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Getting to Know the Facts About LASIK Eye Surgery
When you have been dealing with imperfect vision or vision loss for a long period of time, you start to find the idea of wearing contacts or glasses frustrating. In the past, there might have been no other solution to your struggles other than to continue wearing corrective lenses.
Now, surgical options such as LASIK surgery have changed the eye care and vision care game. Before you jump right into a surgical procedure, though, get all of the facts about LASIK surgery and what you can expect. Then, you will be sure that you are making the right decision for you and your eye health.
What Exactly Is LASIK Surgery?
Many people have heard of LASIK surgery, though very few actually know what the term actually means or how the procedure works. LASIK stands for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. In essence, this indicates that it is a form of laser surgery on the cornea of the eye. LASIK is a procedure that involves cutting into the cornea and creating a flap. This flap is folded back and then corneal tissue is removed. The idea behind removing a portion of the cornea is that removing corneal tissue will allow the remaining tissue of the cornea to better reflect light and therefore improve a person’s vision.
Who Is a Good Fit for LASIK?
Not every person with eye troubles will be a good candidate for LASIK surgery. This is because LASIK surgery is meant to correct vision problems in people with otherwise healthy eyes.
As such, a person who has damaged tissue (such as scarring) in their cornea, or other eye diseases or conditions, would not be ideal candidates for LASIK eye surgery.
This is because the procedure could cause problems with those other conditions, or a person might not be able to enjoy the full vision benefits of the surgical procedure because of those conditions.
Will You Still Need to Wear Corrective Lenses?
Many people want to get LASIK surgery in order to avoid wearing their corrective lenses completely. While this is a possible result of the LASIK surgery procedure, it is not a guaranteed outcome.
LASIK surgery will improve a person’s vision (when the procedure is successful), and they will likely enjoy far better vision even without their glasses or contacts. They could, however, still find that they need those corrective lenses occasionally for certain activities. Another possibility is that they will still need corrective lenses as frequently as before, but with a lesser degree of correction.
Now that you know more about the LASIK eye surgery procedure, you can decide for yourself if this surgery is right for you. Once you make the decision, you can contact your eye surgeon and get the process started.
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LASIK Surgery Explained
LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is a type of laser eye surgery used to improve an individual’s vision. It works by permanently changing the shape of the cornea, the clear covering on the front of the eye.
Impaired vision in an individual occurs when light rays aren’t focused clearly on the retina—owing to an imperfectly-shaped eyeball, cornea, or lens—resulting in blurry images and the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses. LASIK corrects this impairment by using an ultraviolet laser to reshape the cornea for improved focusing.
What to Expect During LASIK Surgery
During the LASIK procedure, an ultra-fast femtosecond laser is used to create a thin flap in the cornea. This flap provides access for the laser to target the corneal tissue underneath, removing precisely enough tissue to achieve the desired results. Once the surgery is completed, the flap falls back over the eye and naturally grows back in its original position.
The procedure, which is performed on an outpatient basis, takes no longer than about 15 minutes for each eye. The surgery does come with risks, however, some of which include corneal infection, dry eyes, and light sensitivity. Nevertheless, the surgery has proved very popular since its introduction and surveys of LASIK find rates of patient satisfaction between 92 and 98 percent.
Anyone considering LASIK surgery will undergo an eye examination before the procedure to ensure that their eyes are healthy. Additional tests are carried out to measure the curve and thickness of the cornea, the size and position of the pupils, and the shape of the eyes. A patient needs to give consent to the procedure, fully acknowledging the risks and possible complications involved.
The patient is awake during the entire procedure. The only necessary anesthetic is a solution to numb the surface of the eye.
The surgeon uses a an ultra-fast femtosecond laser to create a flap, facilitating access to the underlying corneal tissue, which is then reshaped with a laser. The corneal tissue is not cut away completely, but left attached by a small “hinge” of tissue.
Once the surgery has been completed, the flap of corneal tissue falls back into place, protecting the eye until it has fully healed. Surgical stitches aren’t necessary to secure the flap.
