For many people who are considering LASIK surgery or laser vision correction, a major barrier can be anxiety and concerns over what the process will actually be like. It can sometimes be difficult to get consistent answers about what to expect. For that reason, The Holtebeck Eye Center in Brookfield has put together some information on what you can expect before, during, and after LASIK surgery.
Before LASIK Surgery
Before actually scheduling any procedure, you will meet with your eye doctor to discuss the option and if you are a good candidate. Some of the basic criteria for LASIK refractive surgery include:
- At least 18 years old
- A relatively stable prescription for a least a year
- Healthy corneas that will not be damaged during the procedure
Additionally, it is important that your eyes’ refractive error is a type that is correctable through LASIK.
Conditions that might make you not an ideal candidate for LASIK include:
- A refractive error that is unstable
- Extreme myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism
- Suffering from severe dry eyes
- Unhealthy or thin corneas and/or ones that have sustained abrasions or diseases
- Abnormally-shaped corneas (Keratoconus)
- Glaucoma that is advanced
- Vision negatively affected by cataracts
- A history of some types of eye infections
- Improperly mitigated diabetes
- Pregnancy or nursing
During your appointment, you can expect to discuss these issues along with your vision needs and lifestyle details. And when you come to The Holtebeck Eye Center, Dr. Holtebeck and our whole team will ensure that you are fully informed and prepared about the surgery.
During LASIK Surgery
When you return to The Holtebeck Eye Center on the day of your scheduled LASIK surgery, you can expect a comfortable experience. First, you will be greeted warmly by our staff before Dr. Holtebeck walks you through every step of the process in advance. You will then be administered numbing eye drops and relaxing medication. With the assistance of The Holtebeck Eye Center’s highly advanced LASIK machine, the procedure itself will usually only take about 15 minutes.
After Surgery
At the end of the procedure, Dr. Holtebeck will apply special eye drops to minimize any post-op discomfort and promote healing. We will then have you stay in the office for a short time before discharging you. We recommend that you plan to go home and rest after LASIK surgery to further assist the healing process and wait out the scratchy or burning sensation that sometimes occurs in the first few hours after the procedure.
In the long term after the procedure, most patients (9 out of 10, to be exact) can expect vision that is between 20/20 and 20/40 without the need for glasses or contact lenses of any kind. But do keep in mind that you will still be vulnerable to the usual changes in sight that you would have experienced with time and aging.
Learn More About LASIK Surgery
If you think LASIK might be right for you, come talk with Dr. Holtebeck for an initial evaluation. In the meantime, we recommend taking a look at our LASIK surgery breakdown to learn more about our approach and our equipment. We look forward to seeing you soon!