Lasik surgery is one of the most popular types of eye surgery performed in the United States. It’s a procedure that uses lasers to correct vision problems, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Lasik has been around for years, but the process was refined throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. By 2001, more than 1 million people had already undergone Lasik surgery.
Today, laser eye surgery in Melbourne is still a popular option for those who want to correct their vision without wearing glasses or contacts all the time. If you’re considering this type of eye surgery, there are many things you should know about it before moving forward with your decision to have it done. LASIK surgery is a safe, effective way to correct vision problems. It can be done in a doctor’s office, and the procedure takes only about 15 minutes per eye.
If you’re wondering whether LASIK surgery might be right for you, start by learning more about the procedure and the benefits. Here are 4 facts about LASIK that might interest you:
1. LASIK surgery can treat many types of vision problems
LASIK can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. It is not for everyone — for example, children who aren’t done growing yet or people whose eyes have changed over time might not be good candidates for LASIK. If you have cataracts or corneal disease, you also are not a candidate for LASIK surgery. However, most people who need glasses or contacts can have their vision improved with this procedure in just a few minutes per eye. LASIK surgery can improve vision very quickly depending on the type of procedure and the patient’s recovery time. Most patients notice dramatic improvements in their vision within 24 hours after the procedure is performed, and some have perfect vision immediately following surgery. In general, it takes about one week for patients to heal completely after LASIK surgery.
2. Lasik isn’t for everyone
Lasik surgery is not for everyone. Only about 20 percent of people who visit a doctor for consultation have eyes that are good enough for the procedure. This is because the surgery can only correct certain levels of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Not everyone is eligible for LASIK surgery. The best candidates are in good overall health and have mild to moderate nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. However, there are many other procedures available to correct vision problems, even if you are not eligible for LASIK surgery.
3. Lasik can be pricey
The cost of Lasik surgery can vary greatly, but you should expect to spend between $1,500 and $3,000 per eye. You can finance this cost if you don’t have the cash upfront, and many doctors allow patients to pay in installments before and after the procedure. Some insurance companies also cover all or part of the cost of the surgery is considered medically necessary.
4. It’s painless
One of the best things about Lasik is that it doesn’t hurt because your eyes are numbed with special drops before the procedure even begins. Afterward, you won’t feel any pain either, just pressure as your eye doctor works on your eyes. LASIK surgery is a very safe and effective way to treat vision problems. In fact, the procedure has been FDA approved for over twenty years. When performed by a qualified eye surgeon, LASIK surgery is as safe as any other routine procedure, such as cataract surgery.
