When you have a busy lifestyle, wearing glasses or contact lenses every day can become a little restrictive and cumbersome. If you’re looking for a permanent solution to blurry vision, LASIK® eye surgery may be an option to consider. This procedure has risen in popularity in recent years and become accessible to many people. If you’re considering this treatment, you may have many questions about it. To help you decide whether it’s for you, here are some answers to common doubts patients have about the procedure.

FAQ About LASIK® Eye Surgery

What is it?

LASIK eye surgery uses a laser to gently reshape the cornea, or your eye’s surface. This corrects near- and far-sightedness, as well as astigmatism. Your treatment will be tailored to your specific needs.

Am I a good candidate?

You will need a thorough pre-operative examination to ensure LASIK eye surgery will work for you. Your vision must have stayed at the same prescription level for at least two years and your eyes must be healthy. You must also be over 18 years old. Hormones affect the shape of the eye, so pregnant or nursing women can’t undergo the procedure.

What happens during treatment?

The procedure requires 15 minutes per eye and an hour’s rest afterward.

On surgery day, you lie on a reclining chair and the doctor uses anesthetic eye drops to numb the area. They will use retainers under your eyes to hold them open. After the medication takes effect, your surgeon creates a thin flap in the top of the cornea and uses the laser to remove some of the tissue before replacing the flap. While this happens, you won’t feel anything.

What is the recovery time?

In the majority of cases, people experience an improvement in their eyesight immediately and get even better results over the next couple of weeks. It may take up to two months to see the final results. You can resume driving one to two days after surgery.

Cosmetics and makeup tools can introduce bacteria to the area, so wait at least one week before using any to minimize the risk of infection. Some patients experience mild discomfort in the days following the procedure, so your doctor might prescribe painkillers to keep you comfortable.

For over 20 years, West Valley Vision Center has provided residents of Fairbanks, AK, with a range of optometry services. Large enough to serve you and small enough to care, they focus on delivering excellent customer service. Their eye doctors provide everything from prescription glasses to LASIK eye surgery. Learn more about what they do online or call (907) 479-4700 to schedule an appointment.