Are you nervous about getting LASIK surgery? Whether you are the kind of person who doesn’t like anything near your eyes – much less a laser – or are someone who has no issue putting in contacts or touching your eyes, LASIK surgery can be scary. But the benefits can far outweigh the fears if you prepare yourself and feel comfortable with your doctor.
Preparing for LASIK Surgery
The Facts
The best way to prepare for your LASIK surgery is to educate yourself on the procedure. The more you know what to expect, the less you will fear. So, let’s talk facts. LAISK surgery is one of the safest procedures with a complication rate of less than one percent according to WebMD. Additionally, it has never been the exclusive cause of blindness, according to the American Refractive Surgery Council. The council also reports that fewer than one percent of LASIK patients experience worse vision post-surgery.
What Happens During the Procedure?
Many patients are afraid of feeling pain during a LASIK procedure. You can put this fear to rest. During the procedure, you will feel almost nothing. It only takes five minutes, and while you are awake, you will be given a mild sedative and numbing drops to make sure you are completely comfortable. Occasionally, patients report a feeling of some pressure in the eye, but there is no pain at all.
Other patients are nervous about being able to keep their eyes open or accidentally moving their eyes during the procedure. A fairly comfortable speculum will be inserted to hold the eye open during the LASIK procedure. Also, Dr. Salisbury uses the most advanced laser technology which has a built-in eye tracker that can track small eye movements and keep the laser centered in case the eye moves during the vision correction portion of the procedure.
The first step to successful LAISK surgery is to choose a highly trained doctor. Dr. Salisbury completed an additional fellowship to specialize in cornea, external disease, and refractive surgery at Eye Consultants of Atlanta through Piedmont Hospital. He is also a Board-Certified Ophthalmologist. He can guide you through your best options and create a comfortable experience for your eye care.
The next step is to educate yourself. Ask your doctor questions, weigh all of your options, and understand the procedure. Knowing what to expect and how to care for yourself will ease the anxiety of a LASIK surgery.
Lastly, be sure you follow the doctor’s pre-op and post-op instructions and attend all of your appointments. If there were to be any complications or unexpected events, being compliant and following up with the doctor is critical in making sure you have the best possible outcome.
Success Rates of LASIK Surgery
The Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery reports that LASIK surgery has the highest patient satisfaction rates of any elective procedure in the United States. And studies show that 92 percent of patients who have all-laser topography achieved 20/20 vision or better.
Find Out if You are a Candidate for LASIK Surgery
As we move into the summer heat and spend more time outside, it would be nice to be able to ditch the prescription glasses or contacts, wouldn’t it? Swimming in the pool or the ocean and being able to see clearly would make it so much more enjoyable. And playing outdoor sports without sweat on your glasses or pouring into you contacts would be like a dream!
If you are interested in finding out if you are a candidate for LASIK surgery, please visit complete our contact form by clicking the link here or call our office at 251-341-3413.