Have you decided to get LASIK, or are you considering it? More than half a million people enter a new chapter of their lives every year by choosing LASIK.
Whether you’re planning for the procedure or trying to decide whether or not you should schedule it, it’s important to do your research so you can learn more about the entire LASIK process. A good place to start is learning about the actual procedure and how long it takes.
Keep reading to find out how long LASIK surgery takes!
How Does LASIK Work?
LASIK is a type of refractive surgery, meaning it can permanently correct your refractive error. Refractive errors, like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, cause blurry vision.
The procedure works by gently reshaping your cornea using an ultra-precise laser. When you have a refractive error, your eye is either too short or too long, or your cornea is irregularly shaped.
These irregular shapes prevent light rays from being appropriately bent as they enter the eye. During LASIK, your LASIK surgeon reshapes your cornea so that light can land directly on your retina and clear images can be produced.
LASIK can allow you to have excellent vision without visual aids. This means that you can reduce your independence on glasses and contacts!
What to Expect During the Procedure
The first step of LASIK surgery is numbing your eye using special drops. Your LASIK surgeon will use an advanced laser to create a thin flap in your corneal tissue.
Then, your LASIK surgeon will carefully fold this back so that they can reach the underlying layer of your cornea. Next, they will use a different laser to reshape the cornea so that it compensates for your refractive error.
Once that is complete, the corneal flap will be folded back into place and positioned for healing. Although it’s a life-changing event, LASIK takes little time to complete.
The entire process typically only takes about ten minutes or less per eye. Although the actual procedure is quick, you will need to spend some time before the procedure for preparation and after in recovery.
It’s best to plan to stay at the office for at least a couple of hours on the day of your LASIK surgery. However, the procedure is outpatient, so you will be able to go home the same day after some time spent recovering.
What Is Recovery from LASIK Like?
LASIK doesn’t take long to complete, and it does not require a lengthy recovery period either. You will be given eye drops to use regularly that reduce inflammation, prevent infection, and promote overall healing.
You may also be given a protective covering to wear over your eye when you are sleeping. Your eyes may feel mildly scratchy or itchy for a few hours, but this usually quickly wears off.
We recommend that you take it easy on the first day. Many people return to many of their normal activities as soon as the next day.
Aside from the ability to provide unbelievably clear vision, LASIK is one of the most common elective procedures because it doesn’t require a substantial time investment from you. With just a ten to twenty-minute procedure and a day of rest and relaxation, you can enjoy all that LASIK has to offer.
Do you have any questions about your upcoming LASIK surgery, or would you like to find out whether you’re a good candidate for LASIK? Schedule a LASIK consultation at Rosenthal Eye Surgery and Fifth Avenue EyeCare in Long Island, NY, today!
