Our Picks for the Best LASIK Surgeon in Spokane, WA

Is LASIK Safe?

LASIK eye surgery is safe. Thanks to the advancement in technology, serious complications are rare. The general complication rates of LASIK are between 1 and 1.8%.

What Makes a Good LASIK Candidate?

A person is a good candidate for LASIK if:

• They do not have any active eye infections, inflammations, or abrasions
• They do not have dry eyes
• They do not have any kind of eye disease that affects the cornea
• They have a prescription of -11.00 diopters of nearsightedness, +5.00 diopters of farsightedness, or 5.00 diopters of astigmatism
• Their corneal tissue is thick enough
• They are at least 18 years old
• Their vision has been stable for 1 to 2 years
• They have realistic expectations going into the surgery

Other Types of Eye Surgery

LASIK is not the only type of eye surgery you can get. Other types include:

PRK

PRK stands for photorefractive keratectomy. It’s another type of laser eye surgery that can correct:

• Myopia (nearsightedness)
• Hyperopia (farsightedness)
• Astigmatism (irregularly shaped cornea)
• Presbyopia (age-related farsightedness)

The procedure involves removing the outer surface of the cornea. A surgeon uses an ultraviolet (excimer) laser to reshape the cornea.

Surgeons recommend PRK if a person isn’t a good candidate for LASIK. Its recovery time is slightly longer than LASIK, although they both achieve the same goal.

Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)

RLE is another type of eye surgery that corrects the same problems LASIK can. It involves removing a person’s natural lens, which is then replaced by an intraocular lens (IOL).

Candidates for RLE include:

• Those over the age of 40
• Those with refractive errors
• Those who are not candidates for LASIK
• Those who don’t want to use reading glasses or contact lenses
• Those who have early cataracts

Cataract Surgery

The only way to remove cataracts is through surgery. There are two types of cataract surgery: 

• Phacoemulsification procedure
• Laser cataract procedure

Phacoemulsification involves liquifying the cataract lens using ultrasound waves. The surgeon suctions the natural lens and replaces it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL).

Laser cataract surgery involves using lasers to make precise incisions in the cornea. The surgeon then suctions out the natural lens in fragments.

Collagen Cross-Linking (CXL) for Keratoconus

Collagen cross-linking is a new surgical technique to treat keratoconus. It involves using special eye drops and ultraviolet light to strengthen the cornea’s collagen fibers.

The goal of this procedure is to prevent the progression of keratoconus. When the collagen fibers grow stronger, they stabilize the corneal tissue. It can also reduce or eliminate the need for a transplant.

Lifestyle Lenses

Lifestyle lenses are also referred to as premium lenses. They are often used during cataract surgery when the natural lens is removed and replaced with artificial ones, the lifestyle lenses.

These lenses can also correct other eye problems, including:

• Nearsightedness
• Farsightedness
• Presbyopia
• Astigmatism

Intacs® Corneal Implants for Keratoconus

Intacs® are also called intracorneal ring segments (ICRS). They’re thin, crescent-shaped rings made with biocompatible plastic material. It’s the same material used for IOLs.

Intacs® are inserted into the cornea to restore its normal shape. It can treat refractive errors and keratoconus.

Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)

Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) treats glaucoma using small incisions and microscopic equipment. This kind of technology reduces risks during surgery.