Everything You Should Know About LASIK Eye Treatment

An eye problem can be a setback in your life. From eye irritability to the constant need for eyeglasses or contact lenses, eye problems are inconvenient in many ways. Thankfully, over the years, modern technology has allowed for improvements in the treatment options available for patients with eye problems.

LASIK is one of those eye procedures that has amassed popularity as a go-to solution to be free of eyeglasses and contact lenses. It can have permanent results in your vision, which is one of the reasons why many patients consider it a suitable treatment option.

What Is LASIK?

LASIK is an abbreviation for laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis. It is commonly referred to as laser eye surgery. It is a corrective surgical procedure that is offered as a treatment for eye problems like myopia and astigmatism. This refractive eye surgery can significantly improve your vision.

The goal of this keratectomy procedure is to reduce the dependency on eyeglasses and contacts that patients have. The intent is always to correct your underlying eye problem and achieve better vision permanently.

What Does LASIK Eye Surgery Entail?

Once your optometrist has determined that you are a good candidate for the procedure, you are transferred to an eye surgeon. The surgeon will examine the state of your eyes, even taking detailed measurements. The information he/she collects will be necessary for altering the curvature of your cornea.

Technically, when you have blurry vision, the cornea’s curvature can be altered to provide the needed refraction that will translate to vision correction. This is an improvement from the traditional approach that involves refracting or bending light rays with eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Is LASIK Right for You?

This question is important because it helps patients research more on a medical procedure to test its suitability. Considering how delicate the eyes are, you must seek professional recommendations from an optometrist in Scarborough before undertaking any treatment. This way, you can get the proper diagnosis for your eye problem and the correct course of action regarding treatment alternatives.

In many cases, your optometrist will tell you whether or not LASIK is the best way for you to go. The number one requirement is that you must be in good health to withstand what is entailed in the surgical procedure. Some of the factors that may disqualify you include:

1. Underlying health problems like diabetes, depression, or other chronic illnesses.
2. Age-related eye problems may not benefit much from this surgery.
3. Keratoconus – is a condition that results in the progressive deterioration of the cornea, limiting the success of this treatment.
4. Dry eyes – the surgery may make this condition worse.

Pros and Cons of LASIK Eye Treatment

As you consider trying out LASIK in Scarborough, ON, here are important benefits you must know about:

1. The procedure can significantly improve your vision. For many young patients, they can see clearly without needing to use eyeglasses or contact lenses.
2. It has a good track record – over the years, this surgical procedure has proven to be effective, with complications being very rare.
3. It is a quick surgery that is performed as an outpatient procedure.

On the other hand, there are some cons to consider about LASIK:

1. You may eventually need glasses – as you get older, you may find that you still need to use glasses, particularly for reading or driving at night.
2. There are some side effects to be expected – like with every procedure, you can anticipate some side effects. They range from dry eyes to some visual discomforts and disturbances. However, most side effects are not permanent and should clear out after a couple of days.
3. Several factors influence your treatment’s success – even though the success rates for the LASIK procedure are high, the outcome often depends on factors like your refractive error. Patients with a low degree of nearsightedness, for instance, have better predictable results with LASIK than high degree patients.

If you would like to learn more about LASIK vision correction, contact the offices of Dr. Allyson Tang in Vaughan and Toronto, ON.