What To Expect During My LASIK Procedure

LASIK Procedure Simplified

At Laser Eye Surgery of Erie, we strive to ensure that your LASIK experience is hassle-free and comfortable. Here is a simplified overview of the LASIK procedure

• Preparation: Our surgery suite is conveniently located within our office. On the day of your procedure, arrange for someone to drive you and plan to spend approximately 1 hour at our office.
• Relaxation: You will be provided with mild sedation to help you relax before the procedure.
• Numbing and disinfection: Your eyes will be numbed with anesthetic drops, and Povidone-Iodine will be applied around the eyes to prevent infection.
• Femtosecond Laser Ring: A specialized ring is placed on your eye, causing temporary black or blurred vision for about 1 minute. This is normal, and you will  also experience a pressure sensation.
• Flap creation: The IFS Intralase Femtosecond laser is used to create a thin “flap” with a hinge on your cornea. This flap is lifted to allow the laser to reshape the inner corneal tissue.
• Reshaping the cornea: The Visx STAR 4 excimer laser, programmed specifically for your vision correction needs, is directed onto the exposed inner corneal tissue. The computer-guided laser gently reshapes the cornea.
• Laser treatment experience: During the excimer laser treatment, you may experience a peculiar smell, see bright lights, and feel a sensation similar to water.
• Flap replacement: Once the laser treatment is complete, the corneal flap is carefully repositioned to its original place, ensuring proper alignment.
• Sensations and recovery: Most patients report minimal pressure but no pain during the procedure. Some discomfort may be experienced for a day or two afterward, but this can be managed with prescribed eye drops.
• Rest and healing: Although some patients experience immediate vision improvement after LASIK, it is recommended to have someone drive you home. Most patients take at least one day for their vision to improve, some longer depending on your glasses prescription, eye health, and  medical conditions.  Resting with closed eyes will aid in the healing process. A follow-up appointment is necessary the following day, so arrange for transportation.

If you have any further questions or wish to schedule your FREE LASIK Consultation, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Additionally, if you are not a suitable candidate for LASIK, our team can evaluate you for PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy), which offers the same excellent results but the procedure performed differently. 

https://www.erielasereye.com/our-services/lasik-eye-surgery/

https://www.erielasereye.com/

https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/lasik