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Educational content only
This page is general patient education, not medical advice. It does not diagnose conditions, recommend specific treatments for you, or replace a conversation with your eye care provider. Always consult a qualified clinician before making decisions about your eye health.
LASIK reshapes the front of your eye so light focuses clearly on the retina — no glasses, no contacts. The whole thing takes about 15 minutes per eye, you're awake for all of it, and most people are back to normal life the next day.
What's happening
Your cornea bends light. We reshape it.
Your cornea is the clear dome at the front of your eye. It does most of the focusing work — bending incoming light so it lands sharply on the retina at the back.
When the cornea's shape isn't quite right, light lands in front of or behind the retina, and vision blurs. LASIK uses a precision laser to reshape the cornea, so light lands exactly where it should.
What helps
Here's the plan — and why it works.
Step 01
Create a tiny flap
Numbing drops. A precision laser creates a thin, hinged flap in the top layer of the cornea — like opening the cover of a book. About 20 seconds.
Step 02
Reshape with laser
A cool excimer laser gently removes microscopic tissue to reshape your cornea. It tracks your eye 1,000 times per second. About 30 seconds.
Step 03
Close the flap
The flap is laid back into place. It acts like a natural bandage — no stitches. It begins bonding within minutes.
Recovery
Back to life fast
Most patients see clearly by next morning. Follow-up visit day 1. Work and driving usually okay within 24–48 hours.
Call us if
You experience increasing pain after day 1, sudden decrease in vision, or significant discharge. Minor dryness and fluctuating vision are expected early on; new or worsening problems are not.
Common questions
Honest answers to common questions.
Does it hurt?+
No. Numbing drops make the eye itself feel nothing. You'll feel mild pressure for ~20 seconds when we create the flap. Afterward, your eyes may feel gritty or burn for a few hours — most people sleep through the worst of it.
Will I really never need glasses again?+
Most patients achieve 20/20 or better and don't need glasses for daily life. However, LASIK doesn't prevent age-related changes — around age 40–45, most people need reading glasses (presbyopia). That's a separate issue from what LASIK fixes.
What if I blink or move during the laser?+
You can't blink — a small device gently holds your eyelid open (painless, just feels odd). If you move, the laser's eye-tracker follows your eye automatically or pauses. You cannot mess this up.
What are the risks?+
LASIK is one of the most-studied elective procedures. Serious complications are rare (<1%). Common temporary issues: dry eyes, halos or glare at night, and occasionally needing a small enhancement touch-up. We'll review your specific risk profile in detail.
How much does it cost? Is it covered?+
LASIK is considered elective, so insurance typically doesn't cover it. Costs vary but financing is usually available. Many patients find it pays for itself over time compared to contacts and glasses.
LASIK vs PRK vs SMILE?+
All three reshape the cornea. LASIK uses a flap. PRK removes the top layer entirely (longer healing, no flap risks). SMILE uses a keyhole-sized incision (good for thin corneas, less dry eye). Which is best depends on your eyes — we'll recommend at your consultation.