LASIK Facts

When meeting your LASIK eye surgery surgeon for the first time, it is important to prepare a few questions to know that you’re dealing with someone whom you can really trust and rely on. There are plenty of individuals claiming to be experts in the technology and incompetent ones can cause you more problems in the end. Make sure you keep your eyes safe and clear.

Your Doctor May Ask You

A good Lasik eye surgery surgeon will not depend on his or her own observations. The decision to allow you to undergo the operation will greatly be based on the results of your previous eye checkups from other ophthalmologists, the current status of your eyes from initial eye exams, referrals and updated knowledge on the subject of refraction surgery. The surgeon will want to ensure that there are not underlying medical conditions and eye characteristics that will hinder the success of the procedure.

Your Lasik surgeon will most likely ask you your age, how long you’ve been wearing glasses or contact lenses, if you feel migraines or experience astigmatism and other medical history data. The doctor wants to make sure that your eyes are already stabilized for laser treatment since there are individuals especially those below 21 years of age, taking drugs or have certain conditions who may develop vision changes after the operation due to unstable eye development. It is recommended that you seek a Lasik eye surgery surgeon after your eyeglasses or contact lens prescription ceases to change for at least 1 year.

An effective surgeon will inform you about your patient rights as well as the possible risks and complications of Lasik. You will be provided with a detailed form of all procedures, tests and medications so that you know what you’re paying for. You will also be asked to sign an informed consent that you are fully aware of risks.

Other questions that your doctor may ask would be if you’re ready to have your current eye problem corrected, if you’re ready to face the responsibilities of a post-operative Lasik patient and if you’re ready to have less than favorable results, probably not as perfect or a 20/20 vision as you expected.

Operative and Post-Operative Care

Remember to listen and follow instructions carefully while the operation is going on although it will only last 5 minutes. There will be occasions which may feel uncomfortable such as temporarily dimming of sight, vision blurs and extreme brightness due to dilated pupils. These are all normal and your doctor should inform you about what to expect for the first few hours and days. Since Lasik is an outpatient procedure, you can readily walk out afterwards.

Go to checkups regularly after the operation so that your Lasik eye surgery surgeon will be able to assess how well your eyesight has improved. You will be asked to return the next day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after the day of the surgery.

You will most likely be asked to attend annual checkups later on. Report any adverse effects or changes that you notice immediately so that post-operative complications can be treated by your doctor without much trouble or drastic differences in your eyes. Ask your doctor about symptoms to watch out for after Lasik treatment to ensure quick healing and avoid risks.