If you are thinking about vision correction, it is crucial to ask these questions before you commit to the LASIK Los Angeles surgery, eye surgeon and the clinic. When your vision affects the quality of your life or your ability to fulfill your work responsibilities, you will eventually contact a LASIK eye center in Los Angeles like Excel Laser Vision Institute.
LASIK laser eye surgery is an advanced procedure that was approved in the U.S. in 1999. Ever since then, many individuals have enjoyed an improvement in their eyesight, their ability to perform at work as well as an enhancement in the quality of their life.
Not only is it understandable, but it’s also very important to ask many questions before you do the surgery. Here are six major questions that LASIK Los Angeles patients ask.
Question No. 1 – Will It Hurt?
No, not at all! So, you can breathe a sigh of relief. As soon as you arrive for LASIK surgery, your eye doctor will apply topical eye drops in your eyes.
LASIK eye surgery is performed by an ophthalmologist who creates a thin flap in the cornea with a laser or an instrument called a microkeratome. You will probably feel some pressure on your eye, but normally this is not painful and this feeling lasts less than a minute. In fact, many patients cannot believe how quick and comfortable the procedure actually is.
Question No. 2 -Are Side Effects Intense?
When you get back home from LASIK Los Angeles procedure and the anesthesia (the numbing eye drops) start to wear off, it is usual to experience sensitivity to light, watery eyes and mild to moderate eye discomfort for a couple of hours. Typically, if any of these symptoms are irritating you, over-the-counter medications can help you ease the discomfort.
Many individuals say that taking a nap when they return home from LASIK surgery, results in little to no eye discomfort afterward.
If you experience significant eye discomfort after your Los Angeles LASIK surgery, particularly if over the counter medicine does not help you to manage it, contact your LASIK surgeon for advice.
Question No.3 – Will It Work For Astigmatism?
Yes, absolutely! LASIK can completely correct astigmatism, and the effect is permanent. Although astigmatism sounds complex and scary, it is not an eye disease and is a very common vision problem. Astigmatism is just like any refractive error similar to nearsightedness and farsightedness, so it can be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses and LASIK surgery.
Generally, astigmatism is caused by the front surface of the eye (cornea) having an asymmetrical shape. LASIK surgery uses ultra-precise lasers that can be programmed to reshape the cornea so the front surface of the eye is more symmetrical, which eliminates vision problems caused by astigmatism.
Also, higher amounts of astigmatism can be corrected with LASIK, though it does increase the possibility of a follow-up LASIK enhancement that may be required to fine-tune the correction.
Question No.4 – Is It Long Lasting?
Yes, in a majority of cases the improved vision from LASIK surgery provides a permanent solution.
However, in a small number of cases, typically because changes happen in the lens inside the eye, with or without LASIK surgery, some nearsightedness, farsightedness and/or astigmatism can come back over time, causing blurry vision.
If this type of regression happens and becomes annoying, a follow-up procedure called LASIK enhancement is routinely performed to restore clear vision.
Question No.5 – Is It Affordable?
Over the years the surgery has quickly become more affordable because of the continuous advancements in technology. In the long run, LASIK can actually work out cheaper than the cost of glasses and contact lenses.
In the United States, the average cost of LASIK surgery in 2019 was $2,246 per eye. This amount is slightly higher than the average price for LASIK performed in the U.S. in 2018, which was $2,199 per eye.
Nonetheless, you must bear in mind that these prices are for LASIK surgery performed on just one eye. To work out the total cost of LASIK surgery for both eyes, you have to double these prices.
These figures come from ongoing surveys conducted by American ophthalmologists who regularly perform LASIK and other vision correction procedures, for instance, PRK, SMILE and refractive lens exchange.
To truly know the price you will pay for LASIK surgery, consider factors such as the experience and reputation of your eye surgeon, as well as the technology used for your LASIK procedure.
Question No.6 – Could It Make Me Blind?
If you are considering LASIK surgery, but the only factor stopping you from doing this procedure is that you are afraid you will go blind, you can relax. It is not possible to go blind from LASIK since the surgery only affects the front surface of the eye.
Ever since LASIK surgery was born, millions of LASIK procedures have been performed around the world with high levels of safety and effectiveness. It would be very unexpected for anyone to go blind from LASIK, particularly if you follow your surgeon’s instructions and go to all your follow-up visits as recommended by your eye doctor.
The majority of LASIK risks and complications are mild and can be managed easily. The most reported complications from LASIK surgery are dry eyes, halos, glare, and other visual disturbances. These issues are usually temporary and are seldom permanent.
Furthermore, it is crucial to understand the level of experience your eye doctor has in performing LASIK and other vision correction procedures such as PRK, phakic IOLs, and refractive lens exchange. Also, ask what type of technology is available for each procedure.
During your pre-op consultation, Harvard-Trained, Laser Eye Surgeon – Dr. Ferzaad Moosa will discuss your suitability for LASIK and your specific risks, based on your refractive error, measurements of your cornea, your health and age, and other factors.
When you meet with a LASIK surgeon, it is important to ask a lot of questions during your eye exam and preoperative consultation and feel at ease that your doctor will do everything possible to reduce the likelihood of LASIK complications and help you manage post-operative symptoms you may have.
If you want more information about LASIK surgery, do not hesitate to give Excel Laser Vision Institute a call at (818) 907-8606, or fill out our contact form today!
