What Is the Procedure for LASIK Eye Surgery?

Understanding LASIK eye surgery.

LASIK is a type of laser eye surgery that may help reduce the need for glasses or contact lenses.¹https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/lasik-eye-surgery/about/pac-20384774 It is commonly used to treat short sightedness, long sightedness, and astigmatism.

Many people want to know what happens during the LASIK procedure and what to expect before, during, and after treatment.

LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. The procedure works by reshaping the cornea, which is the clear front part of the eye. Changing the shape of the cornea helps light focus more clearly on the retina at the back of the eye.

What happens before LASIK surgery

Your first consultation

The first step is a detailed eye assessment. Your surgeon will examine your eyes and ask questions about your vision, health, and lifestyle.

Several tests may be performed to measure your prescription, corneal thickness, pupil size, and eye health.²https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/lasik/what-should-i-expect-during-and-after-surgery

This information helps determine whether LASIK may be suitable for you.

Not everyone is suitable for laser eye surgery. Some people may be advised to consider other treatment options depending on their eye health and vision needs.

Preparing for surgery

Before LASIK, you may be asked to stop wearing contact lenses for a period of time. This is because contact lenses can temporarily change the shape of the cornea.³https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/lasik/what-should-i-expect-during-and-after-surgery

Your surgeon will explain how to prepare for the procedure and what to expect on the day of surgery.

It is also important to arrange transport home after the procedure because your vision may be blurry at first.

What happens during the LASIK procedure

Numbing the eyes

LASIK surgery is usually performed as a day procedure. Eye drops are used to numb the eyes before treatment begins.

Most people stay awake during the procedure.⁴https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/lasik/what-should-i-expect-during-and-after-surgery

You may feel some gentle pressure, but the treatment is not usually described as painful.⁵https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/lasik/what-should-i-expect-during-and-after-surgery

Creating the corneal flap

The surgeon creates a very thin flap in the outer layer of the cornea. This flap is gently lifted to allow access to the tissue underneath.

Modern LASIK technology is designed to create this flap with precision.

Reshaping the cornea

Once the flap is lifted, a laser reshapes the cornea. The laser removes very small amounts of tissue based on your individual eye measurements.⁶https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/lasik/what-should-i-expect-during-and-after-surgery

The goal is to help light focus more clearly inside the eye.⁷https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/lasik/what-should-i-expect-during-and-after-surgery

The laser treatment itself usually lasts less than a minute for each eye.

You may notice flashing lights during this step. It is important to look at the target light as instructed by your surgeon.

Replacing the flap

After the cornea has been reshaped, the flap is carefully placed back into position.

The flap naturally settles as the eye begins to heal. Stitches are usually not required.

The procedure for both eyes is often completed within 15 to 30 minutes.⁸https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/lasik/what-should-i-expect-during-and-after-surgery

What happens after LASIK surgery

The first few hours

After surgery, your eyes may feel watery, sensitive, or slightly irritated. Some people describe a gritty feeling in the eyes.⁹https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/lasik/what-should-i-expect-during-and-after-surgery

Your vision may appear blurry at first, but many people notice vision changes within the first day.

You will usually rest for the remainder of the day after treatment.

Healing and recovery

Healing times can vary from person to person. Many people return to normal activities within a few days, but your surgeon will explain when it is safe to drive, exercise, or return to work.¹⁰https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/lasik/what-should-i-expect-during-and-after-surgery

Eye drops are commonly prescribed during recovery to support healing and help keep the eyes comfortable.¹¹https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/lasik/what-should-i-expect-during-and-after-surgery

It is important not to rub your eyes while they heal.

Follow-up appointments

Follow-up visits are part of the recovery process. These appointments allow your surgeon to monitor healing and check your vision.

Your surgeon will also discuss any symptoms you may notice during recovery.

What vision problems can LASIK treat?

Short sightedness

Short sightedness means nearby objects are easier to see than distant objects.

LASIK reshapes the cornea to help improve distance vision.

Long sightedness

Long sightedness can make close-up tasks harder to see clearly.

LASIK may help improve how the eye focuses on nearby objects.

Astigmatism

Astigmatism happens when the cornea has an uneven shape.

LASIK can help smooth the cornea to improve focus and reduce blurry vision.

What are the possible risks and side effects?

Like all medical procedures, LASIK has possible risks and side effects.

Some people may experience dry eyes, glare, halos, blurry vision, or light sensitivity during healing.¹²https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/lasik/what-should-i-expect-during-and-after-surgery These symptoms are often temporary, but recovery can vary between individuals.

In rare cases, further treatment may be needed.

Your surgeon will explain the possible risks and benefits during your consultation so you can make an informed decision.

Is LASIK permanent?

LASIK changes the shape of the cornea permanently. However, natural changes to the eyes can still happen over time.¹³ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34241701/

Some people may still need glasses for certain activities or reading as they age.¹⁴ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34241701/

Results vary between individuals, and no outcome can be guaranteed.

Why a suitability assessment matters

A suitability assessment helps determine whether LASIK may be appropriate for your eyes and lifestyle.

At Envision Eye Centre, each patient receives a detailed eye assessment to better understand their vision needs.

Your surgeon can explain the procedure, discuss recovery, and answer any questions you may have.

Learn more about LASIK eye surgery

LASIK is designed to reshape the cornea to improve how light focuses inside the eye. For suitable patients, it may reduce dependence on glasses or contact lenses.

The best way to learn whether LASIK may be right for you is to have a professional assessment.

Take the next step

Take the suitability self test to learn whether LASIK eye surgery may be suitable for your vision needs.