The LASIK Procedure

Now that you have completed the pre-consultative appointments, it is getting close to your surgery day. Make sure you have another person to transport you to and from the doctor's office. You will be unable to drive a car following the surgery. The surgery only takes about 30 minutes; 10 or 15 minutes for the procedure in each eye.

Creating the Corneal Flap

The patient is awake during the procedure, but a drop of anesthetic will be put in the eye to numb the area. An instrument is used to keep your eyelid open to perform the surgery. A ring is placed over the eye to make suction in the cornea area. This will put pressure on the eye, and is considered the most uncomfortable part of the procedure. Then the microkeratome, or metal blade is attached to the ring and the incision is made in the cornea.

Reshaping the Cornea

The next step in the procedure is to reshape the corneal tissue using a laser. You will be asked to stare at a light in a fixed position. Once your eye is in the correct, fixed position, the doctor will use a laser to reshape the cornea tissue. A computer controls the amount of tissue to be removed by the laser, according to pre-operative consultations and tests. Once the reshaping is done, the flap made earlier with the blade will be replaced back over the eye in its correct position. The same procedure will then be done with the other eye.

It may take up to three months for your vision to stabilize after LASIK surgery.

Protecting the Eyes

Shields are placed over the eyes to prevent you from rubbing or touching the eye. No stitches are used to secure the flap; therefore it is critical that the shields are worn in order to avoid any contact with the eye. After the surgery, there may be discomfort, itching feeling in the eye, and some burning and tearing.

After Surgery

Your doctor will advise you to not wear any lotions, makeup, or creams around the eye area for two weeks. Within the first few months after surgery, your vision may not be stable or consistent. But this will improve over time. It may take up to three months for your vision to stabilize after LASIK surgery. You may have some difficulty driving at night along with some other visual symptoms. Within three months, your vision should stabilize and you will see the full result of your surgery. You may have to see your eye doctor a couple of times for follow-up appointments after having your LASIK procedure completed.

Sports and Physical Activity

It is important to protect your eyes from being bumped or hit or letting anything get into them, including perspiration, until the flap heals. Although it will depend on the activity and how you feel, most doctor's recommend waiting one to three days following LASIK surgery before engaging in any non-contact sports and at least several weeks before participating in contact sports such as boxing, football, and karate. Swimming, skiing, surfing, sailing, and scuba diving can also cause eye problems and should be avoided for several weeks following surgery.