If you visit the following seven Internet sites and spend some time comprehending the information provided there you will have departed the ranks of the uneducated potential-Lasik patient and earned the happier title of educated consumer. These pages can help you make a decision that may in one way or another, change your life.

All About Vision at http://www.allaboutvision.com/ is perhaps the most complete vision site on the Internet. This site provides information on all aspects of vision correction from glasses to contacts to the most advanced Lasik procedures and provides detailed information about vision problems that require correction. All Lasik procedures are discussed in depth and they provide a two-minute screening test you can take to determine if you are a good candidate for Lasik. The test generates a personalized report. The site accepts advertising so you will see ads for many vision products and even a section that offers coupons on vision care and vision related products but the meat of the site, the information, is not product specific.

AboutLasikEyeSurgery.com at http://www.aboutlasikeyesurgery.com/ specializes in information about Lasik procedures: providing cost information and describing the pre-op evaluation, the surgery procedures and the post-op care.

ComplicatedEyes.org at: http://www.complicatedeyes.org/ came into existence specifically to address the needs of patients with LASIK complications and to provide doctors with an additional source for information on Lasik complications. The organization that created ComplicatedEyes.org is the Council for Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance (CRSQA); you’re sure to find the research and detailed information on Lasik complications on this site informative.

The Vision Correction Website at http://www.lasersite.com/ provides elegantly simple, illustrated explanations of: how the eye works; the anatomy of the eye; how Lasik is performed and what equipment used, the Intacs procedure, the PRK procedure and the Radial Keratotomy (RK) procedure.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) has a search function where you can search for a qualified, certified AAO member in your area. The AAO’s “Find an Ophthalmologist†(Find an Eye M.D.) page is at http://www.aao.org/aao/find_eyemd.cfm. Enter your city, select your State and Country in those selection boxes on the page and then select “Refractive Surgery†in the “Specialty†selection box; leave the “Last Name†box blank. After a disclaimer page where you must “Accept†the disclaimer you will be shown a list of qualified Refractive surgeons in your city. Note that the AAO members with the designation FACS after their names are also “Fellows†(members) of the American College of Surgeons. These are Refractive Surgeons who were required to pass a thorough evaluation in the areas of education, training, qualifications, competence and conduct before being allowed to display the FACS designation.

Wikipedia’s Main Lasik page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lasik provides a good history of Lasik along with an explanation of the surgical procedure, information about the possible complications and the safety of the procedure. They also provide you with some external links and other information related to Lasik.

WebMD, possibly the most used pages on the Internet for health information, does not sell you short when it comes to Lasik. At the WebMD home page (http://www.webmd.com/) there is a search function; enter “refractive surgery†in the search box to find what seems like an endless supply of authoritative medical articles on refractive surgery (Lasik).

Lasik surgery is designed to help improve the eyesight in patients with low to moderate vision problems. Those with more severe vision problems can also benefit from Lasik technology. While most patients experience improved vision and never had a need for glasses or contacts again, others may still need to use a prescription. For those suffering from more severe forms of eye conditions, Lasik may be recommended. There are many forms of Lasik surgery and an eye care professional will help determine which one is right for the condition of the patient.

The Lasik procedure has become very popular for treating eye diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and presbyopia. In addition the Lasik surgery can help those with astigmatism and myopia and hyperopia, which are all three common forms of eye problems.

Myopia and Hyperopia: These conditions are more commonly known as farsightedness and nearsightedness. Myopia is caused by an irregular shaped cornea. This will cause light rays to focus in the front of the retina, rather than on the retina. Those who are nearsighted will have good close-up vision, but objects at a distance will be difficult to see. Hyperopia is the opposite. Light will focus behind the retina. Those who are farsighted, can see objects at a distance, but not close-up. These two conditions are the most common reasons why patients choose to have a Lasik procedure. Lasik surgery is very beneficial to patients with myopia and hyperopia.

