Many people suffer from vision problems and wear prescribed eyeglasses and/or contact lenses as a way to correct their vision, temporarily. Another option some people may choose is refractive surgery. There are many types of refractive surgery and currently LASIK is the most popular procedure performed in the US.
Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis or LASIK, is a laser eye surgery that reshapes the cornea to allow any light entering the eye to be properly focused onto the retina, a light-sensitive tissue. This results in 20/20 vision for the patient without glasses or contact lenses.
LASIK can help treat myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism. Each refractive error is treated by reshaping the cornea differently. For example, patients with myopia require a flatter cornea and patients with hyperopia require a steeper cornea. Patients with astigmatism are treated by smoothing an irregular cornea into a more normal shape.
Patients considering LASIK must first be a good candidate and will undergo a thorough eye examination in order to confirm their eyes are healthy enough for the procedure. This may include examining the shape and thickness of your cornea, pupil size, and refractive errors such as, myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism.
In general, LASIK is pain free, takes about 15 minutes for each eye, and the recovery time can be anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
If you have any questions about your LASIK and any other Refractive Eye Surgery, please schedule a visit with Eye Physicians of North Houston at (281) 893-1760 or visit us online for more information at www.northhoustoneyecare.com.