Refractive Surgery in Napa, CA

Refractive surgery in Napa, CA is a type of nonessential eye surgery to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. Refractive surgeries are designed to improve vision quality, sometimes eliminating a patient's dependence on glasses or contacts. At Precision Surgery Center of Napa Valley, we perform several different types of refractive surgery. The most widely performed type of refractive surgery adjusts the eye's ability to focus by reshaping the cornea. Other refractive surgeries may involve implanting a Phakic intraocular lens (IOL) inside the eye in front of the eye's natural lens. To learn more about refractive surgery options, schedule a consultation with one of our ophthalmologists at our surgical center in Napa, CA.

Millions of Americans have had refractive surgeries. Some of the top benefits of refractive surgery include:

• Convenience: you will no longer have to insert and remove contacts regularly
• Immediate significant vision improvement: this surgery can correct farsightedness, nearsightedness, or astigmatism with permanent results
• Cost-effective: though this procedure can be costly, in the long run, you will not have to spend money annually replacing your contacts and/or glasses
• Allergy relief: contact lenses often trap pollen and other allergens

If you have glasses, you may wonder if refractive eye surgery is an option for you. At Precision Surgery Center of Napa Valley, we are pleased to discuss your candidacy for refractive surgery in Napa, CA, to help you reach your goals.

Generally, refractive surgery is an option for patients who:

• Have a refractive error within an appropriate range
• Would like to decrease dependence on glasses or contact lenses
• Have no eye diseases
• Understand that glasses or contacts may still be required after surgery to attain ideal vision
• Have had a stable glasses (or contacts) prescription for the last 2 – 3 years

It is not recommended that pregnant women or individuals under 18 years old have refractive surgery.

During your consultation with your ophthalmologist, our team will review the different types of LASIK laser surgery and help you determine the most effective refractive surgery for your vision. Refractive surgeries are typically performed as outpatient procedures and take relatively little time. Depending on the type of procedure performed, patients can usually expect to resume their normal activities within 24 – 48 hours. When your surgery is complete, your ophthalmologist will provide you with aftercare instructions, which may include post-treatment eye drops.

Immediately following refractive surgery, patients can expect their eye(s) to appear red and they may itch or burn. These symptoms are normal and will ease in the days following the procedure. Your ophthalmologist may prescribe eye drops to promote healing and prevent infection and inflammation. It is crucial to avoid rubbing the affected eye or eyes, as this could disrupt healing and require further treatment. Most patients are able to return to their regular routines 1 – 3 days after their refractive procedure. Your surgical team will discuss your refractive surgery recovery instructions with you in detail to ensure you have optimal healing.

Can I have both eyes treated at the same time?
Generally speaking, yes, patients can elect to have refractive surgery on both eyes. Many patients choose to treat both eyes at the same time to minimize the amount of healing time they experience, rather than having surgery on one eye at a time.

Does refractive surgery hurt?
During the procedure, your eyes will be numbed so that you experience minimal discomfort. Most patients report a sensation of pressure but no pain. Once the procedure is finished, you may experience some minor discomfort, but these should be able to be controlled with over-the-counter medications and eye drops.

Is refractive surgery permanent?
Once the eyes stabilize following surgery, the correction is permanent. Any changes to your vision following surgery would be due to the normal aging process of the eyes.

If you currently depend on glasses or contacts for your best vision and would like to reduce or completely eliminate that dependence, then refractive surgery may be an option for you. Contact an ophthalmologist at Precision Surgery Center of Napa Valley to discuss your different options for refractive surgery in Napa, CA.