LASIK Surgery in South Bay, CA

Why Should I Consider LASIK?

You lose your glasses, scratch them, leave them on the bus or plane… glasses just aren’t your thing. And the cost is adding up.

Contact lenses? Hard to put in, you’re always dropping them, you’re always thinking about them when you’re out with friends and want to stay longer, and they tear. The cost is adding up!

If you counted up all of the money, inconvenience and sheer frustration from the years with contact lenses and glasses, you’d have spent a fortune and a lot of time in frustration. Imagine a world where you could simply see at your very best without glasses or lenses. It’s possible with LASIK.

LASIK eye surgery is the most popular laser refractive surgery to correct vision problems. LASIK is a type of surgery that treats vision problems caused by refractive errors. You have a refractive error when your eye does not refract (bend) light properly. Glasses or contact lenses help to bend light, but LASIK can be an alternative to glasses or contact lenses and help improve your quality of life.

What does LASIK stand for?

According to the FDA, LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis and has been around since the early 90s. The laser device is called a keratome and is used to cut the flap in the cornea.

Who is a Candidate for LASIK?

Most people are qualified for LASIK. Based on the extent of your compromised eyesight and lifestyle, Dr. Hecht performs a thorough assessment. The best way to find out if LASIK works for you is to talk to Dr. Hecht.

As you discuss your vision with Dr. Hecht, you may ask if you are a candidate for LASIK. This can depend on a number of factors, so it is important to discuss your medical history and visit with Dr. Hecht regularly.

Typically, candidates for LASIK include those with the following:

• Nearsightedness (myopia) – You can see objects that are close fairly clearly, but not those that are far away.
• Farsightedness (hyperopia) – This makes near vision, and sometimes distant vision, blurry.
• Astigmatism – This disrupts focus of near and distant vision.

These are all dependent on the shape of your eyeball, the curve of your cornea, and how light rays focus in relation to your retina. Dr. Hecht will help determine if you are a candidate based on your evaluation and desired outcomes.

How is LASIK Performed?

Using an excimer laser, LASIK safely and permanently changes the shape of the cornea, the clear covering of the front of the eye. The laser is used to create a flap in the cornea. A hinge is left at one end of the flap. The flap is folded back revealing the stroma or the middle section of the cornea.

Pulses from a controlled laser vaporize a portion of the stroma and the flap is replaced, bonding almost instantly and without stitches. Because the surface of the eye is not disturbed, there is little post-operative discomfort, few complications and a quick recovery time.

What are the Benefits of LASIK Laser eye Surgery?

Benefits of LASIK eye surgery include:

• Corrects vision problems
• Very little pain
• Vision is correctly nearly immediately
• No bandages or stitches are required
• Relieves the dependance on glasses or contacts

What to Know Before Surgery

• Review your desired outcomes with Dr. Hecht
• Have the shape of your eye thoroughly tested and evaluated
• Refrain from wearing contact lenses for a period of time prior to surgery
• Refrain from lotions or makeup the day of surgery
• Discuss cost and be prepared to pay out-of-pocket as this is often determined an elective procedure
• Arrange a ride home and a caretaker following surgery
• Be aware of the risks associated with surgery
• Ask Dr. Hecht any questions you may have
• You will be taken to the operating room and be made comfortable
• Dr. Hecht will put eye numbing drops in your eye and hold your eyelids open
• During the surgery, you’ll be asked to focus on a point of light to help you keep your eye fixed while the laser reshapes your cornea
• Using a programmed laser, your eye surgeon reshapes parts of your cornea and lays the flap back in place
• The procedure takes only 30 minutes
• Your eyes may feel itchy or gritty following surgery or you may have blurred vision
• You can have eyedrops to help you feel comfortable or a shield at night while your eye heals
• You’ll be able to see following surgery, but your vision may take two or three months before it completely heals and your vision stabilizes
• Follow-up with Dr. Hecht and review your outcomes and discuss any limitations