Do you wear glasses or contacts but wish you didn’t need them as much? LASIK eye surgery is a popular and effective procedure that has helped millions worldwide improve their vision. LASIK at Alabata Eye Center is a fast and effective way to correct your vision and reduce or eliminate the need for corrective lenses. 

What is LASIK Eye Surgery?

LASIK is a form of laser eye surgery that uses a flap in the cornea to correct vision issues. The acronym “LASIK” stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. The procedure uses a highly specialized laser to reshape the cornea, correcting vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. LASIK has gained popularity by providing safe vision correction with minimal recovery time. 

What Does LASIK Eye Surgery Do?

LASIK reshapes your cornea to improve the angle of light entering the eye. LASIK corrects a problem where light does not focus properly on the retina, causing blurry vision at different distances. 

During the first step of LASIK, you receive numbing drops to keep you from feeling anything. A femtosecond laser creates a flap in the surface or epithelium of your cornea. Dr. Alabata lifts this flap out of the way and uses a computer-guided excimer laser to remove micro-thin layers of corneal tissue. This reshaping lets light enter at the correct angle for clear vision. 

The actual process of reshaping the cornea only takes seconds, and the entire procedure takes ten to fifteen minutes. The computer-guided excimer laser provides extremely precise correction. Afterward, the flap is replaced and will start to heal immediately. You can return home immediately after the procedure, but you will need someone to drive you. 

What is Recovery Like After LASIK?

The recovery process after LASIK eye surgery is relatively quick and straightforward. Most people can return to normal activities within a day or two of the procedure. However, following your instructions carefully is essential to ensure a smooth recovery. You will need to use eye drops and avoid strenuous activity for a few days following the procedure. We recommend avoiding swimming and dirty or dusty environments for two weeks. 

What Results Will I See With LASIK?

Most people see excellent results with LASIK. In fact, 90% of Dr. Alabata’s patients will achieve 20/20 vision or better. Others will achieve significant improvements and have less reliance on corrective lenses. You may still need reading glasses for some tasks depending on your age. 

LASIK results can last for many years, but they are not permanent. Age-related changes to your eyes will continue, which include hardening of the lenses and the development of cataracts. How long your LASIK results last depends on the age at which you get the procedure and the speed at which your eyes continue to age. 

Am I a Good Candidate for LASIK?

Many people make good candidates for LASIK, but not everyone. Good candidates for LASIK must have a vision problem within the range that LASIK can treat. They must also have corneas with normal thickness and shape. People with thin or unusually shaped corneas or dry eye issues might be better candidates for another procedure. 

Take the Next Step and Enjoy Better Vision

To schedule your in-person LASIK Consultation, call Alabata Eye Center at (850) 331-3937. A referral is not necessary. Thank you for trusting our professional services.