Frequently Asked Questions about LASIK

This section will answer some of the questions you may have about LASIK surgery

Why do I need laser vision correction?
Probably because you have a condition called "myopia", or nearsightedness.
When light rays enter the eye, they get bent, or refracted, into focus. If the refractive power of
your eye is just right, the image will focus on the retina (a thin layer of tissue in the back of the
eye that processes images and sends them to the brain) and you will see clearly without
glasses. But if they eye is a little too long (myopia) or too short (hyperopia), some images
will be blurry.

How does laser vision correction compare to glasses or contact lenses?
Glasses and contacts temporarily adjust the eye's refractive power to focus
images on the retina while you're wearing them, but don't actually cure the underlying problem.
Laser vision correction offers a more permanent solution by surgically reshaping your cornea
( the outer layer of your eye), which covers your iris (the colored part) and pupil

What is laser vision correction?
In laser vision correction, a surgeon uses a laser to carefully remove a very
thin layer of your cornea. This alters its refractive power to suit your eye's focal length better,
improving your vision. Many patients no longer require glasses or contact lenses after surgery.
There are two popular forms of the procedure: PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) and LASIK
(Laser ASsisted In-situ Keratomileusis).

What is the difference between PRK and LASIK?
In PRK, the surgeon removes a thin layer from the front of your cornea. In LASIK,
the surgeon removes tissue from the middle of the cornea instead of the very front. Both
procedures use a laser, but LASIK also requires a special instrument called a keratome that the
surgeon uses to create a "flap" in the cornea. The surgeon applies laser energy
to the area underneath the flap, then repositions the flap back over the cornea. In general,
PRK is used to correct low to moderate amounts of myopia, while LASIK is better for higher correction.

How safe is the procedure?
As with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks. Laser vision
correction is a comparatively safe procedure and, although complications are possible,
only a very small percentage of patients have a serious complication. While there is the
risk of post-operative infection or other problems, your doctor is trained to handle these,
should they occur.

How well will I see after the procedure?
Laser vision correction cannot guarantee that you won't need glasses
or contact lenses after the procedure, but it will decrease your dependence on corrective
lenses. After surgery, the great majority of patients see 20/40 or better. Most patients see
20/25 or better, and very many even see 20/20. Sometimes enhancement surgery is worth-
while to "fine tune" the results. So while you may still need to use glasses
occasionally to see at night or while driving, you'll probably need them less often for
the many other tasks you do.

How painful is LASIK surgery?
You will feel no pain during the surgery. The laser doesn't actually burn tissue away. It breaks
the bonds between molecules to "vaporize" corneal tissue. However, there may be
some discomfort in the days following your surgery. Usually, if you do feel discomfort, it subsides
after a couple days. Furthermore, your doctor can prescribe medication to make this time a little
easier. Most patients do have some iritation, light sensitivity, or watering of the eyes the first few
days after surgery.

How soon can I go back to work?
Two or three days after the surgery, your vision will improve well enough for you to perform most
visual tasks. You probably will be ready to drive yourself to work by the fourth or fifth day after
the surgery.

How long does it take?
The surgery itself takes less than 30-60 seconds of laser time and the entire procedure usually
takes less than 15 minutes, although the LASIK procedure may take about 20 minutes.

How long has LASIK been available?
Laser vision correction has been available in the United States since 1995, but has been
performed for over 10 years around the world. It is estimated that more than 1 million people
worldwide have undergone the procedure.