12 Facts About LASIK Eye Surgery You Should Know

If you’re tired of wearing glasses or contact lenses, LASIK eye surgery may be an option to help you see clearly. When you have LASIK surgery, an ophthalmologist uses a laser to change the shape of the cornea. That improves how light rays focus on the retina and can help you see clearly without any type of corrective lenses.¹

There are two techniques for LASIK, each offering distinct benefits and advantages. Traditional LASIK uses a microkeratome blade (a handheld device with a vibrating blade) to create a thin flap in the cornea. The surgeon then lifts the flap to reshape the cornea beneath by laser. Surgeons have done blade LASIK for many years, and the procedure is safe and effective. It has a slightly higher chance of complication and longer recovery time compared to bladeless LASIK.²

Bladeless LASIK, or femtosecond LASIK, is a newer technology that eliminates the need for a microkeratome blade. Instead of a blade, a femtosecond laser creates the corneal flap. This has some potential advantages over blade LASIK, such as increased precision, lower likelihood of complications and quicker recovery time.²

To help you make an informed decision, here are 12 facts you should know when considering LASIK surgery.

1. You Must Meet Certain Conditions for LASIK Surgery

You are likely a good candidate for LASIK surgery if you meet several conditions:¹

• You are at least 18 years old, though it is preferable to be at least 21 since your eyesight is typically more stable by then.

• Your vision prescription over the previous year has remained fairly consistent.

• Your eyes' refractive error (the measurement of your eye not bending light properly) is appropriate for treatment with LASIK.

• Your eye health is good, with corneas that are sufficiently thick and healthy.

• You have realistic expectations about LASIK surgery and its results.

Conditions that keep you from being an appropriate candidate for LASIK include:¹

• A changing refractive error

• Extreme myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) or astigmatism

• Severely dry eyes

• Corneas that are too thin, scarred or diseased

• Keratoconus (a cone-shaped cornea)

• Advanced glaucoma

• A vision-affecting cataract

• A history of specific eye infections

• Diabetes that is not well-controlled

Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not have LASIK because of vision changes that can happen during pregnancy.¹

To learn if you're a good candidate for LASIK, see a LASIK eye surgeon for a consultation.¹

2. There Is No Maximum Age Limit for LASIK

The FDA has approved LASIK for patients who are 18 years or older, but some patients need to wait until their prescription is stable for several months. That may be when they're in their early 20s.³

There is no maximum age for getting LASIK. You can determine if you're a good candidate by consulting with an ophthalmologist. The same factors that could disqualify you, such as your medical history, the thickness of your cornea and others, can apply at any age.³

3. LASIK Is Generally Considered Safe

LASIK, one of the most studied and improved elective procedures available, is considered one of the safest elective procedures performed today.⁴

Some people experience minor complications after the procedure, such as halos around lights, dry eyes and light sensitivity, especially at night. Most side effects generally resolve within a few weeks, although some may take a few months.⁴

You can increase your chances of a successful LASIK procedure by carefully following your doctor's instructions, attending post-LASIK checkups, not rubbing or scratching your eyes and making sure to complete your recovery period before you engage in strenuous activity.⁴

4. LASIK Surgery Doesn't Hurt

In most cases, LASIK doesn't hurt. Before the surgery, you'll be administered eye drops that numb your eye's surface. This means you shouldn't feel anything except some pressure during the procedure.⁵

During the surgery, your eyelids are held open with a special tool, which may feel a little strange but isn't likely to cause pain. The laser that reshapes your cornea does not cause any discomfort.⁵

After the eye surgery, there may be some minor pain, itching or discomfort as you heal. Those symptoms clear up quickly. Overall, LASIK surgery causes little to no pain.⁵

5. LASIK Can Correct Multiple Vision Issues

LASIK surgery uses lasers to reshape the cornea, which ensures light entering the eye focuses properly on the retina. It can correct four types of vision conditions:⁶

• Myopia. Myopia is when you can see nearby objects clearly, but more distant ones look blurry. It's the result of either an elongated eye or a cornea that's excessively curved. LASIK surgery slightly flattens the cornea, which corrects how light focuses on the retina.

• Hyperopia. This is the opposite of myopia. It's when you see distant objects clearly and near ones look blurry. It often stems from a short eye or flattened cornea. LASIK steepens a flat cornea so incoming light converges onto the retina instead of behind it.

• Astigmatism. Astigmatism results from an uneven cornea or lens shape. LASIK fixes the irregular curvature of the cornea, providing balanced vision with less distortion.

• Presbyopia. This occurs naturally, is age-related and complicates close-vision tasks like reading. One LASIK approach, monovision, addresses presbyopia by treating one eye for near vision and the other for distance.

