LASIK combines the use of two technologies: the microkeratome and the excimer laser. The microkeratome is a device used for many years in laser eye surgery to create corneal flaps. Once the flap is made it is folded back to allow the excimer laser to treat the corneal bed where it “re-shapes” the cornea and thereby changes where the image focuses on the retina. When laser eye surgery is complete, the flap is simply folded back and smoothed into position. The benefits of this procedure include minimal discomfort and rapid visual rehabilitation, following laser eye surgery.

Several controlled clinical trials have been conducted to evaluate the safety of Lasik. Following these studies, laser eye surgery systems were approved by the FDA as safe for the correction of various vision problems. There are, as with any surgical procedure, certain safety issues and risks that anyone contemplating Lasik should be aware of. These are made clear in our consent form

As qualified eye care practitioners we can confirm, based on a comprehensive pre-operative examination, if you are a candidate for Lasik.

Most people feel nothing more than mild discomfort during or after the procedure and no real pain. Because your eyes are “numbed” with eye drops before the procedure, you should not feel pain throughout the Lasik procedure. During the creation of the corneal flap, you may feel some pressure. The application of the actual laser beam should also be painless. There are no stitches involved. The corneal flap is simply laid back into place and it adheres to the rest of the cornea.

Most patients prefer to have both eyes done at the same time, considering how little time the procedure takes for both eyes, it is simply more convenient. You will normally spend around an hour and a half in the clinic but the actual procedure is usually completed within 15 to 20 minutes.

This is extremely rare, but as with any surgical procedure, there can always be a risk of infection. However, the laser beam itself cannot transmit infectious matter. Furthermore, as with any surgical procedure, to protect against infection, the microkeratome used to create the corneal flap is disposable. After the procedure, the surgeon will provide you with prescription eye drops to guard against any post procedure infection. If you use these drops as directed by the surgeon, the risk of infection is extremely rare.

Most patients return to work the next day.

You will probably need to limit only the most strenuous activities, and probably just for the first few weeks following the procedure. (Remember you should not drive a car immediately after the procedure). Most people return to work the next day, unless your job might cause injury to your eyes before they are completely healed. You should not engage in activities such as contact sports or swimming, where you could injure your eyes as they heal.

In the first few days after surgery, your vision may actually be a bit more blurry than usual, and you may be sensitive to bright light. This is because the cornea is still healing after the laser eye surgery. As the cornea heals, the blurring and high sensitivity to light should diminish. Post Lasik eyes are often dry, but drops will help this condition until they return to normal. As for your actual post-Lasik vision, it will be tested, usually the next day or within a few days of the laser eye surgery. Your vision may continue to improve over the first few weeks. On subsequent visits, your eyes will be tested for vision, healing, and to check for any possible side effects.

Laser eye surgery vision correction is a permanent procedure. Although a small percentage of patients still may require low prescription glasses for certain activities, the vast majority of patients are able to stop wearing contact lenses or glasses altogether.

In all likelihood, yes. Most people who wear reading glasses continue to need them even after laser eye surgery. The reason? They suffer from presbyopia, a visual condition occurring with age, which laser eye surgery does not address.

Yes, in fact there are certain outcomes that may benefit from a contact lens, e.g. as a temporary bandage lens, or as a temporary visual enhancement, or as a temporary improvement for a particular working distance.

This is not common, but in no way means your laser eye surgery was unsuccessful. When a surgeon believes that further improvement of a patient’s vision could be achieved, he/she may advise an enhancement.