LASIK procedures can treat both nearsightedness (myopia) and farsightedness (hyperopia) with or without astigmatism (blurry or distorted vision). This procedure has been around since the late 1980s and received Food and Drug Administration approval in 1999. It has undergone many advances leading to faster recovery, minimum discomfort, and exceptional vision benefits. LASIK, or laser-assisted in situ keratomileus, means "to shape the cornea from within."  

Initial Consultation

The first step is meeting with the surgeon. You have to stop wearing your contact lenses for at least two weeks before this appointment so your eyes are in the best condition for testing. The surgeon will do a detailed eye exam. This will include checking your prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses (called refraction). If you opt for wavefront-guided LASIK, we will take 3D photos of your eye (called corneal mapping). The doctor will also measure the curvature of the eye, and check corneal thickness, pupil size, tear production, and stability of the refractive error. This information will help the surgeon decide if you are a good candidate for LASIK. And, if you are, it will guide the surgeon during the procedure. You should ask your doctor any questions you have–including what lifestyle changes you may need to make right after surgery and later on.

Standard LASIK

In LASIK surgery, we use several types of specialized lasers. First, a femtosecond laser helps us create a flap in the cornea. Then we use an excimer laser to reshape the cornea in a precise and controlled fashion to improve its ability to focus. The LASIK procedure offers several benefits:

• Fast visual recovery
• Minimal discomfort, limited to mild burning or foreign body sensation
• Little to no haze, glare, or halos
• Just a week or two of postoperative medications

After LASIK, most patients have excellent vision and the results are nearly immediate.

Wavefront-Guided or Custom LASIK

Wavefront-guided LASIK is a more specialized form of LASIK treatment. It treats common eye problems, like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, as well as more unusual issues. It provides you with better vision than possible with contact lenses, eyeglasses, or conventional LASIK.

The main difference between standard LASIK and wavefront-guided procedures is that custom LASIK creates a 3D map of your eyes, from the front of the cornea to the back of the retina. We do this with an instrument called a wavefront aberrometer during your initial consultation. This map is very detailed, showing even more than conventional LASIK. It is 25 times more precise than what doctors use to write a prescription for eyeglasses or contacts. With this more detailed information, we can reshape the cornea even more precisely. As a result, the procedure can offer superior results, bringing you closer to 20/20 vision or better. The procedure itself is the same, whether you are receiving standard LASIK or wavefront-guided. The big difference is how precisely the surgeon can work. 

The results of LASIK are irreversible. In those rare cases when the laser surgical procedure may over- or under-correct, a second LASIK procedure may be required to adjust the first surgery.

Candidates

A thorough exam and consultation with a board certified ophthalmologist is the best way to determine if you are a candidate for LASIK. You should use this opportunity to ask questions and discuss any lifestyle changes you may need to make during the recovery period. You are probably a good candidate for the LASIK procedure if you:

• Are not pregnant or nursing.
• Are at least 21 years of age.
• Have an acceptable refractive error: nearsighted up to -10.00 or farsighted up to +6.00. Your level of astigmatism can be as high as 6.00 diopters.
• Have healthy eyes that are free of eye disease or corneal abnormality (such as scars, infection, or abnormal thinning).
• Have a stable eye prescription (with documented evidence that your refraction did not change by more than 0.50 to 1.0 diopter for two years before the exam).

You should not get LASIK if you have:

• An unstable (changing) refractive error
• Advanced glaucoma
• Autoimmune diseases (such as lupus or HIV)
• Chronically dry eyes or thin corneas
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Been taking certain medications, like steroids, which could prevent proper healing

Your ophthalmologist will be able to advise what procedure may be right for you based on your eye and overall health.