The cornea typically bends light onto the retina at the back of the eye. However, in eyes with nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism, the light does not bend correctly, resulting in blurred vision. LASIK surgery is a common procedure to treat the visual problems associated with nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
During Surgery:
In a successful surgery, the cornea will be reshaped so that light bends correctly, which provides the patient with clear and improved vision. Using a femtosecond laser, a LASIK surgeon will create a thin flap in the patient’s cornea to allow access to the stroma to remove some corneal tissues. Then the surgeon will remove microscopic amounts of tissue from the cornea to reshape it. Depending on the visual problems you are dealing with (myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism), the surgeon will either need to flatten, steep, or smooth out the cornea to the desired shape. After the reshaping of the cornea, the thin flap created in the cornea is laid back into place. Over time, the flap will seal to the underlying cornea, completing the healing process.
After Surgery:
In most cases, LASIK surgery is performed on the same day for each eye, taking about 15 minutes. You might experience blurry, hazy vision after surgery. However, it should improve by the following day. Although you will need someone to drive you home, patients can typically return to work the next day. It is important to note that you will have a post-op appointment with your LASIK surgeon the day following your surgery to check your progress. Most patients achieve 20/20 vision. Results vary based on each patient’s healing process and overall response to the surgery.
Not every patient is an ideal candidate for LASIK surgery. Ideal candidates are in good health and free of eye diseases and infections. Additionally, it is only performed on adults whose eyes have completely matured. The patient should have a stable prescription for at least one year prior to surgery. If LASIK surgery is not right for you, our ophthalmologists can offer other vision corrections better tailored to your needs.
Watch this short video describing the benefits of LASIK surgery
At Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute, we assist our patients through every step of the process, from consultation to post-op care. Dr. Ilan Epstein is a board-certified ophthalmologist with extensive experience performing LASIK surgery. If you’d like to determine if LASIK surgery is right for you, schedule a consultation by calling 954-741-5555.
