Many people who are tired of wearing glasses or contact lenses seek the help of refractive surgeons. Refractive surgery improves vision by correcting refractive errors such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism. A high percentage of patients enjoy 20/20 vision or better after their procedure.
While LASIK is the most common type of refractive surgery, there are now many surgical options for patients to consider. Here at Maryland Eye, we are proud to offer the latest technologies in refractive surgery – during your consultation, your surgeon will discuss each of the below options, and help you decide which will best address your visual needs.
Although LASIK is considered a safe procedure, it is not ideal for everyone. Your eye doctor will perform a thorough evaluation to determine whether LASIK is appropriate for you, or if you would benefit from another type of refractive procedure. You may be a candidate for LASIK if you are:
It is also important for patients to fully understand the details and risks of the procedure and maintain realistic expectations.
The LASIK procedure is relatively painless and quick. You will remain awake and comfortable during the laser procedure. Prior to the procedure topical numbing anesthetic drops are applied to your eyes and you will be prepared for the laser treatment. The surgeon will then begin the LASIK procedure.
The laser delivers completely customized pulses of light energy for each patient’s individual prescription. This customization is determined prior to surgery, with the precise positioning confirmed prior to starting the laser.
The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and takes about 10 to 15 minutes, although patients can expect to spend a few hours at the office.
After LASIK, patients will rest in the office for a short time before having someone else drive them home. Your doctor will likely recommend resting at home for a few hours, with most patients able to return to work and other regular activities the next day. Strenuous exercise should be avoided for at least a week. Medication may be prescribed to relieve any discomfort, but most tolerate this procedure well. Your doctor will provide you with specific post-operative instructions to ensure proper healing and to help patients achieve the best possible vision.
While it may take several months for full results to develop, significant visual improvement is noticeable immediately after the LASIK procedure. Most patients eventually achieve vision that is 20/20 or better and are able to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. Although patients can achieve clear vision from LASIK, this procedure cannot prevent presbyopia, the age-related vision changes that occur after the age of 40. Many patients will need reading glasses for this condition, but their distance vision will remain clear. If you are currently in your 40s or older, and want to also be free of reading glasses, you may consider Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE).
LASIK is considered safe for most patients who are considered ideal candidates. There is a risk of infection or complications such as night glare, halos or vision worsening, although these are considered rare. Patients can further reduce the risk of complications by choosing an experienced surgeon to perform their procedure.
PRK may be a good option for those patients who have slightly thinner corneas. The main difference between PRK and LASIK is that PRK requires a slightly longer recovery period as compared to LASIK. The visual results are excellent, and you will not have a corneal flap.
At Maryland Eye Consultants & Surgeons, you will always have your refractive surgery consultation directly with your surgeon. While we love to deliver exceptional visual results for every patient, we understand that not all patients are good candidates for surgery. It is important to meet with our surgeon to discuss if this is the best option for you.
Common refractive procedures include LASIK, PRK, clear lens exchange/refractive lens exchange, and implantable collamer lens (ICL).
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Suite 101
Silver Spring, MD 20902