What to Expect After the Procedure
Patients may feel a little discomfort immediately following the procedure. It’s important, however, that a patient refrains from rubbing his or her eyes to avoid dislodging the corneal flap. While a patient might experience blurriness immediately after the procedure, vision should start to improve the following day.
Who is Eligible for LASIK Surgery?
According to the US Food and Drug Administration’s guidelines, suitable candidates for LASIK surgery include healthy individuals who are at least 18 years of age and those with a stable eyesight prescription.
Patients with health conditions such as diabetes, lupus, and glaucoma may not be suitable for this type of eye surgery and should discuss the matter with their physician.
The pros and cons of LASIK eye surgery should always be weighed by anyone considering the procedure. Expectations should be questioned and patients should have a clear understanding of what is involved, not only in the procedure itself, but also in the likely results.
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5 Things NOT to Do After LASIK
LASIK surgery is a relatively painless and non-invasive procedure that can transform your life in a variety of positive ways. But like any surgery, there are some things you need to avoid after the procedure to prevent complications. This list contains five things you should not do after your LASIK surgery.
Don’t Get Your Eyes Wet
Your eyes will be very sensitive after surgery, so it’s important to make sure that water does not get near them. Water can damage your eye physically, and it can carry organisms that cause infection. You’ll want to avoid getting water in or near your eyes after surgery. If your eyes feel dry, make sure to only use drops prescribed by your doctor.
Don’t Wear Eye Makeup or Creams
For at least a week after your LASIK surgery, you should avoid wearing any eye makeup or putting on any of your normal creams. While you’ll want to go out with your new vision looking your best, makeup and creams can irritate your corneas.
You are best off just throwing partially used makeup products away as they can easily carry bacteria. Forget about getting your hair colored or permed as well.
Don’t Rub Your Eyes
This one might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many times you rub your eyes during the day without noticing.
Not only can rubbing damage your sensitive cornea, but any germs that might be on your hands can get into your eye and cause an infection. The last thing you want to do is hurt your vision after LASIK just because you had a little itch.
Don’t Be Around Dust or Smoke
If you, a member of your family, or someone you spend a lot of time with smokes, taking a break for a few days after your surgery is a must.You’ll also want to avoid dusty areas, so make your LASIK procedure an excuse to get a professional cleaner into your home. You’ll also want to avoid visiting outdoor areas where dust and dirt are easily picked up by the wind.
Don’t Play Sports or Sweat
Whether you like to play softball or workout several days a week on the elliptical machine, avoiding activities where things can hit your eye or cause you to sweat is important for the first few days after surgery.Don’t worry about missing practice, because your new eyesight is likely to make you a whole lot better at your favorite sport.
While avoiding some of the items on this list might be inconvenient, you won’t have to follow these guidelines for long.
For most patients, recovering from LASIK surgery only takes a couple days. Contact your eye surgeon if you have any more questions about what you can and can’t do after your surgery.
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Does Insurance Cover LASIK Surgery?
LASIK surgery is a phenomenal procedure for many people, restoring life-long vision issues associated with nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The procedure is known for being fast, virtually pain-free, outpatient, and with a fast recovery time in just as little as 24 hours.
These are the known parts of LASIK. Lesser known are the ins and outs of picking a doctor and, most of all, the overall cost that can be expected.
Insurance and LASIK Surgery
Unfortunately, most insurance policies consider LASIK to be “cosmetic” surgery. Vision problems are easily fixed with less expensive eyeglasses or contact lenses. Therefore, correction through surgery is considered purely cosmetic because the patient is (presumably) only interested for aesthetic purposes.
However, certain individuals may still have insured help with the procedure. Those whose jobs rely on vision, such as military personnel, athletes, or other entertainers whose careers rely on their ability to work without vision aids
.
This doesn’t mean all hope is lost. Some employers offer discounted LASIK through agreements with LASIK doctors.
