What Is Lasik?

LASIK, which stands for laser in-situ keratomileusis, is a popular surgery that can correct vision in people who are nearsighted or farsighted, or who have astigmatism.

It’s one of many vision correction surgeries that work by reshaping your cornea, the clear front part of your eye, so that light focuses on the retina in the back of your eye.

Not Suitable If You

• Are younger than 18
• Have an eye disease that causes the cornea to thin and bulge, or if you have a family history of it
• Have fairly good overall vision
• Are pregnant or nursing
• Have a lot of recent changes to your vision prescription
• Have thin or uneven corneas
• Have eye conditions such as glaucoma or very dry eyes
• Have severe nearsightedness
• Have age-related eye changes that cause vision to be less clear
• Participate in contact sports that may be associated with blows to the face
• Take certain medications

Risks

• It’s a complex procedure. It’s rare, but there may be problems that permanently affect your vision. This is one reason to choose a surgeon who has a lot of experience with these surgeries.
• Rarely, you may lose your “best” correctable vision, the highest degree of vision that you had while wearing contacts or eyeglasses, after LASIK.

Side Effects

• Glare
• Seeing halos around images
• Trouble driving at night
• Fluctuating vision
• Dry eyes
• Scratchy eyes
• Light sensitivity
• Small bruises on your eye