LASIK Eye Surgery Procedure

What To Know About LASIK

LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) serves as a widely used form of vision correction surgery. This procedure uses a precise laser to change the shape of the cornea, the clear, rounded surface at the front of the eye.

By changing the curvature of the cornea, LASIK helps light focus more accurately on the retina, resulting in clearer vision. Common vision problems that LASIK can treat include:

Nearsightedness
Farsightedness
Astigmatism

LASIK can offer a long-term way to manage refractive errors. Most vision correction procedures like this aim for improved clarity without daily eyewear. People considering LASIK should discuss their options with a healthcare provider.

Reasons for LASIK Surgery

LASIK addresses common vision problems caused by refractive errors. These issues include:

Nearsightedness (Myopia): People with this condition see close objects clearly, but objects farther away appear blurry. This happens when the eyeball is longer than usual or the cornea is too curved.
Farsightedness (Hyperopia): People with farsightedness have trouble seeing nearby objects, while objects at a distance may be clearer. This occurs when the eyeball is too short or the cornea is too flat.
Astigmatism: An uneven curve or flattening of the cornea causes blurry vision both up close and at a distance.

Most people interested in LASIK already use glasses or contact lenses to manage their vision. Some may switch to LASIK to reduce or eliminate their dependence on these aids.

Vision Issue	Typical Correction	LASIK Role
Nearsightedness	Glasses and contact lenses.	Reshapes cornea for clarity.
Farsightedness	Glasses and contact lenses.	Adjusts focus for sharpness.
Astigmatism	Glasses and contact lenses.	Enhances the curvature of the cornea for a more uniform shape.

Possible Surgical Risks

LASIK eye surgery is a common procedure, but like all surgeries, it carries some risks and side effects. Although the chance of losing vision due to complications is very rare, problems can still occur during the healing process.

Most people recover well, but some issues may appear shortly after surgery. These side effects are usually temporary and tend to improve as the eyes continue to heal over time.

Health Issues That Raise the Chance of Complications

Certain medical conditions can make LASIK surgery less safe or affect how well it works. People with autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or weakened immune systems from medications or infections like HIV may struggle to heal properly after the procedure.

Eye health also plays a major role. Chronic dry eye before surgery can worsen the condition and is often a reason doctors may advise against LASIK.

Other eye issues like persistent swelling, lid disorders, or diseases such as uveitis, herpes simplex, glaucoma, and cataracts can raise the risk of complications during or after the procedure.

Corneal problems, including thinning or keratoconus, are also known to heighten surgical risks. LASIK may not be ideal for those whose vision has changed quickly due to hormonal changes, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or certain medications, as their results may be unstable.

Below are some common problems that can happen after LASIK:

Possible Issue	Description	How Common	How Long It Lasts
Dry Eyes	Reduced tearing, gritty sensation	Common	Weeks to months
Night Vision Changes	Glare, halos, double vision	Common	Few days to weeks
Undercorrection	Not enough tissue removed	Less Common	May require a second fix
Overcorrection	Too much tissue removed	Less Common	Harder to correct
Flap Complications	Infection, abnormal healing	Rare	Depends on treatment
Corneal Ectasia	Thinning and bulging of cornea	Very Rare	May need more treatment
Regression	Vision returns towards original state	Rare	May need more surgery
Vision Loss	Loss of sharpness or clarity	Very Rare	Can be permanent

Dry Eyes: After surgery, the eyes may produce fewer tears. This leads to a dry, scratchy feeling and may cause blurred vision, especially in the first six months. Some people need extra treatments like tear duct plugs or prescription eye drops.
Night Vision Issues: People may notice glare, halos, or double vision, especially in dim light or at night. These issues usually go away within a few weeks but might be more noticeable in low-light situations.
Visual Errors: If the surgeon does not remove the correct amount of tissue, undercorrection or overcorrection can occur.
- Undercorrection: If too little corneal tissue is removed during the procedure, vision may remain blurry or less clear than expected. In many cases, a follow-up enhancement surgery may be needed to achieve the desired results.
- Overcorrection: Removing too much corneal tissue can result in vision problems that are more difficult to correct or reverse.
- Removing tissue unevenly can lead to astigmatism, which often needs further treatment.
Problems With the Eye Flap: The surgeon makes a flap in the cornea during LASIK. Poor healing or problems creating the flap can result in infection or abnormal tissue growth. This may cause pain, light sensitivity, or watery eyes.
Corneal Ectasia: Weakness in the cornea can cause it to bulge and lose its shape. This can lead to more vision problems and may need further treatment.
Regression: In rare instances, vision may gradually revert to the prescription that was in place prior to surgery. In this case, another correction procedure may be necessary.
Worsening Vision or Loss: In rare cases, permanent changes to vision, including loss of sharpness, can happen.

When LASIK Might Not Be Suggested

Doctors may advise against LASIK for people who:

Have a disease that makes the cornea thin or bulge (e.g., keratoconus).
Have a family history of corneal diseases.
Have severe nearsightedness.
Have larger than normal pupils.
Have thin corneas.
Experience changes in vision due to age.
Participate in sports with a high risk of facial injury.

It is important for each person to talk with a doctor about concerns and health history before scheduling LASIK.

Getting Ready for the Procedure

Before considering LASIK, individuals should consult an eye doctor or ophthalmologist to determine if they are suitable candidates for the procedure.

One key requirement is a stable vision prescription, typically unchanged for at least a year, which helps ensure more predictable results after surgery. Because LASIK is usually considered an elective procedure, most insurance plans do not cover the cost.

