Posted by: Manhattan LASIK Center

LASIK is a surgical eye procedure that aims to correct vision issues. It can correct astigmatism, myopia, and hyperopia. It is an elective procedure. Surprisingly, LASIK has been gaining popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many people have been turning to this surgical procedure for many reasons. Consequently, many eye care centers are taking more precautionary measures. This maintains the patient’s safety throughout the process.

Safety Protocols

Safety procedures and protocols had to change in the wake of the pandemic. Many hospitals and eye care centers have been deploying stringent measures to ensure the spread of coronavirus does not happen in their facilities. Some of them include:
 

1) Preoperative Measures

During this stage, medical specialists take your temperature. They also look for symptoms like coughing and dyspnea. This happens before entering the facilities. You will also have to answer a few questions about recent travels or suspicious exposures.

If you fail any of these exams, the LASIK procedure will not proceed. Social distancing and hand hygiene using a recommended solution are a requirement. You also must wear a surgical mask while waiting.

2) Perioperative Measures

Doctors perform the LASIK surgery in a sterilized environment. Patients must always keep their masks on. The medical staff wears disposable gowns, N95 masks, and sterile gloves. They also perform surgical hand scrubs before and after each surgery.

After the surgery, they clean the machines and operating tables thoroughly with an alcohol-based solution. This ensures the environment is safe for the LASIK procedure.

3) Additional Protocols

  • Although the Center for Disease Control eased mask-wearing measures for vaccinated individuals, the recommendations have not changed for healthcare settings. It means if you have a LASIK appointment, you need to wear a mask regardless of your vaccination status.
  • As per CDC recommendations, many healthcare facilities have improved outside airflow. They have increased HEPA air filters, resulting in more comfort in the facility and better airflow. More importantly, this protocol alleviates the risk of spreading COVID-19. 
  • Some eye care providers may ask you to wait outside the facility or in your car instead of the traditional waiting area. They will also ask you to bring only people who need to be with you during the appointment. It protects you, the office staff, and other patients from exposure to the virus.
  • Your eye doctor may wear personal protective equipment in addition to the traditional ones they wear. They may use a special breath shield over their eyes during the procedure and ask you to avoid speaking until the surgery is over. Afterward, you can communicate with them when you are both at a safe distance. It reduces the risk of exposure to the coronavirus. 

Benefits of LASIK Eye Surgery During the COVID-19 Pandemic 

Hospitals and eye care centers are taking all safety precautions during the pandemic. For this reason, it is safe to get LASIK eye surgery if you are a good candidate. Some of the benefits associated with undergoing the procedure during the COVID-19 pandemic include:

1) Getting Rid of Foggy Eyeglasses

Wearing a mask to limit the spread of the coronavirus has its difficulties. People who rely on prescription glasses every day face the challenge of foggy glasses. As you breathe, the warm air escaping your mask condenses on your lenses, creating fog. It is a nuisance as you must repeatedly adjust your mask or glasses. With LASIK, you eliminate this problem.

2) Less Touch of Your Eyes

Before the coronavirus pandemic, putting in your contact lenses was not a big deal. But as it is possible to spread germs from your hands to your eyes, the risk of COVID-19 exposure increases. With LASIK eye surgery, this risk decreases. Furthermore, the tiresome task of sanitizing your glasses or contacts goes away.

3) Saves You Money

Contact lenses and prescription glasses need constant updating. It is to rectify your gradual vision loss due to aging. Besides, glasses may break or get lost, which is a costly affair. During the pandemic, people’s spending power has significantly decreased due to a struggling economy.

You may not afford to keep replacing or upgrading your prescriptions as you did before. Although LASIK eye surgery may seem like a large one-time cost, it saves you money over the long term. Take a look at our LASIK Savings Calculator to see how much it can save you over the years!

For more on LASIK surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic, contact Manhattan LASIK Center in Manhattan, New York, at (212) 759-9617 to schedule an appointment today.