LASIK Eye Surgery Harleysville, PA

Our trusted eye team at the Pottstown office of Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania would like to share some of the frequently asked questions we get from our Harleysville PA patients regarding LASIK surgery.

What is the difference between PRK and LASIK?

Photo Refractive Keratectomy (PRK) is an earlier surgery to LASIK. It involves removal of part of the cornea to correct vision. LASIK surgery is a newer procedure. The cornea is not removed; instead a corneal flap is created, moved to reshape the cornea, and put back in place to heal. The procedures do have comparable results but our surgeons prefer the bladeless LASIK procedure because it involves less irritation and the vision stabilizes more quickly after the LASIK procedure. A patient can sometimes have a cornea that is too thin for LASIK, so the surgeon may instead recommend PRK as an alternative procedure.

Does LASIK have side effects?

Patients often experience eye irritation immediately following surgery. This is usually alleviated with rest after surgery and use of eye drop medications as prescribed. Some patients also experience dry eye or sensitivity to light, but both diminish as the eyes heal, usually within 48 hours. Some patients continue to experience glare or halos around lights, particularly at night, but this also usually resolves in a matter of weeks.

We can prescribe eye drops to help with the dry eye, and we advise wearing sunglasses outdoors following your surgery.

Will I need glasses after LASIK?

Our surgeons strive to reduce or even eliminate your need for glasses for distance vision. Many of our patients are able to completely get rid of their glasses. With age,  you will likely need reading glasses, but this is due to a normal age-related change in vision called presbyopia and it is unrelated to the LASIK procedure.

How long will LASIK last?

Correction of distance vision with LASIK is fairly permanent, and most patients do not need a correction. Your vision will drastically improve after the procedure. You will notice a huge difference within the first 48 hours and further improvement over the next several months as the cornea heals. Our patients are so pleased with the outcome that they often recommend LASIK to their family and friends.

Can both eyes be treated at the same time?

Our surgeons will treat both eyes at the same time. Patients are quite pleased when hearing this because it is much more convenient and less stressful to have both eyes treated the same day.

What can I expect during my LASIK consultation?

We will first discuss your expectations for the surgery, then perform a thorough medical questionnaire and eye exam to determine whether you may be a good candidate for LASIK. Plan to be at our Pottstown office for 1 to 1.5 hours.

We hope these answers have been valuable to you in your quest to determine whether you want to pursue LASIK surgery. If you work or live in Harleysville PA, LASIK eye surgery is available at Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania in nearby Pottstown. Give us a call or schedule online for your initial consultation today.

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