The beam gently pulses to remove a microscopic amount of tissue, allowing images to be more sharply focused on the retina. PRK patients may require several days to weeks to achieve clear vision. Yes, if you're at least 18 years old, in good general health, have good eye health with stable glasses' prescription for the past year and no diseases such as cataracts. Laser surgery is used to treat a broad range of nearsightedness, astigmatism, and farsightedness. In most cases, even patients' severe degrees of nearsightedness, astigmatism, and farsightedness can be treated.
Good candidates have realistic expectations.
While laser vision correction has proven overwhelmingly successful, how well and how quickly your vision improves depends on how well you heal and the degree of correction required. This means they no longer need glasses or contacts to drive, play sports, watch movies and TV, or participate in careers requiring excellent vision such as a pilot, or law enforcement or firefighter. Many clinical studies have examined the long-term effects of laser surgery on the cornea. There are no needles. Instead, Dr. Howerton uses anesthetic drops to numb your eye just before surgery begins.