Common Questions About Lasik Eye Surgery

Lasik vision correction surgery is very beneficial to people who have moderate to low vision problems. Though Lasik is essentially a quick and painless procedure, there is a small element of risk involved in this surgery. As with any other surgery, before deciding to undergo Lasik eye surgery, you should have a thorough understanding of what the surgery entails and the before and after care involved. It is equally important to set realistic expectations if you are to undergo Lasik eye surgery.

Even after your Lasik doctor has told you everything you need to know about Lasik surgery and the pre- and post procedure, you may still have a lot of unasked questions. Here then are the most frequently asked questions regarding Lasik eye surgery.

Am I a good candidate for Lasik? During your first visit with your Lasik doctor, he will ask you a lot of questions and probe into your health history in order to assess whether you are fit for Lasik surgery. Your eye care professional will also check your eyes thoroughly and get a full history of your vision problems so he could make a complete assessment. Lasik is not recommended for anyone younger than 18 years and for people with certain health problems including diabetes or autoimmune diseases. Certain degenerative diseases of the eyes could also be a disqualifying factor. Your Lasik eye doctor will make his decision after having gathered all the facts and doing a complete eye examination. If you have any one of the disqualifying qualities, you would be considered a ‘not good candidate’ for Lasik eye surgery as it could have a poor outcome.

Will Lasik vision correction eliminate the need for corrective lenses? Maybe is the best answer to this question till after the surgery. There could be a chance that you may not need to wear any glasses or contacts after surgery, but if you do, it is not by any means indicative of the success of the surgery. Lasik eye surgery is performed to improve vision and does not completely correct vision problems. You should not decide to undergo Lasik eye surgery with any unrealistic expectations.

Are there risks of having the Lasik procedure? Yes, as with any other surgery, but the risk level is very low. Most people benefit from Lasik eye surgery without any problems. One of the most common side effects emerging from this procedure is decreased low light vision, which causes glowing at night and other low-light conditions and forms a halo around lighted up objects. With time this side effect lessens and eventually disappears. The long-term complications of Lasik eye surgery are rare, and there is just the smallest chance that a person’s eyesight could be worse post Lasik surgery.

Does the procedure hurt? Lasik eye surgery is quick and painless and you could walk right out of the surgery center upon completion of the procedure. Sedation is not necessary unless the patient is nervous and uncomfortable at the thought of surgery. Drops are put into the eyes to numb them and the surgery, which takes about a minute or two for each eye, is performed while the patient is awake.

Will I need to take time off of work after the procedure? Yes, you do though the amount of time depends on the kind of job. For a sedentary job, 2-3 days off should suffice, but jobs that are computer intensive would require a longer rest period for the eyes.
How much does the procedure cost? A ballpark figure would be about $2000 for Lasik eye surgery, but this depends on which technique needs to be used, the condition of the eyes and also the city you live in.

Does insurance cover Lasik? Lasik vision correction is considered elective surgery, so most insurance plans do not cover it. You could scout around for an insurance plan that could help defray the costs of surgery with their extended eye care plans. Also check with your employer, they may favor certain clinics, which would give you a special rate for your surgery.