Lasik / PRK - Albuquerque

How to Prepare for LASIK Surgery

Before surgery, your eye doctor will thoroughly evaluate your eyes to ensure they are healthy enough for the procedure. They will consider many factors, including pupil size, eye health, the thickness of your cornea, and refractive errors you may have, such as astigmatism. Your doctor will conduct tests, such as creating a "map" that details the surface of your eye, using a corneal topographer. 

If your eye doctor decides you are a good candidate for LASIK surgery, you can move forward with the procedure. For two weeks before the surgery, you should stop wearing contact lenses. This will allow your cornea to return to its natural shape. 

What to Expect During Surgery

Before surgery begins, you will be given numbing eye drops. Your doctor may also provide medication to help you relax. Once your eyes are thoroughly numbed, you will be carefully positioned under the laser. One eye will be worked on at a time, and a lid speculum will be used to hold your eyelids open. 

The surgeon will precisely mark your cornea and then apply a suction cup to hold your eye still. A thin flap will then be made in your cornea and folded back. The surgeon will then use a computer to guide the laser to correct your unique prescription. As you look at a target light, the laser will reshape your cornea with pulses of light. This does not hurt, but you may feel a little pressure. You will also hear a clicking sound as the laser works. 

When the laser is done shaping your cornea, the flap is folded back into place. It will seal back on the cornea as your eyes heal. 

The procedure only takes approximately five minutes for each eye, and you will see an immediate improvement in your vision. 

How Long Does LASIK Surgery Last?

The changes that are made by a LASIK procedure are permanent. However, our eyes change as we age, which may affect your vision in the years after your surgery. For example, most people need reading glasses as they get into their 40s because of regular age-related changes called presbyopia. 

While most people have 20/20 vision or better after LASIK, some have slightly less improvement. A few people still require corrective lenses after surgery, but their prescription is almost always much lower. A small number of people need a "touch up" procedure a few months later to give them the best vision possible. 

You may find that you are sensitive to sunlight after a LASIK procedure, but eyeglasses with tinted lenses can help reduce any discomfort. Rarely, complications such as infection or night glare may occur. 

Learn More About LASIK Eye Surgery in Albuquerque

LASIK has an excellent safety profile, and many people who have had it report that it has improved their quality of life. This quick and almost painless procedure uses a laser to permanently reshape your cornea, providing a dramatic improvement in visual acuity. 

If you are interested in learning more about LASIK surgery in Albuquerque, or you would like to schedule an appointment, contact us today. Our skilled physicians at Southwest Eyecare are here to answer your questions and provide the highest quality care.