LASIK is one of the most popular vision correction procedures, helping millions see clearly without glasses or contacts. However, it’s important to understand the benefits, risks, and whether you’re a good candidate. This guide covers what you need to know to make an informed decision.
What is LASIK?
LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis) is a revolutionary procedure that uses a laser to reshape the cornea of your eye, correcting nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
Nuestros cirujanos utilizan un láser, en lugar de una cuchilla, para completar su procedimiento LASIK. Los láseres son más precisos y provocan menos complicaciones. El proceso utiliza pulsos rápidos de luz láser para penetrar a una profundidad precisa debajo de la superficie corneal y permitir que su médico acceder al tejido corneal subyacente.
More than 40 million people have gotten LASIK, one of several procedures available to correct poor vision since it was FDA approved in 1999. The whole procedure is quick (it usually takes less than 30 minutes, and most people get close to 20/20 vision within a few days or weeks of having it done. (For others, it may take up to six months, and their visual outcome may vary)
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You’ll want to hold off on the procedure if your prescription has fluctuated in the past two years (which typically stabilizes by mid-20s) or if you have an existing ocular issue, like dry eye or thin corneas. It’s also not a good idea if you’ve got a health problem that can affect your ability to heal, like diabetes or an autoimmune disease. If you don’t fit those descriptions, LASIK is likely safe overall. It’s also especially helpful for people with specific jobs or who play sports where glasses and contacts get in the way. However, if your sport includes blows to the face—like boxing (you may need to look into a different type of procedure).
Some people on TikTok say that LASIK left them with horrible dry eyes, made it hard to drive at night, or gave them irksome halos, double vision (seeing two images of a single object), or starbursts (where you see rays of light). These side effects have become less of an issue as technology has advanced, but for those who get them, they typically improve within six months for most LASIK recipients.
So, here’s the first important thing to know: complications and side effects are not the same thing.
“Side effects” is a big umbrella term that covers everything that can happen from medical treatment that wasn’t originally intended. Side effects can be serious, but they often aren’t. They can be long-lasting, but many of them go away quickly on their own. Side effects can even be positive. Rogaine started as a blood pressure treatment. In trials, it was discovered that Rogaine also helped to grow hair. That was a side effect that made a lot of people happy.
“Complications” are exactly what they sound like—unintended results that make a condition more complicated and require additional treatment. Complications are serious, but they’re also much less common than side effects.
How to minimize your risk if you want laser eye surgery
If you’re considering laser eye surgery, here are some tips to reduce your risk:
Ask yourself why you want it
Take some time to figure out why you want to live without contacts or eyeglasses. Are your glasses interfering with your ability to work? Do your contacts irritate your eyes? Or do you need to improve at remembering to take them out at night or in the shower? It comes down to how your vision impacts your quality of life. Even though it can potentially improve your life, there’s no guarantee, and no surgery is risk-free.
Talk to an optometrist and poll them—or people who know who’ve had the procedure—for recommendations.
If you think laser eye surgery could really improve your quality of life, check in with an optometrist. They can look at your medical history and, because they don’t perform LASIK (that’s typically an ophthalmologist), help you weigh the pros and cons. If they think you’re a good candidate, they can share recommendations for qualified surgeons in your area (you can find one through the Refractive Surgery Council). It’s also worth asking for referrals from friends, family, and colleagues who had good experiences.
Be upfront about any existing eye issues.
Tell them if you experience dry eyes or floaters and ask how the LASIK surgery could affect those issues. Also, mention the medications you take. Certain drugs, like ADHD medications, can impact your sight, and you’ll want to be aware of that since it might increase your risk of vision problems post-LASIK.
Know what to expect on the day of the procedure (and in the following recovery period).
It takes three to six months for your eyes to heal fully, and you might need to take various steps during that period, such as wearing goggles at night for a week and avoiding hot tubs for a week, to prevent injuries and infections. There’s also a risk of vision problems if your doctor didn’t laser enough of your cornea or if the procedure was done as your prescription was shifting. If this happens or if your cornea was damaged, this is typically corrected later by an enhancement.
As for TikTok horror stories, if you see something concerning, ask your doctor how common the complication is and if there’s anything you can do to prevent it. According to FDA research, the vast majority of those who get LASIK—95% of people—are satisfied with their results.
According to the American Refractive Surgery Council, the rate of serious, sight-threatening LASIK complications is less than 1%. LASIK complications can include infections and dislocation of the corneal flap made during the surgery. Surgical complications from laser vision correction are extremely rare, but they do occur. These qualify as complications because they may require additional treatment—it could be harmful to leave them untreated.
Benefits:
- Enhanced Vision: Experience the freedom of improved vision without the limitations of glasses or contacts.
- Increased Confidence: Enjoy a boost in self-esteem with an improved appearance and the ability to see confidently in any situation.
- Financial: A lifetime of corrective lenses costs more than a LASIK procedure—the average 25-year-old is projected to spend $30,000 on contacts over the course of 25 years.
- Improved Quality of Life:
- Enhanced Sports Performance: No more worrying about glasses fogging or contacts falling out during physical activity.
- Greater Convenience: Say goodbye to the hassle of cleaning glasses, replacing contacts, and carrying eye drops.
- Increased Safety: Improved vision can significantly enhance driving safety, especially at night.
- Water settings: For many, the restrictions of water activities are a huge setback since these settings are a hotbed of bacteria for those dependent on either glasses or contacts. The freedom from glasses and contacts can change someone’s quality of life if that person particularly enjoys water activities such as swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
Using Your HSA/FSA for LASIK:
Many Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) cover vision correction procedures like LASIK. If you’re considering LASIK, now is the perfect time to take advantage of your remaining funds. Medical Eye Center offers $1000 off LASIK when using HSA/FSA funds before Dec. 31, 2024.
Check Your Plan: Review your plan documents carefully to understand your coverage and any applicable deductibles or co-pays.
Consult Your Doctor: Discuss your eligibility for LASIK and obtain a detailed cost estimate. Visit here schedule a free consultation with our LASIK counselors.
Submit Claims: Ensure you submit all necessary documentation to your insurance provider for reimbursement.
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