Knowing that more than fifteen million LASIK procedures have been performed worldwide is reassuring. So is knowing that approximately 3,800 surgeons throughout America perform LASIK every year. We believe that when it comes to results, the most important number of all is one. One patient, one pair of eyes, one at a time.

Recovery

After the LASIK procedure, your eye may feel irritation or a foreign body sensation, or your eye may tear or water for a few hours. If you experience discomfort, your doctor may suggest you take a mild pain reliever. Most patients are quite comfortable after taking a short nap while wearing the protective eye shields. Some LASIK patients may wear the eye shields while sleeping during the first few days. Do not rub your eyes during the early healing stage. It is not unusual for dryness in your eyes to last for several days. In some patients this can be longer.

Most LASIK patients notice dramatic visual results within the first few days following their procedure. However, the speed of visual recovery depends on personal healing patterns, patients with higher prescriptions may recover more slowly.

Returning to Normal Activities

Many patients return to work within a day or two of the procedure. You will need to follow the restrictions mentioned below. Otherwise, as long as you follow your doctor's instructions, you should be free to resume all your normal activities.

• Wait one full day before taking a shower.
• Wait one day to one week, as your doctor advises, before resuming driving.
• Wear sunglasses for the first few days.
• Read and watch TV in moderation the first few days.
• Do not wear eye makeup for four days.
• Do not rub your eyes for one week.
• Do not exercise for one week.
• Avoid swimming, hot tubs and whirlpools for one week.
• Avoid gardening and dusty environments for one week.
• Avoid contact sports that could result in an eye injury for one month.
• Smoking is allowed, but you will probably find smoke very irritating.

Expectations

There are two phases to your procedure: the surgical phase and the healing phase. Both are equally important to your outcome. The speed of visual recovery, the quality and sharpness of your vision and your final outcome will be determined by many variables, including your healing pattern, pre-operative prescription, ocular findings and corneal shape.

While only a very small number of patients experience a complication, all patients have certain expectations. Before proceeding with LASIK, it is important that your expectations are realistic. The most common expectation is to become completely free of glasses and contact lenses. Most patients who undergo laser vision correction significantly reduce their dependence on glasses and contacts. However, as we age, most patients will eventually require reading glasses and some may even require a thin pair of glasses for critical distance activities such as night driving. It is best for you to think of laser vision correction as a procedure that reduces your dependence on glasses or contacts.

Risks and Potential Complications

LASIK is a surgical procedure, and like all surgeries, there is a potential for risks and complications. Every eye heals differently, and it is not possible to predict precisely how your eye will heal. Although most patients are very pleased with the results of their refractive surgery, every patient should weigh the chance of experiencing complications against the potential benefits the procedure can provide.

At our center, risks of the surgery are discussed with the patient prior to the procedure. Proper pre-operative screening and testing ensures that you are considered a N candidate only when it is medically advisable. As well, diligent post-operative care helps to identify and address potential healing complications.