What is LASIK?

LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is a well-known elective eye surgery that can help reduce or completely eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. Hundreds of thousands of LASIK procedures are done every year, even though it’s not medically necessary to have the procedure.

The reason why so many people choose to have LASIK is because it can be quite life-changing. The ability for most LASIK patients to see clearly without corrective lenses is why we often hear the phrase, “I wish I had done it sooner!” from so many of our happy patients.

Refractive errors (nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism) cause blurry vision because of an irregular corneal shape (the cornea is the clear outer layer of your eye). The LASIK procedure is performed to alter your cornea so it takes on the desired shape.

This is done using cutting-edge, sophisticated laser machines.
Request an Appointment

What does LASIK correct?

LASIK is performed to correct refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. These are vision conditions that can cause your eyesight to be blurry at different distances because light entering your eyes is not able to land directly onto your retina (the back of your eye).

Refractive errors may range in severity, but most people who have them need to wear glasses or contact lenses to go about their everyday lives.When glasses or contacts become too burdensome, it may be possible to have LASIK to improve your eyesight to 20/20 vision – or even better. It is important to note that not everyone is a good candidate for this procedure.

Your eye health and corneal thickness (the clear outer layer of your eye) will be taken into consideration in addition to the severity of your refractive error.

Nearsightedness (Myopia)

When you are nearsighted, you can see near, but your distance vision is blurry because your cornea is steeper than normal. The LASIK laser removes minuscule amounts of tissue to create a flatter shape so light entering your eyes can land more directly onto your retina.

Farsightedness (Hyperopia)

If you are farsighted, you can see far, but your up-close vision is blurry. This is because your cornea is flatter than normal. The LASIK laser removes minuscule amounts of tissue to create a rounder shape so light entering your eyes can land more directly onto your retina.

Astigmatism

You can have astigmatism with or without nearsightedness or farsightedness. Astigmatism occurs if your cornea is oval-shaped, like a football, rather than the ideal round shape. The LASIK laser removes minuscule amounts of tissue to create a rounder shape so light entering your eyes can land more directly onto your retina.

Interested in LASIK?

Complete the form below to receive promotional information about our LASIK services:

LASIK takes 3 quick steps:

A flap is made

A very thin flap is made on your cornea. This is so your doctor can access the underlying corneal tissue with the laser.

The cornea is reshaped

The flap is then gently folded over so the laser can be used to reshape the cornea. A miniscule amount of corneal tissue is removed to achieve the ideal roundness.

The flap is healed

The flap is repositioned and the healing process starts almost immediately. There is usually no need for any stitches if you follow your doctor’s instructions and rest your eyes properly after the procedure.

LASIK is NOT for Everyone

Although LASIK technology has come a long way since it was first FDA-approved in the late 1990s, it is still important to ensure your eye is right for this procedure. You should not follow through with a LASIK procedure without a comprehensive evaluation of your eyes.

Many of the bad LASIK results you may see usually occur because:
  • The patient was not a good candidate in the first place
  • The doctor was inexperienced, OR
  • The technology used was faulty or outdated.

What To Expect in a Consultation:

Our experts will perform a few different (painless) tests on your eyes to assess things like:
  • The thickness of your cornea (if too thin, a LASIK alternative might be recommended)
  • The overall health of your eyes (if you have an eye disease or severe dry eye, LASIK may not be suitable for you)
  • Your refractive error (if your prescription is extremely high, we might not recommend LASIK)
We will assess your medical history to identify any conditions that might affect the outcome of your LASIK procedure.
‍
We will explain the many details about LASIK, but you may come up with your own questions. Ask away!
Request an Appointment

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

Am I awake during LASIK?

Yes! We will apply numbing drops to your eye and use an instrument called a lid speculum to keep your eye open. Our laser chair is very comfortable – you simply look directly into a light on our machine and the laser treatment is done in just a few minutes. If your eye moves, even a little bit, the laser will instantly stop until you are back into correct position. If you are feeling nervous about the procedure, we can prescribe relaxation medication to ease your anxiety.

What does LASIK feel like?

The numbing eye drops we place into your eyes are designed to make LASIK as comfortable as possible. Even though we tell patients that the procedure doesn’t hurt, they are usually pleasantly surprised to find out that they only felt a bit of pressure on their eyes. The numbing drops really are effective in blocking the feeling of the LASIK procedure.

How long does LASIK take?

The great news is that your time in our LASIK chair is very quick – well under 30 minutes for most patients. Our LASIK patients are usually amazed at how quickly they are in and out. The actual corneal reshaping step of LASIK only takes a few minutes per eye.

How long is LASIK recovery?

LASIK is an outpatient procedure, so you’ll be able to go home the same day. We will recommend that you rest at home for the remainder of the day and night. Most patients are able to return to work and non-strenuous activities the day after LASIK! It is possible to start seeing more clearly right away, but for most patients it may take several months for your vision to completely stabilize. You will want to make sure you don’t rub your eyes for several days as your corneal flap heals. Your doctor will schedule follow-up visits to monitor your progress and ensure there are no complications.

What are some complications with LASIK?

Like any medical procedure, there are possible complications with LASIK. These will be discussed with you in depth during your LASIK Consultation. Conditions such as dry eye, starbursts, corneal flap complications, infection, blurry vision and other risks will be minimized if you choose an experienced doctor who is using advanced LASIK technologies. Our team at Azul Vision performs extensive LASIK Consultations so that they only recommend this procedure for eyes that are healthy enough – another way to reduce the risk of complications.

How expensive is LASIK?

LASIK is definitely an investment in your vision, but it’s also an investment in your quality of life. If you already wear glasses and contact lenses, you know how expensive these vision aids are to maintain. These are costs that will never go away. LASIK is a one-time cost that can save you money in the long run. The actual price of LASIK varies; our team will be able to quote a specific price to you during your free, no-obligation LASIK Consultation. If cost is a concern, we can discuss LASIK financing options to make this life-changing procedure fit into your budget.  

Financing

At Azul Vision, we want to help make clear vision affordable for everyone. While LASIK may be expensive, think about how much you spend every month on maintaining your glasses, contact lenses, cleaning solutions, and accessories.
These costs can add up – and they never go away!
LASIK is an investment in your vision, but it’s also an investment in your quality of life. That’s why we’ve teamed up with CareCredit, a healthcare financing card, to allow patients to finance clear vision over time.
If you qualify, you can enjoy these benefits:
  • Have LASIK with no money down
  • Pay for LASIK over 24 months with 0% interest
  • No pre-payment penalties
Our team can discuss financing options during our free LASIK consultations.

We can also help you uncover other ways to lower the cost of LASIK such as enrolling into a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) program with your employer.