Even if you are uninsured or your insurance doesn’t cover the costs at all, LASIK surgery centers usually offer reasonable payment plans to make the procedure affordable in the long run, rather than a one-time payment.
Surgeon Experience
The longer a surgeon has been practicing, the higher their prices will be. This does not always mean the surgeon with fewer years behind the scalpel is bad at the procedure. Many younger surgeons might have better experience with newer technologies. As a rule, however, the more experience a surgeon has, the higher their premium will be.
Type of LASIK Surgery
Even though LASIK is itself a new procedure in the history of sight correction, newer technologies are developed constantly. Older techniques use a traditional blade, while newer surgeries can use laser technology instead.
Both are equally effective, and one might be more suited to your specific needs than another. The more technologically advanced laser treatments, however, have a higher cost, which is passed along to the patient.
Bargain LASIK Surgery
Shopping around for prices will reveal multiple offers for “bargain” LASIK procedures. Beware these advertisements! The steep discounts offered are driven by low-quality or outdated medical technology, hidden fees, less patient care, or a combination of these.
Even though finding a reasonable price is an important step in picking a surgeon for your LASIK, the cheapest way is not usually the safest.
Traditional insurance may not cover the cost to get your eyes permanently corrected. A little research and taking advantage of every available option, subsidy, and offer, however, will ensure your LASIK is worth every penny spent.
LASIK Surgery in Houston
Eye Center of Texas is one of the first practices in Texas to offer bladeless cataract surgery and the best blade-free LASIK surgery Houston has to offer. Call today to schedule an appointment, or contact us online.
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What You Need To Know Post-LASIK Surgery
Since receiving FDA approval in the 1990’s, LASIK Vision Correction has safely and effectively improved the eyesight for millions of people. An estimated 600,000 LASIK procedures are performed yearly in the U.S. and that number is on the rise.
Eye Center of Texas recently celebrated helping more than 75,000 satisfied patients correct their vision with LASIK in Houston. If you’re thinking about LASIK, you may want to know what to expect after this life-changing procedure. (Learn more about preparing for LASIK)
What to Expect After Surgery
The healing process starts immediately after your surgery and your doctor will recommend that you go home and rest for the remainder of the day. (Read more about the LASIK recovery timeline) You may experience temporary burning and expect blurry vision immediately after surgery, but the this should improve by the next morning.
Your eyesight should stabilize and continue to improve within a few days, although in rare cases it may take several weeks or longer. For most people, vision improves immediately.
Important Things NOT to Do After LASIK:
- No rubbing your eyes! If you rub your eyes you could shift the corneal flap – it’s important that the corneal flap heals and adheres securely to your cornea.
- No eye makeup for one (1) week.
- No swimming or hot tubs for two (2) weeks (chlorinated water irritates eyes and bacteria could be in the water).
- No working out or heavy lifting for one (1) week after surgery.
Important Things to Remember TO Do:
Follow-up appointments are a must for 3-6 months after surgery to monitor your vision and eye health. If you experience dry eyes, glare or halos, please know that most of these symptoms should be gone or reduced by your six-month follow up visit.
Knowing what to expect and how to handle the “after” of eye surgery will help prepare you for life after LASIK.
To learn more about how LASIK surgery can improve your life, contact Eye Center of Texas, leaders in Texas eye care, today to schedule a free consultation.
Further reading about LASIK in Houston:
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I’ve just had LASIK surgery! What can I expect?
If you’re thinking of having LASIK Eye Treatment, you’ll undoubtedly have a lot of questions about what to expect immediately after the operation. Do you need to take a significant amount of time off of work? What can I expect to experience? Will I be in pain? How long does it take for my vision to improve? Thankfully, LASIK surgery is one of the safest surgical procedures around. Let’s take you step by step through the immediate aftermath of a successful treatment.
Upon completion of the operation, your surgeon should have you rest for a bit. Many people report experiencing a temporary burning/itching sensation immediately after the procedure that is momentary and fleeting.
After a momentary rest, you will be released to return home. Make sure to arrange transportation ahead of time, as you won’t be able to drive yourself!
