Glasses were a great invention. They have allowed people with vision problems a chance to see clearly for many years. In the modern-day and age, it’s time to do better.

Many people resort to contacts to avoid some of the difficulties of glasses. Most of this is aesthetic for people, but contacts come with their own set of problems. Contact lenses can be difficult to put in, cause irritation, and need maintenance and replacement. There’s another solution: LASIK.

LASIK gives people a chance to see with quality vision through their own eyes so they can ditch their glasses or contacts. The best part: it’s a permanent procedure.

Keep reading to learn more about LASIK eye surgery and why you may not need to be stuck with glasses forever!

The LASIK Procedure

Undergoing the LASIK procedure is pretty simple. Did you know it only takes about 15 minutes per eye to complete?

LASIK may be a quick procedure, but it is not rushed. The success rate of LASIK is impressive as well. Over 96% of patients report satisfaction with their results after LASIK. Can you think of any other medical procedure with satisfaction levels that high?

Refractive errors like nearsighted, farsightedness, or astigmatism usually occur because of a misshapen cornea. LASIK works by reshaping the cornea. The cornea handles focusing much of the light that passes through the eye. LASIK surgeons use a combination of training, expertise, cutting-edge technology, and decades of research to perform the surgery.

They begin the LASIK procedure by numbing your eyes with a localized anesthetic. Then, using a laser, the surgeon opens a flap in the epithelial layer of the cornea. This allows them to perform the reshaping part of the procedure on the thicker middle layer of cornea. The reshaping is frequently done with the help of computer scanning technology. This is the best way to ensure that results are accurate and predictable.

Once the appropriate amount of tissue is removed from the cornea, the flap that was opened in the top layer is closed and allowed to heal on its own.

LASIK Candidacy

To receive LASIK, you must first qualify as a good candidate for the procedure. The LASIK consultation takes about 2 hours to complete. It involves your doctor running quite a few tests to ensure your safety through the surgery.

To be a good LASIK candidate you’ll need to fit certain criteria such as:

• You must be at least 18 years of age (although many doctors prefer if you are in your mid to late twenties instead).
• You must not be pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant.
• Your eyes must be healthy and your vision must be stable.
• You must be in good general health.
• You must have realistic expectations for the outcome of the procedure.

You will be tested and asked questions to determine your eligibility during your consultation at Washington Eye. A LASIK consultation is the only way to find out if you are a good candidate for the procedure.

Ready to find out if LASIK could be right for you? Schedule your free LASIK consultation at Washington Eye Physicians and Surgeons in Chevy Chase, MD today!

Don’t delay if the thought of dealing with glasses or contacts for another year is aggravating and too much to handle!