LASIK

What you need to know about LASIK

Experience Visual Freedom

Clear vision is essential to living life to the fullest. For many, that means relying on glasses or contact lenses. Although helpful, eyewear often limits your activities and requires regular maintenance. But, with advanced LASIK vision correction, you can reduce or even eliminate your dependence on glasses and contacts with one quick, simple procedure.

LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a popular eye surgery designed to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. This is an outpatient procedure that uses a laser to reshape the cornea and is virtually painless. Most patients experience improved vision almost immediately after surgery. Results can vary, but many achieve 20/20 vision, or better, after receiving LASIK.

What is LASIK?

What Other Alternatives Are Available?

If LASIK is not a good fit for your eyes, there are other vision correction alternatives that work just as well. Here are two options your doctor may recommend.

Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)
This is also outpatient laser eye surgery that uses a different technique to correct the same vision issues as LASIK. PRK is usually recommended for those who have thinner corneas or are at risk of other complications.

Implantable Contact Lenses (ICL)

ICL surgery is recommended for those with severe nearsightedness and thin corneas who are not good candidates for LASIK or PRK. It involves implanting a soft lens inside the eye, in front of the natural lens, to enhance vision without altering the cornea.

ICL is an outpatient procedure and recovery time is quick, usually allowing patients to resume their normal activities shortly after surgery. Results are often immediate but can take longer to fully realize. ICL lenses can also be removed or replaced if necessary.

Which Is Right for You?

Although LASIK, PRK, and ICL can dramatically improve your vision, the best option is the one that fits your individual needs and lifestyle. Your doctor will make a recommendation after conducting a thorough eye exam and then discussing the benefits, risks, and possible complications with you. Based on your feedback and individual goals, a customized vision plan that is best suited to your needs will be developed.

In-Office Laser Technology

Waco Ophthalmology uses only the most advanced laser system for vision correction surgery.

Using this technology, our surgeons provide custom, all-laser LASIK and PRK procedures designed to correct microscopic visual errors and deliver the following results:

Clearer, crisper vision—this generally includes improved night vision
Reduced or complete freedom from glasses and contacts
Rapid visual recovery—most patients see improvement immediately