During a LASIK consultation, your eye care specialist will evaluate whether or not laser vision correction is a suitable solution. Several factors are considered when determining if someone’s eyes will benefit from a laser procedure. A few examples of what he evaluates are:
- Your vision
- General eye health
- Corneal thickness and structure
- Whether or not you have astigmatism
- Prescription stability
Be sure your eye care specialist discusses these points before undergoing any type of LASIK procedure. Also, ensure your eye care doctor is upfront with you about costs beforehand. Be wary of “discounts,” as they are usually too good to be true and often include hidden procedural fees. Regarding the procedures themselves, there are three main types of vision correction eye surgery: LASIK, PRK, and Monovision.
LASIK:
An extremely safe procedure, LASIK has been performed for decades. The technology used to perform LASIK has dramatically improved, moving from using a blade to only using lasers. Over the past several years, further improvements have maximized safety. All laser, blade free eye surgery uses the latest state-of-the-art Wavelight technology. A painless corneal flap is created using the WaveLight FS 200 Laser, followed by corneal reshaping via the Allegretto Eye-Q Laser. The procedure itself only lasts for 10-15 minutes, eliminates blade complications, expedites surgery time and maximizes patient comfort. This procedure bodes well for those with normal corneal structure, satisfactory corneal thickness and a stable prescription that has not shifted in at least a year.
PRK – No Flap LASIK:
During you vision correction consultation, your eye care specialist may determine LASIK is not an appropriate procedure for you. This could be due to corneal thickness issues, prescription instability or numerous other factors. In this case, PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) may be suggested. PRK uses the same technology as LASIK, but no flap is created. Instead, a very small area of corneal skin is quickly and painlessly removed. This allows the same laser used in LASIK surgeries to correct a patient’s vision via the underlying tissue. A protective contact lens is placed on your eye and over the next few days, the tissue regrows. PRK can be a suitable eye surgery for those with underlying ocular weakness, irregular corneal shape and thinner corneal tissue. Using a book analogy, envision a small area of a book cover. Picture the cover being removed, and then starting with page one, a few pages of the book being removed. Finally, imagine the book cover regenerating itself over the span of a few days.
Monovision:
For people specifically looking to correct near and distance vision, monovision may be a quality option for vision correction surgery. Monovision can be achieved with either LASIK or PRK. Monovision eye surgery refocuses the eyes. Non-dominant eyes are adapted for near vision while dominant eyes are set for distance vision. Afterward, the brain adjusts to the vision changes so the patient can regain normal seeing abilities. Most patients must “test drive” monovision with temporary contact lenses for two weeks, to ensure the brain adjusts accordingly.
Determining if you are a good candidate for any vision correction eye surgery is always the most crucial step. During your LASIK research, it is recommended to:
- Research websites of vision correction surgeons in your area
- Compare and contrast surgeon experience, technology, patient care philosophy & pricing
- Ask your friends and family for advice
- Read online reviews
- Get a second opinion
Most importantly, research and visit the LASIK eye surgeon who would perform your procedure for a comprehensive consultation before undergoing any eye surgery. This will ensure they are reputable, able, honest and ethical.
Kristen Mozayeni
