8 Questions to Ask Your LASIK Surgeon

LASIK is an exceptionally effective refractive surgery that treats farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism. These conditions stem from refractive errors that may develop progressively from childhood. It is an FDA-approved procedure that allows you to enjoy a significant improvement in your eyesight. It will also improve your work performance and quality of life.

Although LASIK is a largely successful and risk-free procedure, you should not take it lightly. With that, here are eight questions you can ask your LASIK surgeon in Santa Barbara. They will help you know more about the surgery before going for it.
 

How Does LASIK Work?

The basic procedure is like sculpting a permanent contact lens onto your eye surface. Your Santa Barbara LASIK surgeon achieves this by cutting an ultrathin flap on your cornea and leaving a small part of the flap. It acts as an attachment to the eye surface.

They remove little tissue from the corneal surface using a laser to correct your refractive error. Afterward, they return the flap on the surface of your eye. You get to have vision like a contact lens without the hassle and nuisance of having to wear contact lenses.
 

Am I an Eligible LASIK Candidate?

LASIK candidates should have myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism. But that is not all. Your eye doctor will also check the degree of refractive error and make sure you’ve had a stable prescription or your eyesight is not severely worsening year after year. In addition, they will measure and check the corneal thickness, shape, regularity, and eye health. They need to determine if you have enough corneal surface to cut.
 

What Should I Avoid After Surgery?

The first three days of recovery are crucial, so you need to rest. Start by avoiding too much pressure and exerting yourself. After that, you can return to your daily activities, but remember to protect your eyes and avoid UV exposure. You should wear a pair of high-quality sunglasses with 100 percent UV protection.

Avoid smoking; it will slow down your healing process. Do your best to avoid people and areas where there is smoke. Avoid wearing makeup for at least a week after the surgery. Sometimes, makeup carries bacteria. Hence, you may end up with an infection.

How Long Does LASIK Surgery Last?

LASIK surgery is permanent, and it will last forever. However, it doesn’t freeze other age-related eye conditions in place. So, you may still get some vision problems as you age.
 

Will I Achieve 20/20 Vision?

Research shows that about 90 percent of patients achieve 20/20 vision with LASIK surgery. Those who do not get this after their initial procedure can get an enhancement procedure to fine-tune the results.
 

How LASIK Is Recovery?

As you recover, you will feel the urge to rub your eyes. Avoid it as much as possible since you may displace the healing flap. Use the antibiotic medications; lubricating eye drops the doctor prescribes. They will help encourage proper healing and sometimes deal with the urge to itch. You can resume your everyday activities after three days.

What Age Do I Have to Be for the Procedure?

The minimum age for the procedure is 18. The reason is that at this age, refractive error starts to stabilize. Thus, there is minimal risk that the eyeball will continue to elongate, and you may need another surgery.

Are There Any Alternatives to LASIK?

Yes, there are several alternatives you can consider. These include PRK, LASEK, and refractive lens exchange. However, get to know the pros and cons of each before settling on any.

For more information on LASIK, call Santa Barbara Eyecare at (805) 967-9990 or (805) 451-8180 to discuss any questions or to schedule an appointment today.