There are several important things to remember upon being released.
You will be prescribed medication. Follow your doctor’s instructions and remember to take any medication prescribed to you, such as eye drops and other medicines to lubricate your eyes.
You will have a temptation to rub your eyes. Do not rub your eyes. If you rub your eyes, there is a small chance this could dislodge the corneal flap created by the surgeon necessary in reshaping the underlying cornea.
Avoid tasks that could result in getting dust, dirt or water in your eyes. Avoid getting water in your eyes within the first 72 hours after a laser eye surgery procedure. It’s recommended that you avoid activities such as swimming or relaxing in a hot tub for several weeks post-surgery.
Blurriness and haziness is very common immediately after the surgery, but this should last only until the next day. Your eyesight will continue to improve in the next few days, although it can rarely take an additional week or two. It’s definitely recommended you take a few days off of work for proper rest and healing, although people have reported going to work the next day with no problems.
After the initial operation, your doctor will schedule a post-operative check up to occur within 24 to 48 hours of the operation. They will test your vision to ensure your eyes are healing, and whether you will be clear to drive without glasses or contact lenses. In most states, this requires uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better. There will be additional follow-up appointments as well depending on the doctor’s judgment. Appointments that are scheduled anytime from 1 week to 6 months after the operation is normal.
The good news is that for most people, their vision improves immediately!
The long-term results offer several benefits. Most people achieve 20/20 vision or better after the surgery, but results do vary. Some people only achieve 20/40 or less. You may still need to wear glasses or contact lenses following the treatment, however your prescription level typically will be much lower than before.
Complications can occur, although the LASIK Treatment is considered a very safe procedure, with current statistics showing only 1% of patients experienced serious complications.
And finally, always remember to talk with your doctor about any questions or concerns you may have. They will have the expertise to directly address any concerns that apply to your case.
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A Guide to LASIK Eye Surgery and What to Expect
If you meet the qualifications for Houston LASIK, the procedure can greatly improve your life. LASIK, which stands for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, is one of the most common and successful eye surgeries to treat astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness. (Further reading: What is the difference between nearsighted and farsighted?)
Understanding the Requirements for LASIK Surgery
The surgery is almost always successful, but patients must meet the right requirements. (For evaluation: Am I a candidate for LASIK?) You may be advised against LASIK surgery if your prescription is too high. If you have any temporary problems with your eyes such as conjunctivitis or an infection, you must wait until your eyes have fully healed.
Also, your cornea should be the correct thickness, as performing the surgery on a thin or misshapen cornea can affect the results. If your pupils are too large, your doctor may advise you against LASIK, as the surgery could increase your risk of side effects like halos and glares.
Before your surgery, your doctor will examine your eyes to make sure you are a candidate for LASIK. He or she will examine your cornea with a corneal topographer, an instrument that measures the curvature of your cornea. Your doctor will probably perform a wavefront analysis, a procedure that creates a map of your eye. Your pupil and the moistness of your eyes will also likely be examined.
During the LASIK Procedure
At the beginning of your surgery, your doctor will apply numbing eye drops to your eyes. A lid speculum keeps your eyelids open and a suction ring is applied to your eye to prevent movement. Then, your surgeon will use either a microkeratome tool or a femtosecond laser to create a small flap in your cornea.
The surgeon will fold back the flap to access the part of the eye called the stroma and use an excimer laser to remove some corneal tissue. Removing this tissue allows the cornea to reshape for improved vision. The laser will flatten the cornea for nearsighted people and create a steeper cornea for farsighted people. After the cornea is correctly reshaped, the flap will be placed back over the eye.
LASIK surgery only takes about five minutes on each eye and should be completed within 15 minutes. The procedure is pain-free and does not require stitches or bandages. However, you may feel some burning or itching immediately after the surgery. Your doctor will probably have you rest for a short time before a post-operative exam.
How Long Will My Vision Be Blurry After LASIK?
