What is LASIK?
LASIK (Laser-Assisted-In-Situ Keratomileusis) is the most commonly performed surgical procedure in the United States. It is a permanent procedure to correct vision by reshaping the cornea. During LASIK, the cool beam of an excimer laser is used to change the shape of the cornea to reduce or eliminate the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses.
The LASIK Procedure (*)
- Anesthetic drops are applied to the eye.
- A protective flap is created and gently lifted by the surgeon, revealing the inner corneal tissue.
- Computer-controlled pulses of cool laser light are applied to the inner layers of your cornea. As the laser pulses, it makes a ticking sound. The inner corneal layer is reshaped with the laser to mimic your contact lens or glasses prescription.
- The surgeon gently replaces the flap and aligns it to its original position. It heals naturally and securely.
- Some patients may feel slight irritation for a few hours, but most are quite comfortable after a nap and rest.
The entire LASIK surgery process takes about 15-20 minutes. During the recovery period, a patient may experience a few hours of mild irritation, which, in most cases, can be alleviated with eye drops. Most patients will experience a 50% improvement by that evening, and a 70% improvement by the next day with continued improvement over the next several days. A patient’s vision should be fully restored within 1-4 days without the need for any corrective lenses; however, most patients return to regular daily activity within 24 hours.
(*) Reference: TLC Laser Eye Center Website, © 2007.