Things to Consider Before Committing to Laser Eye Surgery

Lasik eye surgery is a safe and effective way to correct your vision problems. If you are one of the millions of people considering laser eye surgery there are some important considerations before you make the final decision to go ahead. Here is our comprehensive checklist of important things to think about before saying yes to the surgery.

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Laser Eye Surgery: The Pros and Cons

Lasik eye surgery, also known as laser refractive surgery, can help correct common vision issues such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. There are many benefits to getting laser surgery such as:

• Decreasing, or eliminating, the need for prescription glasses and/or contact lenses.
• After correcting the eye’s refractive error you can heal comfortably without stitches or bandages.
• Laser eye surgery provides long-lasting, permanent, vision correction. Although your eyes will change naturally due to aging, you can rest assured that your laser results are here to stay.
• After getting laser refractive surgery you will experience minimal downtime. Many people return back to their normal routines within 24 to 48 hours.
• As with everything in life, there are some potential risks associated with getting surgery. Some of the drawbacks of laser corrective surgery are the possibility of overcorrection or undercorrection, and although rare, damage to the cornea, resulting in inflammation and infection.

Without a doubt, getting laser eye surgery can be a life-changing experience. Maybe you love to camp, play sports, or are just done with losing track of where your glasses are multiple times a day; Whatever your reason, there are many great reasons to go ahead and consult with your optometrist for laser eye surgery consultation.
 

What to Consider Before Booking Lasik Surgery

Although undergoing a refractive correction surgery such as Lasik (short for Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is a very safe and common procedure, like any type of surgery there are many important considerations before getting the green light. Here are some important questions to ask yourself, your optometrist and opthamologist:

• Am I Old Enough to Get Laser Eye Surgery? Although Lasik is considered safe for many, typically getting it before the age of 18 isn’t recommended. People under the age of 18 undergo more vision changes than adults, so it’s best to wait until after the age of eighteen.
   
• Am I a Good Candidate For Lasik? Although safe for many there are some eye conditions that can disqualify you from getting surgery such as severe dry eyes and corneal diseases. Other things to consider that would make you not a good candidate are if you are pregnant, nursing and/or are a new mother, you have certain autoimmune diseases, or are on certain prescription medications.
   
• Are My Eyes Ready For Laser Surgery? There are some things that can affect whether, or not, you are a great candidate for surgery such as recent vision changes. If your prescription has recently changed, waiting until your eyesight has leveled out is best practice before undergoing surgery.
   
• Do I Have the Correct Support? Although laser surgery is relatively quick and painless you will need some assistance during the 24-48 hours after the surgery is performed. You will definitely not be able to drive yourself home after the procedure and you may experience some sensitivity to light and blurred vision. Having someone to drive you home and provide assistance during this time is recommended.
   
• Am I Healthy Enough For Surgery? Getting laser surgery on your eyes, although minimally invasive, is still a surgical procedure that has risks. It is important to be in good health to allow your body to heal itself. Besides the conditions mentioned above your eye doctor will look for signs of infections, inflammation, dilated pupils, dryness and other symptoms that your eyes are not in the right condition to be operated on.
   
• Will My Career Allow for Lasik? Although the risks and complications are relatively low, there are some jobs and industries that may not allow you to get laser eye surgery in the case of complications that could affect your vision on the job and during healing. Be sure to check with your employer or governing body to ensure that you won’t have any issues.

Booking Your Laser Eye Surgery

After considering your lifestyle, the benefits, and possible risks of getting laser eye surgery the next important step is to book in and talk to your trusted optometrist. An experienced eye doctor will complete any necessary exams, go over all of your options with you, and ensure that Lasik, or another similar refractive procedure, is, in fact, the best option for you. Prepare for your appointment by bringing a list of any questions or concerns you might have.
If you are considering getting any type of corrective laser eye surgery, book in for a pre-surgery consultation in Calgary with the experienced team at Sunridge Eye Clinic in the NE.

FAQs

Q: Are Lasik and Laser Eye Surgery the Same Thing?
A: Lasik surgery is a type of laser eye surgery. The full name for Lasik is Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. There are other types of corrective laser surgical procedures, but Lasik is the most common and has the quickest recovery time.

Q: What are the Risks of Getting Laser Eye Surgery?
A: As with any surgical procedure there is a possibility of complications. Although rare there are some risks associated with laser refractive surgery such as:

• Under/overcorrection of vision
• Vision regression
• Post surgical infection
• Visual aberrations such as haze, or oversized pupils
• Dry eye complications
• Inflammation
• Irregular flap healing
• Epithelial ingrowth

Q: Is Laser Eye Surgery Painful?
A: Laser eye surgery is considered a minimally invasive, and painless procedure. Before beginning, drops will be placed into your eyes to numb the area. Similar to the dentist you may feel pressure, or sensations, but you will not feel any pain. If you have any anxious feelings about the procedure your doctor can recommend something to help you relax and feel at ease during the operation.