LASIK FAQ

LASIK surgery was approved by the FDA in 1999. It has been estimated that around 10 million Americans opt for LASIK eye surgery every year, being the most popular elective surgery, according to Market Scope. Eric Donnenfeld, MD, a former president of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, states that in his experience, 96% to 98% of LASIK patients end up with a 20/20 vision, with minimum or no complications. Despite being termed safe, every surgery has its pros and cons and may pose risks for future complications. It is essential to be aware of all aspects related to the procedure you wish to undergo.

You will have to go through a thorough evaluation and a comprehensive eye examination to determine if you are eligible for LASIK. Then only can your doctor inform you if your LASIK surgery will have a successful outcome or not?

Despite being safe, there may be some complications and side-effects after the surgery like dry eyes, glare, halos, and starbursts, which may never actually go away. In some rare cases, long-term complications like nerve damage, eye infections, vision loss, chronic pain, and detached retinas have been reported as well.

Why should I get LASIK done?

You can altogether ditch the glasses and contact lenses with LASIK surgery as it corrects refractive imperfections of your eyes permanently. In LASIK surgery, your doctor uses a special laser for precise and controlled removal of corneal tissue to reshape the cornea. This changes its focusing power, thus correcting your blurry vision. It is a simple, fast, easy, and hassle-free option with minimum complications.

In LASIK surgery, your cornea’s tissue is precisely removed with the help of a special laser to reshape the cornea. This removes the imperfections previously present, thus changing its focusing power. LASIK surgery is an outpatient surgery, and you need not get admitted to the hospital for this. It takes around 30 to 40 minutes for the entire surgery. This surgery is performed under local anesthesia. You need to lie down on the reclining chair, and your eyes will be numbed using eye drops. Your doctor will use the laser to perform the surgery. If you require LASIK in both eyes, that can be done on the same day. You can go home immediately afterward. It is a simple and painless surgery.

You will generally not need any eyeglasses or contact lenses after the LASIK surgery. Still, in some cases where the initial eye power before the surgery is very high, some eye power may return, known as Myopic regression. You may also have to wear glasses as you grow older.

Yes. Absolutely. On average, the time for immediate recovery after LASIK surgery is generally six to 12 hours. But this is different for each patient and depends on a lot of factors like how good the vision was before surgery. Usually, most patients can see clearly within 24 hours after the LASIK surgery, but it may take two to five days for many to recover fully. Most people can perform daily activities the next day after the surgery itself.

LASIK’s cost is determined by many factors, such as where you are getting it done, your pre-surgery conditions, and your treatment plan. Because of this, the pricing may differ in each case. Usually, LASIK is not covered by insurance, as it is considered an elective or cosmetic procedure.