The LASIK Procedure

Before Your Procedure

Your eye doctor will perform a preliminary eye exam to determine if Custom Wavelight Vision Correction is right for you. This part will be non-invasive and painless. Your eye doctor will then take the measurements needed to create an accurate map of your eye and your cornea's topography.

During Your Procedure

Prior to surgery, each patient is given a dose of medication to help reduce any stress or anxiety. Being relaxed makes the whole process much more comfortable.   On the day of the procedure, you will receive anesthetic eye drops to numb your eyes. Guided by your personalized profile, the laser will correct your vision by precisely reshaping your cornea based Custom Wavelight Vision Correction measurements and technology. Within minutes, the procedure will be over and healing begins - generally without pain or bandages.

 The eye is numbed using an anesthetic drop, and then a “lid holder” is placed between the eyelids to prevent blinking.  The flap is then created.  During this process it is common to feel pressure, the same feeling you get when you press your fingers firmly on your eyes when they are closed.

The flap is then folded back while you look at a target light and the excimer laser painlessly reshapes the cornea within seconds.  The flap is then folded back into position and self seals.

After Your Procedure

You will be led into a post-procedure room, where you will rest with protective eye shields for about an hour. It is recommended to have someone else drive you home. Rest comfortably at home for at least a few hours with protective eye shields.  As we expect a bit of postoperative scratchiness, we pre-treat with an oral medicine, and ask that you keep your eyes closed as much as possible for the rest of the day.

In most cases, you can enjoy improved eyesight almost immediately. You can typically return to normal activities the next day after your Custom Wavelight Vision Correction procedure.