January Newsletter: What to Expect Before, During, and After LASIK

What to Expect Before, During, and After LASIK

Are you considering improving your vision with laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery? The refractive surgery offers an effective way to sharpen your vision without glasses or contact lenses. Here's what you can expect if you choose LASIK.

Before LASIK Surgery

The LASIK process starts with a comprehensive eye examination at the ophthalmology office. Your eye doctor will review your health history and medications and conduct a variety of tests and examinations to determine if you're a good candidate for the surgery. During your visit, your ophthalmologist will:

• Evaluate Your Overall Eye Health
• Measure the Thickness of Your Corneas and the Size of Your Pupils
• Determine Your Refractive Error (Amount of Nearsightedness, Farsightedness, or Astigmatism)
• Check for Dry Eye by Evaluating Your Tears

Your ophthalmologist will also create a map of your corneas. The map will help your eye doctor plan how to reshape your corneas with the laser.

Although many people are good candidates for LASIK, the surgery isn't recommended for everyone. You may not be a good candidate if your corneas are too thin or scarred, you have severe dry eye, your vision isn't stable, or you have extreme levels of nearsightedness, farsightedness, or hyperopia, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). Your ophthalmologist can discuss other refractive surgery options with you if you're not a candidate for LASIK.

Stop wearing soft contact lenses two weeks before LASIK surgery and rigid contact lenses three weeks before surgery. This step is important, as contact lenses can change the shape of your cornea. Your result may not be as effective if you don't stop wearing your contacts.

Don't wear makeup, lotion, or perfume the day of the surgery. Wearing these products can increase the risk of infection.

Ask a friend or family member to accompany you to and from the ophthalmology office, as your vision may be temporarily blurry.

During LASIK Surgery

Before surgery begins, numbing eye drops will be placed in your eyes. Although you'll be awake during LASIK surgery, you won't feel anything, thanks to the drops. Once your eyes are numb, your ophthalmologist will use lid speculums to hold your eyelids open. Suction rings placed over the eyes will prevent them from moving.

Your eye doctor will create a thin flap in your cornea with a laser or a microkeratome, a surgical device. After the flap is lifted and folded, you'll stare at a light while your ophthalmologist reshapes your cornea with the laser. Once the cornea is reshaped, the flap will be moved back into its original position. You won't need any stitches, as the flap will reattach on its own.

Your eye doctor will repeat the process on the other eye. Each eye generally takes between 10 to 15 minutes.

After LASIK Surgery

Although your vision may be a little blurry or hazy immediately following surgery, it will become much sharper in the next 24 hours. Most people can return to their normal activities in one to two days, but full healing may take three to six months, according to the American Refractive Surgery Council.

Plan a lazy day at home following your surgery. Your ophthalmologist will give you clear shields to wear over your eyes. Be sure to wear the shields when sleeping to protect your eyes.

Burning or itching sensations are common after LASIK surgery. Your eye doctor will prescribe drops to decrease dryness and inflammation, prevent infection, and improve comfort. Resist the urge to rub your eyes, as this could interfere with flap healing.

Don't wear eye makeup or creams, participate in strenuous exercise, swim, or use a hot tub for at least a week after LASIK. Showering is fine, although you'll need to avoid getting water, soap, or shampoo in your eyes. Take a week off from contact sports, then wear goggles for the next month. Be sure to wear goggles in the pool, too.

Dry eyes, sensitivity to light, and halos around lights are common side effects after surgery. These issues only last a few weeks for most people.

Interested in finding out if LASIK surgery is right for you? Contact our office to schedule your appointment.

Sources:

American Academy of Ophthalmology: LASIK — Laser Eye Surgery, 8/9/2024

https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/lasik

Stat Pearls: Laser In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK), 7/24/2023

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555970/

American Refractive Surgery Council: LASIK Recovery Time: What to expect after LASIK?, 7/24/2023

https://americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org/what-to-expect-with-lasik-recovery/

U.S. Food & Drug Administration: What Should I Expect Before, During, and After Surgery

https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/lasik/what-should-i-expect-during-and-after-surgery