LASIK Eye Surgery: 6 Key Questions to Ask Your Surgeon
LASIK eye surgery remains one of the most effective treatments for different types of refractive errors, including nearsightedness and farsightedness. That’s why it’s the top choice for many patients in Singapore and around the globe.
Being informed about LASIK eye surgery is a critical part of your decision-making! Knowing which questions to ask gets you the information you need to make the right decision.
Below are 6 essential questions to ask your surgeon during your LASIK eye surgery consultation to determine whether it’s the best option for you! These questions will help you learn more about the procedure, recovery, possible complications, and more.
Question 1: Am I a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery?
The first thing you should know about LASIK is that not everyone is a good candidate. There are certain eye and health conditions that disqualify an individual from LASIK, such as cataracts, severe dry eyes, diabetes, and ocular hypertension, among others.
To be a good candidate for LASIK, you need to be physically healthy, over 18 years old, and have a stable prescription for over a year.
Apart from the diagnostic tests, a review of your medical history with your surgeon should determine whether you’re a good fit for LASIK.
Question 2: Is there an alternative to LASIK I could consider?
There are a number of alternatives to consider whether or not you qualify for LASIK. The thing is, it’s not automatically the best option for you even if you’re a good candidate.
Epi-LASIK, LASEK, Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK), Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL), and SMILE are among your possible choices.
Those with thin corneas and who have physically active lifestyles may benefit more from PRK, while patients over 40 are recommended to opt for RLE.
Question 3: How much does LASIK hurt?
LASIK eye surgery is virtually a painless procedure. It starts with the doctor administering numbing eye drops to make sure that you don’t feel any pain during the surgery.
Just a friendly reminder here that pain and discomfort are two different things. Some discomfort and slight pressure on the eyes are expected, but they should last only for a couple of minutes.
Question 4: What happens during LASIK?
LASIK eye surgery generally takes less than 20 minutes for both eyes. It’s usually split into 5 parts:
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The surgeon administers numbing eye drops to both eyes.
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A corneal flap is created using a specialised laser.
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Another type of laser is used to correct the shape of the cornea.
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Once the cornea has been reshaped, the flap will be put back in place.
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The same process is done to the other eye.
Question 5: Does LASIK have any side effects?
Just like any other medical procedure, LASIK eye surgery comes with side effects.
Some common side effects that patients experience post-LASIK are light sensitivity, grainy vision, dry eyes, halos, scratchy eyes, and night vision problems. These don’t last long and usually go away within a day, or at least a few hours.
Remember to follow your doctor’s pre- and post-surgery instructions to decrease your risk of LASIK side effects.
If your side effects last for more than a week, contact your surgeon immediately.
Question 6: How long is the recovery period?
The recovery period for LASIK should only last for a couple of hours, with most patients noticing an improvement in their vision immediately.
Patients may return to their regular routine within 1-2 days after surgery but are advised to stay away from physically strenuous activity for at least a week.
For most patients, it takes around a minimum of 6 months to see the final LASIK results.
If you’d like to learn more about LASIK or have any questions you want answered, get in touch with Shinagawa Eye Centre and its team of specialists for a personal consultation! Call to enquire or book an appointment today.
SOURCES:
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/lasik-questions-to-ask
https://www.doughertylaservision.com/vision-blog/top-12-questions-to-ask-your-lasik-surgeon/
https://assileye.com/blog/10-lasik-consultation-questions-to-ask/
https://www.eduardobessermd.com/blog/question-to-ask-your-lasik-surgeon
