Posted by: Focal Point Vision in Blog

LASIK can allow you to experience much greater freedom from the hassle and restrictions of visual aids. There are a variety of reasons to choose LASIK.

Whatever your reasons for seeking a new vision lifestyle, LASIK is an excellent choice. LASIK is a fantastic procedure that changes the way you see, and now might be the best time to get it.

Keep reading to learn why you should consider getting LASIK now!

What Is LASIK?

LASIK is a popular and trusted refractive eye surgery. It is designed to correct refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. 

These vision problems are typically caused by the shape of your eye or cornea. The cornea is the clear, round surface of tissue that covers your pupil, and it focuses light that passes through it. 

That light is passed through the lens inside the eye to further adjust the light until it reaches the retina. Healthy eyes without a refractive error will focus the light directly onto the retina’s light-sensitive tissue. 

Corneas are not always perfectly shaped. Since the cornea is responsible for focusing the most light, problems that start there cause issues with your eyesight. 

A cornea that is too flat, too tall, or generally misshapen will cause light to miss the mark and thus make your vision blurry. LASIK addresses this by altering the way your corneas are shaped. 

With the help of advanced computer software and laser technology, trained eye surgeons can reliably reshape the cornea.

What Happens During LASIK?

It only takes microscopic adjustments to completely change the way you see. By removing a tiny amount of corneal tissue in the right places, LASIK surgeons could help you achieve excellent visual clarity. 

The corneal tissue isn’t just removed from the top of the cornea. The cornea has multiple layers. 

The middle layer is actually the thickest. When removing tissue from this layer, LASIK surgeons are able to make changes without damaging the structure of your cornea. 

To get to the middle corneal layer, your LASIK surgeon will first create a flap in the top layer. This is done using a laser called a femtosecond laser. 

The tissue is left attached so it can be easily replaced after the procedure. Once the flap is opened, your LASIK surgeon will use a different laser, called an excimer laser, to remove the necessary amount of corneal tissue.

The lasers are guided by computer mapping software for superhuman precision. After the cornea is reshaped, your LASIK surgeon places the flap back over the middle layer and positions it for healing. 

The thin top layer takes the shape of the underlying surface. Most people notice an immediate improvement in their vision. 

However, it can take a few days to achieve the full results as your eyes adjust.     

Am I A Good Candidate For LASIK?

While LASIK is a fantastic option for vision surgery, it is not the only one, and it is not always the right choice for everyone. There are a variety of factors your eye doctor will consider when determining whether or not you are a good candidate for LASIK, including:

  • Age
  • Health
  • Pregnancy
  • Vision stability
  • Corneal thickness
  • Medical history
  • Expectations

These standards are put in place to protect your vision. For example, it’s best for you to be at least eighteen years old to get LASIK because your eyes are still growing and changing while you’re young. 

In fact, most LASIK surgeons will wait until you are in your mid-twenties to perform LASIK. Corneal thickness matters as well because you need to have enough tissue for the corneal flap to be safely created.

It is also necessary to have realistic expectations. You can find out if you qualify for LASIK at Focal Point Vision in San Antonio, TX. 

Schedule a free consultation today to get your questions answered.

Is LASIK Really Worth It?

LASIK has one of the highest satisfaction rates of any similar medical procedure. Over ninety-six percent of patients who have had the procedure are happy with their results. 

Whether or not the cost and effort are worth it is a personal choice. When deciding, consider the fact that LASIK typically has a fast and simple recovery period. 

You won’t be in bed for months. Most people can return to most of their normal activities within weeks or even days.   

Some people are more intimidated by the financial cost of LASIK than the procedure itself. LASIK may seem challenging to budget for, but in reality, there are generous financing options available. 

You can customize your payment options with CareCredit and use a flexible spending account to save yourself money using pre-tax dollars.     

Why Spring and Summer Are Great Times to Get LASIK

Spring is a season of renewal, which makes it thematically perfect for a change like LASIK. Spring and summer are also ideal seasons for getting LASIK as the longer daylight hours and warmer weather allow for a more comfortable and convenient recovery process, while the reduced risk of post-operative dryness and irritation makes it an optimal time to enjoy the outdoors with clear, unobstructed vision.

Are you interested in learning if LASIK may be right for you? Schedule a LASIK consultation at Focal Point Vision in San Antonio, TX, today!