Reasons Why You Should Consider LASIK Today

Michelle Hopkins

If you have a vision problem, the first thing and an ophthalmologist or optometrist prescribes are eyeglasses or contact lenses. Currently, about 75% of Americans wear glasses, while about 11% wear contact lenses. However, these two treatment options don't offer permanent vision correction. If you are looking for a lasting and better solution to your vision problem, you should consider LASIK.

What is LASIK?

This refractive surgery is performed to correct common refractive errors. Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is considered the best alternative to contact lenses or glasses.

If you have normal vision, the cornea refracts light correctly onto the retina. However, if you have farsightedness, nearsightedness, or astigmatism, the light is bent incorrectly, leading to blurred vision.

During the LASIK procedure, the optical surgeon directs a special type of laser on the cornea. The objective is to change the shape of the clear tissue of the cornea to improve vision. Unlike glasses and contact lenses, LASIK reshapes the cornea, providing the necessary refraction.

Which Vision Problems Require LASIK?

You can ask your optometrist about LASIK if you have any of the following vision problems:

  • Farsightedness- If you have this condition, the objects that are far from you become blurry. It is caused by a flat cornea that focuses light behind the retina.
  • Nearsightedness- If you have this vision problem, objects that are close to you appear blurry. Inability to see near objects shows that light rays focus in front of the retina.
  • Astigmatism- This condition affects both near and distant vision. If you have this problem, it's an indication that your cornea does not curve or flatten evenly.

Why Should You Consider LASIK?

If you are tired of continually wearing contact lenses or eyeglasses, LASIK could be right for you. Studies show that people who have LASIK achieve better vision. Hence, you can perform most of your routine activities with much ease.

After the surgery, you will not need to wear glasses anymore. However, if you are advanced in age, you may need glasses or contact lenses when reading or driving at night.

Other advantages of LASIK include:

  • After surgery, you will have a youthful vision.
  • Since the procedure uses laser beams, it is minimally invasive.
  • The surgeon uses numbing drops, making the surgery painless.
  • Although there might be a few side effects, significant complications, such as vision loss, are rare.
  • Your vision problem will be corrected almost instantly.

Conclusion

If you have a refractive error that requires you always to wear glasses or contact lenses, you should ask your optometrist about LASIK. This refractive surgery has a high success rate, minimumal side effects, and zero complications.


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