Laser vision correction offers the opportunity to achieve clearer and sharper vision with little or no need for glasses or contact lenses with minimal downtime. While these procedures have many benefits, you may need reading glasses if you are over the age of 40. 

At What Age Should I Get Laser Vision Correction?

The minimum recommended age for laser vision correction is 18 years of age. However, the ideal age range for patients seeking laser vision correction is from 25 to 40. Remember that people over the age of 40 will develop age-related changes to the eyes leading to presbyopia. This is when the natural lens loses its ability to focus at near and when reading glasses will be needed to help with close up vision. 

Types of Laser Vision Correction

At Alabata Eye Center, we offer three different types of laser vision correction procedures. Each provides its own methods and benefits to improve one’s eyesight. During your consultation, Dr. Alabata examines your eyes and tests as well as reviews your history to determine which laser vision correction procedure is the best fit for you. 

LASIK

LASIK corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. An advanced femtosecond medical laser creates a thin corneal flap in order to prepare your eye for its treatment. 

An excimer laser then eliminates precise microscopic layers of tissue from the corneal surface underneath the flap. This redirects light entering your eye and restores your vision with the freedom from glasses and contact lenses for most. The procedure takes 20-30 minutes. More than 90% of patients enjoy 20/20 vision or greater following the procedure.

SMILE

Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) corrects nearsightedness and astigmatism. Using a short-pulsed femtosecond laser, SMILE bypasses the corneal surface and reshapes the cornea’s inner layers. The laser then creates a tiny incision into the cornea through which Dr. Alabata removes the corneal lenticule. This removal redirects light entering your eye and restores your vision with the freedom from glasses and contact lenses for most. 

The 4 mm corneal incision makes SMILE the least invasive of the laser vision correction eye procedures with the shortest recovery time. The procedure takes 15-20 minutes. A recent study demonstrated that greater than 90% of patients achieved 20/20 vision or greater, similar to that of LASIK.

PRK

PRK corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The top layers of cells on the corneal surface called the epithelium are gently removed. An advanced excimer laser then eliminates a precise microscopic layer of corneal tissue.

After the procedure, a bandage contact lens is gently placed over the eye to promote healing. Once healed, the cornea is able to redirect light entering your eye and restores your vision with the freedom from glasses and contact lenses for most. Due to the removal of the epithelium, recovery is longer than the other laser vision correction procedures, but the visual outcome is similar. PRK is best for those with thin corneas. 

Recovery may take several days to one week. Approximately 90% of patients enjoy 20/20 vision or greater following surgery.

Should I Get Laser Vision Correction?

If you have had a stable eyeglass or contact lens prescription for over a year, have healthy corneas, or are not pregnant or breastfeeding, you may be a good candidate for laser vision correction. You may not be a good candidate for laser vision correction if you have significant dry eye syndrome, an autoimmune disorder, uncontrolled diabetes, cataracts, glaucoma, or corneal scarring.

During your consultation, Dr. Alabata examines your eyes to determine which procedure is best for you. If you are not a good candidate for laser vision correction because of cataracts, Dr. Alabata may suggest performing cataract surgery instead of LVC.

Take the Next Step

To schedule your in-person laser vision correction consultation, call Alabata Eye Center at (850) 331-3937. A referral is not necessary. Thank you for trusting our professional services!