Do you want to experience crystal-clear vision without glasses or contacts? You may be a good candidate for LASIK.
At West Virginia Eye Consultants, our dedicated team will be there for you every step of the way on your journey to visual freedom.
What is LASIK?
LASIK is a laser vision correction procedure that can correct common refractive errors, helping patients achieve clear vision. Refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism are typically caused by an irregularly shaped cornea or an eye that is too long or short.
These irregularities can cause your vision to be unfocused, affecting how light bounces off the retina and relays clear images to your brain. LASIK can correct these refractive errors by reshaping the cornea to allow light to reach the retina at the optimal spot for clear vision.
Am I a Good Candidate for LASIK?
While LASIK has helped millions achieve their dream vision, the procedure isn’t suitable for everyone. You must be at least 18 years old to undergo LASIK, as an essential prerequisite is having a prescription that has remained stable for at least one year.
The younger you are, the higher chance you have of having an unstable prescription, as you are still growing and experiencing hormonal changes. If you undergo LASIK while your prescription is still changing, you may not be able to achieve clear vision with the procedure.
LASIK may also not be safe for you if you have severe dry eye. This is because some nerves in the cornea are affected during the procedure, which can impact the eyes’ ability to produce tears.
If you can get your dry eye symptoms under control through lifestyle changes, at-home treatment, or treatment through your eye doctor, you may be able to undergo LASIK. In addition to being over 18, having a stable prescription, and not having severe dry eye, you may be a good LASIK candidate if:
- You are not pregnant or breastfeeding
- You have thick enough corneas to create a corneal flap
- You do not have glaucoma or cataracts
- You do not have autoimmune conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or Sjogren’s syndrome
- You have realistic expectations about what LASIK can do for your vision
- You want to enjoy clear vision without having to wear glasses or contacts
If you want to find out whether you are a good LASIK candidate, you should schedule a LASIK consultation with your eye doctor at West Virginia Eye Consultants. They will examine your eyes and discuss your medical history and vision goals to help you discover whether LASIK could be the vision correction procedure for you.
What Happens During LASIK?
During the LASIK procedure, you are awake. However, you won’t feel any pain. Your eye doctor will administer numbing eye drops before the procedure and may offer you a mild sedative if you are feeling nervous. After your eyes are numbed, your LASIK surgeon will begin the procedure using the advanced ZEISS VisuMax femtosecond laser to make a small flap in the cornea.
They will then lift the flap and use the state-of-the-art ZEISS MEL 80 excimer laser to carefully reshape the cornea. The flap will be put back in place and act as a natural bandage for your eye while it heals. The entire procedure should take 30 minutes or less.
What is Recovery Like After LASIK?
Once your procedure is complete, you will need to have someone drive you home, and your eye doctor will likely recommend you rest for the remainder of the day. They will send you home with a special eye shield to prevent you from accidentally rubbing your eyes and prescription eye drops to help prevent infection and inflammation.
You may experience some discomfort during this time and feel a gritty sensation in your eyes. This is a normal side effect of LASIK and typically resolves within one to two days. Some patients experience vision improvements after LASIK almost immediately, while others may see improvements more gradually. You will likely achieve peak visual clarity several months after the procedure.
Most patients can resume things like work and driving the day after LASIK. You will be required to attend a follow-up appointment the day after your procedure, where your eye doctor will let you know when it is safe to return to normal activities. You will likely need to wait longer to resume activities like wearing eye makeup, playing contact sports, or swimming. Further follow-up appointments are necessary to ensure your eyes are healing properly.
Is LASIK Worth the Cost?
Although LASIK has an out-of-pocket cost, the procedure can save you money in the long run. The amount of money spent on glasses and contact lenses throughout your life will likely be much more over time than the cost of LASIK.
On average, patients are spending around $500 each year on glasses and contacts. Getting LASIK is a one-time cost, and with financing, most patients can pay it off within two years.
There are several financing options available for the procedure, including CareCredit (with 24 months of 0% interest if approved), Alphaeon Credit, and Cherry Financing. Once you’ve paid off the cost of your procedure, you own your vision and will no longer have to budget for glasses and contacts.
Frequently Asked Questions About LASIK
Do you want to learn more about how LASIK could help you achieve visual freedom? Schedule a LASIK consultation with West Virginia Eye Consultants in Charleston, WV, today!
