. Typically, follow-up check-ups occur at these intervals:
• One day after surgery
• Two weeks after surgery
• One month after surgery
• Three months after surgery
• Nine months after surgery
• One year after surgery
• Then, every six months after that
• Gradual Vision Improvement: Allow your eyes to adjust and heal. While some patients notice clearer vision 15 minutes—8 hours after the surgery, their vision will continue to improve within days and weeks. Also, side effects like glares, halos, and light sensitivity may become evident but eventually subside.
• Resuming Activities: A few days after LASIK surgery, patients can resume daily activities. However, rubbing your eyes or strenuous activities like swimming are still prohibited to ensure proper healing, at least for a month.
• Final Results: Most patients achieve 20/20 vision or even better after LASIK, but try to manage your expectations. Full recovery and stabilization of your vision may take weeks up to 3 months; it depends entirely on your body’s healing process.

Investing in LASIK surgery is like giving your eyes what they deserve. It is a painless procedure that provides long-lasting benefits and promises a clearer vision. Alternatives to LASIK

• SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction): A laser eye surgery that corrects myopia and, sometimes, astigmatism.
• ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens): This procedure involves implanting a small, flexible lens between the iris and the natural lens inside the eye.
• LASEK (Laser-Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratectomy): Unlike LASIK, LASEK does not create a deep flap; it preserves most corneal tissue.
• PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy): The first type of laser eye surgery that corrects myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism by reshaping the cornea.