Is it Safe to Get LASIK During COVID?

LASIK surgery uses laser technology to improve your eyesight by reshaping your corneal tissues. It is a refractive surgery that offers an excellent alternative to contact lenses and glasses. LASIK is a one-time treatment that corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. If you are struggling with your vision, you may be wondering if getting LASIK surgery during COVID-19 is a good idea.

Here are a few reasons why LASIK surgery is safe and beneficial during the COVID-19 era.

Why LASIK Surgery Is Important During COVID-19

While the main benefit of LASIK surgery is improving your vision, it also helps those in high-risk jobs. Everyone in these fields needs to wear eye protection, and it can be tricky to find prescription goggles. Also, if you have glasses, wearing a mask can make them foggy. Getting LASIK surgery can reduce or eliminate your need for glasses or prescription goggles and saves you the inconvenience of clearing foggy lenses while wearing a mask constantly. What's more, contact lenses and glasses require frequent cleaning to keep them sanitary and safe. After LASIK surgery, many patients see well without contacts or glasses; results vary.

LASIK surgery reduces the risk of eye infections and irritation resulting from wearing contact lenses, which requires you to touch your eyes frequently. The irritation may make you touch your eyes even more, increasing your risk of transferring pathogens to your eyes.

LASIK surgery also helps you cut costs. You save the cost of getting new glasses and contact lenses by undergoing refractive surgery. The treatment is well worth the investment and helps you enjoy long-term savings. The treatment only takes about 15 minutes of your time and has a brief recovery period. Typically, you can return to your daily routine in one to two days.

How to Keep Safe During LASIK Eye Surgery

During the pandemic, eye practices added measures to keep patients safe and protected from exposure. Here are some of the ways eye care providers offered safe LASIK treatment during the pandemic.

• Sanitizing Equipment and Offices: While it may be a standard practice to sterilize equipment and the surrounding area, it is especially critical during the pandemic. Extra cleaning of the equipment and premises kills germs and pathogens, reducing the risks of infection through contact with infected surfaces.
• Screening Every Visitor: A high temperature is a possible indicator of COVID-19. Taking everyone's temperature before their appointment can help minimize the spread of the virus. Your eye doctor will also evaluate the staff to ensure they are healthy enough to work.
• Limiting the Number of Patients: The best way to achieve social distancing is to require appointments. Only admitting individuals with an appointment reduces the number of people visiting the office and decreases your risk.
• Always Wearing Masks: Since LASIK surgery requires close contact, masks and protective gear like plastic screens are essential during the process. The masks and screens minimize the chances of exposure during your initial eye assessment, treatment, and check-ups.
• Virtual Consultations: Many ophthalmologists offer virtual consultations if you don't want to go to their physical location for an exam. Evaluating you online or over the phone is a safer option, as you don't have to travel to the clinic and risk exposure to COVID-19.

Global LASIK & Cataract Institute Puts Safety First

At Global LASIK & Cataract Institute, we put your health and safety first. We follow current health guidance to keep every visit safe, so you can visit our Pasadena LASIK clinic with confidence. Schedule an appointment with us today to discuss your eye health!