If you wear glasses or contact lenses, you might consider surgery to correct your vision. LASIK is a popular vision correction procedure that uses a laser to reshape your cornea — the clear, round dome at the front of your eye — to improve the way your eye focuses light rays onto your retina.
LASIK is short for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. During LASIK in San Clemente, your surgeon uses the latest laser technology and equipment, along with years of experience, to customize your LASIK procedure to your unique vision needs.
LASIK surgery begins with an anesthetic drop being used to numb the surface of the eye. Your surgeon uses a special laser to create a thin flap of corneal tissue that is folded out of the way. The laser is then used to reshape the underlying corneal tissue, correcting the refractive errors of the patient. Once the corneal flap is replaced, it quickly adheres to the eye, and healing begins.
The surgery takes 10 to 15 minutes for each eye. Generally, both eyes are done during the same procedure. LASIK is an outpatient procedure, allowing patients to return home to rest following their surgery.
Before you sign up for LASIK surgery, here are a few things to consider:
- LASIK is surgery to a very delicate part of your eye and cannot be reversed.
- As with any surgery, there are risks and possible complications.
- Millions of people choose LASIK and have great results, but it’s not for everyone.
- LASIK may not give you perfect vision. Although most LASIK patients experience 20/20 vision following surgery, not everyone will have vision so sharp.
- Even with LASIK to correct your distance vision, you are likely to need reading glasses in your mid-40s. LASIK surgery cannot correct or prevent presbyopia, the age-related loss of focusing power for seeing near objects.
- Most insurance plans don’t cover the surgery.
If you’d like to find out if LASIK is a good option for you, contact Harvard Eye Associates at 949-951-2020 or harvardeye.com to schedule a consultation with one of our doctors.