Patients should plan ahead financially and budget for the full expense. To help prepare for a smooth and safe experience, consider the following checklist:

Clean Eyelashes: Follow your clinic’s specific instructions for cleaning your eyelashes to help reduce the chance of infection during surgery.
Financial Readiness: Understand the total cost of the procedure and confirm payment arrangements.
Arrange Transportation: Plan for someone to drive you home after the surgery, as your vision may be blurry or sensitive to light.
Avoid Eye Products: Avoid using makeup, creams, or lotions around the eyes for at least 24 hours before the procedure, as these may increase the risk of irritation or infection.

A thorough discussion with your eye care provider ensures all preparation steps are properly followed and enhances your chances for a smooth recovery.

What You Can Expect

Getting Ready for Your Eye Surgery

Doctors get better long-term results when they carefully check if someone is a good fit for this surgery. Part of this process involves reviewing the person’s medical history and performing a full eye exam.

If a person wears contact lenses, the doctor will advise them to stop using them for at least a few weeks before their eye checkup and procedure. This is because contact lenses can change the shape of the cornea. Glasses should be used during this time instead.

The doctor then measures the cornea closely, looking at its shape, curve, thickness, and any unusual areas. This helps determine which parts need to be reshaped and how much tissue should be removed.

A special test called wavefront-guided mapping is also done. It uses a scanner to create a highly detailed map of the person’s eye. This information helps the doctor reshape the cornea as precisely as possible. The more accurate the measurements, the better the outcome.

Before moving forward, the doctor explains the risks and benefits of the surgery. They go over what to expect before, during, and after the procedure, and take time to answer any questions the person may have.

How To Prepare

Task	Why It’s Needed	When
Stop wearing contacts.	Let the cornea return to its natural shape.	Weeks before surgery.
Eye health check.	Make sure eyes are healthy enough.	During the evaluation visit.
Cornea measurement.	Plan the surgery for best results.	Before surgery.
Go over risks and benefits.	Make informed choices.	Before giving consent.

Steps During the Surgical Process

The entire LASIK procedure usually takes less than 30 minutes for both eyes. The doctor begins by asking the person to lie on their back in a reclined chair. If the person feels nervous, medicine may be given to help them relax.

Numbing eye drops are applied, and a small tool is used to keep the eyelids open. Next, the doctor places a suction ring on the eye to hold it steady before creating the corneal flap.

This step may cause a feeling of pressure, and vision might dim briefly. A special blade or laser is then used to cut a thin flap in the outer layer of the cornea. The flap is gently lifted to expose the inner cornea.

Using a precise laser guided by a detailed map created earlier, the doctor removes a small amount of corneal tissue with each pulse. This reshaping allows light to focus more accurately on the retina, improving vision.

Once the reshaping is complete, the flap is carefully placed back in position. The flap heals by itself and does not need stitches. Throughout the procedure, the surgeon may ask the patient to focus on a specific point of light to help maintain proper eye alignment.

It’s also normal for some people to notice a slight smell—often compared to burnt hair—during the laser portion of the surgery. Most of the time, the doctor treats both eyes during the same visit.

What Tools Are Used

Tool	Purpose
Numbing drops	Prevent pain.
Eyelid holder	Keeps eye open.
Suction ring	Holds eye steady.
Blade/laser	Creates flap.
Excimer laser	Removes corneal tissue.

Important

Patient should stay as still as possible and focus on the given point.
Communicate with the doctor if feeling discomfort.

What Happens After Your Operation

Right after surgery, the eye may itch, burn, feel gritty, or water. Vision will likely be blurry at first but usually begins to clear up within a few days. Some discomfort is normal, though serious pain is rare.

Doctors often provide eye drops or medication to ease burning and keep the eye moist. At night, patients may need to wear a protective shield to prevent rubbing the eye while sleeping.

The healing process typically begins quickly. For most people, vision improves significantly within a few days. In some, it could take 2–3 months before their eyesight fully stabilizes and the cornea finishes healing.

Stages of Recovery

Time After Surgery	What to Expect
Immediately	Gritty, watery, burning, blurry vision
First 1-2 days	Better vision; scheduled doctor visit
First few weeks	Gradual clearing; avoid rubbing eyes
2-3 months	Full healing and steady vision for most people

There will be a follow-up visit with the doctor a day or two after the procedure. The doctor checks that the cornea is healing and looks for any problems.

Additional checkups may be scheduled over the next few months, depending on the doctor’s advice. To avoid irritation or infection, patients should not use eye makeup for a few weeks.

Swimming, playing rough sports, or using hot tubs should also be avoided for several weeks after the procedure. It is important to follow the doctor’s instructions carefully, especially when it comes to resuming normal activities.

Outcomes

Most people who choose laser eye procedures such as LASIK experience much sharper vision soon after recovery. Many achieve at least 20/40 vision, which lets them do most daily tasks without wearing glasses.

A high percentage, especially those with mild nearsightedness, even reach 20/20 vision. However, results vary based on factors like prescription strength, overall eye health, age, and how the eyes heal after surgery.

Success rates tend to be lower for people with more severe nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, but LASIK still often leads to significant improvement in vision.

Some key points about refractive surgery outcomes include:

No Glasses for Most Tasks: Over 80% of patients do not need glasses or contacts most of the time.
Potential Need for Repeat Procedures: In some cases, one surgery doesn’t fully correct the vision, and an additional LASIK procedure may be recommended.
Rare Vision Regression: A small number of patients may notice their vision slowly returns to its previous level due to healing patterns or changes in the eye over time.