Frequently Asked Questions

Listed below are some of the most commonly asked questions about lasik procedures. If you do not see your question or questions below, please feel free to contact us and we’d be happy to answer any that you may have.

In general, the ideal candidate for LASIK vision correction is over 20, in overall good health, and without eye diseases such as glaucoma or cataracts. LASIK is used to treat patients with nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. LASIK can correct a wide range of prescriptions, and constantly evolving treatment and technology options makes it more likely than ever that you can be treated. However, you should have a full eye exam and consult with your eye doctor to discover your suitability for LASIK and the results you can expect from the procedure.

All LASIK procedures use a beam of light from an excimer laser to painlessly reshape the surface of your cornea. Custom LASIK employs a wavefront analyzer in a pre-operative diagnostic exam to make a 3-dimensional map of your eye’s unique features. This individualized map allows your surgeon to customize your treatment and provides potentially better results than conventional LASIK for many, though not all, patients. Bladeless LASIK can help patients with corneas too thin for other LASIK procedures by using a laser to cut a custom corneal flap prior to the vision correction procedure. PRK is a laser procedure using the excimer laser to reshape the cornea but without making a flap. This procedure is a good alternative for some patients who are not candidates for LASIK.

Dr. Harris uses his experience and knowledge gained from over 15 years of laser surgery procedures, training and continuing education to advise you of all your options before deciding on a specific treatment plan.

As with all surgical procedures, there are inherent risks associated with LASIK treatment. However, since most patients only require local anesthetic in the form of eye drops, many traditional surgical risks are reduced or eliminated. Potential complications after surgery include but are not limited to dryness, night halos, correction that varies from expected results, or loss of visual acuity. Dr. Harris will discuss each of the risk scenarios and their likelihood of occurring during your pre-operative exam and testing. LASIK surgery has an extremely high patient satisfaction rating, with over 95% of patients worldwide reporting they were satisfied with their procedure.

In most cases, patients experience a significant improvement in their uncorrected vision within one or two days. Those with higher order corrections (i.e., stronger prescriptions) or who heal at a slower natural rate may take slightly longer to fully recover. Dr. Harris can give you a better idea of what to expect in your individual case.

Most patients experience only slight discomfort during the procedure. The majority of patients require simple anesthetic eye drops, though a mild sedative may also be administered. After the procedure, the anesthetic eye drops wear off and sensation returns. Some people state their eyes hurt but most people feel that there is something in their eye for several hours,. We recommend patients go home after the procedure and take a five hour nap. After the nap most patients are fairly comfortable. Your eyes may feel dry for a few days. We will supply eye drops that help reduce this temporary dryness.