Refractive Surgery in Lake Worth, FL

The cornea and lens have the important job of refracting and guiding light so it lands on the back part of your eye or the retina. These light pulses are picked up by the optic nerve and transferred to the brain, enabling you to see and interpret the environment around you. If the cornea is abnormally shaped, it does not allow light to properly refract or bend, which impacts your eyesight and causes blurry or warped vision. Many patients experience refractive errors, like nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia), and to address these conditions, we often prescribe contact lenses or eyeglasses. However, some patients may prefer to correct their vision with refractive surgery and avoid wearing glasses or contacts all the time.

As a one-stop shop for all your eye care needs, Palm Beach Eye Center in Lake Worth, FL proudly offers refractive surgery so patients can avoid the costs and inconveniences of glasses or contacts. If you want to wake up with clear vision, avoid glasses fog when wearing a mask, or stop having dry contacts, refractive surgery can help you with your needs. This collection of treatments alters your cornea's shape, or we can implant an artificial lens to improve your eyesight. Based on your needs, our team of professional ophthalmologists will select the best option, which enables you to enhance your visual acuity and eyesight. If you experience myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, or presbyopia, please schedule an appointment with one of our board-certified eye doctors in Lake Worth, FL to receive additional information about refractive surgery.

The biggest benefit of refractive surgery is that it is a safe and long-lasting hyperopia and myopia treatment. Some of the other common benefits include:

• A quick and relatively painless procedure
• Refractive surgery has become more affordable
• Minimal recovery time
• There is no longer a need for contacts or glasses

You can be a good candidate for refractive surgery if you:

• Have no significant medical eye problems (like diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, etc.)
• Don't deal with dry eye
• Your eyes are in good health
• Have no history of active corneal disease
• Are at least 18 years old
• Have a stable eyeglass or contact lens prescription for the last 2 – 3 years
• You are in good general health

If you have additional questions about refractive surgery and if you're a candidate, schedule an appointment in our office. We will go over the specifics with you so you are informed about the type of eye care you can receive.

At a consultation with one of our Palm Beach Eye Center ophthalmologists near Delray Beach, FL or Lake Worth, FL, we start by performing corneal mapping. This diagnostic eye test gives us an in-depth, 3D view of your cornea and helps us determine the best treatment for your needs. Typically, patients can undergo refractive surgeries as an outpatient procedure, and they are quick to complete. At the beginning of any refractive surgery, we provide numbing eye drops, then use laser-assisted technology or another innovative procedure technique to create tiny incisions in the cornea and alter its curve. By doing this, we can improve your eye’s ability to focus and enhance your overall vision. Following your procedure, you will receive detailed aftercare instructions, which usually involve using eye drops. Depending on your body and the type of procedure, the recovery times will vary for each person.

Following refractive surgery, patients can expect the treated eye(s) to itch or burn and appear red in color. These symptoms are normal and should dissipate within a few days. Eye drops may be prescribed by your ophthalmologist to help prevent inflammation and infection and encourage healing. It is important to avoid rubbing the eye or eyes that were treated, as this could cause damage and require further treatment. It can take 1 – 3 days before patients feel comfortable enough to return to their normal routine. Our team will provide patients with detailed aftercare instructions to help our patients have an optimal recovery. If you are seeking treatment for refractive errors, schedule a consultation with our team of ophthalmologists to find out if refractive surgery is right for you.

Is refractive surgery safe?

Although all surgeries carry some risks, refractive surgery is generally considered a safe procedure with a very low incident of complications (less than 1%). Large amounts of clinical research and many studies have been done on the safety and efficacy of refractive surgery since its approval by the FDA in 1998. Refractive eye surgeries are one of the most popular and frequently done procedures in the U.S. today, with more than 20 million procedures done with a patient satisfaction rate of 90%.

Is refractive surgery painful?

Refractive surgery does not hurt. Before your procedure, your doctor will numb your eyes with anesthetic drops. These will prevent any possible pain or discomfort. Most patients say they only feel slight pressure during the procedure.

Does refractive surgery improve vision?

Yes, refractive surgery can dramatically improve your vision without the need for glasses or contacts. Typically, you can expect to achieve 20/25 vision or better after your procedure.

Can you go blind from refractive surgery?

There is a common misconception that you can go blind from refractive surgery. The surgery itself does not cause blindness, and complications, while extremely rare (less than 1%), are easily avoidable if you follow the aftercare instructions given to you by your doctor.

Having clear eyesight without the use of glasses or contacts could be a dream come true for many South Florida patients. Enabling you to live more comfortably and improving your quality of life, our professional ophthalmologists in Lake Worth, FL or Delray Beach, FL can correct your vision with refractive surgery. At Palm Beach Eye Center, we select the best surgical technique for your eyesight and provide an effective solution for improved visual acuity. Please schedule an appointment with our caring team to learn more about treatments, insurance options, and payment plans.