Refractive errors affect people of any age, leading to problems with short or long-distance vision, as well as other issues in trying to visualize the world. LASIK surgery has emerged as a go-to solution for many people in reversing the effects of refractive vision errors. But is it something everyone can get, and is it the solution you need?
The dedicated team of doctors at Bronx Eye Associates offers a range of services to the residents of the Pelham Gardens area of the Bronx, New York, to help restore and preserve their vision, including LASIK eye surgery.
Your eyes are like cameras, where a refractive surface accurately sharpens images. With your eyes, the cornea forms a surface through which light refracts, sending the signal to your retina to transmit information to your optic nerve and brain.
Problems with the shape of your cornea lead to refractive errors, which alter the way light hits your eyes and limit your vision. Common conditions that fall under this category include nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), age-related farsightedness (presbyopia), and astigmatism.
This refractive surgery corrects the errors in your cornea by reshaping it through laser treatments that alter the way light interacts with its surface. To perform this procedure, your eyes are numbed, and eyelid holders are placed to prevent you from blinking during the process. A laser called a microkeratome creates a thin flap on the cornea, which is lifted back.
At this point, you’re instructed to focus on a target light to avoid eye movement, and the laser is applied to correct errors in refraction. Once finished, the flap is put back into place, which attaches in place in a few minutes. You are given an eye shield to use for a few days as your eyes heal, and provided with special eye drops during recovery.
Several factors help determine if you’re a good candidate for LASIK surgery, including having a stable prescription and fully mature eyes. This means it is not suitable for younger people who are still developing their vision.
This treatment shouldn’t be considered until at least 18, though 21 is preferred. The prescription should be the same for at least a year; your corneas need to be thick enough to undergo the surgery, and if you’re dealing with glaucoma or untreated dry eye, it’s not a good idea to get it.
Large pupils cause problems, so that other options may be considered at that point. Additionally, hormonal changes during pregnancy and nursing can affect eye shape and healing time. Some diseases also affect the risk of LASIK surgery, like diabetes and autoimmune diseases, and medications can increase the chances of infection.
If you’re interested in getting LASIK or want to give this vision improvement to someone, schedule an appointment with the Bronx Eye Associates team to determine if this is the proper treatment for you.
