Here’s what you should know before getting a LASIK surgery
Patients who are astigmatic, near-sighted, or farsighted can have their vision corrected with LASIK surgery, also known as Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis. The cornea is reshaped during the procedure using a laser.
Many choose LASIK surgery because it is relatively painless and has a rapid recovery period. The procedure itself just takes a few minutes, and most patients claim that their vision has improved within 24 hours.
LASIK eye surgery costs
The cost of LASIK eye surgery varies from place to place. More conventional technology is often used by many laser facilities. With few therapeutic security regulations and quality constraints, it is much shoddier. The general consensus is that costs should range from $1,000 to $4,000 per eye.
What people fail to comprehend is that certain facilities may charge you for extremely poorly handled lasers, reuse disposables, and lack the knowledge to handle problems. Finding the right LASIK center is more important than finding one in your budget.
Which LASIK eye surgery is right for me?
There are different types of LASIK surgeries. Which one you go for depends mainly on what your needs are.
1. Epi-LASIK
A more recent form of LASIK surgery called epi-LASIK combines aspects of both PRK and LASIK. A tiny portion of the cornea’s epithelium is first removed during the procedure, and the tissue beneath is subsequently reshaped with a laser. Many of the advantages of PRK are shared by this treatment, including a rapid recovery period and a durable outcome.
2. Blade-free LASIK
In a more recent variation of LASIK surgery known as “blade-free LASIK,” the corneal flap is made with a femtosecond laser rather than a metal blade. A short recovery period and few side effects are among the advantages of this kind of eye surgery over conventional LASIK. Nevertheless, Blade-Free LASIK could cost more than standard LASIK treatment.
3. LASEK
A more recent refractive procedure, LASEK is comparable to PRK in terms of results. Following the removal of the cornea’s outer layer, the tissue beneath is reshaped with a laser to achieve the desired results. With a short recovery period and a durable outcome, this surgery shares many of the same advantages as PRK.
4. Customizable Wavefront
In the Customizable Wavefront (CWF) method of LASIK surgery, the specific flaws in your vision are identified using wavefront technology. Higher levels of refractive error patients frequently have this kind of surgery. A rapid recovery period and few side effects are among the advantages of the CWF LASIK procedure over conventional LASIK.
5. IntraLase
Blade-Free LASIK procedures like IntraLase generate the corneal flap using a femtosecond laser rather than a metal blade. Many of the advantages of standard LASIK are also present with this kind of surgery, such as a speedy recovery and few side effects. Contrarily, IntraLase could be more expensive than conventional LASIK.
Should I get LASIK eye surgery?
If you’re thinking about getting LASIK surgery, it’s crucial to find out if you’re a good candidate by speaking with a licensed ophthalmologist. Your age, health, and refractive defect are just a few of the variables that could affect your choice.
- One aspect that may have the biggest influence on your choice is likely your age. Patients must be at least 18 years old to receive FDA approval for LASIK surgery.
- Another crucial aspect to take into account is our refractive error. Patients with myopia (near-sightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism benefit most from LASIK surgery.
- Another crucial aspect to take into account is your general health. Patients with specific medical conditions, such as autoimmune illnesses, diabetes, and pregnant women, are not advised to have a LASIK procedure. You might want to think about alternate options if you have a medical issue that could potentially damage your vision.
What is PRK? Is it better than LASIK?
Another surgery that you must have heard about is PRK. The difference between PRK and LASIK is generally not very pronounced but in some cases, can mean a lot.
Patients with thin corneas frequently undergo PRK surgery. The cornea’s outer layer is removed during surgery, and the tissue underneath is reshaped with a laser. Additionally, there is a short recuperation period after this treatment, and most patients notice an improvement in their vision within a few days.
- PRK doesn’t leave a flap on the cornea, which is generally better in the long term.
- PRK takes longer to heal but is considered to be safer and more effective than LASIK.
- In terms of the costs involved, whereas LASIK generally ranges anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 per eye, PRK cost ranges from $2,000 to $4,000 for both eyes.
Is LASIK safe?
LASIK is a secure and reliable method of vision correction. In 1998, the FDA Trusted Source initially authorized the LASIK procedure. More recently, the FDA gathered information from over 700 patients who had received LASIK surgery.
Less than 1% of subjects suffered significant visual issues after the surgery, and more than 95% of participants were happy with their vision. A person should examine the procedure’s risks and potential complications with a doctor before undergoing surgery to be sure it’s the appropriate choice for them.
A competent surgeon from a reputed eye surgery institution will be able to tell you the right surgery choice for you. Looking for LASIK eye surgery Illinois? Look no further than Kraff Eye Institute.
