Chances are that you have heard of LASIK eye surgery and that it can help you see without the need for
corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses. However, deciding where to get LASIK in Tennessee can be a difficult decision. We’ve written this blog as a resource to find the best eye surgery practice to receive LASIK surgery in East Tennessee.
Baptist Eye Surgeons has been serving Knoxville and the surrounding area with the highest quality ophthalmology care available. LASIK surgery uses a laser to reshape the cornea so you can see more clearly. It treats refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Most patients will safely qualify for the procedure.
Where Can I Get LASIK in Tennessee?
Look no further than Baptist Eye Surgeons if you’re interested in LASIK in Tennessee. For over 40 years, we have provided Knoxville, TN, and the surrounding areas with the highest quality of eye care to preserve and restore patients’ sight.
At Baptist Eye Surgeons, you will find LASIK in Tennessee as well as many other specialties including:
We are committed to providing quality eye care to our patients. Whether it’s a routine eye exam or diagnosis, treatment, management, or surgical intervention, you can trust our eye surgeons to provide the care you need when you need it most.
Click here to meet our Knoxville & Morristown ophthalmologists!
What is LASIK?
LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) involves the creation of a flap in the cornea to correct errors in your vision. The procedure begins with a suction ring being placed on your eye. This creates a slight pressure and dims your vision, but it doesn’t last long. This is done to one eye and then to the other.
Once the flaps have been made, your eye surgeon will use a lid speculum to hold your eyes open to prevent blinking. The flap is lifted gently and you are then asked to look into a blinking light. The laser is then used to reshape the cornea followed by the flap being put back into place. During the procedure, the laser tracks your eye to account for any eye movements. All told, the entire process for both eyes only takes about 30 minutes.
To learn more about what to expect during LASIK surgery, click here!
What Does It Treat?
LASIK is designed to treat refractive errors, a type of eye condition that affects your vision. They can cause your vision to appear:
- Blurry
- Distorted
- Out of focus
While some people can see just fine, these vision problems can have a major impact on your ability to see. They are often treated with prescription glasses or contact lenses. However, some patients can benefit from LASIK to see clearly.
The three main types of refractive errors are:
- Myopia
- Hyperopia
- Astigmatism
Myopia (nearsightedness) makes it difficult for patients to see objects that are far away. Hyperopia, or farsightedness, causes the opposite problem. Instead of having trouble seeing objects that are far away, patients have difficulty seeing things that are up close. Astigmatism is a misshapen lens or cornea that causes images to see distorted images.
LASIK addresses these issues by changing the shape of the cornea with a special laser. It reshapes the cornea so that it can focus better and so that you can see the world clearly.
Click here to learn more about refractive errors and what to expect before surgery!
Am I a Good Candidate for LASIK Surgery?
Many people who need glasses or contact lenses to see clearly can benefit from LASIK in Tennessee. While most people will qualify for the procedure, LASIK is not always best for some select patients. To ensure that you are a good fit for laser eye surgery, we perform a thorough examination during your consultation. This gives us an opportunity to evaluate your visual and overall health.
On the plus side, between 80% and 85% of patients are approved for LASIK surgery. These patients:
- Have a stable eyewear prescription
- Are in good physical health
- Have healthy eyes
- Are over the age of 18
- Are not pregnant or nursing
- Have thick corneas
To learn more about what eye surgeons look for in LASIK candidates, click here!
A stable eyewear prescription is required since a constantly changing prescription can indicate a problem. This could erase the benefits of LASIK for your vision since it may still fluctuate after the procedure. Good physical health is also important since diabetes and autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis can disqualify you.
Healthy eyes are just as important for LASIK as good overall health. Eye diseases, infections, and even injuries may disqualify you since the procedure can aggravate conditions such as dry eye. Being over the age of 18 is important since your eyewear prescription can be affected by the hormonal changes experienced during puberty.
Being neither pregnant nor nursing is for similar reasons to being over the age of 18. Pregnancy causes hormonal fluctuations that can result in changes in your vision and eyewear prescription. Eye drops prescribed during LASIK can also affect your health and the health of your child.
Adequate corneal thickness is also needed so you have enough that can be safely removed during surgery.
Are you interested in a life without glasses or contact lenses? Contact us today to schedule your LASIK consultation!
We have been providing high-quality eye care to Knoxville and the surrounding East Tennessee area for over 40 years. With LASIK, we reshape the cornea using a laser to help you see more clearly. This treats refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. While not everyone will qualify for LASIK, most candidates will qualify.
Baptist Eye Surgeons is an ophthalmological practice in Knoxville, TN, and Morristown, TN. Give us a call at 865-579-3920 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
