Is Laser Eye Surgery Safe for You?

There are tons of people out there who have to live with vision problems. And if you don’t want to wear glasses and contact lenses, there could still be a solution: laser eye surgery.

Laser eye surgery has been around since 1970, and since then, the technology and procedures have only advanced. Throughout the last 50 years, laser eye surgery has helped numerous people with their vision.

But since the entire procedure relies on the concept of lasers entering your eye to reshape the cornea, it can be scary for some people. And in this article, we’re to clear the air.

If you’ve been wondering if laser eye surgery is the right option for you, you’ve come to the right place.

Learn about the safety of laser eye surgery, the benefits of laser eye surgery, and who would qualify as a good candidate for the procedure.

Are There Risks to Laser Eye Surgery?

Laser eye surgery is a completely safe and effective procedure. For the right candidates, it can be a permanent fix to their vision problems that can be a huge bane to a person’s life. But just because it’s a safe procedure, that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t come with an element of risk.

Any type of surgery, no matter how common, brings an element of risk. And when you go in for the initial consultation, the doctor should relay all these potential risks to you.

With that said, negative side effects from laser eye surgery are rare. In fact, the biggest side effect most people report after laser eye surgery is dry eyes.

Right after your surgery, you may feel some discomfort in your eyes. But don’t worry; this is completely normal and a part of the healing process. And most of the time, doctors will prescribe painkiller to patients after the surgery to ease their struggle.

Poor vision can get in the way of living a quality life, but you don’t have to live with it forever. If you’re ready to say goodbye to glasses and contact lenses, you may want to consider talking to your doctor about your options.

How Does Laser Eye Surgery Work?

Before you go to your doctor for consultation, it’s very important to understand that there are many different types of laser eye surgery.

When a patient goes in for laser eye surgery, a doctor will create a small flap in the cornea then use a laser to reshape the surface of the cornea. This can result in the person’s vision improving and allowing them to live a life free of glasses and contact lenses.

During laser eye surgery, the doctor will apply a numbing agent to your eyes. This is so that you won’t feel any pain or discomfort during the 30-minute procedure. After the procedure, you may have to deal with blurry vision for a while, but rest assured that it is only temporary.

After creating a small flap, the doctor would ask you to concentrate on a light. This isn’t the laser, but it’s a light that you’re supposed to look at while the surgery is happening.

Your eyes will begin healing immediately, In most cases, the patient’s vision improves after 24 hours.

After this brief recovery period, you will notice your vision improving daily. You can go back to most daily activities glasses free after 24 hours. Your eyes will fully heal between 3-6 months.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Laser Eye Surgery?

There’s no doubt that laser eye surgery is a safe and effective procedure. But to reap the full benefits of laser eye surgery, you need to be a good candidate. It’s important to remember that laser eye surgery isn’t for all vision problems.

Ideally, laser eye surgery is for people struggling with mild and moderate near-sightedness and farsightedness. In some cases, doctors will also recommend the procedure to help with astigmatism.

However, keep in mind that laser eye surgery may not have the desired effect with severe vision problems. If you have other underlining vision issues such AMD, Cataracts Keratoconus and other similar issues, the doctor might recommend against laser eye surgery.

The first step of laser eye surgery is always an in-depth consultation. This is for the doctor to determine whether or not laser eye surgery will work on you as well as let them relay all the potential risks of the procedure.

But once the doctor determines if you are a good candidate or not, you will be able to schedule your surgery and procedure.

What Are the Benefits of Laser Eye Surgery?

The major benefit of laser eye surgery is improved vision. After the surgery, most people won’t have to wear glasses and contact lenses anymore.

In the past, glasses and other corrective lenses were the only choices for most people. But now, you can opt for laser eye surgery so you won’t have to deal with the hassle of corrective glasses and contact lenses.

Conclusion - Should I Get Laser Eye Surgery?

Laser eye surgery is a very safe procedure. And if you’re the right candidate for it, you can say goodbye to wearing glasses and contact lenses.

With that said, no surgery is without risks. But even if there are some small risks that come with the procedure, the benefits greatly outweigh the risks.

If you’re looking to stop wearing reading glasses or contact lenses, approach your doctor today to find out if laser eye surgery is the right option for you.