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Should You Get LASIK This Summer?

Piggyback ride

Are you interested in no longer needing glasses or contacts? Does saving money and having more freedom in your life sound good? If yes, then LASIK may be for you.

LASIK is the most well-known vision correction procedure because of the impressive results it delivers. But when is the best time to get LASIK?

The sooner you undergo LASIK, the better because that means you can experience all its benefits sooner. Keep reading to learn why you can start living a life with more freedom if you get LASIK this summer.

What is LASIK?

LASIK is a vision correction procedure that fixes common refractive errors. If you have nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, then LASIK can enhance your eyesight.

LASIK uses a laser to reshape your cornea so it can focus light more effectively on your retina. Misshapen corneas focus light in front of, behind, or scattered all over your retina.

LASIK allows your cornea to focus light directly onto your retina by reshaping your cornea to a smooth, consistent shape. This direct focus gives you the cleanest, crispest eyesight you have ever had.

Why Should You Get LASIK This Summer?

LASIK is worth doing at any point during the year. No matter when you get it done, the visual freedom it provides will enhance your life.

But, summer could be the most appealing season to undergo LASIK. That’s because summer is jam-packed with activities, entertainment, and things to do.

LASIK makes all of these things more manageable and more fun. That’s because, no matter what you’re doing, you don’t need to bring glasses or contacts along.

You can jump in the ocean on a whim without having to worry about your contacts. Traveling is easier after LASIK because you no longer need to pack all the extra gear.

Things like contacts, contact solution, glasses, and other eye care accessories are a thing of the past. Your eyes are all you need to see the world after LASIK.

Now is the Best Time to Invest in Your Future

The ultimate reason now is the best time to get LASIK is that LASIK is a financial investment in your future. The sooner you invest, the sooner you reap the benefits.

LASIK is a wise investment because it saves you money immediately. Money that goes right into your pocket beginning the day you have your procedure.

LASIK saves you money because, after your procedure, you no longer need glasses or contacts. The money you save by no longer needing your visual aids allows LASIK to pay for itself.

On average, LASIK patients save about $500 every year on eyewear costs. Those savings mean LASIK pays for itself within a few years. Then after that time, all that money stays in your pocket.

Even though LASIK is an elective procedure not covered by insurance, the up-front cost should not stand in your way of getting it. There are payment options to help you cover the costs.

The CareCredit card allows you to pay for LASIK in manageable monthly installments. It can fit nearly any budget.

And, remember, you will be saving money every month on eye care costs that can help pay for your procedure. You’ll be saving money and living a life without glasses or contacts.

Are you interested in the visual freedom LASIK provides and the freedom it creates in other areas of your life? Schedule a consultation at Vision Care of Maine in Dover-Foxcroft, ME, today!

Don’t put off this life-changing investment any longer. The sooner you have LASIK, the sooner your life gets better!

Woman squinting at computer

If you want great eyesight without glasses or contacts, you have likely heard about LASIK. LASIK is a fantastic way to improve your vision.

But, hearing rumors about LASIK shouldn’t be enough to persuade you to go through with it. Speaking with a professional will give you the information you need to decide to get LASIK, or not.

Keep reading to find out what you will discuss in your LASIK consultation.

LASIK Candidacy

The primary reason to go to a LASIK consultation is to see if you meet the requirements for LASIK. These requirements are to see if you are a good candidate for the procedure.

You must be a good candidate because there are certain risks involved with the procedure. People who fit all the criteria are low-risk patients. This is why LASIK has such an incredible success rate, around 96%!

During the consultation, your eye doctor will determine your eligibility. They will ask certain questions and put you through a series of tests and examinations. This information will help the doctor determine your eligibility.

This decision is made based on the following:

Your age

Young people do not have fully developed eyes. If your eyes are not developed, your prescription could change after your procedure. 

This will ruin the results of your treatment. But there is no upper age limit, so you can receive LASIK even when you are older!

Pregnancy 

For much the same reason as being young, LASIK is not suitable for pregnant women. Pregnancy hormones can alter your eyes and eyesight. 

This can affect your prescription and ruin the results of LASIK. 

Vision stability

Your eyesight needs to remain at the same prescription for at least a year. 

General health

Certain diseases or conditions affect your immune system, and your ability to recover. These must be under control before you can undergo elective surgery like LASIK.

Your eye health 

LASIK involves creating a flap during the procedure. So your eyes need to be healthy before having LASIK or it could affect the recovery process. 

Corneal thickness

If your corneas are too thin, LASIK surgeons cannot safely reshape the cornea.

This is a shortlist of criteria you will discuss in your consultation. There are many more candidacy requirements that you will learn about. Thoroughness is key! 

Get Your Questions Answered

Researching on the internet is a great way to get cursory knowledge on a subject. But speaking with a licensed professional is invaluable when it comes to a topic like LASIK.

Being guided by a professional will give you the knowledge you need to make an informed decision. It will also ease your nerves pre-procedure. 

Meet the Team

Trust is the foundation of a successful LASIK procedure. Meeting face to face will help you decide on whether they are right for you. 

Schedule a LASIK consultation at Vision Care of Maine in Bangor, ME, and find out if LASIK is right for you. It could change how you see things forever and change your life for the better!

