LASIK for Athletes
Chicago, Illinois
Glasses and contact lenses are never a safe option for professional athletes who play contact sports. An unexpected fall or a ball’s impact could break the glasses, causing damage to the player’s eyes. Contact lenses can fall out too easily during gameplay, and dirt and sweat can build up underneath them, causing irritation to the eyes. Because of this, many athletes seek out LASIK surgery to correct their visual impairment problems.
Though LASIK offers athletes many benefits, it has its share of risks and setbacks for sports players that must be carefully considered. Not every athlete is a good candidate for LASIK surgery; some of them should consider alternative procedures to correct their vision problems.
The Risks of LASIK Surgery for Athletes
Because of how LASIK works, athletes are more prone to injuring their eye after surgery. During the LASIK procedure, a flap is created on the cornea of your eye, allowing Dr. Golden to reshape your cornea using WaveFront Custom LASIK technology. If an athlete resumes playing contact sports immediately after surgery, they are at risk of dislodging this flap before it has properly healed – causing not only pain, but damage that must be corrected with a follow-up procedure.
REM, or rapid-eye movement, is also common for players who have to always be on the lookout during the course of the game. REM can stress your eyes unnecessarily, causing irritation. If an injury or infection is already starting in the eye, this could prevent an athlete from obtaining optimum results from their LASIK procedure, and lead to other problems post-surgery. For these reasons, LASIK should be approached responsibly by any athlete.
Athletes who play sports like football, baseball, and soccer are lower risk LASIK candidates because the face is not constantly exposed to impact like it is in other sports, such as wrestling and basketball.
The Benefits of LASIK Surgery for Athletes
During a thorough screening and pre-surgical evaluation, Dr. Golden can counsel you about the risks and benefits of LASIK surgery in light of your lifestyle, medical history, and needs. If you are approved for surgery, you will need to avoid sports during the initial tone-week recovery phase, and closely follow all post-operative care instructions given to you by Dr. Golden.
Athletes who are at a higher risk because of their sport (such as wrestling, football, or martial arts) should wait until the off-season to have their surgery.
For those athletes who are good LASIK candidates, the procedure can allow them unparalleled freedom and comfort while playing sports. They won’t have to worry about complications with their contact lenses or their glasses getting knocked off during the game, and they can see clearly, allowing them to excel at their sport. Athletes who approach LASIK carefully and take all necessary precautions before and after surgery can enjoy the benefits of LASIK for years to come.
If you are an athlete and are considering LASIK surgery to correct or improve your vision, please contact the experienced eye surgeons at Doctors For Visual Freedom today to schedule your free LASIK screening. Doctors For Visual Freedom has two offices in Illinois: one in downtown Chicago, and one in Arlington Heights.
Two Locations:
Doctors for Visual Freedom Laser Center
875 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1550
Chicago, IL 60611 | Doctors for Visual Freedom Laser Center
2010 S Arlington Heights Rd, Suite 121
Arlington Heights, IL 60005 |
