If you no longer want to wear corrective lenses, then LASIK surgery may be right for you. It treats both farsightedness and nearsightedness, and during the procedure, your eye doctor reshapes your cornea so that your vision is clearer. LASIK surgery is minimally invasive and is virtually pain-free. Here are some things to expect before and after your refractive surgery.
Before LASIK
Before your eye doctor approves you for your procedure, he or she will perform a comprehensive eye examination to make sure you are a suitable candidate for refractive surgery. The eye doctor will assess the shape and size of your cornea, check for eye diseases, and determine if you are nearsighted or farsighted.
You will also be checked for astigmatism, or an irregularly shaped cornea. Your physician will also assess the quality of your tears because if you have dry eyes, you will need to be treated before your procedure so that your condition doesn't worsen after LASIK surgery.
The eye surgeon will also ask you about your medical history and will need to know if you take any medications or supplements. You will also be told not to wear your contact lenses for a couple of weeks prior to your surgery because doing so can alter the contour of your corneas.
After Surgery
Right after your eye surgery, your doctor will have you relax for a little while before going home. You may experience mild itching or burning sensations in your eyes after your procedure; however, these symptoms will soon disappear.
You will need to have someone drive you home because you will be unable to drive until your doctor determines that your vision is good enough for you to operate a motor vehicle. Also, any blurriness that you may experience on the first day following your procedure will probably be gone by the following day.
You will be able to go to work the day after your surgery; however, your eye surgeon may recommend that you stay home for at least a day. In addition, you should avoid strenuous exercise for about a week following your procedure because this can injure your eye and slow down the healing process.
To learn more about how refractive surgery can improve your vision, make an appointment with your eye doctor. He or she will address all of your concerns regarding the LASIK procedure so that you can determine if it is the right treatment option for you. He or she will also be able to refer to a LASIK treatment center, such as Cornea Consultants of Nashville.
We all know how important it is to get regular eye examinations. We want to educate people of all ages on the importance of taking care of their eyes so that they can preserve their vision for as long as possible. Our blog posts will cover topics such as age-related eye disorders such as open-angle and closed-angle glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. We'll also provide you with information on contact lens care, minor eye irritations, bifocal glasses, eye infections, and medications that can cause eye problems. If we can help you keep your eyes healthy, then we've done our job.