8 Things to Know About LASIK Surgery

Doctor William C Lloyd Healthgrades Medical Reviewer
Medically Reviewed By William C. Lloyd III, MD, FACS
Written By Sarah Lewis, PharmD on November 3, 2020
  • Female eyes
    A Closer Look at LASIK
    LASIK stands for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. During LASIK, doctors remove very thin layers of the cornea with a laser. This changes the cornea’s shape and produces clearer vision. LASIK corrects refractive errors like farsightedness and nearsightedness as well as astigmatism. Here’s more information about the procedure, including the limitations, risks, and expected vision improvement.
  • Woman With Glasses and Eye Test Chart
    1. LASIK is not for everyone with a refractive error.
    LASIK can treat certain degrees of refractive errors. People with severe vision problems may not be eligible. You also need to have stable vision to qualify for LASIK. This means that your prescription has not changed in the past year. People who have unstable vision can include those less than 20 years of age, pregnant or breastfeeding women, women in menopause, and people with certain medical conditions. Talk with your doctor to find out if you are a good candidate.
  • LASIK
    2. Your doctor creates a flap in the cornea before reshaping it.
    You will be awake during LASIK surgery, so it’s important to know what to expect. Your doctor will numb your eye with eye drops and place an eyelid holder to prevent blinking. You will feel a suction ring on your eye that helps the doctor create a flap in your cornea. Your vision will go black during this time. The doctor corrects your vision with a laser. Then, the doctor closes the corneal flap. Talk with your doctor about sedation if you are nervous about the procedure.
  • Optometrist Checking Eyesight
    3. Many people reach 20/20 vision after LASIK.
    The goal of LASIK is to correct vision to 20/40 or better without glasses or contacts. This is fully functional vision that does not require corrective lenses to drive in most states. Nearly all people reach this goal. In fact, most people end up with 20/20 vision or better. Good results are more likely for people with mild to moderate vision problems. It becomes less certain for people with a strong vision prescription or with a lot of astigmatism. 
  • Laser eye surgery close-up
    4. You can minimize your risks with an experienced eye surgeon.
    In the hands of a skilled doctor, LASIK is generally a very safe procedure. Like any procedure, there are risks. These include corneal scarring, dry eye syndrome, infection, over- or under-correction, and visual distortions. If you are considering LASIK, be sure to find a board-certified ophthalmologist (eye surgeon) with plenty of experience and expertise in performing LASIK. You can research doctors near you at Healthgrades.com.
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    5. You’ll feel pressure but not pain during the procedure.
    During surgery, your eyes are numb and you may have sedation to help you relax. You will feel pressure on your eye. It’s an odd sensation, but it doesn’t hurt. Breathe steadily to calm yourself. After surgery, you may feel discomfort or mild pain in your eyes. You may also have watery, itchy eyes or have blurry or distorted vision. These symptoms often go away within a few days. Your doctor can recommend a pain reliever. You will also have eye drops to prevent infection, reduce swelling, and relieve dryness.
  • Contacts & The Sun
    6. You’ll have restrictions on certain activities for two months.
    In most cases, you can return to work and daily activities within a day or two. This gives your eyes time to rest and heal. For the first couple of weeks, your doctor may advise you to avoid strenuous activities and sports. You should also avoid creams, lotions, makeup, and getting water in your eyes during this time. Avoid swimming pools, hot tubs, and whirlpools for the first couple of months. Full healing can take up to two months.
  • Check Writing
    7. LASIK costs average $1800 per eye.
    Most insurance plans do not cover LASIK surgery, but vision plans often offer a discount. Many doctors have an all-inclusive fee for the evaluation, procedure, post-surgery appointments, and a touch-up procedure. Prices range from $500 to $3000 per eye, with an average of $1800. Understand what the fee covers when comparing prices. See if the office will finance the procedure or break your payment into chunks. Don’t automatically go with the least expensive doctor. Your satisfaction with the results is as important as your cost.
  • At the Optician
    8. You may have alternatives to LASIK.
    LASIK is not an option for everyone with a vision problem. Sticking with glasses or contact lenses is always an alternative to having surgery. But there are also surgeries other than LASIK that may improve your vision. Other techniques include conventional laser PRK (no flap) as well as using radiofrequency energy and intraocular lens implants to predictably correct vision. Talk with your doctor about all your treatment options and find out which one is best for you.
8 Things to Know About LASIK Surgery
LASIK
  1. Alternative Refractive Surgery Procedures. American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/glasses-contacts-lasik/refractive-surgery-alternative-procedures....
  2. LASIK. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/medicaldevices/productsandmedicalprocedures/surgeryandlifesupport/lasik/default.h....
  3. LASIK — Laser Eye Surgery. American Academy of Ophthalmology. http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/glasses-contacts-lasik/lasik.cfm.
  4. LASIK Surgery. Eye Surgery Education Council. http://www.eyesurgeryeducation.com/surgery-options-lasik-about.php.
  5. The Costs of LASIK Surgery. AboutLASIK. http://www.aboutlasik.info/lasik-cost.html
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Last Review Date: 2020 Nov 3
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