Laser eye surgery procedure has become very popular over the past few years. For patients with impaired vision it can offer many advantages including immediate vision improvement and the ability to put away costly glasses or contact lenses. According to the Food and Drug Administration, about 600,000 Lasik procedures are performed annually in the U.S.. LASIK or Laser in-Situ Keratornileusis works fairly simply by treating refractive errors by removing corneal tissue beneath the surface of the cornea. This procedure combines the accuracy of the excimer laser with the benefits of Lamellar Keratoplasty (LK). LK has been performed on a limited basis since 1949 to correct higher levels of nearsightedness and moderate amounts of farsightedness. Let’s take a closer look at the advantages of LASIK surgery.
- Freedom from Glasses or Contacts – One of the top benefits of LASIK surgery is that many patients find that they have dramatic improvement in their overall vision. This may mean that the expense of buying glasses, contact lenses and the paraphernalia that goes with it has just gone away! Ask any contact lens wearer who totes around solution and cases and you know what a sense of freedom this can mean. Vision is corrected almost immediately or by the day after LASIK laser eye surgery.
- Little to No Pain – Most patients who opt for LASIK surgery report very little, if not zero, pain. Recovery is also fairly quick and usually no bandages or stitches are required after LASIK laser eye surgery. Many patients find that a few days of taking it easy and wearing sunglasses has them back to normal and back to work quickly.
- Job/Career Opportunities – Some patients find that after LASIK they have more opportunities in careers that do not accept employees with contacts or glasses such as some military positions.
Talk to our specialists here at Boston Eye Physicians and Surgeons to discuss the advantages and risks of any surgery and whether you are a candidate for LASIK.
