LASIK FAQs
Everything You Wanted to Ask about LASIK Surgery
LASIK surgery is a very popular medical procedure, with more than 10 million recipients in the last 25 years worldwide. Today, dramatic advances in medical technology have moved this surgery into a whole new arena, making vision correction possible for people who were once told they would never qualify for LASIK or similar procedures.
If you’re considering LASIK surgery, you’ve probably got questions. Here are some answers:
What is LASIK surgery exactly?
LASIK stands for “Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis”. LASIK NJ/LASIK New York involves cutting a microscopic flap in the cornea of the eye to expose the stroma, or middle section of the eye, where most aberrations or irregularities occur. From there, a LASIK surgeon will use a laser to reshape the cornea to improve your vision. The flap is then closed and heals itself within a few days.
What can I expect during LASIK surgery?
Just before your LASIK NJ or LASIK New York surgery, you will receive a mild sedative to help you relax during the procedure. You may feel pressure as the surgery is happening, but the vast majority of patients do not report any pain or discomfort at all. After the 15 to 20 minute procedure is finished, you will be able to see and can go home the same day. The next day, when you wake up, you will get the full “WOW” effect of the visual sharpness, although you may experience some sensitivity to light or other visual side effects which may take a few days to go away. Your doctor may advise you to take a couple of days off of work to avoid anything too strenuous that may affect your healing or damage the eye.
Is recovery painful?
The vast majority of LASIK surgery patients experience little, if any, discomfort during or after LASIK procedures. Before your LASIK NJ and LASIK NY surgery begins, the surgeon will apply numbing eye drops to your eyes to prevent your discomfort. When the laser operates, you will hear a steady clicking sound but the laser light is completely painless. Complications due to poor healing or infection after your LASIK NJ or LASIK New York procedure are possible, so talk to your doctor about these risks before undergoing surgery.
Are my activities restricted after LASIK surgery?
Don’t expect to drive yourself home immediately after your LASIK NJ or LASIK New York surgery; make sure a friend or family member can be available. You can resume most of your normal activities right after surgery, except for swimming. Swimming should be avoided for two weeks. Likewise, you should avoid rubbing your eyes for two weeks after surgery to allow them to properly heal. Running, working out, weightlifting and playing sports are OK.
How much will my vision improve?
This depends on your original vision capabilities as well as the type of surgical correction that is performed by your surgeon. In general, though, traditional LASIK surgery can vastly improve mild to moderate cases of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism to near “perfect” (20/20 or better) vision. When you have your initial consultation, your doctor can tell you what you can expect in terms of improvement.
What if I have astigmatism?
Astigmatism occurs when the eye is football-shaped instead of being basketball-shaped. LASIK surgery uses a laser to reshape the middle part of your eye’s cornea to correct this condition. If you have an extreme case, you may consider Wavefront LASIK surgery, which employs computer-guided lasers to shape the cornea on a micro-level for pinpoint accuracy.
What if I don’t qualify for LASIK surgery?
You’re not alone. Some people with thin corneas, extremely poor vision, histories of infections or health problems, abnormal eye conditions or other issues simply don’t make good candidates for LASIK. In these cases, your doctor can discuss other surgical and non-surgical alternatives with you.
5th Avenue Eye Center is your best choice for LASIK eye surgery in NYC, Manhattan, Glendale, and Old Bridge, NJ. We’ve got more than 10 years of experience in this industry and look forward to helping you choose which procedure will improve your vision most effectively. If you’re interested in learning more about LASIK NJ, LASIK New York, cataract surgery, or alternative laser vision correction options in Queens or Middlesex county, New Jersey, call us today at (212) 764-2020 or click the link below to schedule a LASIK consultation. We’re focused on improving your vision!
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Dr. Cohen is one of the most experienced LASIK surgeons in the nation. He was the first surgeon in the New York City area to perform cutting edge corneal surgery such as the implantable contact lens and the artificial corneal transplant.Learn more...