Woman suffering from dry eyes

As successful as LASIK is, it is not free from certain side effects. One of the most common side effects that patients experience is dry eye.

This occurs because the surgeon cuts through the cornea of the eye to reshape it. This is the main reason that LASIK works the way it does.

This can sever important nerves that tell the brain when the eye needs hydration. As a result, you may experience a weakened tear response and fewer tears being produced. This is what leads to dry eye in patients after LASIK.

The good news is that dry eye from LASIK is rarely severe. It is usually only temporary and almost always heals in a matter of days or weeks.

If your dry eye persists long after your surgery, or you are experiencing worse than expected symptoms, talk to your eye doctor. Keep reading to learn more about dry eye after LASIK!

Coping with Dry Eye

Dry eye is annoying at best, and it may be painful at worst. If you are experiencing post-LASIK dry eye, there are steps you can take to help decrease symptoms as your eyes heal.

Limit screen time

As you begin your recovery, you may find it difficult to stay off of your screens. The brain often forgets to blink while it’s being stimulated by things like the internet, television shows, or video games.

Not blinking can compound on already dry eyes, causing the problem to worsen over time. Limiting your screen time is an easy way to keep your eyes comfortable as you recover from LASIK.

Use your diet

Certain foods promote healthy tear production. Staying hydrated gives your body the ingredients it needs to create tears.

In particular, look for foods high in omega-3 fatty acids. This includes fish oil, walnuts, and chia seeds.

Humidify your home and workspace

Adding water vapor to the air can help keep them stay moist. This provides a baseline atmosphere that is healthy for the eyes.

Humidifiers are best in the places that you spend the most time, like your office or bedroom.

Avoid irritant particles and chemicals

This means you need to wear sunglasses outside. You’ll block dust and dirt and the sun’s UV rays while doing this.

You also need to be very careful to avoid getting water or shampoo in your eyes while you shower. Irritated eyes produce even less tears, a process that can feed back into itself.

DO NOT rub your eyes

Rubbing your eyes is never a good idea, but this is something you must avoid after LASIK. This does not help with dry eye in the long run.

It is also a guaranteed way to cause serious post LASIK complications. Instead of rubbing your eyes, use eye drops to relieve your dry eye.

You can use over the counter eye drops, but be sure you know what type you are getting. Eye drops with higher viscosity provide longer lasting relief.

They can make your eyesight blurry for some time. Thinner eye drops provide instant relief, though it’s relatively short-lived.

Be patient

Although most LASIK patients can expect to quickly regain their normal eye functions quickly, everyone is different. If you are concerned that your eyes are taking too long to recover, contact your eye doctor and talk to them about it.

Wondering if LASIK could be the right procedure for you? The first step is to schedule a LASIK consultation at Vision Care of Maine in Brewer, ME!

Young woman smiling after LASIK eye surgery

LASIK is great at changing your life, but the process involved with getting it can seem intimidating. When dealing with a surgery that involves your eyesight, it’s only natural to be skeptical or apprehensive.

To make sure that you can relax and maintain enthusiasm for your new vision, here are 4 tips to make your LASIK experience better!

1. Ask Questions During Your Consultation

Knowing more about LASIK can remove a lot of the uncertainty around the subject. During your LASIK consultation at Vision Care of Maine, you can learn all about the procedure.

This will give you information about why it is so successful, and what you can do to achieve the best outcome. Feel free to ask any questions you have throughout the screening!

There’s no such thing as a dumb or bad question when it comes to your eyes, so ask away!

2. Figure Out Your Ride Situation Beforehand

With everything that will be going on during the surgery, the last thing you need to worry about is how you are going to get home. Ask a friend or family member to drive you to the procedure and home when it’s over.

You can’t drive after you’ve had LASIK, as your eyes will still be numb or recovering. Your vision might be blurry or unstable, at least for a few days after the procedure.

Even if your vision is clear right after LASIK, it’s not safe to drive yourself home. Most patients can drive the next day, but ask your eye doctor to be certain.

3. Wear Comfortable Clothing

LASIK only takes about 15 minutes per eye. Though it’s short, it is important for you to be able to remain as still as possible through parts of it.

As special as LASIK is, there’s no need to dress fancy for this occasion. Opt for some clothing that is comfortable and makes you feel relaxed.

This may be sweatpants, leggings, or a hoodie that’s well-loved. You may want to think about wearing layers in case you get cold as well.

4. Get Plenty of Rest Before and After Surgery

Sleep helps to reduce stress, and even though LASIK is safe and fast, it can be stressful for some people. Going into surgery feeling well-rested can give you the confidence you need to make it through the procedure calm and collected.

On the other side of the surgery, sleep is also an important part of the healing process. Right after your procedure, you will be quite tired, so a solid nap should be high up on your short post-op to-do list.

But it is even more important that you do not bump or rub your eyes, which can be difficult to avoid while you are asleep. This is why you will receive eye shields to cover your eyes while you rest.

The shields are designed to fit comfortably, so just be sure they are on before you pass out! Sleeping for a few hours once you get home is one of the best things you can do for your eyes as they recover.

Ready to have a great LASIK experience? The first step is finding out if you’re a good candidate for the procedure!

Schedule your LASIK consultation at Vision Care of Maine in Bangor, ME today!

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