Astigmatism: Astigmatism is a very common form of visual impairment. This condition is caused when the eye is shaped more like an oval or football shaped. The odd shape of the eye causes the light to focus on two points of the retina instead of just one. Usually, those with astigmatism are either nearsighted or farsighted as well. When Lasik is done on patients with astigmatism, both problems can be corrected in one surgery.

Presbyopia: This common condition is normally cause by natural aging. Presbyopia causes problems with focusing on objects close-up. Usually patients that experience this difficulty are between the ages of forty and fifty years of age. Often, this problem can be improved by monovision, intraocular lens implants and Lasik.

Glaucoma: This common eye disease is usually characterized by elevated pressure in the eye that causes damage to the optic nerve. Laser glaucoma surgery can be performed using three different techniques. These are all performed with a laser and help either increase or decrease the pressure of fluid in the eye. The type of glaucoma treatment a patient receives will depend on the severity of the condition.

Macular Degeneration: Macular degeneration is an eye disease that is caused by abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye. This can result in serious vision loss if left untreated. If this disease is caught in the very early staged, it can be treated with laser vision correction surgery. While treatments do not reverse damage cause by the disease, it will prevent further vision loss. With laser surgery, the laser is used to destroy new blood vessels within the eye. Laser surgery is a very popular way to help prevent macular degeneration from causing further vision loss.

Diabetic Retinopathy: This eye disease is a degenerative eye disease caused by damage to blood vessels and abnormal vessel growth. Those with diabetes are the ones that suffer from this eye disease. Those with diabetes should always maintain good diabetic care to help prevent this type of eye disease. Laser surgery can be used to seal the retina from further damage that can lead to retina detachment. This kind of surgery is performed under local anesthesia.

For patients who suffer from these kinds of eye diseases, Lasik vision correction surgery can help stop further damage to the eye. For more serious eye conditions such as macular degeneration, Lasik surgery can help patients keep their eyesight without further vision loss. It is important to discuss health history with an eye care professional to see which treatment is best for the particular kind of eye disease.

Internet

Magazines

Medical periodicals

Former lasik patients

The internet is the best place to find sources for lasik eye surgery procedures. Using a search engine such as http://www.google.com, you can find information on just about anything. Searching something as simple as “lasik†returns over four million websites. That’s correct: four million. You can narrow your search by getting a little more specific. For example searching for “lasik pricing†yields two hundred thousand results.

You can use the internet to search for local eye doctors that do lasik in your area. A search for “lasik in Shreveport, Louisiana†yields fifty three thousand results. You can use just about any search engine. You may not find the site you need with your first try, but you will be lead in the right direction. Using the internet you can have all your questions answered about lasik, the procedure, the side effects, the pricing, and just about anything else you wanted to know, but was afraid to ask. You may even have some questions answered that you did not even think to ask. The internet is the most common referral source for lasik.

The second most common source for referrals is magazines. If you have ever had to go to the doctor or the dentist, you have seen tons of medical magazines in the waiting room. Most new innovations in medical science can be found by perusing these magazines. Doctors are in the business to make money, so it would make since that they would advertise. If it is a new innovation, you may even be able to read up on it in these magazines. The downside of using magazines to research is that there is no real organization or way to search them by topic. You have literally search through many magazines to find the one article you need that may or may not have all the information you need. The up side to magazines is that they are good about getting your attention and making you aware of certain innovations that you can later look up on the internet with a standard search engine.

Medical periodicals is another source that many over look. You can usually find out all the details of a procedure using medical periodicals. The down side is that these usually read like stereo instructions and they are rather boring. They are good to put you to sleep at night, and, like magazines, are good starting points. They can give you the lead you need to start an internet search.

The most overlooked resource you have is first hand knowledge from people who have had lasik. You can ask any eye doctor and they should be able to give you a reference list of patients that have agreed to talk to potential patients. Usually they will give you the best idea of what to expect. They will tell you what the internet and doctors leave out. They have gone through the operation. They know what it feels like, what the after effects are like, and if it is worth it. Now don’t go by just what one person says. Ask as many as you can. Ask anyone you know if they know someone who has had it done.

