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Does LASIK hurt?
Because the cornea is easily numbed with
"eye-drop" anesthesia, patients report
little, if any, discomfort both during and after
the procedure.
When will I be able to see
after the procedure?
Results vary from patient to patient. Most
patients have functional vision in one to three
days. Full visual results are usually realized
within one to four weeks.
Will I have 20/20 vision?
We hope so, but as with any medical procedure,
there is no guarantee that you will have perfect
vision or that you will not need distance or
reading glasses again. However, almost everyone
experiences improved vision, and almost see
well enough to pass a driver's test without
corrective lenses.
What are the primary benefits
of LASIK over PRK?
Photo-Refractive Keratectomy, or PRK, treats
the surface of the cornea with Excimer laser
while LASIK treats the inner tissue of the cornea.
For this reason, with LASIK there is less area
to heal, less risk of scarring, less risk of
corneal haze, less postoperative pain, less
postoperative medications, and vision often
returns very rapidly. It can also be used to
treat higher amounts of refractive errors.
What are the risk associated
with LASIK?
Like any medical procedure, LASIK has some
risks. Because LASIK uses a microkeratome, results
are more dependent on surgical experience than
with PRK. your doctor will give you more detailed
information regarding risk and complications
prior to your having LASIK, and all of your
questions will be answered.
Is LASIK approved by the FDA?
The FDA does not usually approve procedures,
they approve medical devices such as the Excimer
laser. Several Excimer lasers have been approved,
and others are in the final stages of chemical
trials. |
