LASIK FAQs at Albuquerque Vision Care and Advanced Eyewear

LASIK can provide dramatic and permanent correction for vision problems, but it pays to understand what's involved before you make a decision about it. Here are the answers to some frequently asked LASIK questions at Albuquerque Vision Care and Advanced Eyewear.

What Is LASIK?

LASIK stands for "laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis." It is a vision correction method that uses a surgical laser instead of a scalpel to reshape the corneas. This reshaping alters the refraction of light into the eyes, sharpening blurry vision with no need for external lenses such as eyeglasses of contact lenses.

What Conditions Can LASIK Correct?

The refractive errors that LASIK can correct include myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), astigmatism, and presbyopia (which involves blurred vision at more than one field of distance). To correct presbyopia, one eye is optimized for distance vision while the other is optimized for near vision, with the brain prioritizing input from one or the other as needed.

Who Should (or Shouldn't) Undergo LASIK?

Good candidates for LASIK include individuals who have a relatively stable refractive error, no underlying diseases or disorders that might complicate the procedure, and corneas of a certain thickness. If you cannot meet these requirements, or you're under the age of 18, you shouldn't receive LASIK. If thin corneas are your only disqualifier for LASIK, our optometry team may refer you for a different kind of corneal reshaping surgery called PRK.

How Do I Prepare for LASIK?

LASIK is always preceded by a detailed eye and vision exam. Our eye care team will analyze your overall health and ocular wellness, make sure your corrective prescription is up to date, and advise you on every step of the procedure before referring you to a surgeon.

What Should I Expect During the Procedure?

Your LASIK surgeon will administer an eye-numbing anesthetic and mild sedative to keep you comfortable and still during the procedure. A laser will cut a flap in your cornea to gain access to the deeper corneal tissues beneath. The laser then removes tiny bits of the underlying tissue to sculpt your cornea into a new configuration that corrects your vision.

What Happens after My LASIK Surgery?

You'll wear a protective bandage immediately following surgery. Follow-up care includes regular eye exams and medicated eye drops to prevent infection.

Get Your LASIK Answers at Our Albuquerque Optometry Center

Our Albuquerque optometry team can answer all your LASK questions. Call our eye care center at (505) 332-2020 to set up a consultation!