Most people who wear eyeglasses or contact lenses desire to remove them whenever they want. Everyone wants to function freely without being too keen about damaging their frames or lenses.
 

If you feel the same way, you are ready to stop wearing glasses and lenses and get a permanent solution for your sight problems. LASIK is a proper solution for this need. Below are some of the frequently asked questions and their answers to help you understand LASIK better.
 

What Is LASIK? 

LASIK is a laser eye surgery done to eliminate or reduce the need for prescription glasses or contact lenses. It is a popular procedure that helps correct vision problems such as:

• Astigmatism.
• Hyperopia (Farsightedness).
• Myopia (Nearsightedness).

LASIK stands for laser in-situ keratomileusis.
 

What Does LASIK Involve?

LASIK eye surgery changes the shape of the cornea to help focus images better onto your retina. As a result, you can see clearly. Your doctor will use two lasers to achieve the result. Below is what you should expect on the day of your procedure:
 

• You will get your eyes tested, and your doctor will also check your eye health history to ensure it is up to date.
• Your doctor will put some numbing eye drops in your eyes.
• You will receive a sedative to keep you calm and relaxed throughout the procedure.
• Your surgeon will create a thin flap in your cornea using a laser. They then access your underlying cornea or stroma by folding back the flap.
• Your surgeon will reshape your cornea by removing small amounts of tissue using a laser. Doing so helps improve vision by enabling the cornea to focus light accurately on the retina.
• The laser flattens the cornea for nearsighted patients. For farsighted patients, the laser will make the cornea steeper.
• Your surgeon will place the flap back to its original place. They will also cover the part where they removed corneal tissue.
• Your cornea will then begin healing naturally.
•  

LASIK procedure can last for twenty minutes for both eyes.
 

What Are the Potential Complications?

Just like any other surgery, LASIK has some risks associated with it. You may struggle with dry eyes, infection, or inflammation. Some patients have difficulty driving at night because some struggle with night vision. You may have complications with the flap of your corneal tissue. 
 

Some surgeons also over- or under-correct your eye problem, causing you to need contacts or glasses for better vision. It is also natural to need eyeglasses as you age, even if you have had LASIK before. 

Who Are the Candidates for LASIK?

Your doctor will do a thorough evaluation before establishing that you are fit for laser vision correction. Not everyone qualifies for the procedure. One of the requirements your doctor will check is the health of your cornea.
 

They will also check if you have had the same lens prescription for at least two years and do not have an active eye condition. Your eye doctor will need to ensure your corrected vision lies at 20/40 at its best. All LASIK candidates should be individuals above 18.
 

How Long Will the Effect Last?

The effect of LASIK eye surgery is permanent for most cases, especially for patients who had stable eyeglass prescriptions before the procedure. However, surgery can lose results if you have a genetic component that shows your prescription will change soon. 
 

For more about LASIK, visit Raleigh Eye Center at our offices in Reidsville, Durham, Raleigh, North Carolina, or South Hill, Virginia. You can also call (919) 876-2427 to book an appointment today.