You will probably experience blurry or hazy vision temporarily, but your vision should be clear by the next day. Most patients notice improvements in their vision within a day of having the surgery. Over the next few days or weeks, your vision will continue to improve. Doctors usually recommend staying home for a couple days after LASIK surgery to rest and refraining from strenuous exercise for a week.
How Long After LASIK Can I See 20/20?
The results of the procedure vary from patient to patient, but many patients may see 20/20 vision after the surgery after a few days. Each patient is unique, and sometimes results may take a few weeks. In less common instances, a few patients may need to continue wearing glasses or contacts but with a much lower prescription. A LASIK enhancement procedure, while uncommon, is sometimes necessary to improve the results of the surgery.
What About LASIK After 40?
Some people also still need to use reading glasses, especially once they enter their 40s. (Read more about blended vision & LASIK after 40 and bifocals & LASIK and However, LASIK surgery has a high success rate and most people who receive the surgery experience drastically improved vision.
LASIK Surgery at Eye Center of Texas & What to Expect
Eye Center of Texas is preferred by over 300 Houston area eye doctors. Our world-class doctors use the latest technology and have helped over 75,000 satisfied patients see clearly. To learn more about LASIK surgery at Eye Center of Texas, contact us today. Here are more resources our patients have found helpful: How long after LASIK can I see 20/20? Learn more about pain above eye socket, What causes dry eyes at night? Why are my eyes red? Learn more about a bump on the eyelid that won’t go away.
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How to Choose Your LASIK Surgeon
Millions of people have turned to LASIK to correct their vision, however some people use a haphazard approach to choosing a LASIK doctor by selecting a surgeon based on cost. While LASIK has been proven to be both safe and effective, the surgeon you choose is very important, so choose wisely. Ask your optometrist who he/she recommends (ECT co-manages with 275+ Houston area optometrist – and if your optometrist is in our co-managment network, he/she can do you initial LASIK evaluation as well as your post operative LASIK care). Also, ask your co-workers, friends, family who have had LASIK who they recommend. Ask questions to help determine if your surgeon has the qualifications and experience to work on your eyes. Some questions you might want to ask are:
- How many LASIK procedures has the surgeon performed?
- What percent of LASIK patients have achieved a vision of 20/20 or better?
- What percent of LASIK patients have reported complications (halos, starbursts, dry eye, etc.) six months after surgery?
- What percent of patients have needed an LASIK enhancement?
- Equipment: What kind of technology does the surgeon use, and do you have a choice as to the type of technology? Be sure to ask if the surgeon offers 100 percent all-laser LASIK (also known as Bladeless LASIK), or if he/she uses a microkeratome blade (note, Dr. Mark Mayo and Dr. Edward Wade only perform all-laser LASIK).
- Professional, friendly staff: From the receptionist to the surgeon, a vision center’s staff and their demeanor speaks volumes.
- Relationship with your eye doctor: Will the surgeon work with your current eye doctor—both before and after surgery—to ensure your continued satisfaction with your LASIK eye surgery?
- Results: Does your provider offer a warranty (note: Dr. Mark Mayo and Dr. Edward Wade offer a ‘limited lifetime warranty’ at no additional cost).
The doctors at Eye Center of Texas will take the time to evaluate your eyes and discuss all available vision correction options, including LASIK, PRK and Visian ICL.
If you are ready to have the best vision of your life, call us today at 713-395-1515.
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New Year, New Vision with LASIK
Make a resolution to start 2016 with new and improved vision…with LASIK!
Patients can use their Flex Plan to get LASIK and fulfill their New Year’s resolution! If you or a family member has Flex Plan funds, this is a good time to make LASIK affordable.
And…LASIK is Safer than Ever Before!
Laser vision correction is one the world’s most popular elective surgeries. If you live in Houston, Sugar Land, Katy, Clear Lake, Pasadena, Galveston, Kingwood, The Woodlands, Conroe, Bellaire you can visit one of our 6 locations and experience the quality care from our eye experts. Did you know that LASIK is approved for astronauts, fighter pilots and first responders? LASIK has gone through many innovations since it’s inception, which has made it safer. Presently, Bladeless LASIK or iLASIK is the ultimate technology to achieve the outcome you expect.
