LASIK eye surgery is currently the most popular type of
laser refractive surgery. It is commonly performed in order to treat a wide
array of vision issues.
People who wear contacts or eyeglasses every day may opt for
LASIK eye surgery to eliminate the need for corrective devices. Healing times
are also very quick with LASIK, and stitches and bandages are not used.
96% of patients report a drastic improvement in their vision
after having undergone LASIK. There is also no pain to worry about, as numbing
drops are used before the laser is used.
With a low risk of complications and a very high success
rate, it is little wonder why LASIK has become the gold standard of vision
correction. Here, our focus will be on why winter is the best time for LASIK
surgery.
Why winter is the Best Time for LASIK
The recovery is quicker during the winter. A colder climate
will accelerate the healing process after LASIK. Cold weather will reduce the
risk of having to undergo a second procedure to correct your vision disorder.
Colder weather means you won’t be dealing with as many allergy symptoms that
make you want to rub your eyes which helps you heal from LASIK much better.
LASIK is a state-of-the-art vision correction procedure that is painless, safe, and has a very high success rate.
However, you will still need to take a few days off to recover from the
procedure fully.
You can also use your tax refund in order to pay for your
LASIK procedure. People all tend to have more free time during the holidays, so
you will be able to relax and heal without the pressure of using your sick
days.
What are the Criteria for a Good LASIK Candidate?
Your eyes must be healthy. If you have recently suffered an
eye injury, you must wait until it fully heals to qualify for LASIK.
Pink eye, dry eye syndrome, and eye infections are just some
of the eye conditions that must be resolved before you undergo LASIK.
The thickness of your cornea also matters. If your cornea is
too thin, your vision may be impaired, and the results may be compromised. Your
pupils must also not be too big.
Patients with large pupils are at an increased risk of
suffering from starbursts, halos, and glares in low light after undergoing
LASIK.
Such issues may increase the risk of an accident while driving
at night. As such, you may not be a suitable candidate if you have very large
pupils.
How old you are will also determine whether or not you are a
suitable candidate. Depending on where you live, you may need to be at least 18
or 21 to consider the procedure.
Moreover, patients over 40 may still need to use reading
glasses now and then due to the natural age-related condition known as
presbyopia.
It is also paramount that your vision is stable before the
examination. Refractive errors will need to be gone for at least a year before
you undergo the procedure.
Children and teenagers tend to experience frequent changes
in their eyeglass or contact prescription from year to year.
Children and young adults are not ideal candidates for
LASIK, as their eyes have not settled down into a stable prescription.
Your overall health must also be good. Certain medical
conditions may increase the risk of complications and impede the healing
process, including diabetes, HIV, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Certain medications may also need to be stopped before
LASIK. That is, some medications may increase the risk of dry eye syndrome. In
contrast, other medications, such as immunosuppressants, may adversely affect
the ability of your body to heal after the surgery.
LASIK is also not suitable for women who are currently
nursing or pregnant, as hormonal fluctuations can change the shape of your
cornea, leading to vision changes that may disqualify you as a candidate.
How Much Time Will it Take to Recover after LASIK?
It will usually take six to twelve hours to recover from
LASIK eye surgery. However, the recovery time may vary drastically, depending
on the age of the patient, as well as their medical history.
Fortunately, most patients report clear vision less than 24
hours after having undergone LASIK. Older patients or those with underlying
health conditions may take between two and five days to recover from LASIK
fully.
If your vision is blurry, or if you experience pain,
dizziness, or other symptoms several days after the surgery, please call your
surgeon as soon as possible to determine the underlying cause of your symptoms.
While serious complications are very rare, you should still
err on the side of caution and undergo an evaluation before your surgery.
How to Accelerate Healing Post-Surgery
You should avoid any activities that may cause eye strain
after the procedure, such as excess texting, reading, gaming, or movie
watching. You should also wear protective eyeglasses, patches, or any other
medical device that your surgeon has prescribed until your eyes fully heal.
Remember to use your prescribed eye drops as instructed and
discard the contents once you have finished using them. Smoking should also be
avoided, as smoking is linked to blood clots and slows down the recovery
process.
Eye makeup may also trigger an adverse reaction, such as eye
inflammation, itchiness, and irritation, so avoid eye makeup until your eyes
have fully healed.
Your surgeon will also schedule follow-up appointments
following the procedure. While many patients who undergo LASIK will enjoy clear
vision for a lifetime, some may require an additional procedure or enhancement
after a few years.
Make your follow-up appointments to ensure that your eyes have fully healed and that your vision is still optimal. By following the aftercare above tips, you will reduce the risk of postoperative complications.
Erin Gregory is a blogger in Toronto. She is currently
working as a Community Manager for several small businesses. She has graduated
with honors from the University of British Columbia with a dual degree in
Business Administration and Creative Writing. When not working, she eagerly
shares her wealth of knowledge about all things health and business solutions.
Erin’s unique insight and expertise makes for powerful content.
