LASIK FAQ
LASIK frequently asked questions and answers.

LASIK FAQ

1. How do I know if I'm am a candidate?
2. Can I have LASIK operation if I had a previous corneal transplant or radial keratotomy?
3. Should I wait for refractive to improve?
4. How important is the choice of a doctor?
5. Can both eye be done at the same time?
6. What if I blink?
7. How long will the LASIK procedure take?
8. How soon after surgery will I see well?
9. Will my eye look different after LASIK surgery?
10. Is there a guarantee that I will not have to wear glasses or contact lenses again?

How do I know if I'm a candidate?
The ideal candidate is over 18 years of age with healthy eyes and stable vision. LASIK treatment can correct a wide range of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism

Can I have LASIK operation if I had a previous corneal transplant or radial keratotomy?
With a skilled surgeon, the answer is yes. Most reports of LASIK after the corneal transplantation have been excellent. With previous RK, LASIK treatment can give good results. However the procedure may be complicated if the flap separates at the previous radial incisions.

Should I wait for refractive surgery to improve?
Refractive surgery is highly technologically driven. Just like in the computer industry, there are constant advancements. The important question is whether the technological advances translate into proportionate increases in patient satisfaction. Because the level of patient satisfaction with modern refractive surgery is already so high, there probably will not be dramatic advances in the satisfaction for most patients. In many cases, time spent waiting for the technological improvements also means less time to potentially benefit from the refractive surgery.

How important is the choice of a doctor?
Your choice of doctor is a crucial decision. Not all doctors will meet with you more than 5 minutes before the surgery and be willing to answer ALL of your questions. This time is necessary to communicate the visual goals of each patient and to establish trust and comfort. Since LASIK operation is a corneal procedure, a cornea specialist is a smart choice.

Can both eyes be done at the same time?
In virtually all cases, both eyes are done at the same time. But you may elect to have one eye done at a time.

What if I blink?
A small retaining device will be used to keep your lids open and prevent blinking. There is no way you will be able to blink and hurt yourself or your visual outcome.

How long will the LASIK procedure take?
LASIK operation takes about 4 to 5 minutes for an eye. The actual laser ablation time is in terms of seconds.

How soon after surgery will I see well?
Each patient is different. The eye drop medications cause some blurring, also there is extra water within the cornea after the LASIK treatment, but most patients notice a dramatic improvement even as they leave the office.

Will my eyes look different after LASIK operation?
No. Your eyes will look exactly the same.

Is there a guarantee that I will not have to wear glasses or contact lenses again?
There are no guarantees in any part of medicine, but as a rule, people under 7 diopters of myopia who have LASIK will have a 99% chance of success and will have less than a 0.5% probability for enhancement.

LASIK FAQ LASIK frequently asked questions and answers.

LASIK FAQ

LASIK FAQ
LASIK frequently asked questions and answers.