LASIK
What is LASIK?
LASIK is a procedure designed to correct common refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. This life-changing procedure can allow you to have the opportunity to significantly reduce your reliance on glasses and contact lenses.
At Cape Fear Cataract & Cornea, our LASIK surgeons combine years of experience with advanced technology to provide optimal outcomes for our patients. If you are a good candidate for the procedure, you can look forward to years of greater visual freedom after LASIK.
Imagine a world where you can see clearly without relying on glasses or contacts. At Cape Fear Cataract & Cornea, we are proud to offer LASIK, which can allow you to experience greater visual freedom and improve your quality of life.
How Does LASIK Work?
LASIK is a quick outpatient procedure typically completed in less than 30 minutes. To make sure you are comfortable, your LASIK surgeon will begin by numbing your eyes with anesthetic drops.
First, they will create a thin, hinged flap in the outer layer of your cornea using a laser. This flap is gently lifted, and another laser guided by VISX technology with iDesign custom wavefront mapping will precisely reshape your cornea according to your unique eye measurements.
Finally, the corneal flap is carefully repositioned, acting as a natural bandage. By using the advanced VISX technology with iDesign custom wavefront-guided mapping, our LASIK surgeons provide precise personalized results.
Is LASIK Safe?
LASIK is FDA-approved and is very safe. As one of the most popular vision correction procedures, LASIK also has a very high satisfaction rate.
One of the reasons LASIK is safe and often successful is due to the thorough candidacy process. Not everyone is a good candidate for LASIK, and eye doctors carefully screen potential LASIK patients to ensure the procedure will be effective.
The procedure itself is performed using advanced laser technology, which allows for precise and controlled reshaping of the cornea. This high level of precision is another reason why the procedure is so safe and effective.
Like any surgical procedure, LASIK does carry some risks, but complications are rare. Most side effects are usually mild and resolve within a few weeks or months after the procedure.
Who is a Good Candidate for LASIK?
Ideal LASIK candidates are typically at least 18 years old with a stable vision prescription for at least one year. They should have healthy eyes and sufficiently thick corneas.
Those who are pregnant or nursing, as well as those with certain autoimmune disorders, may not be good candidates for LASIK. During your LASIK consultation, your eye doctor will perform a comprehensive eye exam to determine if LASIK is right for you. LASIK is one of many vision correction procedures. Depending on your specific needs, your eye doctor at Cape Fear Cataract & Cornea may recommend a different refractive procedure, like PRK, SMILE, EVO ICL or Refractive Lens Exchange.
Is LASIK Covered by Insurance?
LASIK is typically considered an elective procedure. This means it is often not covered by most insurance plans.
However, it’s best to check with your specific insurance provider to understand your coverage options. At Cape Fear Cataract & Cornea, we know that the cost of LASIK can be a significant consideration.
That’s why we offer financing options to help our patients achieve their vision correction goals. Our team can discuss these options with you during your consultation, providing information about available payment plans and answering any questions you may have about managing the cost of your LASIK procedure.
How Long Does it Take to Recover From LASIK?
LASIK recovery is typically quick for most patients. Immediately after the procedure, you may experience some discomfort and blurred vision.
Within the first 24 hours, vision begins to clear, though you may still have some blurriness or haziness. Most patients can return to normal activities right away. We avoid high impact or underwater activities after 1-2 weeks. Vision can continue to stabilize and improve over the next one to three months.
However, it’s important to note that everyone’s recovery is unique. Following your LASIK surgeon’s post-operative instructions is essential to ensure a smooth recovery.
You will also need to plan on visiting your eye doctor for a few post-op appointments during your recovery period. During these appointments, your eye doctor will ensure that your vision is improving, and your eyes are healing well.
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What Are the Benefits of LASIK?
There are many benefits to choosing LASIK. For starters, most patients achieve 20/20 vision or better, with many noticing improved vision within 24 hours of the procedure.
With this level of clarity, many patients are able to significantly reduce their dependence on glasses and contact lenses. Although LASIK will not prevent other changes to vision that may happen with age, most LASIK patients can expect the results to last for a long time.
LASIK can also enhance your quality of life by allowing you to be more spontaneous and enjoy activities like swimming, sports, and travel without the hassle of visual aids. While there’s an upfront cost, LASIK can prove cost-effective in the long run by saving you money on glasses, contacts, and related expenses over time.
Schedule a Consultation With Dr. Justin Needham
At Cape Fear Cataract & Cornea, our team is dedicated to helping you achieve clear, crisp vision and greater visual freedom through LASIK. Do you want to learn more about LASIK or determine if you might be a good candidate? Schedule a LASIK consultation at Cape Fear Cataract & Cornea in Wilmington, NC, today!
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“Excellent physician! I feel very comfortable with him taking care of my eyes. He is a honest physician. Staff and office is wonderful! I would highly recommend him for all your eye needs!”
“I moved to Wilmington 4 years ago and found Dr. Groat when I had an eye emergency. His precision and efficiency is undeniable. He has an existentive medical background that made me feel comfortable + his team is so sweet, they really made my experience bearable. I’ve been going back every year for eye exams!”
