Tired of wearing contact lenses or glasses? You may be wondering if LASIK surgery would be right for you. Here are 5 questions you should ask your surgeon about this laser vision correction:

1. What does LASIK surgery correct?LASIK can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. Nearsightedness is when you see nearby objects clearly but objects in the distance are blurry. Farsightedness is when you see far objects clearly, but close objects are blurry. Astigmatism causes overall blurry vision. It does not prevent presbyopia, the age-related vision changes that occur usually after the age of 40. If you have this condition and you get LASIK, you may still need reading glasses.

2. What is LASIK surgery?Short for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, LASIK js a commonly performed refractive surgery procedure that can safely and efficiently improve vision by reshaping the cornea. During LASIK surgery, the surgeon uses a femtosecond laser that creates a corneal flap, which gently lifts the surface of the cornea so that an excimer laser can reshape the cornea. After reshaping, the flap is set back into place, which should heal without stitches.

3. Am I a good candidate for LASIK surgery? During your consultation, Dr. Maehara will perform a comprehensive evaluation to determine if bladeless LASIK or another type of refractive procedure would be best for you. This procedure is ideal for people over the age of 18, have had stable vision for at least six months, have a healthy cornea thick enough for a flap, and have refractive errors that fall within the treatable range.

4. Will I see immediate results?Most patients will notice significant improvement in their vision immediately after the LASIK surgery, but it could take several months for full results. Most patients will eventually achieve a vision that is 20/20 or better, reducing or eliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses.

5. What can I expect during recovery from LASIK surgery? After surgery, patients will rest in the office for a little while before having someone else drive them home to rest for the remainder of the day. Most people can return to work the next day but should avoid strenuous exercise for at least one week. There should be very little pain, but medication can be prescribed to relieve any discomfort from the procedure.
   

To learn more about Bladeless LASIK Surgery, call Maehara Eye Surgery & Laser at 808.955.3937 to schedule a consultation.