Since masks have become the new norm, patients with glasses often have to deal with some undesirable side effects. One of the most common is glasses fogging up. Not only is it an annoyance, but it could affect an individual’s ability to see. For patients who are done with their glasses fogging up and want LASIK, Dr. Raul Peña offers the procedure at our offices in Harlingen, TX, and McAllen, TX.
The LASIK procedure can improve vision enough where patients are less dependent on their glasses. For some patients, they will not need their glasses at all afterward. During a consultation, Dr. Peña assesses your health and goals to determine if you qualify for LASIK.
Why Do Glasses Get Foggy?
When wearing a facial mask, your warm breath can escape and meet the cool surface of your glasses’ lenses, creating fog. When this fog develops, you have to remove your glasses and clean them, and this can happen several times throughout the day. Removing and cleaning your glasses can inhibit you from performing your day-to-day activities. Most importantly, repeatedly touching your face can make you more susceptible to viruses and diseases.
Who Is a Candidate for LASIK?
During a consultation, the doctor will determine if you are an appropriate candidate for the LASIK procedure. The treatment is suitable for individuals who are farsighted, nearsighted, or who suffer from astigmatism.
Patients who are free from any eye diseases or infections are often good candidates. The doctor also ensures that your corneas are the right thickness and not too thin. Patients must have stable vision and pupils that are the appropriate size.
What Happens during the Procedure?
At our practice, we offer blade-free LASIK. The cutting-edge laser used to modify the eye is more precise and quicker than traditional methods and treatment usually takes around 15 minutes. The procedure produces almost immediate effects and requires little downtime.
We recommend that you stop wearing contacts and wear glasses for several weeks before LASIK. Contacts can change the shape of your corneas. On the day of the procedure, we place numbing eye drops to minimize discomfort. Dr. Peña then makes a small flap in the top layer of the cornea and folds it back to access the deeper corneal tissue. The laser is used to very conservatively change the shape of the cornea. The doctor then replaces the flap, where it heals naturally.
What Happens after LASIK?
It is important that patients follow the doctor’s instructions after LASIK. Following the procedure, your doctor might recommend an eye shield or patch to protect your eyes and help them heal accordingly. You should refrain from rubbing your eyes or putting pressure on them to prevent disrupting the flap.
Patients might experience some discomfort, itchiness, or a burning sensation. It is also common for the eyes to water or tear up. Your eyes might be sensitive to light. All of these symptoms should improve within a few days after your procedure.
Many patients experience blurry or hazy vision immediately following the procedure. Soon after, patients should experience a dramatic improvement with their eyesight. While some patients might not need their glasses at all, others will still need them at times. Be sure to visit your doctor regularly to assess your eyes and to ensure the procedure is working as intended.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are tired of your glasses fogging up and want to try LASIK to improve your vision, please contact our office by calling (956) 661-8733. You can also inquire about an appointment or submit questions using our online form.
