Not everyone thinks they look like wearing glasses and some of those that like their appearance do not appreciate how cumbersome it can be to wake up in the middle of the night or in the morning and not be able to see. Many people choose to wear contact lenses for appearances, but leaving them in overnight may not be the smartest thing they can do. One way around this is with laser eye surgery to correct most vision problems so they can go through their daily routine without the need for corrective lenses.
While the operation itself is fairly simple, at least for an experienced lasik eye surgeon, the healing process can take some time and their near-perfect vision may not be evident for up to six months. That is not to say they will be blind for half the year, but some of the issues such as seeing halos around objects or experiencing glare, especially at night may never go away, and occasional bouts of blurry vision may last several months after the surgery.
The good news is, following the successful surgical procedure the patient's vision can be restored to near-perfect and there is a good chance they will never have to wear corrective lenses again. Essentially, the procedure involves using a laser beam to reshape the cornea, allowing it to better focus light on the cornea, proving better vision. The procedure is performed as an outpatient and with appropriate regular follow up visits; there are few, if any complications with the surgery.
The process begins with a visit to a laser surgery specialist, where a thorough eye examination will be conducted, insuring the patient has sufficient thickness to the cornea to withstand the surgery. There will also be an explanation on how the surgery is performed and questions about recovery and the timeline for restoration of vision will be discussed. One of the most talked-about topics is paying for the surgery since many insurance companies view laser eye surgery as a cosmetic procedure and will not cover its cost.
Before scheduling the surgery, the patient will also be advised about the need for follow up care and of what it consists. Patients who participate in active or contact sports will be advised they will need to refrain from participation for a minimum of four months to allow the cornea to completely heal before exposing it to the stresses of some activities. Once the patient is fully advised of what to expect after the surgery, and the limitations they will be under, they can make an informed decision on whether or not to have the surgery.
Prior to the surgery, patients who have worn contacts will have to go without them for at least two weeks prior to the operation and if the wear rigid contacts and for how long, they may have to wait up to six weeks or longer to undergo the operation. The first part of the procedure consists of making a topographic map of the cornea to determine the amount of cornea that needs work, and it has to have no influence from contacts to make a proper assessment.
