LASIK FAQs

What is LASIK

LASIK surgery is the precise and controlled removal of the eyes corneal tissue by a special laser to reshapes the cornea thus changing its focusing power. The goal of LASIK is to improve the cornea's ability to focus incoming light retina.

Is LASIK safe?

The FDA has approved the LASIK procedure and considers it safe and effective. Studies suggest that there is 3%-5% chance of problems with nighttime glare and dryness, and a less then 1% chance of serious complications. There is no known cases of blindness resulting from a LASIK procedure.

What are risk factors associated with LASIK?

Your LASIK doctor should be informed if you suffer from any of the following: herpes of the eye area, glaucoma, ocular hypertension, keratinous, blepharitis, large pupils, thin corneas, previous LASIK-type surgery, or dry eyes.

When is LASIK not for me?

You may not be a good candidate for LASIK if: You are not a risk taker, it will jeopardize your career, the cost is an issue, you have changed your vision prescription in the last year, you actively participate in contact sports, you're or you are under 18.

Can both eyes be done at the same time?

Yes, most surgeons prefer to perform the procedure on both eyes at the same time.

What are the risks involved with LASIK?

Most patients are very pleased with the results of their refractive surgery. However, like any other medical procedure, there are risks involved. The FDA has listed the following:

• Some patients lose vision: Some patients lose lines of vision on the vision chart that cannot be corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or surgery as a result of treatment.
• Some patients develop debilitating visual symptoms: Some patients develop glare, halos, and/or double vision that can seriously affect nighttime vision. Even with good vision on the vision chart, some patients do not see as well in situations of low contrast, such as at night or in fog, after treatment as compared to before treatment.
• You may be under treated or over treated: Only a certain percent of patients achieve 20/20 vision without glasses or contacts. You may require additional treatment, but additional treatment may not be possible.
• Some patients may develop severe dry eye syndrome
• Results are generally not as good in patients with very large refractive errors of any type
• Long-term data is not available:LASIK is a relatively new technology. The first laser was approved for LASIK eye surgery in 1998. Therefore, the long-term safety and effectiveness of LASIK surgery is not known.

LASIK References

The Lasik MD Guide to LASIK Eye Surgery