Imagine waking up with sharp, clear vision every day and not having to struggle with glasses or contacts. With LASIK, this could be your new reality!
LASIK is a procedure that corrects common refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, allowing you to perform most or all activities without the inconvenience of visual aids. It’s simple, quick, and has a short recovery time, making it ideal for patients with a busy lifestyle.
But can you have LASIK done on both eyes on the same day, or will you need to return for multiple procedures? Keep reading to learn more about LASIK and whether both eyes can get LASIK on the same day.
What is LASIK?
Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, or LASIK, is a vision correction procedure that treats refractive errors, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, eliminating or substantially decreasing your reliance on glasses or contact lenses. It works by reshaping your cornea using specialized lasers, allowing light to hit your retina at the best spot for clear eyesight.
What Happens During LASIK?
Your LASIK surgeon will begin the procedure by administering eye drops to numb your eyes, ensuring you are comfortable. You may also be given a mild sedative to help you feel at ease.
Your LASIK surgeon will then place an eyelid holder and suction ring on your eye. You may feel some slight pressure at this point.
These devices will keep you from blinking and ensure your eye remains in the appropriate position. Next, your LASIK surgeon will use a femtosecond laser to create a thin flap on the epithelium or topmost layer of the cornea.
They’ll fold back the flap to access the stroma, or inner layer of the cornea. After that, they’ll use a programmed excimer laser to reshape your cornea by removing microscopic amounts of tissue.
They will complete the procedure by putting the corneal flap back in place, which will start reattaching immediately, without sutures. The outpatient procedure only takes about 10 to 15 minutes per eye.
Is LASIK Performed on Both Eyes on the Same Day?
LASIK is a bilateral procedure, meaning it’s performed on both eyes on the same day. Advancements in LASIK technology have made bilateral LASIK safer and more reliable than ever, with benefits including:
Convenience
You only need one LASIK procedure and one post-surgery recovery, eliminating the hassle of two separate procedures and recovery periods like patients require with cataract surgery. Undergoing surgery once instead of twice reduces the time spent away from work and regular activities.
Cost-Effectiveness
The fact that LASIK is done on both eyes at the same time also means the procedure is cost-effective. It does away with the additional costs of two separate procedures and follow-up visits.
Reduced Anxiety
It’s normal to feel anxious before any procedure, including LASIK. With just one quick procedure, you won’t have to feel that pre-operative anxiety more than once, and the process will be over before you know it.
What is LASIK Recovery Like?
To ensure a smooth and successful recovery from LASIK, follow all the post-operative care instructions provided by your surgeon, including:
- Prioritizing rest and relaxation
- Avoiding rubbing your eyes
- Using prescribed eye drops as directed
- Avoiding getting water into your eyes
- Attending follow-up appointments as scheduled
- Refraining from strenuous physical activity and driving until your surgeon has cleared you to resume normal activities
Vision usually becomes clearer within 24 hours of your LASIK procedure, gradually improving as your eyes continue to heal. You will likely reach peak visual clarity several months after the procedure, but you will get to enjoy the fantastic benefits of clear vision long before then.
Most patients are cleared to return to normal activities by their LASIK surgeon at their follow-up appointment the very next day.
What Can Make You a Good Candidate for LASIK?
While LASIK is an incredibly popular vision correction procedure that has brought clear vision to millions, not everyone is a good candidate. You must meet specific requirements, including:
Having Healthy Eyes
To qualify for LASIK, your eyes should be healthy and free from conditions such as severe dry eye, keratoconus, cataracts, or glaucoma. During your LASIK consultation, your ophthalmologist will perform a comprehensive assessment to ensure you don’t have an eye condition that could disqualify you from LASIK.
Having a Stable Prescription
Your prescription should remain unchanged for at least a year to be a good LASIK candidate. If your prescription is still fluctuating, you must wait until it’s stable to have LASIK, which is why you must be at least 18 or older to undergo LASIK, as your eyes are still developing.
Because hormonal changes can cause your prescription to shift, you also cannot get LASIK if you are pregnant or nursing.
Having Thick Enough Corneas
LASIK involves creating a flap to reshape the corneal tissue underneath. If your corneas are too thin, having LASIK could worsen your eyesight or lead to complications such as corneal ectasia, a condition that causes your cornea to thin and bulge.
As part of your LASIK evaluation, your ophthalmologist will measure your corneas to determine if they are thick enough for the procedure. If you have thin corneas and are not eligible for LASIK, your eye doctor may recommend other vision correction procedures like PRK or refractive lens exchange.
Being in Good Health
You must be in good overall health to undergo LASIK and not have any conditions that could impact the healing process, including diabetes, Sjogren’s syndrome, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis.
Are you ready to transform your vision with just one LASIK procedure? Schedule your LASIK consultation at Jacksonville Eye Center in Jacksonville, FL, today to start your journey towards a life without the limitations of visual aids.