If you have a blurred, hazy vision, the most likely cause is that your eyes are not bending light the way they’re supposed to. To see clearly, light has to pass through the front of your eye and focus just right on the retina. The retina is your eye's version of the camera film that takes the picture and sends it to your brain.
With LASIK, an ophthalmologist uses a laser to gently reshape the cornea, so light can travel straight through to the retina. If you have trouble seeing things far away or up close, or if lines and edges do not look straight to you, it’s time to schedule a consultation. With offices located in both Naperville and Downer’s Grove, Naper Grove Vision Care is here to help determine if LASIK is an option.
How Does LASIK Eye Surgery Work?
The Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery is recommended for several eye conditions, including:
Before you undergo LASIK, your ophthalmologist examines your eyes and measures your cornea, pupils, and any errors in your vision. If you wear contact lenses, you will need to switch to glasses for a few weeks before these tests because contacts can change your cornea's shape, and the doctor needs it in its normal shape to get accurate measurements.
There are two ways LASIK can be performed: with blade and without blade. Bladeless LASIK is considered the superior option because it is more precise and safer compared to traditional bladed LASIK.
The Advanced Bladeless LASIK Procedure
During the bladeless procedure, the surgeon first puts a lid speculum on your eyes to keep your eyelids from closing during the laser eye surgery. Before this, they apply numbing drops to your eyes so you would not feel anything. They might also give you a mild sedative to help you feel more at ease.
Then they gently hold your eye in place to keep it from moving and use a femtosecond laser to create a small flap in the cornea. This flap allows the surgeon to get to the part of the cornea that needs reshaping. Next, with the guidance of a computer, an excimer laser sends light pulses to sculpt the cornea's shape precisely.
Once the cornea is realigned correctly, the surgeon carefully puts the flap back in its original position. The flap heals on its own, without the need for stitches. The entire process takes less than 30 minutes. You might feel a bit of burning or itching and some discomfort or pain right after — it is completely normal. It usually takes about three to six months for your eye to fully settle.
Benefits of LASIK Eye Surgery
Making the move from glasses or contacts to LASIK can feel like a big leap, but it comes with a handful of benefits:
Clear vision
The most immediate and obvious benefit is the improvement in sight. Many people can achieve a vision of 20/40 or better without glasses after undergoing LASIK, which meets the requirements for most driver's license vision tests. A majority of recipients reach a vision of 20/20 without needing glasses.
Quick results
For most people, their vision improves greatly within just three days, allowing them to get back to driving and their everyday activities quickly. There is no downtime; you don’t need to stay overnight at a hospital. You can be in and out of the clinic within an hour. You will be advised to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays for about six months and to stay away from swimming or putting your head underwater for several weeks — but that’s it.
Long-term savings
While the upfront cost of LASIK might seem high, it will save you money in the long run. Think about it: no more expenses for new glasses, contact lenses, solutions, or visits to an optometrist every year to test your prescription. Over the years, these costs add up.
No more hassle
Say goodbye to the daily inconvenience of wearing glasses or putting on contacts. No more worrying about breaking your glasses, losing a contact lens, or dealing with the discomfort of dry eyes from wearing those lenses for several hours every day. Activities like swimming, running, or even just waking up in the middle of the night become simpler after LASIK.
Reduced allergy symptoms
When you use contact lenses, you have to touch your eyes at least twice a day to put them in and take them out. If you have allergies, every time you touch your eyes, you are potentially introducing allergens like pollen or dust, which can make your eyes feel even itchier and more irritated than they already are. Not to mention contacts themselves accumulate many allergens throughout the day. You can reduce your allergy symptoms with LASIK.
Who Is a Suitable Candidate for Laser Eye Surgery?
To consider vision correction surgery, you need to meet the following criteria:
You should be at least 18 years old, preferably over 21, since that is when your vision stabilizes.
Your vision prescription (for glasses or contacts) needs to have been stable for the past year.
The vision issues you are experiencing should be ones that LASIK can correct.
Your corneas must be thick and healthy enough for the procedure; your eyes should be in general good health.
Considering LASIK Treatment? Naper Grove Vision Care Can Help
Not sure if LASIK surgery is right for you? Visit us at Naper Grove Vision Care in Naperville or Downer’s Grove, IL, for a thorough eye examination. We can check your vision and diagnose any conditions that could affect the outcome of the surgery (like dry eye syndrome, corneal thickness, and eye diseases). If LASIK is a safe option for you, we will refer you to a certified ophthalmologist or a refractive surgeon.
Once your vision correction surgery is done, our team will handle your post-op care. We schedule follow-up exams to monitor the healing process, make sure your eyes are adjusting properly, and provide guidance on eye care during the recovery phase. Our services are included in the total cost of the LASIK surgery so you do not have to pay anything extra. For more information, call us at (630) 357-3511 or contact us online.