These four things are the best referrals there are on lasik. The internet, by far, has the most information at your fingertips, but keep the others in mind as well. They were around before the internet and will be around for years to come. The information they provide is very valuable and should not be over looked. If you use there sources, you will be very educated on what to expect when you go into a consultation with any eye doctor. That education will give you a leg up. You will be able to tell when a doctor is just trying to sell you something, or if he/she is really trying to help you. You are a person too, not just a paycheck. You know that, so make sure he/she does too. Once those boundaries are set, then you can feel more comfortable letting him/her operate on you. Knowledge is power, and in this circumstance, that old cliché holds true.

Before you decide on having Lasik surgery, you should always think about the cost. You should never choose a doctor based just on the price. But, you should ask lots of questions about your surgery. You should also know what is included and what is not included in the price of your procedure.

You should always check into your insurance plan before having your Lasik procedure. Most insurance companies will not pay, but it never hurts to make sure. Also, consider checking into what your employer can offer. Some companies offer their employees a special discount when having Lasik surgery. Often, certain Lasik surgery centers are working with the company to operate on their employees. If you have a cafeteria plan or a flex plan at work, check to see if this will cover your Lasik procedure. Many times, a flex spending plan can help pay or defray the cost of the Lasik surgery.

Another option when paying for your Lasik procedure is to check with the finance plans and options offered by the Lasik centers. Most of the time, they can offer payment plans to fit nearly every budget. Sometimes, they can also work in partnership with banks or other loan centers to offer financing with low interest rates.

When you have decided on a payment plan for your Lasik procedure, it is important to work with your doctor to find out what in included in the total cost. Some things to think about are:

Appointments: When you are given the total cost for your Lasik surgery, check to make sure all of your appointments are included in the price. You will have at least five appointments with your Lasik doctor. One will be your first initial appointment and then you will have your surgery and at least two to three follow up appointments. Most Lasik centers do include the price of this appointment in their final billing, but it is always good to double check.

Medications: You will probably be given special eye drops to use for several days after your Lasik surgery. While the cost could be minimal, you should always check to see if the eye drops or any other necessary medications are a part of the final cost of the surgery. Also, if you request a mild sedative to be used during your procedure, see if this is included in the price.

One or two eyes: While it seems simple enough, make sure that the price you are given reflects both eyes. Often advertisements make Lasik seems so affordable by announcing “Lasik for $500â€. You should always read the fine print and see that the low price usually only covers one eye. If you need both eyes done, make sure your price reflects that.

Additional Surgeries: Sometimes doctors or patients choose to have one eye done and then the other eye done a couple of month later. If this is the case, make sure you have the final price for both surgeries. Sometimes, additional Lasik surgeries are required if the outcome does not improve the vision. These are sometimes called “repair†or “enhancement†surgeries. Many times, the price you are given does not reflect additional surgeries that may be needed. Some doctors will give enhancement surgeries at no extra cost when they are done in a specified time frame. Other Lasik doctors will give patients a reduced price for these additional procedures. The need for these surgeries is common so it is always a good idea to find out if the price is included.

When you get ready to have a Lasik surgery procedure, you should always check with your eye care professional and ask many questions. It is important to know and understand what is and is not included with the price of your procedure. If you do not feel comfortable with the pricing package being offered, remember that many experienced doctors now perform the Lasik procedure. Look around and do some research before making an appointment for any surgery.

You can see that statistics can be easily manipulated to mean anything you want them to mean. You can not base your decision on having surgery simply based on the statistics that your doctor gives you. Remember that he is in business. You are a sale to him. He will tell you what you want to make a sale. Statistics should be considered, but not be the basis for your decision.

Everyone’s eye is different. The decision to go ahead with surgery should be done after have a consultation with a competent doctor. Don’t go to someone you don’t know or trust, especially if they are going to be the one doing the surgery. They just want your money. If you have a regular doctor that you have been going to for years his/her opinion would be valuable. Over the years you have learned to trust this doctor and his consultation has a better chance of being unbiased.

