Laser Vision Correction

Many of us have poor vision. While some people are happy wearing glasses or contact lenses, others opt for laser vision correction for more aesthetic, long-lasting results.

Laser vision correction is also popularly known as LASIK. This popular laser treatment can be used to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. Patients with glaucoma or other eye-related conditions should get their eye doctor’s approval before having the procedure done. Some patients aren’t good candidates for LASIK due to compromised healing ability or job requirements.

When shopping around for a laser eye surgeon, don’t go with the cheapest alternative. Some LASIK centers advertise prices as low as $500 per eye. Reputable surgeons seldom offer discounts. You can expect to pay $1,000 to $2,500 per eye for a quality LASIK procedure, though this price might fall a bit as more and more doctors offer the service. You want a surgeon who has performed laser eye surgery hundreds of times, but not one who performs so many in a day that you feel like part of an assembly line!

Patients are advised to refrain from wearing makeup, face lotions, or perfume for a couple of days before the session. Contact lens wearers should also switch to glasses for about two weeks prior. The surgeon will advise you of your specific requirements, which vary according to the type of lenses you currently wear.

LASIK works by the application of gentle suction on the patient’s cornea. After anesthetic drops are placed in the eye, patients will have suction rings applied to their cornea. This is uncomfortable, but not painful. A small speculum is used to hold the eyelids open during the procedure, and the patient is fully awake throughout. The doctor will use the laser to cut into the cornea and create a flap of tissue. This is folded aside, allowing the tissues underneath to dry out. Then the surgeon resculpts the cornea to get rid of irregularities in shape that cause vision problems.

Common complaints following laser vision correction are blurred vision, itchy eyes, and the worsening of dry eyes. These are normal effects, and will go away within one to three weeks. Some patients experience more serious adverse vision effects after laser eye surgery. These tend to be detrimental to night vision, such as halos or glare from streetlights. These effects usually go away, but not always. A small minority of patients suffer permanent vision reduction that can’t be corrected with glasses, lenses, or surgery. Be sure to discuss possible complications with your eye surgeon.