LASIK Eye Surgery

LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a refractive eye surgery that reshapes the cornea to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Over 700,000 LASIK procedures are performed annually in the US. It is the most popular elective surgery worldwide.

LASIK is performed to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. Candidates must be at least 18, have stable vision for at least one year, have adequate corneal thickness, and not have certain eye conditions like keratoconus or severe dry eye.

Stop wearing contact lenses 1-4 weeks before surgery (soft lenses 1 week, hard lenses 4 weeks). A comprehensive eye exam measures corneal thickness, pupil size, and refractive errors. Arrange transportation home after the procedure.

The surgeon creates a thin corneal flap using a femtosecond laser, then reshapes the underlying cornea with an excimer laser guided by computerized mapping. The flap is repositioned. The entire procedure takes about 15 minutes for both eyes and is painless.

Vision improvement is noticeable within hours. Most patients return to work within 1-2 days. Avoid rubbing eyes for several weeks. Use prescribed eye drops. Vision stabilizes over 3-6 months. Follow-up visits at 1 day, 1 week, and 1-3 months.

Risks include dry eyes (most common, usually temporary), glare/halos around lights, undercorrection or overcorrection (may need enhancement), flap complications, and rarely, vision loss. Serious complications occur in less than 1% of cases.

Alternatives include PRK (no flap creation, longer recovery), SMILE (small incision lenticule extraction), ICL (implantable contact lens), and continued use of glasses or contact lenses.

LASIK is considered elective and is not typically covered by health insurance or Medicare. Some vision insurance plans offer discounts. HSA and FSA funds can be used. Many LASIK centers offer financing plans.