Guilford Eye Center: Laser Eye Surgery / Laser Vision Correction (LASIK)

More and more people have been choosing to undergo laser vision correction (LASIK), the latest form of laser eye surgery, to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. And no wonder: with a remarkable success rate of 96% of patients achieving 20/20 vision, LASIK eliminates one’s dependence on eyeglasses or contact lenses and, in doing so, can affect a person’s lifestyle significantly.

How is LASIK done?

As with all medical procedures, thorough screening via a comprehensive eye exam is conducted prior to surgery to make sure that the patient is fit to undergo LASIK. As a minimally invasive type of surgery, LASIK is done quickly with high precision; on the average, the entire procedure takes no more than 10 minutes. It’s a safe procedure, with fewer than 1% of patients ever experiencing  complications.

Immediately after surgery, patients do experience some pain and discomfort, but functional vision usually returns within 24 hours. An antibacterial, steroidal eye drop solution is applied for about a week, after which your eye care center will schedule you for follow through check-ups. Your progress is monitored for up to one year.

Who qualifies for LASIK?

Unfortunately, not everyone is a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery.The best candidates must:

• Be 18 years old or above (lasik may be performed on a patient of any age, but because most young children’s vision is still changing, the FDA recommends that patients be at least 18 years old)
• Have a stable prescription for at least 1 year (The target area for corneal reshaping greatly depends on your current prescription, so an accurate and stable prescription is very important)
• Be in good physical health (Discuss with your eye doctor any pre-existing medical conditions and disclose if you have any maintenance medications)
• Not be pregnant or nursing (hormonal changes during pregnancy or while nursing may affect the corneal curve; pregnant women are also susceptible to a condition known as dry eyes.)

Know more about Laser Eye Surgery. Call Guilford Eye Center today.

Think you’re ready for LASIK eye surgery? We offer LASIK screenings to see if someone can have the procedure done. Set an appointment with us by calling (336) 387-6777 today!