Take On the New Year With Clear Vision!
Now that we’ve rung in the new year, you may be working on accomplishing your New Year’s resolutions. Whether that includes signing up for a gym membership, cracking open that book you’ve always wanted to read, or deciding to commit to better vision, you’re choosing to enrich your life! At Columbus Laser & Cataract Center, we’re ready to guide you on your journey for healthy vision.
If you have been considering taking the next step towards LASIK or AST, we have everything you need to know in this blog!
Choosing LASIK in 2023
Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis, or LASIK surgery, is a popular procedure that can help improve vision for refractive errors, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. During the procedure, a flap will be made in the top of your cornea, and the inner cornea will be reshaped to correct your refractive error. You will be given numbing eye drops and a sedative for a relaxed and pain-free experience.
Although LASIK is well known, many do not realize that there are several requirements one must meet before undergoing the procedure. A consultation with Dr. Beran or Dr. Weber is essential to ensure you’re a good candidate who doesn’t have any conditions that would be incompatible with the LASIK procedure. During the consultation, you will be asked about your health history. Your eye must also meet certain standards, including general eye health, pupil size, and cornea thickness.
Why AST might be right for you
For those of you who aren’t eligible for LASIK, Advanced Surface Treatment (AST) might be right for you! AST is ideal for those with thin corneas, chronic dry eye, or other select conditions who want the same refractive error correction that LASIK can provide. AST even utilizes the same advanced laser technology as LASIK! With so many similarities, what is the difference between these two procedures? It comes down to the cornea. During LASIK, our surgeons use lasers to create a flap on the top of the cornea, then replace the flap once the procedure is done. During AST, refractive errors are corrected directly on the surface of the cornea. After the procedure, a soft contact lens will be placed over the eye, which acts as a sort of bandage as the corneal tissue regenerates.
This does mean that AST has a longer recovery time compared to LASIK. The corneal tissue will regenerate and heal in just a few days, at which point the contact lens will be removed. Your vision will gradually improve over the course of a few weeks after the procedure. Since AST requires a longer recovery time, patients are advised to only have one eye operated on at a time to make the recovery process easier and smoother.
Fortunately, patients enjoy the same level of visual improvement with either procedure—making both excellent options for the new year!
Ready to see clearly in 2023?
If you are ready to embrace the new year with clear vision, don’t hesitate to call 614.939.1600 to schedule an appointment at Columbus Laser & Cataract Center. We look forward to helping you get your best vision yet!