Is Laser Eye Surgery Right for You?

Wake Family Eye Care is here to talk you through your options, and make sure you’re getting the best surgery for you. Dr. Badwan has extensive experience working with preoperative and postoperative care in surgical centers.

Once we’ve determined you’re a candidate for surgery, we’ll explain the process to you. This is your opportunity to ask any questions you might have. We’ll refer you to a skilled and trustworthy ophthalmologist for your procedure, and we’ll even check in with you after.

LASIK

LASIK is done by making a thin flap on the cornea, and folding it back to reshape the eye tissue underneath. The flap is then replaced, acting like a natural bandage. Patients feel very little discomfort, and typically experience clear vision within a matter of hours.

The creation of the flap can be created by a microkeratome blade where it cuts at the tissue. Instead of a microkeratome, a laser can create the flap on the cornea. By using the laser as a flap, it cuts down on complications that can arise during the creation of the flap. Our doctors recommend using the bladeless all laser procedure.

PRK (Photo-Refractive Keratectomy)

PRK is another type of laser vision correction. In PRK, the thin outer layer of the corneal epithelium is removed prior to reshaping the underlying corneal tissue with a laser. The epithelium repairs itself by growing back over the corneal surface within a few days after surgery.

PRK may be helpful for patients who have thinner corneas and do not qualify for LASIK. Some patients in professions such as military, police, or competitive fighters may choose the PRK procedure because of the smaller amount of tissue removed, but PRK has a longer recovery time. Most patients who have PRK return to work four or five days after surgery. Once healing is complete, the visual results of PRK are similar to LASIK.

SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction)

SMILE treatment is the newest form of laser vision correction for myopia, providing results similar to LASIK in a slightly different and less invasive manner. SMILE is a one step, one laser, minimally invasive procedure. During a SMILE procedure, your surgeon will use computer guided, highly focused laser light to cut a tiny incision in the cornea and will use it to remove a small piece of corneal tissue (called a lenticule). This reshapes the cornea and corrects your vision.

Recovering From Your Laser Eye Surgery

Just like any surgery, laser eye correction requires you take a little extra care of yourself after the procedure to ensure a speedy recovery.

Our general recommendations for successful post surgical results are:

  1. Make sure you take any and all medications prescribe for post surgery use
  2. Use Non Preservative Artificial Tears 1-2 times an hour for the first 3-4 weeks after surgery
  3. Avoid rubbing your eyes
  4. Avoid strenuous exercise for at least a week after your procedure
  5. Avoiding physical contact to your face at all costs (probably best for non surgery patients too!)
  6. Wearing sunglasses during daylight hours to protect your eyes as most patients experience some light sensitivity after surgery
  7. Staying out of pools, oceans, lakes, and ponds for the first week after surgery

You may be able to work the day after your surgery, though we do recommend taking a few days to rest.