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LASIK FAQs
Does LASIK hurt?
No. Patients report little to no discomfort during the procedure due to the use of anesthetic drops. It is not unusual to experience some gentle pressure during the procedure and some itching or grittiness for a brief time following LASIK, but proper use of post-operative drops keeps even this slight discomfort to a minimum.
Does LASIK wear off over time?
No. The results of your LASIK will not wear off over time. However, LASIK cannot prevent the natural effects of aging on your eyes over the years following your LASIK procedure. Vision conditions such as presbyopia and cataracts can develop after having LASIK, and these conditions will affect the clarity of your vision.
When will I be able to see after my procedure?
Most patients experience an immediate improvement in their vision and have functional vision the very next day. Full visual results are typically reached within one to three weeks, but individual results vary.
When can I return to my normal activities?
You can resume most normal activities such as driving, working, walking and exercising the day after your procedure. Eye makeup should not be worn for a week. Swimming and contact sports should be avoided for two weeks. Talk to your Southern Eye Center surgeon about any other specific activity you have questions about.
What if my eye moves or I blink during the LASIK treatment?
Eye movement and blinking won’t affect your LASIK procedure. During the procedure, a small instrument gently holds the eyelid open, so blinking will not occur. The laser tracks each minute eye movement, constantly adjusting to the position of the eye. The eye’s location is measured every 4-6 milliseconds and ,when the eye moves, the laser pauses and automatically realigns. The technology at Southern Eye Center offers the most accurate and precise procedure possible.
Will I need to wear glasses after LASIK?
Most patients who have blade-free Z-LASIK performed by the fellowship-trained surgeons at Southern Eye Center no longer need glasses for daily activities. However, as you age you may need to wear reading glasses due to presbyopia, which is the loss of clear near vision due to the natural aging process of the eye.
What happens if I’m not a candidate for LASIK?
For patients who are not a candidate for LASIK, Southern Eye Center offers a number of other innovative procedures that can help patients achieve clearer vision and reduce or eliminate their need for glasses and contacts. PRK is an option for patients who have thinner corneas but are otherwise great candidates for LASIK. An implantable contact lens can be surgically placed in your eye to offer crisp, clear distance vision. Your surgeon will discuss all your possible vision options with you to ensure you are empowered to make the best possible choice.
Myths and Facts About LASIK
Because LASIK is such a well-known procedure, you may have heard a lot about it from friends, family, co-workers, and the internet. Unfortunately, there is also a lot of incorrect information shared about LASIK. Here are some common myths and facts about LASIK to help you fully understand your LASIK options:
Myth
LASIK is risky and unproven
Fact
LASIK is the most studied elective procedure in all of medicine
Myth
Refractive surgeons won’t have LASIK done on themselves or their family
Fact
63% of refractive surgeons have had LASIK
Myth
LASIK makes your night vision worse
Fact
LASIK does not affect night vision, and may even improve it
Myth
Having LASIK can make your myopia worse
Fact
Myopia typically doesn’t progress after having LASIK
Myth
It is unsafe to fly after having LASIK
Fact
LASIK has been approved for all flight activities
Myth
LASIK causes dry eye
Fact
Dryness is reduced over time after LASIK