Revolutionizing Vision Correction with Precision and Care
LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a popular and effective outpatient procedure that reshapes the cornea to correct vision problems such as myopia (nearsightedness),hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. By reshaping the cornea, LASIK improves how light is focused onto the retina, providing clearer vision and often eliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses.
Who is Eligible for LASIK
LASIK is a great option for individuals looking to correct their vision and reduce or eliminate their dependence on glasses or contact lenses. You may be a candidate for LASIK if:
You are over 18 years of age
Your prescription has been stable for at least one year.
You have healthy eyes and no significant corneal diseases.
You do not have a high level of myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism that exceeds the safe limits for LASIK.
Benefits of LASIK Eye Surgery
No More Glasses or Contacts: Enjoy life without the hassle of corrective eyewear.
High Success Rate: Research shows that over 96% of patients achieve their desired vision after LASIK.
Rapid Recovery: Most patients experience full visual recovery within 24-48 hours.
Painless Procedure: LASIK is virtually painless, with only minor discomfort during the procedure.
No Stitches or Bandages: The corneal flap created during LASIK adheres naturally without the need for stitches.
Quick and Efficient: The procedure itself takes only about 10-15 minutes for both eyes.
Long-Term Benefits: Adjustments can be made years after the initial procedure to maintain or further improve vision.
Pre-LASIK Tests and Evaluation
Before undergoing LASIK, several important tests are conducted to ensure your eyes are suitable for the procedure:
Determines your current prescription for glasses or contacts.
Using advanced technology like Orbscan IIz or Pentacam, we assess the cornea’s thickness and curvature.
Wavescan technology helps us perform customized LASIK by detecting wavefront abnormalities in your vision.
A detailed examination of the retina after dilating the pupil to check for any issues that may need to be addressed before LASIK.
These tests are typically completed on the day of your procedure and take approximately 1-2 hours.
LASIK at M M Joshi Eye Institute: What to Expect
Before the surgery begins, anesthetic drops are applied to numb the eyes. This may cause a mild burning sensation for a few seconds.
A speculum (a small clip) is used to keep the eyelids open during the procedure. You will be asked to focus on a red flashing light, which helps ensure precise treatment.
A thin flap of the cornea (120-140µ) is carefully created. This is done using a microkeratome or the advanced femtosecond laser (INTRALASE), which offers highly precise and customized flap creation.
Once the flap is lifted, an excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea by removing a precise amount of tissue. The laser treatment is tailored to your specific vision needs.
After the cornea has been reshaped, the flap is repositioned and adheres naturally without stitches or bandages.
What to Expect After LASIK Surgery
Most patients experience improved vision within 24-48 hours. You may feel a mild burning or itching sensation for a few hours after surgery, which is normal.
You will have a follow-up appointment the day after your surgery to ensure proper healing and vision correction. Additional follow-ups may be scheduled as needed.
LASIK offers permanent vision correction, though some patients may require adjustments or enhancements in the future.
Why Choose M M Joshi Eye Institute for LASIK?
At M M Joshi Eye Institute, we use state-of-the-art technology to provide customized LASIK treatments. Our experienced ophthalmologists ensure you receive the highest level of care, from preoperative testing to postoperative follow-up.
Ready to Transform Your Vision?
Contact us to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward a life without glasses or contacts.
FAQs
Laser vision correction is an outpatient procedure to correct “refractive errors” in your eyes. That’s when the shape of your eye incorrectly bends light as it enters your eye, resulting in blurry vision. This leads to being near-sighted or far-sighted. The surgery uses a “cool ultraviolet laser” to reshape the cornea, the clear layer of tissue that covers the front of your eye and through which light enters. The surgery corrects the refractive error, eliminating your need for glasses or contacts to correct your vision.
Many people who are near-sighted, far-sighted or have astigmatism are good candidates for laser vision correction surgery such as LASIK or PRK. People who are not good candidates include:
- People who are younger than 21.
- People whose contact lens or glasses prescriptions have changed in the past year.
- People whose hormones are fluctuating due to diseases such as diabetes.
- Women who are pregnant, are breastfeeding or have been breastfeeding in the previous three to six months.
- People who have autoimmune diseases (like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis), are immunodeficient (have HIV, for instance) or are taking some medications (like steroids). These can all prevent proper healing after the surgery.
The first visit is called the pre-operative appointment, or pre-op, and typically lasts 2.5-3 hours. The appointment includes a full eye exam, so you will have thorough testing of your eyes, you will be dilated and you will get to meet your surgeon! After that exam, your doctor will talk to you about whether the surgery could help your vision.
Yes. Most of our patients elect to have both eyes done in one visit. However, this decision should be discussed during your pre-operative appointment.
No. Your eye is carefully anesthetized with drops before the surgery. You won’t feel any pain during the procedure. If you choose, we can often prescribe a sedative to help you relax during the surgery. Some patients report minor discomfort after the surgery.
The laser portion of the surgery takes about one minute per eye. However, you can expect to be in the laser suite for 15 to 30 minutes per eye, and to be at the hospital for about two hours on the day of surgery.
LASIK and PRK procedures are performed in an outpatient setting and are usually painless. You will be able to go home right after surgery with sunglasses. Most people can start their regular activities within 2 weeks, driving typically within 24 hours for LASIK (may be longer for PRK up to 4-5 days) and they can go back to work after 1 day.
You may experience some normal side effects from the surgery in the first few hours or days, but they will heal over time. Side effects may include:
- Light sensitivity, which can last for a few hours up to a couple of days.
- Itchy, scratchy eyes, but it is important not to rub your eyes for the first two months after surgery. Preservative-free artificial tears can help your eyes feel more comfortable.
- Dry eyes, which may be caused by the procedure affecting how your eye naturally produces tears. Artificial tears can help. Symptom can last for a few months after the surgery, usually improving within six to 12 months.
Not significantly. While you must be 21 or older for laser vision correction surgery, there is no other age requirement. If you are in your mid-40s or older, laser vision correction will correct your distance vision, but you will still need reading glasses. Younger patients can expect to enjoy good near and distance vision, but will likely need reading glasses in their 40s or 50s.
Most people have long lasting results. However, there can be variability. It will vary according to the age you have the refractive surgery as well as the potential correction.
No reputable surgeon can promise that you will have 20/20 vision or be forever free of glasses or contact lenses after the surgery. Each eye is unique, and not all eyes heal in the same way. The overwhelming majority of our patients are very happy with the results of their first laser vision correction surgery.
Both contact lenses and LASIK are very safe, although there is a small risk of complications from both of them.
The skills and experience of our surgeons ensure that laser vision correction surgery at our institute is extremely safe. But complications — while rare — can happen with any surgery. Rare complications might include corneal flap complications, corneal haze, under-correction or over-correction, impaired night vision, possible continuing need for corrective lenses and the need for reading glasses.