Vision Correction Options: Which One is Right for Me?

LASIK Eye Surgery

LASIK stands for laser in-situ keratomileusis. It’s used to correct vision in those who are nearsighted, farsighted, and for those people with astigmatism. LASIK is one of the oldest vision correction surgery procedures, having been used for 25 years. In a LASIK procedure, a doctor uses a laser or tiny blade to create a small flap in the cornea. Next, a surgeon reshapes the cornea with a laser so that light entering the eye is properly focused. The procedure is brief, lasting around 15 minutes.

LASIK is for farsightedness (hyperopia), nearsightedness (myopia), and astigmatism and is a very low-risk procedure. Complete recovery takes a few days, but many people experience near-perfect vision within a day of the LASIK procedure.

For some, LASIK may not completely remove a person’s need for eyeglasses.

Are you a LASIK Eye Surgery Candidate?

To be an ideal candidate for LASIK, a person:

• Must be 18 or older
• Have stable vision (no changes in prescription for a year)
• Have a cornea that’s free of scarring or other damage
• Must be nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism

You can find out more about being a candidate for LASIK vision correction surgery at Carrot LASIK & Eye Center.

SMILE Eye Surgery

SMILE (small incision lenticule extraction) eye surgery is the latest FDA-approved procedure that corrects even severe nearsightedness. In a SMILE procedure, a special laser creates a tiny incision in the cornea, which allows a surgeon to remove the lenticule from the eye.

SMILE vision correction surgery is both powerful and fast. It corrects nearsightedness up to -10 diopters while taking about 30 seconds per eye. It’s an outstanding option for people with active lifestyles and has the most comfortable patient experience of all vision correction procedures.

Who can get SMILE Eye Surgery?

SMILE eye surgery is best for people in the following situations:

• Your vision must be stable, with no changes in eye prescription in the last year
• You should be 22 years or older
• Your nearsightedness needs to be between -1 and -10 diopters. You may have up to 3 diopters of astigmatism
• Your eyes need to be healthy overall
• Your corneas must be healthy and free of scarring or cataracts

If you meet these conditions and are ready to see the world without glasses or contact lenses, contact Carolina Vision Center for a consultation.

PRK Eye Surgery

PRK is an older technique than LASIK or SMILE vision correction surgery. In photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) eye surgery, a surgeon removes the thin top layer of the cornea, which takes about 30 seconds. Next, a vision surgeon uses a precise excimer laser to make permanent changes to the shape of the cornea. PRK takes five to ten minutes per eye. After the surgery, a non-prescription contact lens will be fitted over each eye to keep the surgical site clean. Total recovery time for PRK is one to two months, with some eye pain lasting for three to five days after the procedure. During the first month of recovery, it’s important to refrain from strenuous activities.

PRK surgery is particularly useful for people with thin corneas, which is a fairly common condition.

PRK surgery carries some risks:

• Seeing glare and halos around light sources at night
• Dry eyes
• Double vision
• Results may diminish over tight, particularly for farsighted or older people

Finding the Right Vision Correction Surgery Option

Choosing the right vision correction procedure depends on a person’s unique vision needs, eye health, and many other conditions. That’s what consulting with a highly skilled ophthalmologist like those at Carolina Vision Center is the first step in deciding which vision correction surgery is best for you.

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