Glasses and contact lenses can be sold as fashion items that make you look cool. However, folks who are forced to have to wear either of these eyewear for corrective purposes can tell you just how much of an inconvenience it can be.
Whether it is the constant need to clean the lenses, protect them from damage or have them on even if you would have preferred not to, corrective lenses are not the fun that they are often sold to be. This is why a lot of people are turning to eye procedures like LASIK that help eliminate the need for these lenses.
In a city like New York with its dynamism and innovation, getting the LASIK procedure is easy. This is because there are quite a number of centers in the city that are well-equipped to carry out this procedure.
In this article, we will explore the details of the solutions offered by the LASIK eye surgery and why many New Yorkers are taking advantage of the many ophthalmologists and centers that offer this procedure.
;
What is LASIK
LASIK is an acronym for “Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis,” which is a type of eye surgery used to reshape the cornea so that that light that enters the eye is better focused on the retina. These types of surgeries are known as refractive surgeries and can easily be used to correct eye conditions such as: presbyopia, astigmatism, myopia, and hyperopia.
Different procedures achieve this goal using different approaches. For LASIK, which is also the most common method, this focus is achieved by making a flap in the cornea and then reshaping the tissue under with the help of a laser beam.
While this procedure might sound complicated, it can usually be completed in under 15 minutes. This and its over 95% success rate have made it the option of choice for many New Yorkers. You can learn more about the basics of this procedure here.
What to Expect
This process begins with a consultation. You will need to consult with an ophthalmologist for a thorough examination to determine if indeed you need this procedure and whether or not you are qualified for it.
As part of the consultation process, you will need to go through some tests. These tests are crucial as they establish your eligibility for the procedure. The test will check for the size of your pupil, the thickness of the cornea and the extent of the refractive error.
It is important that anyone who will undergo this procedure meets certain criteria. These include the following:
- Age– The ideal patient should be at least 18 years and above
- Vision stability– You must not have had a prescription change in at least a year
- Eye health– The eye must be free of conditions like glaucoma, cataract, eye infection, severe dry eye syndrome, corneal diseases or thin cornea
- General health– There should be no autoimmune disease, or uncontrolled diabetes. Pregnant women or nursing mothers are also ineligible because of the hormonal changes they are experiencing
- Lifestyle– People engaged in activities that have a high risk of eye injury are not suitable for LASIK
Once eligibility has been established, the procedure will be scheduled. When it’s time for the procedure, the first thing the surgeon does is to numb the eye with special numbing eye drops. Once the eye is numb, the surgeon will create a thin flap in the cornea with either a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser.
Using an excimer laser, they will reshape the cornea following the exact measurement gotten during the examination. The corneal flap is then dropped back into place where it heals naturally.
After care requirements are minimal, and will often be provided by the LASIK clinic. This will usually include avoiding certain activities (eye rubbing, swimming) and using eye drops that will be prescribed. You will also need to have follow-up appoints so that the doctor can check to ensure that the eyes are healing as they should.
Recovery time is short and a lot of patients begin to see results in hours. It may however take up to a few weeks for the full effect of the procedure to be experienced. You can get a detailed description of the procedure here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/lasik-eye-surgery/about/pac-20384774.
Why Should I Choose New York City for My LASIK Procedure
When it comes to LASIK, few cities in the world can compete with NYC on the number of world-class centers and experts that operate in it. The facilities in the city have some of the best laser technologies that are required for this procedure. Examples include femtosecond lasers and wavefront-guided LASIK.
In addition to these facilities, with institutions like Mount Sinai, NYU Langone, and Columbia University, expert LASIK surgeons are not in short supply. So, these top-notch NYC LASIK facilities are operated by some of the best, board-certified LASIK surgeons with years of experience.
These two factors ensure that the quality of care offered is some of the best available. This automatically translates to better outcomes for patients.
Benefits of LASIK
The rise in the popularity of LASIK is not based on nothing. The prospect of having one’s eyesight fully restored by this procedure and seeing many success stories, is largely responsible for convincing many to go for this procedure. To help you fully understand why you should consider this procedure, we will look at some of the major benefits.
Improved Eyesight and Convenience
More than just improving one’s eyesight, this procedure affords one increased convenience. Since the treatment means that there will no longer be the need for glasses or contacts, you no longer have to worry about losing or damaging your eyewear during certain activities.
This increased convenience means that you can engage in more activities without worry.
Quick Results and Recovery
Patients have been known to experience significant improvement in their vision just hours after the procedure. While it may take a few weeks for the full effects of the procedure to be felt, most patients are able to return to their regular activities a day or two after the procedure.
So, you get quick results and fast recovery times. This is different from what was previously available for eye treatment.
Customized Treatment
During treatment, the exact measurement required to achieve the right focus is taken. This is what determines how much adjustment will be done during the surgery. So, each procedure is personalized to meet the needs of individual patients.
Cost Savings
LASIK can be a bit expensive because the cost is paid up-front. However, when you consider the cost savings that will be made from not needing glasses, contacts and other related expenses, you will find that you will be saving funds in the long run.
How to Choose a NYC LASIK Clinic
The success or failure of any LASIK procedure is largely determined by where you get the procedure. So, if you want to have the best outcome, consider going to the right NYC Lasik center. This then begs the question, how do I know the best center to go to?
Let’s quickly look at important steps that will help you achieve this:
- Reputation– Go for a clinic with an impeccable reputation
- Accreditation– Do not consider any clinic that is not accredited by professional organizations. An example is the American Board of Ophthalmology
- Technology– Look for clinics that employ the use of the latest FDA-approved technologies, known for improving accuracy and success
- Patient Reviews– Look for reviews from others who have had the procedure. Ask family members and friends or check online. You can find recommendations from this
- Experience and Qualification– Much more than the facilities, you want to know more about the doctors performing the procedure. Look for their qualification, experience and success rates
- Cost– While we know that this procedure will require considerable up-front cost, you want to ensure that you are not throwing money away. Compare costs to ensure that you go for a clinic that offers the best rates without compromising on quality results
By taking all of the above into consideration, you can increase your chances of finding the right NYC clinic for your LASIK procedure.
Conclusion
LASIK has proven to be game-changer in the vision correction industry as is shown by its success rate and rising popularity. If you are tired of constantly requiring glasses or contact lenses, you may want to consider visiting a LASIK center for evaluation. This may just be the solution you’ve been dreaming of.