Oral medication is administered soon after you arrive to relax you for the procedure. Therefore, a family member or friend will need to be present to drive you home due to the sedation. They are invited to view your LASIK procedure.

At varying intervals, a series of eye drops will be administered. Among these are antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, and anesthetic drops to numb your eyes. Following drop instillation, there is only a short wait before entering the laser suite.

Upon entering the laser suite, the technicians will assist you into a reclined position. Your surgeon will then insert a lid holder between the upper and lower lid to prevent blinking. A suction ring will then be placed on your cornea. As suction increases, you will feel pressure on your eye and your vision will “grey out” for approximately fifteen seconds.

The surgeon will create a thin corneal flap by using an instrument called a microkeratome. This thin layer of corneal tissue is then folded back so that the laser can be positioned. You will not see the microkeratome as it makes its pass nor will you feel any pain.

Once the laser is positioned properly, you will be asked to focus on a red flashing light. The excimer laser will begin to reshape (ablate) the cornea when the surgeon is comfortable with your fixation on the flashing light. As the laser works, you will hear a clicking noise. Your surgeon will let you know when the reshaping is about to begin so that this does not startle you.

Throughout the entire procedure, your doctor will be constantly updating you. The reshaping generally lasts between 10-60 seconds, depending on the amount of correction desired. As the laser reshapes the cornea, the technician will give you a countdown as to the number of seconds remaining in the ablation.

When the corneal reshaping is compete, the corneal flap will be lifted back into place. The lid holder will be removed and the procedure will be complete. The above steps will be repeated if you are having both eyes done on the same day.

Most patients see a significant improvement in their vision at the one day check. However various factors such as the ablation time and the amount of swelling can affect the initial crispness of your vision. Do not be alarmed if your vision is not as crisp at one day as a friend or family member who had the procedure.

Initially, vision may fluctuate from day to day and throughout the day itself. Periodic blurriness may also occur. This fluctuation and blurriness will generally subside within the first few weeks.

Dry eye symptoms are not uncommon in the weeks following LASIK. A lubrication drop is required the first week, but may need to be used frequently for 2-3 months.

Night glare may be experienced initially. This generally subsides within the first few weeks. It is rare for patients to experience glare after 3 months.