Do not trust anyone who claims you can throw away your glasses forever or that they guarantee 20/20 vision or your money back. There are no guarantees in medicine. The truth is most people still need glasses when they are done with surgery. You may need a weaker prescription, but still you may need corrective lenses. You have to accept that risk before going into surgery.

Many people go into surgery not expecting or even knowing about any of the side effects or complications. You need to research and understand these complications before having the surgery. You also need to ask yourself, “What can I reasonably expect from this surgery.†You also need to know what to expect after the surgery. Although the surgery may only take about 20 minutes, the recovery can take up to six months.

No, you will not have patches on your eyes and you won’t spend six months in pain waiting for your eyes to heal. But it will take about six months to know if the surgery truly worked. If it did not work, your eyes may go back to their original shape within those six months. Also within that six month window, some of the negative side effects may manifest themselves. The first six months is critical. If you experience anything out of the ordinary, report it to your doctor immediately. They key to repairing any potential damage is timing. Don’t wait if you feel pressure behind your eyes, or extreme dry eye, or reduced vision, or glares, or anything that is not normal. Your doctor may still be able to fix these problems, but not if you don’t tell him or wait too long to tell him.

The honest truth is that you may still need glasses or contacts when it’s all said and done with. You need to know the risks involved and have realistic expectations. Going in prepared will help guide you through the entire process. “Knowledge is Power.†The saying may sound cliché, but it has always held true. Do your homework first. Research the surgery. Research the side effects. Research your doctor. Ask questions, even if you think it is a stupid question. It never hurts to ask questions and educate your self. A competent doctor will answer you questions honestly and not just sell you on the miracles of not wearing glasses ever again. Then make an educated decision about having the surgery. Then you can walk into surgery with confidence.

For those not wanting to consider surgery at all, contact lenses or eyeglasses are always available. Many contact lenses are being made to better fit eyes and not irritate as much. They are being made more durable and resistant to outside dust and buildup, which helps with vision if another type of surgery doesn’t want to be considered. While some may be more sensitive to contact lenses, it is always an option for those who have determined that they are not ready to receive a surgery.

However, if you don’t want to have eyeglasses or contacts and can’t receive Lasik surgery, then it is possible to consider lens implants. This is best if you have nearsighted vision. This type of implant occurs through a small incision being made by the lens. The lens, like a contact, is then inserted into your eye through this incision. This is then secured in your eye through the use of a special tool so that it will stay in the iris of the eye. The lens will then stay in the eye without you having to care for it. If needed, it can be taken out or replaced. Lens implants aren’t as permanent as Lasik surgery, but are easier to care for than the eyeglasses or contacts. Unlike Lasik surgery, if something goes wrong during the lens implants, or if they are not being effective as expected, then they can simply be taken out or replaced.

Another type of surgery that is available is known as photorefractive keratectomy, also known as PRK. This is another type of refractive surgery that can be used for eyesight. It reshapes the cornea by taking out tissue from the outer surface. It does this by using an ultraviolet beam of light. This procedure does not take any more than a few minutes and is done only by the use of technology, as opposed to cutting that is offered in both the lens implants and Lasik surgery.

Another type of technological survey that can be used is laser thermal keratoplasty, also known as LTK. This procedure involves taking the cornea and removing parts of the outer part. In response, this shrinks the tissue around the cornea, allowing for better eyesight. This treatment is considered more temporary than the other procedures, as the tissue can easily grow back into place. However, if there is little loss of drawbacks that occur more easily in the other surgeries, such as a loss of eyesight or infection.

One more type of improved eyesight options is orthokeratology, or Ortho-K. This takes the RGP contact lenses or soft lenses and changes them in order to match the shape of the cornea, making them less irritable. The cornea can then temporarily reshape for better vision, causing the lenses to have to be worn less every day than usual. While this takes several months in order to change vision, and is not permanent, it is one option for those not wanting to go through a surgery to correct their vision.

