3 Things You Need To Know About LASIK Surgery in Knoxville, TN

You have likely heard of LASIK vision correction by now and you may be looking for LASIK surgery in Knoxville, TN. It’s a type of refractive surgery that corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. It corrects a refractive error by changing the shape of the cornea, improving its focus. 

So, if you’re considering LASIK eye surgery, take these 3 factors into consideration:

LASIK is short for laser-assisted stromal in-situ keratomileusis . It provides clear vision that can render glasses or contact lenses unnecessary. Bear in mind that you may still require reading glasses at some point in the future. This occurs due to the natural aging process , which LASIK can’t account for.

Before surgery, LASIK surgeons measure the thickness and curvature of the cornea. They use this to make a 3D map of the curvature of the eye. This allows them to provide the most precise eye care for LASIK procedures.

During surgery, your eye surgeon uses a laser to precisely reshape your eye’s cornea and improve its focus. Think of it like a topographical map of your eye. They program these details from the “map” into our state-of-the-art technology. This allows them to determine how to best correct your vision.

Blade-free LASIK refers to the IntraLase laser. It allows for an even smaller, extremely precise flap that leads to an even quicker recovery. The first laser opens a “flap” on the surface of the cornea. The second laser can make adjustments to the bed of the flap. This allows for the least amount of disturbance to the front surface of the eye and faster healing.

Luckily, LASIK eye surgery is not a painful procedure. Topical anesthetic eye drops are needed to numb the eye, which means that no general anesthesia, stitches, or bandages are required. When the anesthetic’s numbing side effects wear off, you may experience slight discomfort. Aspirin should be enough to relieve any irritation.

Typically, eyesight improvements are noticeable 24 hours after surgery. Your eye surgeon should be able to give you a good indication of what to expect following your procedure. Avoid rubbing your eyes as this could dislodge the corneal flap that’s healing. Your eye surgeon may provide you with artificial teardrops to minimize any discomfort.

Some laser centers attract good candidates for LASIK by offering incredibly low prices. However, low advertised prices like $499 or even $99 are usually just a starting point. After your exam, the eye specialist will likely recommend a more expensive route. This is because the fine print invalidates the discount if you have astigmatism. 

Astigmatism will show up in almost everyone with modern wavefront testing . So, only a select few people would even be eligible for the advertised price. Other times, eye doctors may offer low prices because they’re still using older model lasers. When it comes to LASIK eye surgery in Knoxville, TN, you never want to sacrifice quality for a lower price.

Technology and cutting-edge techniques like Intralase have drastically changed since LASIK began. It’s not worth risking the outcome of your procedure for cheap payment options. If they aren’t using the latest laser equipment and techniques, it’s a red flag.

At Baptist Eye Surgeons, we provide the most precise LASIK eye surgery in Knoxville, TN. Surgery is pain-free thanks to advanced laser technology and topical anesthetic eye drops. Aspirin and artificial tears can help with post-surgery discomfort. Avoid cheap LASIK surgeries since they tend to cost the same in the long run.

Baptist Eye Surgeons is an ophthalmological practice in Knoxville, TN, Morristown, TN, and Sevierville, TN. Give us a call at 865-579-3920 for more information or to schedule an appointment .

*This article has been updated for clarity and relevant medical information since its last update in September 2022