Because your two eyes are unique, wavefront mapping is performed on each of your eyes. This ensures a custom treatment for each individual eye. Whether you are nearsighted, farsighted or have astigmatism, this treatment will produce safe, superior results.
This year fulfill a New Year’s Resolution that will change your life. Make this the year you finally get LASIK.
Meet Dr. Mark Mayo and Dr. Edward Wade at https://www.eyecenteroftexas.com/meet-the-doctors/
Call 713-797-1010 and ask for Kathy or Steve!
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Is LASIK Surgery Safe?
LASIK surgery is laser eye surgery. It is designed to correct certain visual impairments, including nearsightedness, farsightedness and severe astigmatisms. It has a 96 percent success rate and has been approved by the FDA since 1996.
LASIK is considered very safe and effective. However, a small portion of individuals that receive LASIK surgery experience some complications. Therefore, it is very important to talk to one of our eye doctors in Texas to make sure you are a good candidate.
Benefits of LASIK Surgery
- 96 Percent Effective
- No Stitches
- Noticeable Vision Correction as soon as the Next Day
- Reduced Need for Glasses or Contacts
LASIK Surgery Procedure and Safety
LASIK eye surgery is described as quick and painless, and for the most part, this is true. Numbing drops are placed into your eyes prior to the procedure, and the eye surgery only takes about 30 minutes. During your surgery, our eye doctor will create a flap in your cornea and fold the flap away from your eye.
Next, small amounts of tissue will be removed from the remainder of the cornea, according to your prescription. At the end of the surgery, our eye doctor will fold the flap back over your eye. No stitches are needed because the flap seals immediately against the surgery site.
After your surgery, you will be given drops to help keep your eyes lubricated and to prevent infection while the flap fully heals. Some people notice a dramatic increase in their vision the day after surgery. But for most people, it takes a few days to notice an improvement.
Your eye doctor will also schedule you for a follow-up a few days after the procedure to make sure you are not experiencing any complications.
Risk Factors for LASIK Surgery
It is important to understand that LASIK is a surgery, and all surgeries come with some risks. Complications with LASIK surgery occur in less than 1 percent of patients, and often the complications are easily corrected with antibiotic or lubricating drops. In rare instances, corrective procedures may be needed.
Individuals with any of these symptoms should call our eye doctor immediately even is a follow-up appointment is scheduled.
- Dry Eye That Lasts for More than a few Days
- Eye Pain
- Glare or Halo Problems
- Periodic Blurry Vision
- Problems with the Flap
- Reduced Night Vision
To schedule an appointment for a LASIK surgery consultation, call our LASIK hotline at 713-395-1515 or schedule an appointment using our convenient online form.
Financing Options Available
Apply today to find a financing option that meets your needs.
Our Locations
Houston/Bellaire
6565 W. Loop S., Suite 650Bellaire, TX 77401
Medical Office:
713-797-1010
Medical Fax:
713-357-7276
LASIK/Near Vision:
Office: 713-395-1515
Fax: 713-357-7278
Pasadena
4415 Crenshaw RoadPasadena, TX 77504
Medical Office:
281-977-8800
Medical Fax:
281-977-8877
Sugar Land
15200 S.W. Freeway, Suite 130Sugar Land, TX 77478
Medical Office:
281-277-1010
Medical Fax:
281-277-4504
Clear Lake
455 E. Medical Center Blvd., Suite 110Webster, TX 77598
Medical Office:
281-332-1397
Medical Fax:
281-282-9152
Katy
Greenhouse Medical Plaza2051 Greenhouse Road, Suite 110
Houston, TX 77084
Medical Office:
346-547-7070
Medical Fax:
281-214-2971
The Woodlands/Conroe
100 Medical Center Blvd., Suite 118Conroe, TX 77304
Medical Office:
936-647-1610
Medical Fax:
936-647-1620