What to Expect with LASIK

Everyday you probably get emails, see commercials and read print ads about LASIK. If you're wondering if LASIK really works to improve vision - for a huge number of patients that have had this procedure - the answer is a resounding, "Yes".

In 2008 alone, nearly 1.5 million laser eye surgery procedures were done. The number of patients that have laser eye surgery continues to grow every year for two main purposes. The first is because the procedure is safe and the recovery time is fast and the second reason is because of the high success rate of the procedure resulting in vastly improved vision for most patients. Also, because of the expansion of technologies that allow almost anyone to be a candidate now instead of simply people with corneas that were the correct thickness or limited number of anomalies on their corneas.

The surgery itself is simply a two step process that involves cutting a flap in the cornea using a laser and then the eye itself is reshaped using a second laser. Advances in LASIK, including Wavefront that allows your surgeon to see your eye inside and out microscopically as well as lasers that allow for bladeless surgery (commonly known as IntraLASIK) have all enhanced the safety, lessened the chance of infection and given patients faster recovery times.

A fast recovery from LASIK can also usually be expected. There are no stitches used and the flap that was opened during the procedure will generally heal very quickly. Antibiotic eye drops will be needed for several days after the procedure to prohibit infection and your chances of infection will be even less if you chose bladeless LASIK. Generally, patients will be asked to wear plastic shields during the night and to avoid touching or rubbing their eyes during waking hours.

Knowing what to expect for the cost of your laser eye surgery is another angle to research for yourself. In a nutshell, the more correction your vision needs, the more your procedure will cost. Also, where you live in the country can dictate the price you will pay. The average price for traditional LASIK, for a person that needs only mild correction can average about $1,900. That figure is for the procedure itself and does not include diagnostic evaluation, any post-surgical drops and several follow-up visits. If you want additional technology such as Wavefront or you choose bladeless LASIK, be prepared to pay more.