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LASIK Surgery
At Southern Eye Group, our experienced ophthalmologists perform LASIK to help patients achieve clearer vision, reducing or even eliminating their need for eyeglasses or contact lenses. We proudly serve patients in Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi and the Gulf Coast region with premium vision correction services.
What is LASIK Eye Surgery?
LASIK, or laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis, is a vision correction surgery procedure that reshapes the cornea to correct refractive errors. Refractive errors, including nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism, are all caused by irregularities in the shape of the cornea. This affects the way light is refracted onto the retina to produce the images we see. With LASIK, the eye surgeons at Southern Eye Group alter the curvature of the cornea to help patients achieve crisp, clear vision. In fact, the American Refractive Surgery Council reports that up to
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What is the LASIK Success Rate?
American Refractive Surgery Council
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90% of LASIK patients
achieve vision that is 20/20 or better after vision correction surgery.
Did you know LASIK can help you save money on vision costs?
Learn more with our LASIK Savings Calculator.
Benefits of LASIK
Patients at Southern Eye Group enjoy so many benefits of LASIK eye surgery, including:
- A fast, painless procedure
- Results nearly immediately
- Little to no need for eyeglasses or contact lenses
- Enhanced quality of life
- A high rate of patient satisfaction: More than
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Functional outcome and patient satisfaction after laser in situ keratomileusis for correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism
Bamashmus MA, Hubaish K, Alawad M, Alakhlee H
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98% of patients
report that they are satisfied or very satisfied with their LASIK experience and results
Candidates for LASIK
If you are tired of constantly relying on eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct vision problems while performing daily activities, you may benefit from clearer vision through LASIK laser eye surgery. The ideal LASIK candidate:
- Is 18 or older
- Has healthy corneas suitable for the procedure
- Has no history of eye disease such as glaucoma
- Has a stable vision prescription with no changes in the last year
- Is in good general health
LASIK Surgery: What to Expect
Preparing for LASIK
The first step in preparing for LASIK surgery is to attend a consultation with an ophthalmologist you trust. During this meeting, your eye doctor will conduct a vision and eye health examination and review your medical history. Together, you will decide on the best vision correction option for your unique needs and goals. If you are a good candidate for LASIK, your procedure will be scheduled.
The LASIK Procedure
Before LASIK, your eye surgeon will apply anesthetic eye drops to help you remain comfortable. You may also be given an oral sedative, and a device will be used to hold your eyes open so you don’t need to worry about blinking.
To begin the LASIK procedure, your ophthalmologist will use a femtosecond laser to create a thin flap in your cornea. Next, the cornea is meticulously reshaped with an excimer laser to correct refractive errors. The
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Lasik: what should I expect before, during, and after surgery?
FDA
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LASIK procedure
itself only takes about 15 minutes per eye. No sutures are required, as the cornea will naturally heal itself. After recovering briefly at our eye care center, you will be driven home by a friend or family member to continue your recovery.
Recovery After LASIK
Immediately after LASIK, your vision may be a bit blurry, but this will resolve quickly. During the LASIK recovery period, your eyes may feel uncomfortable, itchy, or watery. Your LASIK surgeon will give you eye drops that will reduce any redness and improve your comfort. You should be able to return to work and normal activities the day after your LASIK procedure.
LASIK Results
Most of our patients begin to notice LASIK results within a day or two of their procedure, though the full extent of vision enhancement may not be realized for a few days to a week.
Frequently Asked Questions About LASIK
Is LASIK covered by insurance?
LASIK is considered an elective procedure, and as such is not eligible for insurance coverage. But just because LASIK is not covered by insurance doesn’t mean you can’t afford it. We offer competitive LASIK pricing and a number of convenient and affordable payment and financing options to help our patients achieve the clear vision they seek.
Is LASIK painful?
LASIK is not painful. Prior to the procedure, your eye doctor will apply anesthetic eye drops to ensure your comfort. You may feel some light pressure during the LASIK procedure (the reshaping of your corneal tissue), and slight discomfort during the recovery period, but pain should not be a part of your LASIK experience.
Is LASIK permanent?
During LASIK, the cornea is permanently reshaped to correct refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. While the effects of LASIK last forever, the eyes do change as part of the natural aging process. At around the age of 40, all people begin to develop presbyopia, or age-related near vision loss. This can cause people to begin to require reading glasses, and cannot be prevented with LASIK.
What are the risks of LASIK?
LASIK is generally considered to be a safe eye surgery procedure, especially when performed by an experienced ophthalmologist like those with Southern Eye Group. The American Refractive Surgery Council reports that
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LASIK Complication Rate: The Latest Facts and Stats You Should Know
American Refractive Surgery Council
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fewer than 1%
of LASIK patients experience any complications. Still, any surgical procedure is associated with some risks and complications.
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What are the risks and how can I find the right doctor for me?
Food and Drug Administration
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Potential side effects
of LASIK, while rare, include:
- Dry eye syndrome
- Glare and halos
- Double vision
- Over- or under-correction of refractive errors
- Corneal flap dislocation
- Light sensitivity
Contact Southern Eye Group
If you are interested in learning more about LASIK, PRK, and other vision correction surgery procedures, please contact us to schedule a consultation with our ophthalmology team at one of our many locations throughout the Gulf Coast.
1 American Refractive Surgery Council. What is the LASIK Success Rate? Available: https://americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org/laser-eye-surgery-lasik-success-rate/. Accessed May 19, 2022.
2 Bamashmus MA, Hubaish K, Alawad M, Alakhlee H. Functional outcome and patient satisfaction after laser in situ keratomileusis for correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism. Middle East Afr J Ophthalmol. 2015 Jan-Mar;22(1):108-14. doi: 10.4103/0974-9233.148359. PMID: 25624684; PMCID: PMC4302464. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25624684/. Accessed May 19, 2022.
3 FDA. Lasik: what should I expect before, during, and after surgery? Available: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/lasik/what-should-i-expect-during-and-after-surgery. Accessed May 19, 2022.
4 American Refractive Surgery Council. LASIK Complication Rate: The Latest Facts and Stats You Should Know. Available: https://americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org/lasik-complication-rate-latest-facts. Accessed May 19, 2022.
5 U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/lasik/what-are-risks-and-how-can-i-find-right-doctor-me. Accessed May 19, 2022.
The doctors at Southern Eye Group have either authored or reviewed and approved this content.
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