More than 60% of American adults need vision correction. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, you’re certainly not alone, but you’re likely all too familiar with the hassle of wearing corrective lenses.
That’s why laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is so popular. LASIK is a type of laser eye surgery that improves your vision without the need for prescription eyewear. It’s FDA-approved for people over the age of 18, and it could be right for you.
Our team at Pacific Eye offers LASIK with IntraLase®, a blade-free LASIK technology. If the thought of no more glasses or contacts appeals to you, it’s time to find out if you’re a good candidate for laser eye surgery.
LASIK could be the solution for your vision problems
Most people who wear glasses or contact lenses have what’s called a refractive error. Your cornea is the part of your eye that refracts light, and refractive errors can occur if your cornea isn’t perfectly round.
Refractive errors affect the way light enters your eye and how the images you see are reflected onto your retina, resulting in blurry vision. Some of the most common refractive errors are myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism.
LASIK reshapes your cornea, and it can correct refractive errors to give you clearer vision. You could be a good candidate for LASIK if you’re over the age of 18 and you have:
- Mild to moderate refractive error
- A stable eye prescription
- Adequate corneal thickness
- Good overall health
The only way to confirm if you’re a good candidate for LASIK is through a comprehensive consultation. At Pacific Eye, our team offers eye exams and consultations to help you decide if laser eye surgery is right for you.
We assess your vision and your eye health, along with other relevant aspects of your health history. We’re here to answer your questions and help you understand what life could be like with better vision — and without glasses or contacts.
What to expect with LASIK surgery
LASIK is an outpatient surgery that takes just a few minutes per eye. You can go home the same day, and you should bring a friend or family member with you to your appointment to drive you home. Our team begins by preparing you for the procedure and numbing your eyes.
Your eye doctor creates a flap in your cornea with IntraLase, a precise, computer-guided bladeless technology. Then, using the VISX® laser system, they reshape your cornea to correct your unique refractive error.
You can go home right after your LASIK procedure is complete. Your vision may be slightly blurry in the coming weeks, which is normal. As your eyes adjust, you’ll begin enjoying clearer vision in no time.
Laser eye surgery for glaucoma
While LASIK might be the first thing that comes to your mind, it’s not the only type of laser eye surgery available at Pacific Eye. Glaucoma is a common eye condition that puts your vision at risk.
Laser surgery for glaucoma could be a good option for you if conservative treatment methods, like prescription eye drops, aren’t working. Among several different types of laser surgery for glaucoma, your eye doctor determines the best method based on the severity of your condition.
Like LASIK, laser surgery for glaucoma is performed in an outpatient setting. You can typically go home the same day, and you should begin noticing improvements in the weeks following your procedure.
Trust your laser eye surgery to the experts at Pacific Eye. To schedule your LASIK consultation or to learn more about the benefits of laser glaucoma surgery, call one of our seven convenient locations in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, or request an appointment online now.