For those who are nearsighted, a surgery known as corneal ring segments is available. These are plastic polymer pieces that are placed in the cornea, causing the cornea to reshape, similar to the Ortho-K. The cornea is then able to become flatter and can focus light easier than before. This procedure, while similar to the lens implants, is not permanent, and is still being tested for its effectiveness.

There are several different types of surgery in which you can receive, all which can help improve your vision either on a permanent or temporary basis. If you are not approved for Lasik surgery, there are several other options to consider trying and continuing to improve your vision.

Lasik is fast becoming a popular method for improving vision. The surgery is quick-usually under two minutes per eye and relatively painless. Patients are able to walk out of the recovery room and recovery time is minimal. Within a week, most patients are able to perform all of their regular activities. For those who rely on glasses and contacts, having the Lasik vision correction procedure drastically improves their quality of life.

In the past, the only way Lasik was performed was by using a hand held blade to cut open the cornea. This method did not always have the desire affect and relied on the doctor to be extremely experience while making the cut. While no Lasik procedure can promise to completely eliminate the need for contacts or glasses, new technology in Lasik is making that more of a reality. There are several new Lasik techniques that now offer more accuracy and better vision results.

When having the Lasik procedure, the surgeon uses a tiny laser called an excimer to cut a flap in the cornea. After the flap is pulled out of the way, tiny bits of corneal tissue is removed. Often more patients fear the creation of the flap more than any other part of the Lasik procedure. One new technique used in Lasik is called the Intralase. This is a laser that is safer than any other type of laser used in Lasik. When Intralase is used, the computer-guided laser assists the Lasik surgeon in creating the corneal flap with a beam of light. The use of this laser ensures that the flap has the exact corneal centration, thickness and diameter. Because of this innovation, more exact results are achieved. As opposed to the old hand-held microkeratome blade, this is often the most preferred.

Another popular form of Lasik technology is the Custom Lasik procedure. This procedure used the wavefront-guided method and is set to exactly match the needs of the patient. With Custom Lasik, the laser maps out three-dimensional scans of the eye. The scan shows all vision impairments so the exact amount of corneal tissue is removed. This gives the surgeon more accurate results. This often does away with the possibility of needing a second “enhancement†surgery to remove more corneal tissue. Custom Lasik can help correct and improve vision problems such as hyperopia, myopia and astigmatism. It can also correct worse vision problems that affect a patient’s vision. These can include starbursts or seeing halos around objects at night, sensitivity, and complications from traditional Lasik surgery. Many Lasik surgeons offer this method of Lasik surgery. Often, doctors recommend this method to help patients achieve a safer, more accurate vision correction surgery.

Another popular Lasik procedure that utilizes the latest technology is called Wavefront Guided Technology. When a doctor uses Wavefront, it can give the most accurate results. Wavefront technology uses micro sensors and wave light that is directed from a laser mean through the eye to the retina. When the light is reflected back to the eye, it allows corneal irregularities to be measured. It serves as a virtual blueprint to the patient’s eye. These irregularities can be mapped out on a three dimensional map. The problems with the eyes are recorded and transferred to the actual laser that is used to reshape the cornea during the Lasik procedure. This method is often chosen to give extremely accurate results and for patients that experience more severe vision problems.

There are many forms of Lasik surgery. Each one essentially uses a laser to map out the eye, target vision problems and reshape the cornea. Each surgery is designed to help doctors give patients the most accurate results possible. When the latest technology is used, patients often experience a better outcome with their Lasik vision correction surgery. Your eye care professional will be able to tell you through a thorough eye exam which Lasik surgery most fits your needs. As with any medical procedure, questions regarding these new forms of Lasik technology should be directed towards your Lasik surgeon.

Most surgeons who perform the Lasik procedure feel that patient education is one of the most important aspects of the surgery. Much dissatisfaction with the surgery can be solved by proper education prior to the surgery. That education includes informing patients of any and all side effects of the procedure. Most patients that have this surgery only have low to moderate side effects that only last a few hours to a couple of days. There are side effects however, that can linger for months. Before having Lasik surgery, it is important to understand all of the possible side effects.

