LASIK SURGERY FAQs
IS THE LASIK SURGERY PROCEDURE PAINFUL?
Absolutely not. Some patients might describe the feeling or sensation they experience during LASIK surgery as a slight pressure, but never pain. Numbing drops are applied prior to the start of the procedure, which further reduce any feeling in the eyes whatsoever. Plus, the doctor will administer a sedative to each patient before surgery in orderto help them relax.
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CAN I SEE DURING THE LASIK SURGERY PROCEDURE?
Your vision is extremely limited during the procedure. LASIK is performed one eye at a time. In order to limit eye movement during surgery, suction is applied to the eye your surgeon is currently operating on. Vision dissipates almost entirely once that suction is applied. A patch is placed over the non-surgical eye, which further restricts vision.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RECOVER FROM LASIK SURGERY?
Exact recovery times vary from patient to patient and often depend on each patient’s prescription. Patients with severe prescriptions sometimes experience slightly longer recovery periods than individuals with minor prescriptions. However, the vast majority of patients wake up the following day with 20/20 vision or better, and most feel comfortable enough to go back to work and to drive themselves to their 1-day post-op.
WILL THE BENEFITS OF LASIK SURGERY “FADE” OVER TIME?
LASIK surgery creates a permanent change to the shape of your cornea. This means it will not “fade” over time, however, other vision problems unrelated to the corneal surface can still occur as the eyes age. Such conditions might include presbyopia (over-40 vision) and cataracts. We take all of this into consideration when we assess your vision to determine which of our advanced procedures will be best for your unique situation.
CAN I GET CATARACTS FROM HAVING LASIK SURGERY?
No, you cannot develop cataracts as a result of having LASIK surgery. Also, having LASIK surgery will never reduce your candidacy for cataract surgery in the future should you require the procedure.
HOW LONG HAS LASIK SURGERY BEEN PERFORMED?
LASIK Surgery was approved by the FDA in October of 1995. Prior to that, similar surgeries including PRK (photorefractive keratectomy), ALK (Automated lamellar keratoplasty), and RK (Radial keratotomy) had been practiced for many years.
RK (Radial keratotomy) was the first surgical eye correction procedure to become popular, first developed in 1898 and later improved in the 1960s. The excimer laser, which is still used today for LASIK, PRK and LASEK surgeries, was developed in the early 1970s and modified for ophthalmic use in the early 1980s.
ARE THERE RISKS INVOLVED WITH LASIK SURGERY?
As with any procedure, certain risks do exist…however rare. Our team will fully explain the associated risks based on your specific situation during your assessment/consultation period.
WILL MY INSURANCE COVER LASIK SURGERY?
LASIK Surgery is considered an elective surgery by most insurance companies, so they don’t normally cover the procedure. That said, we will be more than happy to review your employer’s insurance policy to see if they will cover, or at least discount, your LASIK procedure. We also work with a number of financing companies if you would prefer to break it up into affordable monthly payments.