6. LASIK Won't Make You Blind

The Refractive Surgery Council says that LASIK surgery is a safe ophthalmology surgery and that LASIK has never been found to be the sole cause of blindness.⁷

LASIK was first performed in 1993, and it's been extensively studied and perfected since then. It's become one of the most routine corrective eye surgeries.⁷

In addition, studies by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found that less than 1% of LASIK patients report symptoms that affect their regular, daily activities.⁸

7. You Should Ask Your Potential LASIK Surgeon Questions

Make sure your LASIK doctor is board-certified in ophthalmology and has additional training in LASIK surgery. Don't hesitate to ask your potential surgeon for proof of their certifications and training.⁹

Ask, too, how many LASIK surgeries they have performed successfully and about their complication rate compared to the national average. A proficient surgeon will have positive patient testimonials, low rates of complications and a history of successful surgeries.⁹

Make sure you choose a surgeon who offers personalized care, meaning they spend time with you to thoroughly understand your vision needs, lifestyle and medical history before recommending a treatment. They should explain the surgery in detail and tailor it to your specific needs, rather than offering each patient exactly the same approach.⁹

8. The Cost of LASIK Can Be Comparable to Years of Glasses and Contact Lenses

The national average cost* of LASIK is $1,560 for a single eye, but costs can range from $1,230 to $2,625. Your exact cost will depend on several factors, including the type of LASIK surgery needed (this has the most significant impact), the LASIK technology used, the patient's particular needs, the surgeon's expertise and the facility's charges.¹⁰

Keep in mind that financing options, including the CareCredit credit card, are available to help make LASIK affordable.

9. The Long-Term Effects of LASIK Are Known

For most patients, the long-term effects of LASIK surgery include improved vision and freedom from having to wear glasses or contact lenses.¹¹

Its effects will last your entire life. LASIK permanently reshapes your cornea, and that doesn't wear off. Five percent of people who undergo LASIK surgery later need enhancement (additional surgery) because the lens inside their eye changes shape.¹¹

About 99% of patients with LASIK are satisfied and would recommend it to others. Almost all patients (more than 98%) who have up to -7 diopters of nearsightedness and -3 diopters of astigmatism will end up with 20/20 vision with both their eyes open.¹¹

Technology has advanced and there's now topography-guided laser vision correction. This means that even people who had LASIK surgery many years ago with less successful outcomes, such as seeing halos or glare or having poor vision quality, can now have enhancement surgery for a very good chance of substantially improving their vision.¹¹

10. Some People Still Need Glasses or Contacts After LASIK

LASIK surgery is highly effective at reducing your dependence on glasses and contacts, and more than 96% of people are happy with their results.¹²

However, some people may still need to wear glasses or contacts, even after a successful LASIK surgery. That's because the surgery cannot prevent later vision changes that come with age:¹²

• For instance, you may need to use reading glasses as you age and the lenses inside your eyes lose their flexibility.

• If your vision changes in other ways in the future, you may need a LASIK touch-up.

However, you will likely see much better with LASIK surgery and greatly reduce your need for visual aids such as glasses and contacts.¹²

11. Most People See Better Right After Surgery

As soon as you open your eyes, you will likely notice the improvement in your vision. Within a few hours, it will be even clearer. It will take your eyes about six months to fully heal, and your vision should continue to improve during that time.¹³

You'll return home with prescription eye drops and be instructed to use nonprescription lubricating eye drops to keep your eyes moist. It's important to wear eye shields while lying down for the first week to protect your healing eyes.¹³

While you can shower, you must keep water, soap and chemicals out of your eyes for the first week after surgery to avoid bacterial contamination. You should avoid lifting or straining during that first week as well.¹³

You may want to take a few days off work after the procedure if you have symptoms such as tearing, light sensitivity and puffy eyelids, which should resolve within approximately a week.¹³

Most people can drive the day after LASIK surgery.¹³

12. LASIK Results Last a Lifetime

LASIK doesn't wear off. It changes the shape of your cornea, and those corrections are permanent.¹⁴

The catch is that you may have further natural, age-related changes to your eyes over your lifetime. You may later develop presbyopia and therefore need reading glasses, or you may develop cataracts. Some patients eventually need LASIK enhancement or an additional procedure such as cataract surgery to continue having crisp, clear vision.¹⁴

Your doctor can help you if there are future changes to your vision and determine what treatment is appropriate.¹⁴

Learn more: To find out why LASIK is a great option for better vision, listen to this Care Experts podcast with Dr. Dean Ellis.

Financing LASIK Eye Surgery With the CareCredit Credit Card

If you'd like to be less dependent on glasses or contact lenses, you may want to consider taking the first step to determine if you're a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery. Schedule an appointment for an eye exam and a preoperative consultation with your eye doctor, who can review your eye health and answer your questions. Remember that the CareCredit credit card provides a convenient option for financing not only your LASIK consultation and procedure but other vision care too.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a vision specialist near you that accepts CareCredit.

Continue to invest in your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to easily manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to vision care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, cosmetic, pet care, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Leslie Lang is a writer with more than 20 years of experience covering health and wellness, banking and finance and technology. She has written for leading publications and organizations, including GoodRx.com, Healthgrades.com, Google, Adobe, Microsoft and more.