LASIK stands for "laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis" -- an eye surgery that reshapes your cornea (the clear cover over your pupil and iris) to help you see more clearly. Most people who get LASIK do so to correct myopia (nearsightedness), but it can also correct hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism.
Preparing for LASIK
Not everyone can have this surgery. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the best candidate:
is at least 18 years old
doesn't take certain prescription drugs, like oral prednisone, Imitrex or Cordarone
has a stable eye prescription
does not have a chronic health condition, such as diabetes, lupus or herpes near the eye
Your doctor will also do tests to make sure LASIK is appropriate for you and to determine how much tissue to remove. These tests measure the thickness and curvature of your cornea; the size of your pupils; and the degree of myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism you have.
If you wear contacts, you will need to stop using them for a few weeks before surgery. Avoid wearing eye makeup the day of surgery.
You will not be able to drive for a few days, so arrange for someone to drive you home and take you to your follow-up appointment.
The LASIK procedure
LASIK is a quick, outpatient procedure that takes up to 15 minutes per eye. Before starting, the doctor will give you a sedative and use eye drops to numb the surface of your eye. You will have to focus on a point of light during the procedure to keep your eye still.
Your doctor will have preprogrammed the machine with your measurements, and it will do all the work. First, a femtosecond laser or a special knife (microkeratome) cuts a flap in the outer layer of your cornea. Then an excimer laser slowly reshapes the tissue underneath. Afterwards, your doctor places the flap back over your eye and puts on an eye patch.
You might smell something similar to burning hair during the surgery.
Recovering from LASIK
Immediately afterwards, your eyes may burn or feel itchy. Do not rub them, or you could move the flap. You will probably need to wear the eye patch for protection overnight. Your doctor might also prescribe pain relievers and eye drops to reduce swelling and prevent infection.
You will have a follow-up appointment within 48 hours after surgery to check your vision. It can take a few days for your vision to stabilize. Some people have trouble with glare and halos or may not be able to drive at night after LASIK. Others have dry eyes. These problems usually go away within a few months, but sometimes they are permanent.
For about four weeks after surgery, it's important to protect your eyes, so avoid eye makeup and creams, and do not swim or participate in contact sports. Once you have fully healed, you will be able to do all those things, quite possibly without glasses or contacts.
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