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FAQ: Laser-assisted In-situ Keratomileusis (LASIK)
- How do I feel during the procedure?
The procedure itself is essentially painless and quick. Eye-drops will be used to make your eyes less sensitive. You may experience discomfort during the first 6 to 12 hours after the procedure. Patients usually feel much better the next morning and may return to their normal activities within a day or two. In addition, we will give you medication to control any discomfort you may have.
- Can I play sports after having LASIK?
You can resume most normal activities soon after surgery. However, you have to stop swimming for 1 month. Goggles should be worn whenever you swim. Also avoid activities such as contact sports (e.g. basketball, football, etc.) for several weeks.
- Do I need to wear glasses after LASIK? If so, is it safe to wear contacts?
It may take 6 months or more for you to achieve your best post-operative vision. Most patients do not require full-time glasses or contacts. For patients over forty years of age, they may have to wear reading glasses. Please discuss with your ophthalmologist or optometrist during your examination.
- Is LASIK safe?
Just as with any surgical procedure, there are potential complications but these are very rare, and most complications can be properly treated by our doctors. Therefore good vision can still be achieved.
- Will I still have to wear reading glasses?
Presbyopia usually occurs around the age of forty. For some patients, reading glasses are prescribed in order to read fine print even after the procedure.
- What about monovision?
You can choose to reduce the degree of reading difficulties based on a principle called monovision. That is, one eye is fully corrected and the other eye to leave 1 to 1.5 dioptre of myopia, and this will make reading or near vision tasks easier.
The visual difficulties of monovision are most noticeable in low lighting conditions and when performing tasks requiring very sharp vision. Therefore, you may need to wear glasses to fully correct both eyes for distance or near vision when performing visually demanding tasks, such as driving at night or performing occupational tasks requiring very sharp close vision. [add the monovision picture here]
- Is the procedure reversible?
As with most corneal reshaping refractive surgeries, LASIK is not reversible. Once the surgery is performed, the effect is long term. To make sure LASIK is right for you, consult your ophthal-mologist.
- If LASIK is not an option for me, how can I correct my eye-sight problem?
There are different kinds of refractive surgeries that can help people with various degrees of refractive error. Consult your ophthalmologist who will recommend the most suitable procedures for you.
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