Before you make an appointment for LASIK surgery, you’ll need to see your doctor for an eye exam. He or she will check how healthy your eyes are, and will take a photograph of your eyes to create a map of your refractive error. This unique map allows you to get a truly “customized” treatment.
LASIK is a fast, painless procedure. Your doctor will begin by putting special anesthetic drops into your eyes. You’ll remain awake during the procedure. Next, you will lie down, and using a precision surgical instrument called a microkeratome, the surgeon will create a thin flap in your cornea. The flap is then lifted, and while looking through the laser’s microscope, your doctor uses the excimer laser to correct your vision. The laser is programmed specifically for you based on your pre-surgery vision evaluation, accounting for the highly exact nature of LASIK. Your doctor will operate on one eye at a time, and you shouldn’t feel any discomfort during the procedure.
Right after your surgery, you will rest for a short period. You will need someone else to drive you home, where you should rest again for a few hours, or as long as your doctor recommends. To help your corneal flap remain in position and heal properly, you should avoid rubbing your eyes. You should also avoid strenuous exercise. Most patients will experience a rapid visual recovery and will be able to return to normal daily activity in a matter of days.