For those with refractive errors, LASIK eye surgery may be able to adjust your vision and eliminate your need for corrective lenses. LASIK eye surgery is particularly popular among those who take part in regular sporting activities, as well as those whose careers are improved without the need to wear eyeglasses.
Since LASIK eye surgery has a high success rate and typically carries few risks, anyone who has refractive errors is a potential candidate. This surgery typically works best for those who have mild near or farsightedness. Your eligibility for LASIK eye surgery can be easily determined by an eye exam with a Calgary optometrist.
What Is LASIK Eye Surgery And How Can An Optometrist Help?
What Is LASIK Eye Surgery?
Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, typically referred to as LASIK or laser eye surgery, is a common refractive surgery that uses lasers to correct various visual impairments, including myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. The surgery is very quick, nearly painless, and creates almost instantaneous results; patients typically report improved vision in under 24 hours post-surgery. LASIK eye surgery corrects vision by reshaping the eye.
How Can An Optometrist Help?
Before you can be approved for laser eye surgery, your eye doctor must give you an eye exam to determine if you are a viable candidate. They will decide if you are a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery by checking for these requirements:
- You are over 18.
- You have an adequate corneal thickness so that any reshaping of the eye will not damage the cornea.
- You’re in generally good physical condition without uncontrolled diabetes, chronic illness, or collagen vascular disease.
- You do not have ocular health problems such as chronic dry eye, corneal disease, glaucoma, cataracts, retinal or optic nerve disease, or other eye abnormalities.
- You do not have ocular problems that may limit healing, such as amblyopia, strabismus, or eye infections.
- You have a stable vision that hasn’t required a prescription change for at least one year. Those who are pregnant or are experiencing hormone fluctuations due to such experiences as adolescence, menopause, or gender transitioning, may be required to wait for hormones levels to become stable before being approved for LASIK eye surgery as hormone changes can alter vision.
If your eye doctor has assessed you as a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery, they will explain everything the procedure involves as well as any associated risks and what you should expect from recovery. Your eye doctor will also schedule a follow-up exam to make sure you are healing properly. Discussing laser eye surgery with your eye doctor allows you to ask any questions you have before the surgery date. While your optometrist is not the person who will be performing the LASIK eye surgery, they are extremely knowledgeable about it and will likely work cooperatively with the ophthalmologist who will be conducting the surgery.
Laser Eye Surgery Consultation From A Trusted Calgary Optometrist
At Blink Eyewear in Calgary, we provide comprehensive laser eye surgery consultations, as well as postoperative care, through a co-management agreement with your ophthalmologist. Our team of Calgary optometrists can determine your eligibility for this surgery and provide routine eye exams post-op to ensure that your vision remains stable after LASIK eye surgery. For your convenience, our optometrists are available for LASIK consultations at all 3 of our clinic locations at Crowfoot in NW Calgary, West Springs in SW Calgary, and Creekside in NW Calgary. If you’re interested in Calgary LASIK eye surgery, book an appointment with a Blink Eyewear Calgary optometrist by calling 1-403-516-2292 or filling out the online contact form.
FAQ
Q: What are the benefits of LASIK eye surgery?
A: Laser eye surgery has a very high patient satisfaction rate because along with improving vision, it reduces the need for corrective lenses, leads to lower long term costs, is a safe and quick surgery with a short recovery time, and it improves other visual abilities such as colour perception.
Q: What are the risks of laser eye surgery?
A: In general, LASIK eye surgery is low risk but there is always some risk associated with any surgery. Risks immediately after laser eye surgery include dry eyes, glare, halos, or double vision. More permanent risks include undercorrection, overcorrection, astigmatism, corneal ectasia, flap problems, and vision loss or changes. Discuss the risks with your Calgary Optometrist to decide if laser eye surgery is right for you.
Q: What Is Wavefront LASIK eye surgery?
A: Wavefront LASIK -wavefront-assisted, wavefront-guided, or custom LASIK- uses laser treatment (ablation) mapped by computerized analysis. Wavefront-guided procedures are much more precise than ablations determined by using standard eyeglasses prescriptions. They can correct subtle optical imperfections of the eye called “higher-order aberrations” that regular ablations cannot treat. Studies prove wavefront-guided ablations provide sharper vision than conventional, non-wavefront LASIK and can improve night-vision, eliminating or reducing the risk of halos or glare.
