This guide contains:

Background on LASIK surgery
What can you expect during the LASIK procedure
How to find the best LASIK surgery for you

This independent guide was created to help you understand the basics of LASIK surgery and to help you choose the right LASIK surgery for you. We do not perform any LASIK procedures ourselves, so you can be confident that all of the information in this guide is independent and unbiased.

Background on LASIK surgery
LASIK (short for Laser in-Situ Keratomileusis) eye surgery is a specific procedure that corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. LASIK eliminates the need for glasses and contact lenses for many people. LASIK has been performed since the 1980s and has proven to be very effective, with few minor short or long-term side effects, and requiring very little recovery time. LASIK is at the moment the most popular elective surgery in the country- nearly 1.5 million Americans are expected to undergo LASIK surgery this year alone.

What can you expect during the LASIK procedure
LASIK is likely to help almost anyone who currently wears eyeglasses or contact lenses, and both eyes can be treated together. The LASIK procedure may also relieve chronic allergies and/or irritation from contact lenses. The only requirements for LASIK are: you must have had stable vision for at least 12 months (this means your prescription has not changed during the previous year); you are not pregnant, nursing, or taking certain medications; and you meet basic medical and visual health criteria. Age is typically not a factor when considering LASIK.

If you meet these above criteria and are interested in getting the LASIK procedure done, the first step in the process is to consult with a doctor at a LASIK center. (Note that you might be required to discontinue wearing your soft contact lenses for 14 days prior to the consultation. This brings your eyes to a condition where they can be evaluated correctly, and failure to do so could result in poor results for your LASIK surgery.) The doctor will then take your medical history and give you an eye exam to evaluate your prognosis for a successful operation. Assuming that the doctor approves you for the procedure, the next phase is to schedule the operation (and of course, arrange for payment).

Once your LASIK procedure is scheduled, your doctor will give you a list of instructions to follow, that usually include refraining from taking certain medications prior to the LASIK surgery, refraining from using make-up and other lotions, scrubbing your eyelids, and other items. Make sure to follow instructions exactly, as failure to do so could result in a delay/cancellation of the LASIK procedure.