The Difference Between Laser Eye Surgery and Lasik
Everyone is familiar with the term laser eye surgery. People often opt for this vision correction surgery to get free from the daily hassle of wearing glasses or contact lenses. With this procedure, a person can have normal or improved eyesight without relying on those pesky eyeglasses.
If you are considering getting this procedure, it is wise to know the most commonly practiced laser eye treatments. It might seem daunting at first, but with the right information, you will have the knowledge you need to make an informed decision. This article will discuss the difference between Lasik and laser eye surgery.
Laser Eye Surgery and Lasik
Laser eye surgery is a medical procedure that corrects or improves vision implications like short-sightedness, cataracts, and many more. The procedure basically involves reshaping the cornea, a clear layer on the eye. Despite being called surgery, the procedure does not involve any incisions. It is basically a laser eye treatment.
Lasik is the most common type of laser eye surgery. The word Lasik is an abbreviation of laser in-situ keratomileusis. The eye is one of the most sensitive body parts and needs to be treated with care. It is recommended to opt for reputable laser eye clinics like Saddleback LASIK Eye Center that have commendable reviews.
What Is the Procedure for Lasik Surgery?
By reshaping the cornea, more light is allowed to enter the eye to focus more clearly on the retina. This readjustment improves eyesight significantly. Lasik is mainly used on people who suffer astigmatism, myopia, and hyperopia.
The whole procedure involves using a laser beam to cut a thin flap in the cornea. To gain access to the cornea, the surgeon folds the flap back. A tiny amount of tissue from the cornea is removed carefully with the use of a laser. This enables the light to focus more accurately on the retina.
The cornea needs flattening if you are nearsighted. For far-sighted individuals, the cornea requires a steeper angle. After the removal of the tissue is complete, the corneal flap is sealed so it can heal. Usually, both eyes are treated on the same day.
The recovery period is fairly short. You will be able to go on with your regular routine including driving after 24 hours. Improvements in vision and overall sight are noticed by many individuals. However, in some cases, it may take a few weeks for the vision to settle to the new adjustments properly.
The Benefits of Lasik
There are numerous benefits of this eyesight correction procedure. Many people rave about this treatment as they have encountered a huge improvement in their daily life and activities. The numerous advantages of the Lasik eye treatment are listed in the following.
1. Enhanced Vision
There are numerous studies that show that 95 percent of patients who went under Lasik eye surgery achieved at least 20/40 UCVA. UCVA stands for uncorrected visual acuity. It basically means your normal eyesight or vision without using any improving apparatus like glasses and lenses. Following one outpatient procedure of Lasik treatment, patients can benefit greatly from improved vision.
2. Permanent Results
After the procedure, the eyes need three months to stabilize. Following this adjusting period, Lasik results are permanent in most cases. There is usually no need for any follow-up procedures if the surgery was successful. However, if the surgery under- or over-corrected the vision, the patient might need to stay for another day to resolve the issue. Afterward, patients enjoy long-lasting and satisfying results.
3. Fast Recovery and Results
Despite not being able to drive or return to your regular routine immediately after getting a Lasik procedure done, most ophthalmologists estimate that the patients can go back to their normal schedule a day after the procedure. However, your recovery might slow down if you work long hours in a dusty or dirty environment.
4. No More Glasses or Contact Lenses
People with poor eyesight are well acquainted with the struggle of using eyeglasses and contact lenses. Eyeglasses sometimes become foggy in cold climates, and vision can be impaired when you wear eyeglasses in the rain. Dealing with broken glasses is annoying and can be expensive.
Contact lenses are more aesthetically pleasing, but applying them can be unpleasant and difficult to learn as you have to literally touch your eyeball. Maintaining and storing the lenses is also quite cumbersome and expensive as they need to be stored in a sterilized solution and container. Moreover, you must be careful around heat sources like stoves to prevent the lens from melting into your eye and causing a bad situation.
Both prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses are quite expensive. You also need to change the power from time to time, so going for regular eye checkups is imperative. The frequent doctor visits are also quite costly and fitting in an appointment in your already busy schedule is quite exhausting.
After getting Lasik eye surgery, there is no need to wear any contact lenses or glasses. You will lead a more comfortable life when there is no hassle with any form of visual aid.
Imagine living a life where you do not have to crawl on the floor to look for the lens you accidentally dropped. If Velma from Scooby-Doo had gotten Lasik, she would not have to face any threatening situations simply because she broke her eyeglasses.
Final Thoughts
If you are suffering from poor eyesight, it is best to go for laser eye surgery like Lasik. The whole procedure is simple, and you can recover quickly after the operation. The best part is that you will have perfect vision for years after getting the procedure.
