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So you’re a candidate for LASIK surgery and your procedure is coming up. What happens next? Or during? After? If you’re wondering what the LASIK eye surgery procedure is going to be like, the following will let you know what to expect at different stages of LASIK treatment.

Before the LASIK Surgery Procedure

You optometrist will give you a thorough eye exam to ensure you eyes are healthy and you are a suitable candidate for laser vision correction. The optometrist will check for glaucoma, cataracts, and other disqualifying conditions. A machine called a corneal topographer will be used on your eyes to take photographs and electronic map of your eye. The surgeon to plan your surgery for the most precise results possible will use this map.

The Day of LASIK Surgery

Custom LASIK is an outpatient procedure, which means you will spend about one hour in the doctor’s office and you will leave. You will have to have someone drive you home because your vision might be blurry immediately following the procedure. In preparation for the procedure you will sit in a reclining chair. The LASIK eye surgeon will then place anesthetic eye drops into your eyes. Your head will be positioned under the laser and an eyelid speculum will be placed on your eye to hold the eyelid open. With LASIK, the surgeon creates a thin flap in the top of the cornea, folds it back where it remains out of the way, uses the laser to reshape the cornea by removing or steepening the tissue of the cornea. Then the flap is placed back to cover and act as a natural band aid for the opening.

After LASIK Surgery

Following the LASIK procedure the surgeon will place eye drop or ointment in your eye. You will be allowed to relax for a little bit, then you will be instructed to go home and rest. You may notice clearer vision immediately, or it may improve as the weeks pass.

When can I drive again?

As soon as you are able to see well enough, you can begin driving.  This does not include the day of the procedure.

Can I go back to work right away?

A few people return to work the next day, but your surgeon will recommended two or three days of rest before returning to work.

How many checkups are required following the procedure?

You will more than likely go in for a checkup the day after the procedure, then one week later, then one month later, and then three months later. This time schedule will depend on the surgeon, and your surgeon will let you know if any more checkups are required.

What if my vision is not improved and plenty of time has passed?

A small number of patients see well after the procedure and then they will experience a regression in their vision. If this should happen to you, you will want to consult with your surgeon for to determine the cause and to see if retreatment is appropriate. To learn more about LASIK as well as CK (conductive keratoplasty), PRK, and other eye care options, it is important to visit our laser vision correction office near Tacoma and Gig Harbor.

If you have questions about LASIK and what it involves, there are answers available you should know. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about LASIK eye surgery.

What is LASIK?

LASIK is a surgical vision correction procedure that utilizes a beam of light to gently reshape the cornea, which is the surface of the eye to correct vision that would usually be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. The laser removes microscopic amounts of tissue to flatten the cornea for the correction of myopia or nearsightedness. For the correction of hyperopia or farsightedness the laser is used make the cornea steeper. For the correction of astigmatism the laser is used to smooth out irregularities in the cornea. The use of a laser to reshape the cornea makes the eye focus on images better for sharper vision. LASIK is just one of the laser vision correction procedures available to create these changes in the eye and vision.

Is LASIK safe?

The FDA has approved LASIK and the FDA recognizes LASIK to be a proven, safe, and effective procedure for correcting eye anomalies. The laser used in the vision correction procedure is a cool [not thermal] beam of light that is computer controlled, and can be turned on and off by the surgeon. There are numerous safeguards in place to reduce the risk of error. There are some risks however, associated with the surgical procedure. Studies suggest that minor difficulties such as dry eyes and nighttime glare is around 3 to 5 percent. The risk of the serious nature, such as loss of vision is thought to be less than 1 percent. To date there are no know cases of blindness caused by LASIK.

Can I have the procedure performed on both eyes at the same time?

The majority of LASIK eye surgeons perform the procedure on both eyes at the same time

Does laser vision correction hurt?

Your surgeon will place anesthetic drops into your eyes, which will prevent you from feeling any pain during the procedure. Following the procedure the surgeon my prescribe medication if you should feel any pain or discomfort associated with the procedure. A number of LASIK patients have stated there was nothing more than mild discomfort for a day or so. Many times there is an itchy feeling, as if sand were in the eye.

How long does the LASIK surgery last?

The laser treatment takes less than a minute, while the entire process takes around 15 minutes per eye. To learn more about LASIK as well as PRK, CK (conductive keratoplasty), glaucoma treatment, and cataract surgery, it is important to visit our laser vision correction office near Tacoma and Gig Harbor.