Can LASIK Improve Performance for Athletes?
November 15th, 2024
Do you want to enhance your performance on the field or the court? Are visual aids getting in the way of you playing your best?
You may be a good candidate for LASIK. It is a popular vision correction procedure that can provide you with sharp, clear eyesight and reduce your reliance on glasses and contacts.
Keep reading to learn more about whether LASIK can improve performance for athletes.
What is LASIK?
LASIK is a procedure that can correct common refractive errors that cause unfocused vision, like astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness. They tend to be caused by an irregularly shaped eye or cornea, resulting in light not hitting the retina at the optimal spot to create clear images.
LASIK corrects this using specialized lasers to reshape your cornea and direct light towards the center of the retina. Most patients achieve 20/20 vision and are able to reduce or eliminate their reliance on glasses and contacts.
Who is a Good Candidate for LASIK?
If you want to gain more visual freedom and have the opportunity to experience clearer vision than ever before, you may be a good candidate for LASIK. It’s a particularly great procedure for patients with active lifestyles who want to optimize their performance and avoid the hassle of glasses and contacts.
You may also be a good LASIK candidate if you:
- Are 18 or older
- Have had a stable prescription for one year or more
- Not pregnant or breastfeeding
- Do not have autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or Sjogren’s syndrome
- Have thick enough corneas
- Do not have eye conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, or severe dry eye
- Have realistic expectations about what LASIK can achieve
However, the only way to determine whether you are a good candidate for LASIK is to attend a consultation with your eye doctor at Laser Eye Center. They will perform an eye exam, go over your health history, discuss your visual goals, and answer any questions you may have about the procedure.
How LASIK Can Improve Performance for Athletes
Clear vision without visual aids can enhance all parts of your life, whether relaxing at home watching your favorite sitcom or out on the field getting into the game. LASIK can be particularly beneficial for athletes, offering:
Freedom from Glasses and Contacts
Glasses can become a hassle when trying to focus on the game in front of you. They can fall off, slip down your nose, and fog up, costing you valuable time.
This can be a challenge for most athletes, as seconds can matter when guarding the goal or sinking the ball into the basket. Unfortunately, contacts don’t always provide a solution either.
For swimmers, wearing contacts can actually be a health risk, as water can get trapped beneath them and cause eye infections. After LASIK, you won’t have to rely on visual aids for clear eyesight and can trust in peak visual performance 24/7.
Higher Visual Acuity
LASIK can not only correct your refractive errors but also give you better visual acuity than ever before. With better depth perception and hand-eye coordination, you won’t have to worry about missing that spike, and with improved reaction time, you can dodge defense the second they cross your line of sight.
Wider Field of Vision
Aside from improving your visual acuity, LASIK can also improve your peripheral vision. This is very beneficial for team sports like soccer, so you can be aware of where your teammates are and make the perfect pass.
Less Risk of Eye Injuries
Glasses have the potential to break during strenuous physical activity, which could result in an eye injury. LASIK can enhance your safety by giving you crystal-clear vision with your own two eyes.
It’s important to note that if you play contact sports like boxing, you may want to consider PRK instead. It can lessen your risk of complications from potential injuries and offers the same visual benefits as LASIK.
Do you want to learn more about how LASIK can enhance your athletic performance? Schedule a consultation at Laser Eye Center in Huntsville, AL, today!
