Denver LASIK
Finding a Denver LASIK Doctor
If you’re considering LASIK surgery in Denver, it is very important to find a highly competent Denver LASIK surgeon. The health of the eyes and your results will ultimately depend on the skill level and integrity of the surgeon who will be reshaping the patient’s corneas. To find the best doctor, patients will need to research the LASIK surgeons in the Denver area. Reviews posted by former patients should be available online for the different facilities in the area. Patients who have friends, family members, or coworkers who have had LASIK surgery in Denver should ask these people about their experiences and maybe for a recommendation if they were pleased with their surgery.
During a LASIK consultation, one should find out how much experience the doctor has performing the LASIK procedure and the doctor’s success rate. Also, patients need to know if they are a suitable candidate for this surgery. Patients should ask how much improvement they can expect from the surgery and how serious the risks are to their vision should something go wrong during the procedure. Additionally, you’ll want to find out what will be done to rectify the situation if something goes wrong.
You’ll also want to research the doctor’s credentials and make sure they are board-certified. LASIK candidates can go to the websites for the American Board of Medical Specialties or the American Board of Physician Specialties to see if the doctor chosen for the surgery is listed.
LASIK Surgery In Denver
LASIK procedures in Denver have become very popular in the past few years. LASIK is an acronym for Laser Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis. Often people elect to have a LASIK procedure because they do not want to be hampered by glasses or contacts any longer. The surgery is an outpatient procedure, and is used to correct far-sightedness (hyperopia), near-sightedness (myopia), and distorted vision (astigmatism).
LASIK Procedure
The LASIK procedure uses a laser to reshape the cornea. During a LASIK consultation, the doctor will give the patient an eye exam to determine if he or she is a prime candidate for the surgery. The doctor will use the exam to decide which LASIK procedure will yield the desired results. Prior to the procedure, numbing eye drops will be placed into the patient’s eyes. Then the doctor will cut an incision in the cornea that creates a flap of tissue to be folded back. The patient will be instructed to stare directly into a light to keep the eye from moving. With the incision made and the patient in place, the surgeon will reshape the cornea using a laser. After the cornea has been reshaped successfully, the corneal flap will be placed over the remaining tissue.
Post-surgery, patients will be instructed to wear special guards over their eyes. This keeps the patients from touching their eyes until the two day healing period is passed. After the first two days, patients go back for a follow-up exam.
LASIK Benefits
Most of the time, patients will experience the benefits of LASIK surgery almost immediately. Commonly, drastic improvements are seen in their vision, and many patients have been able to stop wearing contacts or glasses. Sometimes it could take as many as six months for the full benefits of LASIK surgery to be seen.
When patients are liberated from the use of contacts or eyeglasses, they find themselves with a significant amount of freedom when traveling or enjoying outdoor activities. The funds used to purchase and maintain such eyewear can then be reallocated to something more exciting or useful.
Potential Complications and Risks
As with any surgery, there are certain risks and complications with LASIK surgery. Complications are quite rare and generally LASIK surgery is considered safe and trustworthy. Nevertheless, prior to undergoing LASIK surgery, patients should be informed of the risks. These risks include vision loss that glasses or contacts can no longer correct, chronic dry eye, double vision, glare, and impaired night vision. It is also possible that after the surgery a patient will still need eyeglasses, particularly if glasses were used to read before the surgery.
Remember that LASIK is a relatively new technology. Therefore, there are not long-term studies available concerning the results over a period of many decades.
