Eye Exams-Still Important After Vision Correction
Imagine waking up in the morning and seeing the world clearly without reaching for glasses or contact lenses. For millions, LASIK eye surgery has turned this dream into reality, providing a nearly immediate solution to common vision problems. But how does this high-tech procedure reshape your vision? By precisely modifying the cornea with a laser, LASIK redirects how light enters the eye, correcting issues like nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism in just minutes.
While LASIK can significantly improve vision, it doesn’t guarantee perfect vision for everyone. For many, LASIK achieves 20/20 vision or better, meaning they can see clearly at a distance without glasses or contact lenses. Approximately 90-95% of patients achieve their desired vision correction with LASIK, and the improvement is often immediate. However, several factors influence results including the severity of the initial prescription, age and eye health. Some may still require glasses for certain tasks such as reading or driving at night, particularly as they age. In most cases, LASIK provides substantial, long-term improvement in visual clarity and quality.
Eye exams are still important after vision correction, like LASIK or PRK, because these procedures, while effective for reshaping the cornea to correct refractive errors, do not prevent any eye diseases and conditions that may threaten vision and overall health. Often serious diseases pose no symptoms until permanent vision loss occurs. These include cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. Additionally, vision correction surgeries change the structure of the cornea, so periodic exams ensure that it remains healthy without any thinning, swelling or changes that could affect vision stability. As minor changes to vision may occur over time, routine exams help track any fluctuations to determine if a patient needs any enhancements or adjustments that may be beneficial. Eye exams are still important after vision correction as you will inevitably age. Natural age-related changes often begin after age 40, the ideal time frame with which LASIK is recommended. Regular eye exams can monitor these shifts to correct issues like presbyopia. Eye exams provide an opportunity to ask your doctor questions about any concerns and updates on the latest treatments, even for seemingly simple issues like dry eye that is not only common post-LASIK but occurs more frequently in older adults, due to a decrease in tear production and for women, hormonal changes.
Keeping eyes healthy, comfortable and able to see their best is ultimately the reason for comprehensive eye check at least every 2 years. Schedule your exam with Victoria Eye Center today by contacting our office at 800-833-0234 or WEBSITE.