LASIK Eye Surgery in the Fayetteville, Chapel Hill, and Sanford Areas of North Carolina
LASIK is an advanced form of refractive eye surgery that has enabled millions of people to significantly improve their vision, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for glasses and contact lenses. With some of the top LASIK surgeons in the nation, Cape Fear Eye Associates provides precision LASIK eye surgery at our Fayetteville office serving Sanford, Chapel Hill, and other North Carolina areas.
An increasingly popular procedure, LASIK utilizes laser technology to correct refractive errors by subtly reshaping the cornea. At Cape Fear Eye Associates, we also offer wavefront-guided LASIK, the most advanced laser eye surgery technology available. Whether you have nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, LASIK eye surgery may be the solution for you. LASIK not only corrects your vision, but also improves your quality of life.
The LASIK Eye Surgery Procedure
Although it involves very precise measurements, LASIK eye surgery is a relatively simple procedure that can be performed on an outpatient basis. Our LASIK surgeon begins by numbing the eye with a topical anesthetic, ensuring that the patient feels no pain or discomfort during the procedure. In general, the surgery itself is quick and straightforward, taking just 15 to 20 minutes to complete.
Creating the Corneal Flap
During LASIK eye surgery at our Fayetteville, North Carolina eye center, patients are instructed to stare at a small blinking light. After the eye has been anesthetized, the surgeon holds the eyelids open with a speculum. Using a hand-held surgical instrument with an oscillating blade (a microkeratome), he or she then makes a tiny incision in the outer layers of the cornea. Suction is meanwhile applied to the eye so that the microkeratome remains perfectly still. By means of the incision, a thin flap is created that can easily be lifted, giving the surgeon access to the middle layer (or stroma) of the cornea. Before creating this flap, the surgeon marks the area so that the upraised portion of the cornea can be returned precisely to its original position at the end of the procedure.
Reshaping the Cornea
Once the corneal flap has been created using the microkeratome, the surgeon lifts the flap and positions the excimer laser over the eye. A predetermined amount of the exposed corneal tissue is then carefully removed. For approximately 15 seconds, quick bursts of laser light are applied to the cornea in order to reshape it, ultimately producing improved refraction and clearer vision.
Repositioning the Corneal Flap
The final step in LASIK eye surgery is returning the corneal flap to its original position. Using the marks made on the cornea before the flap was created, the LASIK surgeon is able to perfectly align the surface tissue and replace it exactly as it was before surgery. The repositioned corneal flap will then heal naturally on its own without the need for stitches.
If you would like to find out if you are a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery, our North Carolina eye centers serving Chapel Hill, Sanford, and Fayetteville will provide you with a complete consultation. Contact our LASIK surgeons today to schedule an appointment.
After LASIK Eye Surgery
After the anesthetic wears off (about two to four hours following surgery), patients may experience itchiness or a burning sensation in the treated eyes. This is normal. They should refrain from rubbing their eyes and wear physician-provided eye shields at night for the first seven days following surgery. During the first 24 hours, activities that might strain the eyes, such as watching television, reading, computer work, and showering, should be avoided. Patients may take baths, but water should be kept from getting into the eyes. In addition, wind, smoke, and dust should be avoided when at all possible, as these can irritate the eyes.
In most cases, we will prescribe topical antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medication to our LASIK eye surgery patients in order to prevent infection and promote healing. It will take time for the condition of the eyes to stabilize, and the recovery period for each patient varies. In fact, some patients notice an improvement in their vision immediately following LASIK eye surgery. However, complete healing may take up to six months. Once you've undergone the procedure, we will ask you to come in for a follow-up visit so that we can monitor your progress and results. You can learn more about LASIK by reading answers to frequently asked questions about refractive surgery.
Live LASIK Seminars
Join us for one of our live LASIK seminars, where you can watch LASIK eye surgery performed on an actual patient. Find in-depth information about how LASIK works and how it can have a positive impact on your life. Our seminars also include a question-and-answer session with the LASIK surgeon and the patient following surgery, plus a tour of our state-of-the-art facility. To reserve a seat, contact our LASIK surgeons in North Carolina today. With LASIK eye surgery— in the Fayetteville, Sanford, and Chapel Hill areas of North Carolina—you can enjoy clear vision as well as freedom from contacts and glasses.
Contact Cape Fear Eye Associates for LASIK Eye Surgery in North Carolina
If you have been considering LASIK eye surgery, our Fayetteville office serving Chapel Hill and Sanford, North Carolina will provide you with a consultation to determine if you are a qualified candidate. To schedule an appointment at our eye care center, contact Cape Fear Eye Associates today.
To schedule a consultation for LASIK eye surgery in North Carolina, contact our Fayetteville, Sanford, and Chapel Hill-area offices.