LASIK Frequently Asked Questions
LASIK is performed with anesthetic eye drops, which make the procedure relatively painless. There is no sensation of anything touching the eye. Some patients may feel a slight sensation of pressure on their lids, but they do not describe it as painful.
Most people choose to take an oral sedative for relaxation. A gentle lid holder is used to prevent blinking. A light inside the laser provides a target to focus on during the entire procedure. Even the most sensitive patients are able to have LASIK.
Yes, unless a patient specifically chooses to have one eye done at a time. Most patients want to have their vision corrected with minimum travel and healing time, and performing both eyes at once normally yields the most rapid visual recovery.
The entire procedure takes ten to fifteen minutes to complete for both eyes. The actual laser exposure time is typically less than 30 seconds per eye.
Typically, patients are able to see immediately after the procedure, however, vision will be foggy for the first several hours. Vision will normally improve for the first 24 hours and most patients are able to drive the first morning after their procedure.
Nearly all patients have recovered vision enough to work and resume all normal activities within 48 hours. The quality of your vision will usually continue to improve over a period of several weeks.
A high percentage of patients achieve 20/20 vision from LASIK, and nearly all patients achieve 20/40 vision; the level of vision needed to drive without correction. However, patients who expect to have 20/20 vision from the procedure and who would be unhappy with anything less are advised not to have LASIK. No one can guarantee a 20/20 result.
After the anesthetic drops wear off, patients usually describe approximately 3 to 4 hours of mild discomfort, scratchiness, watering, light sensitivity, and a sensation of something in their eyes. We normally prescribe medication for pain; however, many patients simply sleep for three hours after the procedure and do not require pain medications.
If your prescription is stable, LASIK is intended to change your prescription permanently. LASIK will not change the fact that your eyes will age, however, and therefore no guarantee can be made that your prescription will never change again.
As with any medical procedure, there are risks and complications which may occur in LASIK. Serious sight threatening complications are rare. Every patient should carefully read the informed consent document before they receive LASIK, and discuss any concerns with the doctor.
If reading glasses are not required before the procedure, a full correction with LASIK will generally not cause you to need them right away. However, as a result of the normal aging process of the eye, reading glasses are normally needed by age 42. If you currently wear bifocal glasses or reading glasses over your contacts, you may be a candidate for monovision, which leaves one eye slightly nearsighted so that reading glasses may not be required.
Patients should not rub their eyes or swim for two weeks after the procedure. Normal activities may resume the first day after the procedure including golf, tennis, or other exercise.
Depending on your occupation, most patients may return to work within 24 – 48 hours.
