LASIK Project

LASIK - or Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis - is a surgery of the clear covering of the front of the eye, called the cornea. The procedure changes the cornea’s shape toward more optimal eyesight. It is a common procedure conducted to help those who wear contacts or glasses for vision correction toward the objective of not having to wear those corrective devices anymore.

Just as a camera focuses light to create an image imprinted on film, the human eye’s cornea focuses light to create an image on the retina. This process is called refraction. When the images are out of focus, the eye’s imperfections which cause the blurriness are called refractive errors. For hundreds of years, these vision imperfections have been corrected through wear of glasses or contact lenses. Now, refractive surgeries such as LASIK are available to permanently correct the cornea’s ability to focus and deliver more precise images to the patient’s brain.

The first step for any patient considering LASIK surgery is a consultation with an eye doctor, where the physician will create a surgical plan based upon the patient’s eye health history and measurements of their cornea’s curvature. Because the cornea adjusts to contact lenses and may not resume its normal shape until long after contacts are worn, anyone considering LASIK should only wear glasses for several weeks before the surgery is performed. Otherwise, inaccurate measurements of their cornea may be taken and results of the procedure will not prove optimal.

When considering LASIK eye surgery, the patient must inform their doctor regarding past and current health and eye conditions, current prescriptions, over-the-counter medications being taken, and medication allergies. During a thorough eye exam, the doctor will advise whether he or she believes the patient to be a good candidate for LASIK and inform them of risks, benefits, alternatives, expectations and patient responsibilities for eye care pre- and post-surgery. Before deciding to go through with the surgery, all patients should consider all of the doctor’s recommendations and the risks associated with LASIK to ensure that the potential benefits do outweigh associated risks.

For at least a day prior to surgery, the LASIK patient should not use creams, lotions, makeup on the face, or perfumes on the body. The face and eye area should be kept clean and free of any residue from beauty products. Many infections caused during or after LASIK eye surgery are caused by these products. The eye doctor may request that the patient scrubs their eyelashes for several days before surgery to ensure all mascara or other material is removed and infection risk decreased.

Patients of LASIK eye surgery are not able to drive following their operation or to the first follow-up visit. This is due both to the procedure itself and medications which may be prescribed to aid in relaxation during surgery. As vision will be blurry and the medications inhibit driving, arrangements should be made for someone else to provide transportation for the patient.

Immediately following their surgery, LASIK patients may experience some pain, itching, burning, or other discomfort. This is normal, as is haziness and blurriness. Most of these irritating symptoms will phase out by three days after the procedure and although there will be some fluctuations in vision over the course of six months as the eyes heal, the patient will very likely notice significantly positive results within the first days following surgery.

Although the patient will likely be able to resume some normal activity the day following their LASIK eye surgery, there will be restrictions placed by the doctor on the type of activities the patient should pursue and how long they should refrain from very strenuous sports. Eye makeup should not be worn for about two weeks to ensure the eye is fully healed and to prevent infection. Swimming, hot tubs, and pools should also be avoided for about two months. The doctor will be the best advisor for each individual patient as they recover.