LASIK Surgery: What to Expect Before, During, and Afterward

LASIK surgery is a very detailed surgical process involving the reshaping of the cornea with an excimer laser so that the cornea is better able to refocus rays of light on the retina, thereby improving the patient’s vision in the eye or both eyes.

Many people choose LASIK eye surgery as a treatment for their near-sightedness, far-sightedness, or astigmatism, a common eye problem that occurs when the overall vision is blurred due to an irregularly shaped cornea. Many other patients, however, choose LASIK surgery as an alternative to wearing their glasses or contact lenses.

Are you thinking about LASIK surgery for yourself, wondering if it’s the right choice for you? LASIK is not necessarily recommended for everyone with vision problems and disturbances, but if you are near-sighted, far-sighted, suffer from astigmatism, or want to turn in your glasses or contact lenses, then you already make a good candidate for laser eye surgery. You should also be able to directly stare at and focus on a single object for at least a minute.

Houston (Texas) residents or those who live close to the city who are looking for certified LASIK surgeons and laser eye-surgery clinics may want to stick to their available options for LASIK eye surgery in Houston, Texas. Houston offers a number of clinics, public settings, or private practices that offer LASIK surgery, as well as trained and highly skilled medical surgeons who specialize in vision-corrective surgical procedures; some even specialize only in LASIK.

If you are considering LASIK eye surgery in Houston, Texas, you will likely have many questions about LASIK; Houston’s qualified LASIK specialists are there to help you answer them. In fact, it’s a good idea to learn all you can about LASIK and asking plenty of questions about what exactly will happen during the operation, what you need to know or do before the operation, and what you should expect after surgery, as well as the post-operation recovery time. However, in the meantime, here are a few things about the process involved when you’ve chosen to undergo LASIK eye surgery in Houston, Texas. Keep in mind that these are basic guidelines and should not replace a consultation with your doctor or with the LASIK surgeon.

Before the Procedure:
-Arrange for a meeting with your doctor or the surgeon who will perform an initial evaluation to ensure your candidacy for LASIK eye surgery.
-Stop wearing your contact lenses about two to four weeks before the exam to allow your corneas to return to their natural, irregular shape.
-Ask your doctor or surgeon any questions you have about LASIK surgery.
-On the day before surgery, remove all (and do not reapply) all make-up (especially eye make-up), facial lotion or cream, and perfume. You will also need to arrange for a ride to and from the LASIK clinic in Houston.
-Fasting may be required beforehand.

During the Procedure:
-Expect the surgery to last about a half hour but be prepared to stay at the clinic for several hours.
-You will be sitting/lying back in a reclining chair in the examination room while the surgeon performs the surgery using the laser system.
-While a numbing drop will be used on your eyes right before the operation, you will still feel some sensation (pressure and minimal discomfort) throughout the operation.
-The exact techniques used to reshape the cornea via the excimer laser may vary, depending on where you go and which surgeon you use for LASIK eye surgery in Houston, Texas.

After the Procedure:
-Side-effects, such as itching, burning, discomfort, tearing, watering, sensitivity to light, slightly blurred vision, and mild pain, are common right after the operation, but are temporary, and should disappear within a few days.
-Do not rub your eyes following your LASIK eye surgery, and do not wear contact lenses. Let your eyes heal.
-You may be given pain medication and/or eye drops to take home.
-At home, you must rest and avoid certain activities (such as contact sports, wearing eye make-up, and swimming) for certain periods of time (your surgeon will advise you accordingly).
-Your first follow-up visit should occur within one to two days after the surgery.
-Report to your surgeon or doctor if your post-operative vision discomforts worsen or become severe.

Of course, there are other factors to consider and details of which you’ll need to become aware before you make your appointment to have LASIK eye surgery in Houston, Texas. As such, make sure you find out all you can from your doctor or LASIK surgeon before the big operation day.

Introduction to LASIK Surgery