LASIK eye surgery: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P LASIK is eye surgery that permanently changes the shape of the cornea (the clear covering on the front of the eye). It is done to improve vision and reduce a person's need for glasses or contact lenses.

T Description
P For clear vision, the eye's cornea and lens must bend (refract) light rays properly. This allows images to be focused on the retina. Otherwise, the images will be blurry.
P This blurriness is referred to as a "refractive error." It is caused by a difference between the shape of the cornea (curvature) and the length of the eye.
P LASIK uses an excimer laser (an ultraviolet laser) to remove a thin layer of corneal tissue. This gives the cornea a new shape so that light rays are focused clearly on the retina. LASIK causes the cornea to be thinner.
P LASIK is an outpatient surgical procedure. It will take 10 to 15 minutes to perform for each eye.
P The only anesthetic used is eye drops that numb the surface of the eye. The procedure is done when you are awake, but you will get medicine to help you relax. LASIK may be done on one or both eyes during the same session.
P To do the procedure, a flap of corneal tissue is created. This flap is then peeled back so that the excimer laser can reshape the corneal tissue underneath. A hinge on the flap prevents it from being completely separated from the cornea.
P When LASIK was first done, a special automated knife (a microkeratome) was used to cut the flap. Now a more common and safer method is to use a different type of laser (femtosecond) to create the corneal flap.
P The amount of tissue the laser will remove is calculated ahead of time. Once the reshaping is done, the surgeon replaces and secures the flap. No stitches are needed. The cornea will naturally hold the flap in place.

T Why the Procedure is Performed
P LASIK is most often done on people who use glasses or contact lenses because of nearsightedness (myopia). It is sometimes used to correct farsightedness. It may also correct astigmatism.
P The FDA and American Academy of Ophthalmology have developed guidelines for determining LASIK candidates.
- You should be at least 18 years old (21 in some cases, depending on the laser used). This is because vision may continue to change in people younger than 18. A rare exception is a child with one very nearsighted and one normal eye. Using LASIK to correct a very nearsighted eye may prevent amblyopia (lazy eye).
- Your eyes must be healthy and your prescription stable. If you are nearsighted, you should postpone LASIK until your condition has stabilized. Nearsightedness may continue to increase in some patients until their mid to late 20s.
- Your prescription must be within the range that can be corrected with LASIK.
- You should be in good general health. LASIK may not be recommended for patients with diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, glaucoma, herpes infections of the eye, or cataracts. You should discuss this with your surgeon.
P Other recommendations:
- Weigh the risks and rewards. If you're happy wearing contacts or glasses, you may not want to have the surgery.
- Make sure you have realistic expectations from the surgery.
P For people with presbyopia, LASIK cannot correct vision so that one eye can see at both distance and near. However, LASIK can be done to allow one eye to see near and the other far. This is called "monovision." If you can adjust to this correction, it may eliminate or reduce your need for reading glasses.
P In some instances, surgery on only one eye is required. If your doctor thinks you're a candidate, ask about the pros and cons.

T Risks
P You should not have this procedure if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, because these conditions can affect eye measurements.
P You should not have this procedure if you take certain prescription drugs, such as Accutane, Cardarone, Imitrex, or oral prednisone.
P Risks may include:
- Corneal infection
- Corneal scarring or permanent problems with the cornea's shape, making it impossible to wear contact lenses
- Decrease in contrast sensitivity, even with 20/20 vision, objects may appear fuzzy or gray
- Dry eyes
- Glare or halos
- Light sensitivity
- Night driving problems
- Patches of red or pink in the white of the eye (usually temporary)
- Reduced vision or permanent vision loss
- Scratchiness

T Before the Procedure
P A complete eye exam will be done before surgery to make sure your eyes are healthy. Other tests will be done to measure the curvature of the cornea, the size of the pupils in light and dark, the eyes' refractive error, and the thickness of the cornea (to make sure you will have enough corneal tissue left after surgery).
P You will sign a consent form before the procedure. This form confirms that you know the procedure's risks, benefits, alternative options, and possible complications.

T After the Procedure
P Following the surgery:
- You may have burning, itching, or a feeling that something is in the eye. This feeling doesn't last for more than 6 hours in most cases.
- An eye shield or patch will be placed over the eye to protect the flap. It will also help prevent rubbing or pressure on the eye until it has had enough time to heal (usually overnight).
- It is very important NOT to rub the eye after LASIK, so that the flap does not dislodge or move. For the first 6 hours, keep the eye closed as much as possible.
- The doctor may prescribe mild pain medicine and a sedative.
- Vision is often blurry or hazy the day of surgery, but blurriness will improve by the next day.
P Call the eye doctor right away if you have severe pain or any of the symptoms get worse before your scheduled follow-up appointment (24 to 48 hours after surgery).
P At the first visit after the surgery, the eye shield will be removed and the doctor will examine your eye and test your vision. You will receive eye drops to help prevent infection and inflammation.
P Do not drive until your vision has improved enough to safely do so. Other things to avoid include:
- Swimming
- Hot tubs and whirlpools
- Contact sports
- Use of lotions, creams, and eye makeup for 2 to 4 weeks after surgery
P The health care provider will give you specific instructions.

T Outlook (Prognosis)
P Most people's vision will stabilize in a few days after surgery, but for some people it may take up to 3 to 6 months.
P A small number of people may need to have another surgery because the vision is over- or under-corrected. Sometimes, you will still need to wear contact lenses or glasses.
P Some people need a second surgery to get the best possible results. Although a second surgery may improve distance vision, it may not relieve other symptoms, such as glare, halos, or problems with night driving. These are common complaints following LASIK surgery, especially when an older method is used. These problems will go away by 6 months after the surgery in most cases. However, a small number of people may continue to have problems with glare.
P If your distance vision has been corrected with LASIK, it is likely that you will still need reading glasses at around age 45.
P LASIK has commonly been performed in the United States since 1996. Most people seem to have stable and lasting vision improvement.

T Alternative Names
P Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis; Laser vision correction; Nearsightedness - Lasik; Myopia - Lasik

T Patient Instructions
- Refractive corneal surgery - discharge
- Refractive eye surgery - what to ask your doctor

T Images
- Lasik eye surgery - series

T References
P Alio JL, Azar DT, Stasi K, Soria FA. Surgical correction of presbyopia. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2014:chap 3.10.
P Garg S, McColgin AZ, Steinert RF. LASIK. In: Tasman W, Jaeger EA, eds. Duane's Clinical Ophthalmology. 2013 ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins; 2013:vol 6, chap 49.
P Sierra PB, Hardten DR, Davis EA. LASIK. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2014:chap 3.5.
P Yanoff M, Cameron D. Diseases of the visual system. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine. 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 423.

T Review Date 3/15/2016
P Updated by: Franklin W. Lusby, MD, ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

