What is LASIK?
LASIK (Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis) is a type of eye surgery that helps people see better without glasses or contact lenses. It is effective for nearsighted, farsighted, or astigmatic patients.
Who Can Get LASIK?
1. You must be at least 18 years old. There's no upper age limit.
2. Your eye prescription should be stable for at least one year.
3. It works best for people with nearsightedness between 1 and 12 diopters, farsightedness between 1 and 6 diopters, and astigmatism between 1 and 4 diopters.
How is LASIK Performed?
The LASIK procedure involves these steps:
1. A small flap is created on the cornea using a tool called a microkeratome.
2. The flap is moved to the side, and a laser beam reshapes the cornea underneath.
3. The flap is moved to the side, and a laser beam reshapes the cornea underneath.
Before the surgery, detailed measurements of your eye are taken. On the day of the surgery, local anaesthetic eye drops are used to prevent pain. You lie down under the laser machine, fix your gaze on a light, and the laser does its job in about 20 to 60 seconds per eye. The entire procedure takes less than 10 minutes.
Can Both Eyes Be Treated the Same Day?
Yes, usually, both eyes are treated on the same day. However, sometimes, a person may choose to do one eye at a time.
Does the Procedure Hurt?
Right after the surgery, your vision will be blurry, which is normal. Your vision will start improving over the next few hours and should get much better within a few days. Most people wake up the next morning with significantly better vision.
Will I Be Completely Free from Glasses?
95% of people will not need glasses after LASIK. However, 5% may still need glasses sometimes due to minor healing differences, but their dependence on glasses will be significantly reduced. If required, a follow-up laser treatment can be done after six months.
Are LASIK Results Permanent?
Yes, the changes made to your cornea during LASIK are permanent. However, as you age, your vision may still change, like needing reading glasses after the age of 40, which is typical for everyone.
How Long Will I Need to Use Medications?
Typically, you'll need to use eye drops for 3 to 6 weeks after the surgery. This depends on how much correction was done and how well your eyes heal.
When Can I Go Back to Work?
Most people can see well enough to drive the day after the surgery. However, the best vision may take 2 to 3 weeks to achieve, and in some cases, even a few months.
How Safe is LASIK?
LASIK is very safe, but like any surgery, there are some risks. These risks are infrequent if proper pre-surgery tests are done. These tests include measuring the cornea's thickness, mapping the cornea's surface, and checking the retina. In our experience, no one has ever lost their sight due to this procedure.
How Will My Eyes Be After 10 to 20 Years?
Based on surgeries done in the last 20 years, the long-term results are very positive. The healing response of the eye has been good, and doctors have no reason to worry about long-term effects beyond ten years.