Minor side effects that most patients report after surgery include blurred vision, light sensitivity and dry eye. Most of these side effects only last for a short period of time or until the eye heals. The surgeon may instruct patients to limit night driving because of blurred vision or halos around lit objects during the night. Also, patients are usually advised to wear good sunglasses when exposed to sunlight. This will help cut down on the sensitivity to light. Also, a prescription is usually given to patients to help the feeling of dry eye. In addition, eye shield are recommended for patients to wear while sleeping to help prevent scratching or possible damage to the eye after surgery. Not rubbing the eyes will also help the side effects.

Some side effects from Lasik surgery can be more severe and can last more than a few days. These can include needing a second “enhancement†or “retouch†surgery, lost vision or worsened vision, reduced low-light vision, infection and severe dry eye syndrome. You doctor should fully discuss the risks and complications before you consent to surgery.

Infection: Infection is the most common side effect of the Lasik surgery. Following basic surgery instructions can lower the risks of infection. Patients are usually asked to not wear any make up or facial creams or lotions for at least three days prior to surgery. Also, perfumes and cologne should not be worn on the day of the surgery. These all can cause contaminants and can increase the risk of infection in the eye. Also, most Lasik surgeons will cancel the surgery if make up or lotions are on the face on the day of the surgery.

Enhancement surgery: Some Lasik patients may require a second Lasik procedure a few months after the initial surgery. These are often called “enhancement surgeries†or “retouchingâ€. Sometimes if the surgery is “undercorrectedâ€, a second surgery will be required. “Overcorrection†means that the patient will need to wear some sort of glasses or contacts for a little while after the initial surgery. Before a second procedure is performed, the surgeon will usually wait three to six months and will carefully monitor the recovery process.

Lost of vision or reduced Vision: Sometimes, in vary rare cases, Lasik patients can have a loss of vision or reduced vision after the procedure. Is it estimated that three percent of all Lasik patients report this outcome. Often, these complications do correct themselves, but could take several months.

Reduced low-light vision: Having difficult seeing at night is a fairly common side effect of Lasik. This also usually corrects itself after a period of time. After surgery, some patient report seeing “halos†around lights at nighttime. Typically, patients report that this condition is present for about three to four days after surgery. In rare circumstances, poor night vision can last as long as six months before clearing.

Severe dry eye: Dry eye is when the eye needs more moisture. This is also a common, side effect or complication of the Lasik procedure. For people who suffer chronically from dry eye, it is not recommended that they have Lasik. For other people, dry eye can affect them for several days, sometimes months after the procedure. To help dry eye, eye drops are given to the patient.

The invention of Intralase has greatly reduced complications caused by lasik surgery. There is one major complication that is caused by the use of Intralase. Many patients report an extreme sensitivity to light after surgery. This sensitivity is called photophobia. However this only happens in 1 % of patients. That is much better compared to the old way of doing things where as much as 20% of patients experienced difficulties of some kind after surgery. Most doctors agree that photophobia is only temporary and can be treated with steroid eye drops for a few weeks. Most doctors also agree that Intralase is favorable to the old way of performing lasik eye surgery. It has fewer complications and has fewer risks than traditional lasik. One side effect compared to the numerous side effects of traditional lasik is a vast improvement in the procedure.

As with all new innovations of science, Intralase comes at a cost, quite literally. Adding the safety and accuracy of Intralase also adds three hundred dollars or more to the price tag of an already pricy surgery. Most insurance companies will not cover lasik eye surgery, so that extra money you have to spend for accuracy and safety is coming out of your pocket.

Now that you know why it is such a good, safe, accurate procedure, it is time to learn how it works. A surgeon uses a computer to guide the laser over your eye. The computer guided laser makes three “bubble like†incisions in the middle layer of your cornea. The resulting flap is made at a specific depth and location that best suits your corrective needs as determined by your doctor. The doctor then folds back this flap to reshape your cornea to correct your vision and astigmatism if it exists.

