Frequently Asked
Questions about Laser refractive surgery (LASIK)
What
are the benefits of laser vision correction?
What is nearsightedness?
What is farsightedness?
What is astigmatism?
How does laser vision correction
improve nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism?
What's
the difference between PRK, LASIK, and RK?
Is laser
vision correction safe?
Does
laser vision correction hurt?
Do
I have to wait for my regular eye exam?
What
happens before the treatment?
What
can I expect on the day of treatment?
How
well will I see after laser vision correction?
How soon
can I return to work?
How
do I know whether I can have laser vision correction?
Are there any risks?
What
are the benefits of laser vision correction?
LASIK reduces or eliminates
nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism and, with it, the
need for glasses or contacts.
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What
is nearsightedness?
The normal eye is a perfect
sphere, where the cornea and lens focus light to form an image on
the back inside surface of the eye, known as the retina. With nearsightedness,
the cornea's curvature is too steep for the shape of the eye. The
light is focused in front of the retina, causing images of distant
objects to appear blurry.
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What is
farsightedness?
In a farsighted eye,
the image focuses beyond the retina. In our youth, the innate accommodating
(focusing) power of the eyes often compensates for farsightedness.
But as we age, our eyes become less able to accommodate. For this
reason, farsightedness most commonly becomes a problem later in
life. Many farsighted eyes do not need correction until the individuals
reach their forties or fifties.
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What
is astigmatism?
The front of the astigmatic
eye has an irregular shape, more oval, like a football. Incoming
light focuses at multiple points instead of one. Astigmatism can
make wearing contact lenses difficult or even impossible. Laser
vision correction with LASIK is now an FDA approved option for people
with astigmatism.
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How
does laser vision correction improve nearsightedness, farsightedness,
and astigmatism?
The cool beam of light
gently reshapes the surface of the cornea, making it more like a
normal eye. Light can then focus at the back of the eye, on the
retina, making images on the retina clear, thereby improving vision.
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What's
the difference between PRK, LASIK, and RK?
PRK (Photorefractive
Keratectomy) and LASIK (Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis) both use the
VISX laser system to remove corneal tissue and thereby flatten the
cornea for nearsightedness or steepen it for farsightedness. In
the PRK procedure, the laser operates on the surface of the cornea.
With LASIK, the surgeon first creates a flap on the cornea and then
uses the laser for correction made below the corneal surface.
RK (Radial Keratotomy)
is a non-laser procedure in which the surgeon uses a knife to make
a series of radial incisions into the cornea. RK was never studied
or approved by the FDA.
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Is
laser vision correction safe?
The FDA has approved
the procedure for the treatment of nearsightedness, farsightedness,
and astigmatism for eligible patients. Millions of patients worldwide
have undergone successful laser vision correction procedures. Virtually
all people treated experience an improvement in vision that would
allow them to pass a drivers' license exam without the aid of glasses
or contacts.
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Does
laser vision correction hurt?
The procedure itself
is painless. Your eye is numbed with eye drops that are instilled
prior to the procedure and no general anesthetic is necessary. You
may experience some temporary discomfort after treatment; your doctor
can prescribe pain medication if needed.
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Do
I have to wait for my regular eye exam?
No. You can have laser
vision correction as soon as you're ready and eligible for it. You
can ask your eyecare professional about laser vision correction
any time.
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What
happens before the treatment?
Your eyecare professional
will conduct a thorough examination to determine whether your eyes
are healthy and suitable for the procedure. Then your eyes will
be photographed and a computerized map (corneal topography) will
be created. This "map" will assess the shape of your cornea and
is one of the many diagnostic tests the doctor uses to help plan
your procedure.
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What
can I expect on the day of treatment?
This is an outpatient
procedure that takes less than 15 minutes to complete for most patients.
Your entire visit will be complete in about an hour.
First, you will relax
in a reclining chair. Anesthetic drops will be placed in your eye,
your eye doctor will position your head under a laser, and a retainer
will be used to gently and comfortably hold your eyelids open during
the procedure. The doctor enters your refractive error (meaning
your prescription) into the computer. You will be asked to focus
on a blinking light for a minute or less. The doctor will view your
eye directly through a surgical microscope to ensure that you are
fixating properly and can pause at any time. Once finished, you
will get up, receive instructions from the staff, and rest for a
few minutes.
Afterward, you'll go
home to rest and relax for several hours.
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How
well will I see after laser vision correction?
Results vary with each
individual. Doctors report that a vast majority of patients treated
are highly satisfied. In fact, nearly all could pass a state driver's
exam without glasses or contact lenses. As every patient is different
you should ask your doctor about patients with vision problems like
yours. A discussion with your doctor will help you to understand
the risks and benefits of the procedure. Vision usually improves
immediately after treatment though it's normal that some patients
may experience small visual changes during the first several months.
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How
soon can I return to work?
Some people return the
day after treatment. 2 or 3 days of rest are suggested.
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How
do I know whether I can have laser vision correction?
Your eyecare professional
can tell you if laser vision correction is right for you. Some
guidelines are:
- You must have healthy
eyes, and be at least 18 years old to undergo the procedure for
nearsightedness You must be 21 years old for the farsightedness
or astigmatism procedures.
- Your vision must be
stable for at least 1 year before the laser procedure.
- You are not a good
candidate if you have degenerative or autoimmune diseases, if
you're pregnant or nursing, or if you have a condition that deters
or slows healing.
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Are
there any risks?
There are risks that
accompany all surgical procedures. Laser vision correction is performed
using a computer-controlled light beam under the guidance of a trained
and certified eye doctor. Please ask your eye doctor to discuss
with you the risks and benefits of laser vision correction.
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