If you suffer from myopia and are looking for a treatment for it, then this blog can help you better understand your options. Myopia can be effectively treated using a surgical treatment known as laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis or LASIK. That said, in this article we will discuss how LASIK works for patients as well as the benefits it provides.
What Exactly Is LASIK Surgery?
Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, more often known as LASIK, is a kind of laser eye surgery that is used to treat common forms of visual impairment, including nearsightedness also known as myopia, farsightedness, and astigmatism. In order to rectify the refractive error, the treatment is carried out by a qualified ophthalmologist, who employs the use of a laser in order to reshape the cornea of the eye. Because of this, light is able to correctly focus on the retina, which leads to an improvement in one’s eyesight.
LASIK is a common and successful operation that has been carried out on millions of patients all over the world. The technique has been evaluated by the FDA and found to be both safe and effective for use.
What Is Myopia?
To better understand how LASIK can help this condition, here is a short and simple explanation of what myopia is. Myopia, which is also called “nearsightedness,” is a common form of shortsightedness in which the eye can’t focus on things that are far away. When light comes into the eye, it doesn’t properly focus on the retina because the eye is either too long or the cornea is too curved. Both of these things contribute to the condition called myopia.
This makes it hard to see things that are farther away, while things that are closer are clear.
It is unfortunately a condition that can get worse over time and can lead to other eye problems like retinal detachment, cataracts, and glaucoma if it is not treated. Most of the time, kids and teens are diagnosed with myopia at a very young age and it continues to progress if not treated. The problem can be fixed by wearing glasses, switching to contact lenses, or getting LASIK or another type of refractive surgery.
How Exactly Does LASIK Help Those Who Have Myopia?
If you are one of the people who suffer from this condition, you’ll be happy to know that you can thankfully treat it properly and safely with LASIK surgery. Patients who suffer from refractive problems of the eye may benefit from LASIK, which is a procedure that is both safe and effective. That said, you may be wondering what to expect during the treatment. The laser first makes a thin flap in the cornea, and then it removes a specific amount of tissue to adjust the way light enters the eye, which enables it to correctly focus on the retina.
Those who suffer from myopia will see an improvement in their vision as a result of this, and the operation only takes around twenty minutes to complete for both eyes. After the first day, the majority of patients report a noticeable improvement in their eyesight. However, in order to evaluate whether or not LASIK is a viable choice for you, a pre-operative consultation with our experts is required. This is due to the fact that LASIK may not be appropriate for everyone and everyone has different severities of myopia.
What Are LASIK’s Advantages For Patients With Myopia?
People who suffer from myopia can take advantage of the numerous benefits offered by LASIK. To start off, the cornea is reshaped with a laser during the treatment, which enhances the patient’s eyesight by enabling more light to be focused on the retina. This can enhance the patient’s overall quality of life by eliminating or significantly reducing the need for glasses or contact lenses.
Furthermore, LASIK is a reasonably rapid and painless process, with the majority of patients reporting substantial vision improvements within 24 hours following the surgery. The recovery period is also relatively brief, and many patients resume their regular activities right away following the treatment. Additionally, it has a high success rate and is long-lasting, allowing patients to benefit from the therapy for many years.
Who Is A Good Candidate For LASIK For Myopia?
Myopia sufferers who are suitable candidates for LASIK often have the following traits:
Vision Stability: Your prescription should have been constant for at least a year, which suggests that your myopia shouldn’t have gotten any worse.
Age: LASIK candidates should be at least 18 years old since up until that point, the eyes are still developing and the eyesight may not be stable.
Healthy Eyes: Candidates for LASIK should have clear, uninfected eyes free of any illnesses or disorders that might interfere with the healing process or the procedure’s results.
Realistic Expectation: A realistic expectation is that while LASIK can significantly enhance your vision, surgery will not result in perfect 20/20 vision. It’s crucial that the patient be aware of this and has reasonable expectations for the outcome.
No Specific Medical Conditions: Some medical problems, including diabetes, autoimmune illnesses, or pregnancy, may make LASIK ineffective or completely inappropriate.
It’s crucial to remember that the best way to determine whether you are a good candidate for LASIK is to have a pre-operative consultation with one of our skilled ophthalmologists. During this appointment, the doctor will conduct a comprehensive eye exam, take your medical history, and assess your unique case.
Learn More About LASIK For Myopia At Millennium Laser Eye Centers
If you’re interested in learning more about LASIK for myopia, please give our experts a call and we would be happy to walk you through the procedure as well as book you a consultation to better understand your concerns as well as determine if this is the right treatment for you.
