Few medical procedures have the same power to quickly and effectively improve a patient’s quality of life as LASIK, or the corrective laser vision surgery performed by ophthalmologist Dr. Chris Walton.
LASIK produces a lasting alternative to wearing contact lenses or glasses.
It’s natural to have questions about any medical procedure, much less one that affects something as important as your vision. Dr. Walton recognizes that when his patients know exactly what to expect from the LASIK procedure, they are less likely to experience anxiety or trepidation prior to surgery.
With that in mind, here are three of the most common questions patients have about LASIK.
Question No. One: How is LASIK performed?
Answer: In order to correct a patient’s astigmatism, myopia or hyperopia, Dr. Walton will use a medical laser to manipulate the eye’s cornea in a way that improves the patient’s ability to see. Dr. Walton favors the Allegretto Wave laser, which is one of the best pieces of ophthalmological equipment on the market today.
LASIK is an outpatient procedure that generally lasts about an hour. Dr. Walton prescribes valium to his LASIK patients, which is administered shortly before surgery to insure that patients are completely calm and relaxed during their corrective vision procedure. In most cases, patients experience little or no discomfort from LASIK.
Question No. Two: How long does it take to recover from LASIK surgery?
Answer: Because of the valium, patients need to arrange for a driver to escort them home from our Mobile AL office following LASIK surgery. The doctor also will provide a pair of dark, protective glasses to wear while the eyes are healing.
It’s also important to support the body’s natural healing process by resting and relaxing during the hours just after the procedure.
Most patients recognize an immediate vision improvement after surgery, and experience perfect or near-perfect vision by the next day.
Patients are able to resume their normal daily routines the day after LASIK. Generally speaking, LASIK patients are predominantly healed in around a week, and the eyes are permanently healed in a matter of months.
Question No. Three: How long does LASIK last?
Today’s advanced vision correction surgical techniques have diminished the number of patients who find they need to enhance their vision again in the years following LASIK.
The eye does continue to change throughout our lives, however, which is why a small percentage of LASIK patients do return after a decade or so for a follow-up laser surgery. Or, you may simply need to wear reading glasses because of these age-related vision changes.
The procedure is effective in correcting vision imperfections in the vast majority of patients. For these people, LASIK is a lasting vision solution, and they rarely have reason to return to a LASIK doctor once they’ve healed from their initial surgery.
When you’re ready to find out more about how LASIK can change your life for the better, please dial 251-341-3385 to schedule your LASIK consultation at our Mobile, Alabama office.