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 What is LASIK:

The facts you need to know...

Dayton, Ohio

  How does LASIK work?

Using the precision of an Excimer laser, skilled eye surgeons can reshape the surface of your eye, the cornea, to reduce or eliminate nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. This enables the vast majority of patients to see to drive, work, swim, play sports or just see the alarm clock in the morning! 

Is LASIK painful?

No, with anesthetic eye drops your procedure should be quite comfortable. Once you return home after LASIK, it is normal for some patients to experience irritation, light sensitivity, or watery eyes similar to the feeling if you had left your contacts in too long. PRK is another form of laser vision correction or laser eye surgery, and these symptoms are much more pronounced for PRK.  Most symptoms are controlled with Tylenol or Advil. 

Are there risks with LASIK surgery?

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with LASIK. But in the hands of a skilled LASIK surgeon, and with the latest technology such as LadarVision tracking, laser eye surgery can be a safe and successful procedure. The FDA studied laser vision correction for many years before approval, but each person does heal and respond differently. You should talk to your doctor and his staff about the risks, benefits, and alternatives for your eyes.

What about dry eyes and night glare?

The two most common minor problems after LASIK are dry eyes and glare at night. Nearly everyone experiences both to some extent for the first few months after surgery, it is a part of the healing process. Some people can have more significant problems with night glare or prolonged dry eyes. To decrease your likelihood of having problems with night glare, your doctor can check your pupil size in dim light to see if you are likely to experience problems. The newest generations of lasers can perform larger area treatments to decrease night glare in those with large pupils. Your doctor should also measure your tear function before your surgery to determine if your eyes are dry before surgery. Two types of artificial teardrops have been found to decrease dry eye problems with LASIK:  Refresh Plus, and Thera-Tears. Both are available without prescription. Many patients find that taking Flax seed oil capsules by mouth can dramatically improve dry eye problems.  Most pharmacies and health food stores carry Flax seed oil capsules.

How long do I have to take off work?

Most people are able to see some results almost immediately.  Your vision will be somewhat hazy at first and then begins to clear over the first several days as the swelling subsides.  Most people take only 2 to 3 days off work-- if you have your treatment done on a Thursday, most people are back at work on Monday.   Each person does respond differently partly depending on their age and prescription.  

What are the typical steps to get this done?

   Once you decide to have laser eye  surgery, you will need to be out of your contacts a week before your eye exam.  At your initial eye exam, your doctor will take several measurements of the eyes and dilate your eyes.  In addition to measuring your prescription and checking the health of your eyes, it is important to have measurements of your corneal thickness, tear function, and pupil size.  Typically you'll schedule your surgery after you have discussed the procedure with your surgeon.  Be sure to insist on speaking to your surgeon before scheduling-- some centers try to save time by not having you meet your surgeon until you are in the laser room.  The day of your surgery plan on having someone drive you.  Your surgery only takes 20 minutes, but you will be at the laser center for an hour and a half.   Your first follow up visit is the next morning with typical follow up visits a week and several weeks later. 

The results typically are stable after 6 months.  Some patients can regress or need a second treatment to obtain their best vision. Most people who regress do so within the first couple of months, and many doctors wait until the third month to do any enhancements.  Most people develop cataracts much later in life, they are a natural part of the aging process.  When cataracts form, your prescription may change undoing some of the benefit of having LASIK.  If you have a higher than average prescription, or more astigmatism, or are farsighted, or are older than the typical patient, then you are more likely to need an enhancement.  Typical patients average 6.5 Diopters (D) of nearsightedness with 1.5 Diopters (D) of astigmatism and are 45 years old.

There are two main types of laser eye surgery or laser vision correction-- LASIK and PRK.  With LASIK, a thin sheet of cells on the front surface of the eye is lifted and then the treatment is done underneath. These cells are then replaced and quickly heal without sutures. With PRK, the same laser treatment is done, but the cells are cleaned off the front surface and then have to reheal. So with PRK the recovery takes longer.  Because of the faster recovery and increased comfort, most patients are choosing to have LASIK.  But for some patients with thinner corneas or larger pupils, PRK may be a wiser option.