Lasik Consultations Long Lake
A good vision is at the core of connecting with the people around us and living life to its fullest. If your eyesight is not up to the mark due to specific issues like refractive error, Lasik surgery can be a viable option to enhance your vision and improve your quality of life.
When you come in for a LASIK consultation at Long Lake, our highly skilled and experienced ophthalmologists will determine whether you are a right fit for the procedure by conducting a detailed evaluation of your eyes. So, what can you expect during a LASIK consultation at Long Lake? Read on to learn more!
What is LASIK Surgery?
LASIK, short for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, is an eye surgery to treat vision problems due to refractive errors by reshaping the cornea. A refractive error occurs when the abnormal shape of the eye prevents the light waves from focusing properly at the back of the eye (retina), causing blurred vision.
It is an alternative for people who wear eyeglasses or lenses. The refractive, noninvasive surgery is performed using a laser, and it is a common vision correction procedure for the following disorders:
Nearsightedness (myopia)
This is when objects near you appear clear, but those at a distance are blurry.
Farsightedness (hyperopia)
Things far from you are seen clearly, whereas those closer appear blurry.
Astigmatism
It is the condition in which you experience distorted or blurry vision at near and far objects due to the shape of the cornea.
The innovative procedure lasts about 20 minutes and involves numbing your eyes, after which a microkeratome will be used to cut a thin flap in the cornea. Using another laser, the ophthalmologist will reshape the corneal tissue underneath and place the flap back again.
Recovery after LASIK is swift. While slight pain, itchiness, and blurry vision right after the procedure are common, it subsides quickly. Your doctor will provide you with eye drops to keep dry eyes and infections at bay.
You will notice improvements in your vision after a few days and achieve optimal vision after a couple of months.
What Happens During LASIK Consultations at Long Lake?
As a potential patient, you will be eager to learn what a LASIK consultation typically entails. To begin with, it is essential to prepare yourself to be at the doctor’s office for a couple of hours at least.
As eligibility varies for each patient, a LASIK consultation involves reviewing several aspects of your eye and overall health. The doctor will take an extensive and accurate assessment of your vision and eye health to determine your suitability for surgery. That includes various tests, which are painless and noninvasive. They might suggest other options if you are not a suitable candidate.
The initial consultation is also your opportunity to ask questions and clarify any concerns before taking the plunge.
Here is what a typical LASIK consultation entails:
Health and Medical History
Reviewing your medical background is a vital aspect of the LASIK consultation process. The surgeon will ask about any pre-existing health conditions you might be experiencing or medications you are on as they could affect your candidacy for LASIK surgery. These include:
- Diabetes
- HIV
- Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis
- Keratoconus
- Certain steroids
It is in your best interest to provide honest and accurate information about your health to avoid any potential long-term complications.
Comprehensive Eye Exam
This includes several specialized diagnostic tests to examine your eye health and ensure you do not suffer from any eye diseases. Certain conditions can interfere with surgery and lead to complications, preventing you from undergoing the procedure. Examples include:
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
- Dry eyes
- Large pupils
- Thin corneas
- Herpes or shingles
- Blepharitis
- Keratoconus
- Other untreated vision problems
The in-depth evaluation differs from a standard eye exam and measures refractive error and acuity. It involves the following key components:
Pupil Dilation
Dilating your pupils using drops helps the doctor to examine the eye’s interior more clearly to measure the refractive error and check for any disease by enlarging them, such as the lens and the retina sitting behind your eyes. Administering drops will cause blurred vision for a few hours following it.
Corneal Mapping
As LASIK surgery reshapes your cornea (outer surface of the eye), the surgeon will measure the eye structure, such as its shape, thickness, and front and back curvature. Mapping the eye surface is done using 3D imaging techniques like corneal topography to determine the safety of the surgery.
Wavefront Analysis
Wavefront is an advanced refractory test that uses a digital scanner to measure any subtle distortions or imperfections in the vision in greater detail based on how light travels through your eye as it hits the retina (the interior surface of the eye). It is considered a more objective and precise exam as it does not rely on the information provided by the patient.
Tear Film Analysis
A tear film test before surgery screens patients for the quality of tear film as low amounts of tears can cause dry eyes. Treating dry eyes before surgery is paramount as it can hinder optimal healing after the procedure.
Intraocular Eye Pressure
High eye pressure enhances the risk for glaucoma by damaging the optic nerve, rendering it essential to maintain normal fluid pressure in the eye.
Locations & Doctors
If you want to eliminate the daily hassles of wearing prescription glasses or contact lenses for good, a LASIK might be the way to go. The first step to achieving a perfect vision is consulting a qualified and experienced eye care professional about your options and candidacy for the procedure.
The vision care team at Art of Optiks looks forward to welcoming you to our state-of-the-art clinic and answering any related queries so you can make a fully informed choice for your health and lifestyle.
Contact Art of Optiks today and speak with one of our representatives to schedule your free consultation and set yourself on the path to a clearer, more natural vision!
