LASIK Eye Surgery. Is it Right for You?

Over the last two decades, LASIK has helped millions of people overcome their visual woes and enjoy dramatically better, more vivid eyesight. This safe, simple, effective laser-based vision correction treatment can quickly fix refractive disorders, like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. So reach out to us today at Baton Rouge Eye Physicians in Baton Rouge, LA to find out if it’s right for you.

How does LASIK eye surgery work to clear up your vision?

First, it’s essential that you know the details of the procedure. The surgery is a quick, outpatient procedure that only takes around ten minutes per eye. First, it involves our expert doctors making a small incision, via laser, on the outermost layer of the eye. Then, again using lasers, we carefully reshape the cornea to allow light to properly enter the eye and focus on the retina for clear vision.

LASIK could also be an excellent option if you’re tired of dealing with contact lenses or carrying glasses around with you everywhere you go. Because the laser vision correction offered by our expert doctors in Baton Rouge, LA can help you ditch both. Though, as previously mentioned, the passing years continue to alter one’s vision, and there’s a possibility that age-related processes could, after a while, require the use of visual aids for reading, night-time driving, or other visually demanding tasks.

LASIK is also the right choice for you if you’re seeking a long-lasting visual solution. You may also see (literally) quick results, noticing improvements in your vision shortly after your procedure or within 24 hours. To ensure your ocular wellness, you’ll need to use lubricating eye drops and antibiotics for a few weeks post-procedure. Generally, you can expect your new and improved eyesight to settle within 6 – 8 months. You may experience spells of visual fuzziness, night vision issues, and other such side effects afterward, which will dissipate as your eyes heal.

Consider the following lifestyle factors that may affect your LASIK candidacy

Another consideration: how active are you? Those with very active lifestyles, such as individuals with physically demanding jobs or athletes, may not be ideal candidates for LASIK. Since this technique cuts a small flap on the eye, there is a risk that brisk, jarring, or otherwise dynamic or prolonged movements could cause the flap to become loose or re-open.

However, it’s important to note that LASIK does not make you immune from developing ocular issues in the future. This isn’t due to any inadequacy in the technique itself but the inevitabilities of the aging process. In one’s middle and later years, different tissues within various parts of the eye (such as the lens or retina) begin to deteriorate.

Additionally, the status of your eyes and medical history are crucial factors in your candidacy. Those with certain corneal conditions, such as a cone-shaped cornea (keratoconus), may have to opt for a different type of procedure. Similarly, dry eyes, glaucoma, cataracts, eye injuries, or disorders may preclude the use of LASIK, as it could result in a poor outcome that isn’t worth the risk.

Your overall health is also key. Individuals taking immunosuppressive medications and those with immune deficiencies, or conditions or diseases that impair healing, may not be right for LASIK. Systemic problems that affect the eyes, like uncontrolled diabetes, also introduce extra risks.

Contact us today for your long-term eye health and life-changing visual clarity

So, how can you know for sure if LASIK is right for you? Get in touch with us at Baton Rouge Eye Physicians in Baton Rouge, LA. Even if it turns out that LASIK isn’t the way to go, our experienced doctors can help find the best solution for you so you can enjoy optimal results and life-changing visual clarity.