The Benefits of LASIK

Have you spent most of your life wearing eye glasses or contact lenses and dealing with the inconvenience of not being able to see clearly when you open your eyes each morning? Do you wear prescription sunglasses when you participate in leisure activities and sports? Are you unhappy being so dependent on glasses or contacts for your best vision both up close and far away?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may benefit from laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis — better known as LASIK eye surgery. LASIK is one of the best ways to get long-term improvement for many common vision problems, including astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness.

Here at Vision Corner in Houston, Texas, optometrist Sophia Barnes, OD, specializes in determining if you’re a good candidate for LASIK vision correction. Dr. Barnes works with top eye surgeons in the Houston area and manages your aftercare so you have an exceptional experience during the entire process.

Here, we explain the many benefits of LASIK to help you discover if it’s something you should consider. 

LASIK basics

LASIK surgery is a refractive eye surgery that reshapes your cornea so your retina can focus light properly and allow you to see objects clearly.

Using a surgical tool or a laser, your eye surgeon creates a very thin flap on the surface of your cornea. They fold back the flap and use an excimer laser to remove microscopic amounts of tissue from your cornea. This reshapes your cornea based on your individual needs so your eye can refract light optimally. Then, your surgeon puts the flap back in place.  

As a result, you can focus on objects, often without the assistance of glasses or contacts. If you’re nearsighted, farsighted, or have an astigmatism, LASIK surgery may be the ideal way to correct your vision long term. 

LASIK benefits

One of the biggest benefits of LASIK surgery is not having to reach for your glasses as soon as you wake up each morning. It can also mean you no longer have to worry about the inconvenience of glasses and contacts when you’re swimming, out in the rain, or participating in your favorite sport or leisure activity.

Another benefit of LASIK surgery is that you don’t have to deal with your eye glasses fogging up while wearing a mask. In today’s world, that’s a big complaint for so many people!

LASIK is pain-free

LASIK is a pain-free surgery that can be completed rather quickly, usually taking just a few minutes per eye. And there are no stitches involved — just topical anesthetic drops to numb the surface of your eye during the procedure. Once LASIK surgery is complete, you may notice an almost immediate improvement in your ability to see at every distance without glasses or contacts. 

Additional benefits of LASIK include:

• Precise, accurate vision correction
• Single surgery improves vision long term
• Quick recovery
• Safe, reliable procedure
• Fast, noticeable results
• Minimal risks

Although individual results vary based on your vision prescription, many enjoy 20/20 vision without corrective lenses after undergoing LASIK surgery.

LASIK begins with a comprehensive eye exam

The first step in determining if you’re a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery begins with a comprehensive eye exam. Dr. Barnes reviews your overall eye health with particular attention to the thickness of your cornea because it has to be able to withstand the surgery.

In general, if you’re over 18 years old, have a stable vision prescription that meets LASIK criteria, and your eyes are healthy, Dr. Barnes can recommend you to a qualified local surgeon.

Think you may be ready to explore the LASIK option and say goodbye to glasses? Give us a call at 713-623-2000, or schedule a consultation online today.