What to Expect Before, During, and After LASIK

If you’re tired of wearing glasses or contact lenses and are considering LASIK, you’re not alone. Over 75% of adults have some degree of vision impairment that requires correction, and about 15 million Americans have chosen refractive surgery over the past 25 years.

LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is a refractive eye surgery that can correct myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. During the procedure, your provider reshapes your cornea so you can see clearly.

Take a moment as our experts at Maryland Eye Care Center share what you can expect before, during, and after LASIK surgery so you can feel confident in your decision.

What to expect before LASIK

With any eye surgery, your first step is a comprehensive eye exam. During this visit, your Maryland Eye Care Center doctor:

Measures your corneal thickness
Maps the surface of your eye
Evaluates your vision prescription
Checks for any underlying conditions, like dry eye or corneal irregularities

LASIK isn’t right for everyone. If your prescription is still changing, you have certain eye diseases, or your corneas are too thin, we may recommend a surgery such as implantable collamer lens (ICL), photo-refractive keratectomy (PRK), or refractive cataract surgery.

During your exam, we explain LASIK in detail, answer any questions, and explain your post-procedure instructions.

If you’re a good candidate and move forward with LASIK, we schedule your procedure and help you prepare to ensure a smooth LASIK experience.

For example, you shouldn’t wear contact lenses for several days before your procedure because they can alter the shape of your cornea. You may need to stop using eye makeup or creams. Also, arrange for someone to drive you home afterward.

What to expect during LASIK

LASIK is a quick, outpatient procedure that takes about 15 minutes for both eyes. Here’s a quick overview of the procedure:

Apply numbing drops

Your provider administers anesthetic eye drops so you won’t feel pain — just a little pressure — and a mild oral sedation to help you relax throughout your procedure.

Create a corneal flap

Using a femtosecond laser, your Maryland Eye Care Center surgeon creates a thin flap on the surface of your cornea that they can lift.

Reshape your cornea

With the corneal flap lifted out of the way, your surgeon reshapes your cornea with a second laser. This step is responsible for your clear vision post-procedure.

Replace the flap

Our team carefully repositions the flap. It heals naturally without stitches.

What to expect after LASIK

Most people notice improved vision within 24 hours, though it may need more time to stabilize. Right after surgery, you may have mild discomfort or itching, increased light sensitivity, blurry or hazy vision, or a gritty feeling, like something is in your eye. These typically resolve quickly.

To support healing:

Use prescribed eye drops to prevent infection and reduce inflammation
Wear protective eyewear while sleeping for the first few nights
Avoid rubbing your eyes
Don’t swim or use hot tubs for at least a week

Expect to schedule a follow-up appointment. We check your healing progress, measure your vision, and make sure your eyes adjust well to the correction.

What to expect in the long run

Your vision should stabilize within a few weeks. Just about everyone (99%) who receives LASIK achieves 20/40 (or better) vision, and 90% achieve 20/20 vision or better.

Keep in mind that results vary based on your prescription and eye health. You may need reading glasses later in life due to age-related changes (presbyopia).

Ready to take the next step?

LASIK is a safe, effective, and popular way to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses and contacts. To see if it’s right for you, schedule a LASIK consultation by phone or online today with the team at Maryland Eye Care Center in Hyattsville and Silver Spring, Maryland.