Over the past couple of decades, LASIK has grown in popularity for individuals who desire clearer vision. Generally, patients can achieve 20/25 eyesight or better so they can rely less on glasses and contact lenses. In fact, some individuals find they no longer need these visual aids to see clearly and handle their daily activities.
Before undergoing the procedure, patients will need to know if their glasses prescription qualifies for LASIK. During a consultation at our office, serving Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia, Dr. Andrew Holzman examines your eyes to determine if you are a suitable candidate for the procedure. He can answer any questions you may have and provide more information to ensure you are comfortable throughout the process.
Which Prescriptions Qualify for LASIK Surgery?
If you have a glasses prescription for certain eye conditions, then you might qualify for LASIK. The surgery works to improve eyesight for the following:
- Astigmatism: This disorder is a result of corneal irregularities. When the corneas are misshapen, it can lead to blurry and wavy vision from any distance. Consequently, only certain parts of objects are in focus.
- Myopia: Also known as nearsightedness, this eyesight problem is extremely common. With myopia, patients find it difficult to focus on objects that are in the distance. The items appear blurry and hazy.
- Hyperopia: Farsightedness is when patients are not able to view items that are close in front of their eyes. As a result, these objects are out of focus and blurry. These patients often have a hard time reading.
- Presbyopia: This condition is a type of farsightedness that is related to age. As patients get older, they may have an inability to see objects clearly that are up close. They often have to use reading glasses to view items. For the right patient, monovision LASIK can help.
Who Are the Best Candidates?
Dr. Holzman can determine if you are an ideal candidate for LASIK. Patients over 18 should have a stable prescription that has not been changed for at least one year. Additionally, individuals should have good eye health and be free from issues like dry eye, corneal disease, and glaucoma.
LASIK provides the best results for patients with normal-sized pupils. If the pupils are too large, then patients have a higher chance of developing glare or halos after the surgery. Also, patients need to have the right amount of corneal thickness for the procedure to be more successful.
What Happens During LASIK?
Before the surgery is performed, your doctor numbs your eyes to minimize any pain or discomfort. The eyes are gently held open with a speculum during the procedure. The surgeon next creates a flap on the cornea’s surface before using a laser to reshape the tissue. The entire procedure is quick and completed in our office.
What Happens After Surgery?
There is little to no downtime after LASIK, so you should be able to return home the same day. However, you will need to rest your eyes for a few hours, so you probably need to wait until the next day to resume your normal activities. About 24 hours following surgery, you should notice that your vision is greatly improved. It generally takes up to six months before your eyesight is fully stable. Patients can live more freely since they can rely less on glasses and contacts.
Schedule a Consultation
For patients who are interested in learning more about LASIK surgery, we encourage them to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Holzman. Please call our office at (855) 99-LASIK or schedule a consultation online to find out more information.
