LASIK is a type of corrective surgery to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. It’s currently the most commonly performed laser eye surgery. If you need prescription eyewear to see clearly, but you’d love an alternative to wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses, book a consultation to discuss LASIK with our eye doctor near you. We have eye care offices located conveniently in Ft. Worth, Southlake, and Downtown, Texas.
What is LASIK?
LASIK, which stands for “laser assisted in situ keratomileusis,” is a procedure that reshapes the cornea, allowing light that enters the eye to be focused properly on the retina.
During this outpatient surgery, your eye surgeon will numb your eyes with anesthetic drops. Then, a special ring will be placed to hold your cornea in the right position and prevent your eye from moving. A special device is used to cut a thin flap in your corneal tissue, which is moved out of the way so a laser can be used to reshape the corneal tissue underneath. Afterwards, the surgeon will replace the flap, which bonds to your eyeball and heals.
LASIK is generally pain-free and takes a total of 15 minutes for both eyes. Results are often experienced immediately, and vision continues to improve over the next few days.
How does LASIK work?
To give you sharp vision, your cornea and lens must refract (bend) light rays so they focus directly on the retina. The retina then converts these light rays into impulses that are transmitted to the brain, which recognizes them as images. However, if your cornea is shaped irregularly, light rays will focus in front of or behind the retina instead. Subsequently, the image you see will be blurred.
Eyeglasses, contact lenses, and LASIK all work to correct the refractive error, making light focus on the retina. With LASIK, vision correction is done by performing a precise, safe laser procedure to change the shape of the cornea.
If you are nearsighted, the goal of LASIK will be to flatten the cornea; if you’re farsighted, a steeper cornea will be formed; to correct astigmatism, your irregular cornea will be smoothed into a more normal shape.
Does LASIK always give perfect vision?
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), nine out of 10 patients who undergo LASIK will have somewhere between 20/20 and 20/40 vision as a result of the procedure. Remember though, LASIK doesn’t affect presbyopia – so it’s likely you’ll eventually need reading glasses to see up-close, as you age.
Does the concept of seeing crisp and clear without any eyewear sound like a dream come true? Schedule a visit to our eye care center in Ft. Worth, Southlake, or Downtown, Texas, to discuss your candidacy for LASIK with an eye doctor near you.
At Eyeworks, we put your family's needs first. Talk to us about how we can help you maintain healthy vision. Call us today: 817-346-7077 or book an appointment online to see one of our Ft. Worth eye doctors.
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