LASIK is a modern type of laser eye surgery, and it treats several vision problems. The name stands for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, which describes how a surgeon reshapes the eye. The procedure is performed on each eye. This is what happens during each stage of the LASIK surgery process:
Using Lasers to Cut
The LASIK surgery process typically starts with numbing eye drops. You stay awake the whole time, and a small device holds your eyelids open. Before any cutting begins, the surgeon places a suction ring on your eye. You may feel mild pressure or briefly lose vision at this stage.
Once your eye is steady, a femtosecond laser creates a thin flap in the cornea. The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped front layer of your eye. The surgeon lifts this flap gently, and the tissue underneath becomes exposed.
Reshaping the Cornea
After the flap opens, a second laser removes tiny amounts of corneal tissue. This excimer laser uses cool ultraviolet light, and it follows a detailed map of your eye. Your surgeon creates this map during your pre-surgery exam.
The reshaping step lasts less than a minute in most cases. When the laser finishes, the surgeon lays the flap back in place. The flap needs no stitches, and it begins to seal on its own within hours.
The reshaped cornea allows light to focus properly on the retina, improving vision clarity. This entire process is both precise and quick, taking only a few minutes per eye. While the flap starts healing almost immediately, patients are advised to follow post-surgery care instructions carefully to ensure optimal recovery and results.
Correcting Vision
LASIK treats refractive errors, and these errors affect how light focuses inside your eye. Each type involves a different corneal shape. The laser pattern changes depending on which type you have. There are four kinds of refractive errors that appear:
- Nearsightedness: Distant objects look blurry.
- Farsightedness: Close objects look blurry.
- Astigmatism: Uneven cornea distorts vision at all distances.
- Presbyopia: Hard time seeing objects up close.
While many patients reach 20/20 vision, results vary from person to person. Your prescription, age, and corneal thickness all affect the outcome. Some people need a follow-up procedure called an enhancement, and your surgeon will discuss this possibility with you.
Eliminating Glasses or Contacts
Many LASIK patients stop wearing glasses for daily tasks, but no surgeon guarantees this outcome. Middle-aged adults may still need reading glasses because of presbyopia, an age-related focusing change. LASIK does not stop this natural process. Your surgeon will schedule follow-up visits to track your healing. Surgeons typically review several factors before approving you for surgery:
- Your prescription has stayed stable for at least one year.
- You are 18 or older.
- Your corneas have enough thickness for safe reshaping.
- You have no active eye infections or severe dry eye.
Book a LASIK Surgery Consultation
If you have questions about LASIK, a consultation offers a clear starting point. The exam takes one to two hours, and it includes detailed corneal measurements. Bring your current glasses, contact lens details, and a list of your medications. Ask about pricing, insurance coverage, and payment options when you call to schedule.
