Questions (FAQ)

Before every medical procedure people usually will have questions. Even a safe procedure like LASIK have people asking questions. Dr. Thomas John has years experience and the expertise to help answer all of the questions and concerns you may have about LASIK. Listed below are answers to some of the most common questions that Dr. John has received from patients:

How do I know if I'm a candidate for LASIK?

The only true way to know if you are a candidate for LASIK is to meet with a board certified Ophthalmologist such as Dr. John and complete a thorough eye evaluation to determine if you are a strong candidate for LASIK. General requirements are that you have maintained steady vision for 1 to 3 years and have no ocular health problems. There are other more specific requirements that will be evaluated during a series of tests performed by your doctor to determine your candidacy for LASIK.

What should I look for in choosing my surgeon?

Deciding to have LASIK is very important decision in most peoples' lives, therefore you should research your area to find the most suitable surgeon. It is not always about how low is the price, but rather, who you feel most confident with, when you are in the operating room. The surgeon you select preferably should be well educated, board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and have plenty of experience with LASIK patients. LASIK is a life changing decision and you should have the very best surgeon available to you.

What is involved in LASIK? How long does it take?

LASIK is a laser surgical procedure that takes place within a matter of minutes. During the procedure topical anesthetic eyedrops will be used to numb your eyes while your doctor operates on your eyes so that you don't feel any eye pain during the procedure. A corneal flap is created so that the laser can reshape the cornea  beneath the flap for improved vision. After the cornea has been reshaped the flap is placed back into position. Once surgery is over, eye drops will be used to help in the healing process and to try preventing any infection.  Within the first day you may feel minor discomfort, but by the next morning all pain should have subsided.

What about recovery?

Recovery is usually fast. The first couple of hours after surgery, the eye feels somewhat irritated, with a burning sensation and some tearing. Vision is typically blurry during this time. Patients are instructed to nap for a couple of hours after the surgery when they reach home, inorder to rest the eyes. After several hours, the irritation goes away and the vision begins to clear. The day after surgery, most irritating sensations are completely gone and the vision is remarkably clear.

I hate to have anything in my eye. What if I am really nervous?

A mild sedative is available prior to surgery to encourage relaxation during the procedure and to encourage sleep afterwards. The surgeons and operating room technicians often talk throughout the procedure to put patients at ease.

Are both eyes done at the same time?

Some patients may prefer to have each eye done on different days. In most cases, however, both eyes are done on the same day. This avoids the period of imbalance that occurs if one eye still needs correction while the other eye doesn't. This is a discussion that you should have with the surgeon so that you can decide what is best for you.

Will I need glasses after the surgery?

With any medical procedure, there is not a guarantee of perfect vision. Almost everyone experiences improved vision. Usually most see well enough to pass a driver's test without corrective lenses. It is important to know that LASIK or PRK does not eliminate the need for reading glasses. Beginning at around the age of 40, a condition called presbyopia usually appears, requiring reading glasses or bifocal correction. The laser cannot correct presbyopia at this time; however, there are some promising treatment options on the horizon.

Will LASIK interfere with my lifestyle?

LASIK will temporarily interfere with your lifestyle for about 2 weeks while your eyes heal. You should not partake in active sports unless you receive permission from your surgeon. After your eyes have healed you will be able to resume your normal lifestyle.

How long will the correction last?

LASIK is a permanent procedure. In some cases, however, an enhancement procedure may be required. Some patients' eyes may change throughout their lifetime, which can happen with glasses or contact lenses as well.

How safe is the procedure? Are there complications?

The procedure is very safe, and that is why it has been so readily accepted. With any surgical procedures, however, there may be complications. Vision-threatening complications do exist, but they are extremely rare. These include infections (an incidence of 1 in 5,000) and irregular healing processes that can lead to something called "irregular astigmatism" that glasses cannot correct and contact lenses or further surgery may be required to improve. There are also complications, which may lead to temporary blurriness, temporary dependence on glasses or contact lenses or a need for additional surgery. In most cases, the patient can still do well and recover good vision. It is for this reason that LASIK patients should confirm the experience of their surgeon to determine if he or she has specialized training in corneal surgery. Because LASIK is performed on the cornea, knowledge of the healing properties of the cornea and management of any complications are critical to the patient's well being. Knowing how to handle a complication, should one occur, can make a significant difference in the patient's outcome. A cornea specialist is one who has fellowship training in cornea and deals with all medical and surgical aspects of the cornea.

What is the success rate?

The success of LASIK depends on the condition of the eyes prior to surgery. A surgeon will be able to determine the likelihood of success depending on your current prescription. Approxiamately 95% of all LASIK patients achieve 20/40 vision or better. Additional treatments can be performed if the goal is not achieved within the first procedure.

I have dry eyes. Can LASIK help?

A great deal of patients suffer from dry eyes prior to LASIK. Their eyes become intolerant of contact lenses because of the dryness. LASIK may worsen dry eyes but can be relieved with artifical tears or in severe cases punctal plugs that are placed in the eyelids.

I need reading glasses. Can LASIK correct my vision?

LASIK will only correct a person's distance vision. If LASIK corrects the distance vision, and the patient is over 40 they will most likely still need to use reading glasses. Mono-vision with LASIK is an alternative for patients who wish to not use glasses after LASIK surgery. Monovision means one eye will be corrected for distance while the other eye will be left for nearsightedness. Patients who wish to have mono-vision LASIK should discuss with their doctor and should have experienced monovision through the use of contact lenses.

The above information is provided by Thomas John Vision Institute, P.C., and is not intended to replace the medical service and advice of Dr. John. Kindly consult your health care provider for advice regarding any special medical/ocular condition.

Last Revised/Updated on April 25, 2009.