GET STARTED Home›Am I a Candidate for LASIK Eye Surgery?›LASIK Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) LASIK Frequently Asked Questions Some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about LASIK eye surgery. What is LASIK surgery? A LASIK surgery procedure is designed to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contacts. An excimer laser gently reshapes the cornea with computer-controlled precision to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Is LASIK surgery right for me? LASIK surgery has great potential to give you a life where putting your contacts in and reaching for your glasses in the morning is a memory of the past. The best way to determine if you are a candidate for laser vision correction. In general, you must be at least 18 years old, have healthy eyes and a stable eye prescription for the last twelve months. Those with certain medical conditions and women who are pregnant or nursing (within the last 3 months) are not the best candidates. Will I have 20/20 vision after my LASIK surgery? Although some of our world renowned LASIK surgeons can provide you with data on the outcome of your surgery, no one can guarantee you perfect vision. However, we are pleased to announce that following laser vision correction, a vast majority of our patients are able to drive, play sports and watch TV without glasses! Our patients are overwhelmed with this life-changing event and enjoy referring their friends and family. Is LASIK a safe procedure? With laser vision correction surgery complications are very rare. At The LASIK Vision Institute®, we have some of the most experienced independent LASIK surgeons in the industry. The risk of sight threatening complications is less than 1% overall. In making the decision to undergo LASIK surgery, be sure to do your research. Choose a LASIK surgeon who is experienced and well respected in the industry and be sure to have a list of questions to ask about the procedure. Is the LASIK procedure painful? Many patients comment on how surprised they are of not feeling pain with their LASIK surgery. Anesthetic drops are used to fully numb the eye before LASIK eye surgery begins; during the laser correction you may feel a light pressure sensation around your eye. Prior to surgery you may be given a mild sedative to help you relax. After your laser eye surgery, your eye may feel a bit irritated for a few hours, but most patients are quite comfortable after taking a short nap. You will be prescribed drops for your eyes to provide comfort and healing in the days following your surgery. How soon after Laser eye surgery can I resume normal activities? There are some minimal restrictions in the first weeks following laser surgery, but many LASIK patients are able to resume normal activities the following day! Vision corrective results from LASIK surgery are typically very rapid and many patients are able to see clearly 24-48 hours after surgery. Further vision improvement may continue over several months. Your doctor will recommend avoiding certain activities, like swimming or contact sports for several weeks. Can both eyes be treated at the same time? Yes. Most patients find it much more convenient to have both eyes treated on the same day. How does PRK compare to LASIK? In many situations PRK surgery and LASIK surgery can have comparable results although your doctor can discuss which is most appropriate for your condition during your free consultation. PRK is a predecessor to LASIK so many doctors have lots of experience with both procedures using the latest excimer lasers. A major difference is that in LASIK surgery a hinged flap is created on the cornea while in PRK, rather than creating a flap, it involves polishing the surface of the cornea. In general, custom LASIK patients report minimal irritation, and their vision stabilizes more quickly than PRK. PRK recovery can take a few days with hazy vision and some discomfort. PRK is often recommended when the patient’s cornea is too thin for LASIK. How long will vision correction last? The distance vision correction is fairly permanent following laser vision correction. However, as with the course of nature, there are some age related changes that will occur regardless of whether or not you had LASIK surgery. How can I schedule a LASIK consultation? Simply fill out the form online – or call 1-877-274-1797. You will be scheduled at the location conveniently nearest to you. What will happen during my LASIK consultation? For your LASIK consultation, plan to be at The LASIK Vision Institute® for approximately 60-90 minutes for the special testing used to measure and evaluate your eyes. If you wear contacts, prior to your scheduled consultation, you will be asked to refrain from wearing contact lenses for a period of time. Your eyes may be dilated in preparation of a detailed eye exam that will evaluate refractive error, pupil size, corneal consultation and more. There will be a thorough discussion of laser eye surgery and whether or not you may be a good candidate for LASIK. Will I need reading glasses? The goal of laser vision correction is to reduce or eliminate your dependence on distance glasses. The need for reading glasses is a normal age related change. Having laser vision correction does not change this. How much does LASIK cost? The LASIK Vision Institute makes LASIK affordable providing clear, predictable LASIK prices relative to your eye prescription and laser eye surgery needs. This price is reviewed at your FREE LASIK Consultation. We offer an easy financing process and 90% of our patients qualify for financing. See more about price and affordability. Why do others charge so much? Due to the significant investment associated with owning lasers and the diagnostic equipment necessary to perform laser vision correction ($600,000) most surgeons rent time on a laser. These lasers may be at the eye doctor’s office or at another facility. The cost for this LASIK equipment can be $1,400 -$2,000 per patient – and that cost gets passed onto the patient. See The LASIK Vision Institute difference. What are the side effects and risks with LASIK or PRK surgery? Temporary side effects following laser vision correction can include dryness of eyes, sensitivity to light or halos at night. Glares or halos at night usually resolve within a few weeks. Night vision disturbances associated with imperfections in the eye prior to LASIK are now able to be reduced or eliminated with the Custom technology. During the healing process, dry eyes can easily be treated by using artificial tears to keep the surface of your eyes moist. You are advised to wear sunglasses when outdoors following eye surgery to reduce light sensitivity and to protect your eyes. As with other elective procedures, individual results may vary. There may be additional risks associated with LASIK or PRK, such as over correction or under correction. The risk of having vision-reducing complications is minimal and the Independent surgeons and staff members can provide you with additional information and answers to your questions. ! Schedule a FREE Consultation Today OR SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION © The LASIK Vision Institute® 1999-2021 All Rights Reserved. Frequently Asked Questions How much does LASIK eye surgery cost? Does insurance cover LASIK? How long does LASIK last? How does LASIK work? What are common LASIK terms? LASIK Resources Privacy General Privacy Policy Healthcare Privacy Policy PA Residents PA Notice of Cancellation Medical Records Release Form About Who We Are Careers Partnerships Unsubscribe Blog *$750 offer applies to LASIK surgery on both eyes ($375 per eye) Discount cannot be combined with $220 per eye pricing or any other offer or promotion. This offer may not be combined with other offers. Other conditions may apply. Individual results will vary. Candidacy determined by an independent doctor located within or adjacent to The LASIK Vision Institute’s (LVI) facility. All procedures performed by an independent surgeon. LASIK is a medical procedure. Talk to your eye doctor and consider both the risks and benefits before having your procedure. Additional information can be found on our website. This offer depicts models who are not actual patients of LVI. Florida Residents: THE PATIENT AND ANY OTHER PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS A RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PAY, CANCEL PAYMENT, OR BE REIMBURSED FOR PAYMENT FOR ANY OTHER SERVICE, EXAMINATION, OR TREATMENT THAT IS PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF AND WITHIN 72 HOURS OF RESPONDING TO THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE FREE, DISCOUNTED FEE, OR REDUCED FEE SERVICE, EXAMINATION, OR TREATMENT. †Subject to credit approval. Minimum monthly payments required. Ask your provider for details. Am I a Candidate? Affordability Locations LASIK Procedures Why Choose Us? Español Search