For many individuals who rely on glasses or contacts for their vision, LASIK eye surgery may be a helpful option to help them see without assistance. The procedure may seem daunting, but it’s actually straightforward and quick. Here’s what you should know before, during, and after your LASIK eye surgery. 

A Concise Guide to LASIK Surgery 

Before the Procedure 

Before the LASIK procedure, your optometrist will test your vision and create a measurement of your eye to plan the amount of corneal tissue to remove. You should stop wearing contacts for at least two to four weeks before the procedure, as contacts change the shape of your cornea and may lead to inaccurate readings. You should also arrange for a ride home after surgery and to your first follow-up appointment. This is because your vision will be blurry after LASIK, and if you’re given a sedative before the procedure, it will be unsafe to drive under its influence. 

During the Procedure 

During LASIK, you may be given a mild sedative to calm you. After this, your optometrist will clean the area around your eye and apply numbing eye drops. Then, they will use a laser to cut a flap in your cornea. They will remove tissue to reshape the eye based on the plan drawn from your measurements and vision test. You may feel some mild discomfort or pressure on your eyes during the laser surgery. Lastly, the corneal flap is placed back over the eye. The entire procedure should take around half an hour. 

After the Procedure 

After LASIK is performed, your eyes may burn or feel irritated. It’s important that you don’t rub them, as this may dislodge the flap over your cornea or lead to infection from debris. You’ll be able to leave the clinic shortly after laser eye surgery, as long as someone else drives you home. Your vision should begin to improve over the next few days. You’ll be given a follow-up visit no later than 48 hours after the procedure to test your vision and remeasure your eye to ensure the operation has gone smoothly. You should be able to return to work within a couple of days or as your vision stabilizes. 

For more information about LASIK eye surgery, contact the optometrists at Midwest Eye Center: A Division of TriState Centers for Sight. With over 34 years of experience in the Greater Cincinnati, OH, and northern Kentucky areas, you know you can trust their team to restore your sight. With surgical and nonsurgical treatment options, there’s a vision care solution for your unique needs. To learn more about their services, call (859) 525-6215 or visit their website.