Did you know that Lasik eye surgery has been an FDA approved method since the 1990s?
Vision correction surgery has been constantly advancing since the late 1940s. Today, hundreds of thousands of people have Lasik surgery each year to correct their vision problems.
You might be one of these people, or you’re considering becoming one of these people. In any case, you need to know how to prepare for vision correction surgery.
Luckily, this article will tell you everything you need to know to be fully prepared.
Preparing for Vision Correction Surgery
The most important thing you can do when preparing for surgery is preliminary research. However, you need to be careful not to scare yourself out of your decision to have surgery.
It’s a fine balance. Look for all the resources you can to make sure you’re fully informed, but take them with a grain of salt. Don’t listen to any sources you think spread misinformation or are aimed at fear-mongering.
Knowing what to be aware of is a good place to start. Below, we’ve listed three of the most important things you should know before choosing to receive Lasik eye surgery.
Research Costs
When considering whether vision correction surgery is right for you, first you need to make sure that you can afford it. Some insurance plans may view Lasik as a cosmetic procedure, which means they will not pay for it. Depending on your eye insurance, you should be prepared to pay out of pocket.
However, this doesn’t mean you should choose the cheapest eye care center. Low-cost eye care centers tend to use outdated equipment, which could lead to problems with your procedure.
Many eye care centers seek to provide affordable surgery without risking the quality of your care. Research the eye care centers around you to ensure you choose the best one to receive surgery from.
Risk Awareness
You should be aware of the risks of Lasik eye surgery, the same way you should always be aware of the risks during your personal surgery preparation. Being fully informed of what may happen will allow you to have a clearer head.
Fortunately, Lasik surgery is one of the most successful surgeries there is, with few risks. Adverse side effects in Lasik surgery are often either minor or incredibly rare.
The most common risk of Lasik is that your eyes will be irritated for a certain amount of time after surgery. You can use eye drops to counter this.
Sometimes, your vision may become worse again as you grow older. This is due to your eye reshaping itself. However, this is one of the less-experienced side effects.
Meeting Requirements for Lasik
Before you can even think about receiving eye surgery, you need to make sure that you meet the surgery requirements.
The biggest requirement is that you are older than eighteen. This is because the shape of your cornea often changes as you grow. Any surgery you receive will only end up needing corrections.
If you are a woman, you must also be sure that you’re not pregnant or breastfeeding. This is because pregnancy can also change the shape of your cornea.
Lastly, if you have dry or itchy eyes, you will not be a good candidate for this surgery. Lasik can make itchy eyes worse, which would be unpleasant for you.
Before Surgery: Do’s and Don’ts
In the days leading up to your Lasik surgery, don’t wear makeup. Eye products can irritate your eyes, making surgery difficult or even postponing it. You should also avoid eye drops or perfumes.
In addition, don’t wear your contacts in the days leading up to your surgery. Your surgeon will tell you when you need to stop wearing them.
Another important tip when preparing for surgery is to make sure you have a ride to and from the clinic. Your vision will be different after the procedure and it is unsafe to drive. Avoid driving for at least twenty-four hours.
On the day of the surgery, do make sure that you wear loose, comfortable clothing to your appointment.
Finally, make sure that you drink plenty of water beforehand.
What to Expect During Lasik Eye Surgery
During Lasik eye surgery, you will be awake the entire time. Your surgeon will use a laser to surgically reshape your cornea. This will get rid of certain types of flaws in your vision.
During the surgery, it is normal to experience degrees of blurred vision. You will also hear unfamiliar sounds. In addition, you might experience unpleasant smells.
After your eye has been reshaped, your surgeon will place a shield directly over it to protect it as it heals. Do not touch or rub your eye during this time, as that can irritate it and disrupt the shield.
Immediately after surgery, you may experience discomfort or mild pain.
Eye Surgery Recovery
In the time after surgery, your eyes will be dry and itchy. Your doctor might recommend using a specific type of eye drop to help with this.
You’ll need to see your surgeon again twenty-four to forty-eight hours after surgery. You’ll also need appointments at regular times for the next six months.
After eye surgery, you will need to wait between one and three days to resume any non-contact sports you play. If you play contact sports, you’ll need to wait at least four weeks.
Finally, keep in mind that it may take anywhere between three to six months for your vision to fully stabilize.
Reach Out to Us
Now that you know what it takes to prepare for vision correction surgery, are you ready to take the next step? Or do you have more questions or concerns?
If your answer to either question is “yes”, then you need to reach out to us. We can answer any questions you might have. If you’re ready to begin the process of getting Lasik eye surgery, we can schedule you for a free consultation with one of our staff.
Don’t wait-reach out to us today!