With the innovation of Intralase, patients who were previously not able to have lasik eye surgery may now be able to throw their glasses away forever. It has a wider range than the old hand held blade therefore making more people eligible for surgery.

The invention of Intralase has also brought back potential patients who chose not to undergo lasik in the past due to the high risks involved. Intralase is safer and more accurate than they lasik of the past. It is because of this that so many people have lost their phobias and have undergone the procedure. Lasik with Intralase now has minimal complications and higher success rates. That has made it more appealing to people today. The safety and accuracy is well worth the extra money to most people. If you are considering lasik, Intralase should be considered as well. It could mean the difference between seeing 20/20 again and never seeing again. The choice is yours. Be sure to make an educated decision. Learning all you can is the key to making the right choice.

Lasik with Intralase is the safest and most accurate eye surgery out there today, but still it is not for everyone. Please talk to your doctor about what is best for you and your situation. A consultation with a doctor is required before surgery and your doctor is the best person to decide if lasik is right for you. If your doctor thinks you are not a good candidate for surgery, you might think about asking him about other options. There may be other things that you could do to help correct your vision. It never hurts to ask. There may be something you can do to make yourself a good candidate. If you want it bad enough, you will do whatever it takes.

The normal healing period for the post-Lasik patient is six-months, by that time, in the vast majority of cases, any problems you were having with your vision will have disappeared or dissipated to the nearly unnoticeable stage. Some things do take longer however. Complete healing of the corneal flap may take up to two-years, but the fact that it is not completely healed should not be a concern nor should it cause a vision problem.

After your Lasik procedure you will most likely be scheduled for a minimum of five follow-up visits — the first one will be within 24-hours of your surgery. It is very important that you make it to all of these appointments so that your healing process can be monitored and any adjustments can be made to your post-op treatment.

You will, in most cases be required to use eye drops for the first two-to-four weeks after your procedure. These will help alleviate any discomfort you feel in your eyes during this initial healing period. Some discomfort (not pain) is normal as are:

Watery eyes and a runny nose

Sensitivity to bright light

Redness and minor swelling of the eye

A dry feeling in your eyes

Slightly blurred vision

Other post-op tips are:

You might need to take an OTC medicine that does NOT contain aspirin, like Tylenol or Advil, for minor discomfort.

Make an effort to protect your eyes from bright light or sunlight (sunglasses) and water.

Rest your eyes as much as possible and try to get some extra sleep for at least the first two or three days after your procedure.

You will be given a mask (an eye shield) to wear — use it for the first two-hours after your procedure and then while you sleep for the next three-or-four days.

Avoid all water sports and water related activities (hot tubs, whirlpools, swimming, etc.) for the first two weeks.

Don’t go scuba diving for at least six weeks.

Complications. Your risk of complications after Lasik surgery and the possible need for touch-up surgery depends on a number of factors. One such factor is the state of your pre-operative vision; the worse your eyes were going into a Lasik procedure that greater the chance that a) you will not be completely satisfied with the results and b) your surgery will result in some complications. As an example, if you needed reading glasses before your surgery, you may still need them post-op and if you had a small amount of astigmatism before your results might not seem be satisfactory. Touch-up surgery is not highly unusual and it is usually covered by the cost of the Lasik treatment program but it’s still an additional surgery that it would be nice not to have.

One guarantee about surgery is that there are no guarantees. Fact of the matter is everyone heals differently, some of us are lucky enough to have amazing healing powers while some of us are rather slow getting our health back after a sickness or a surgery.

A thorough pre-op evaluation and complete honesty between the perspective patient and the Lasik counselor can eliminate problems for both parties. Not everyone should have Lasik! Some of the determining factors that should eliminate a perspective Lasik patient are:

Refractive instability indicated by requiring a new vision prescription within the year prior to your evaluation.

Age! Someone who is between 19 and 24 years old is a bad risk for a trouble-free Lasik procedure.

If you are pregnant or breast feeding any unnecessary surgery is unwise.

If you have a disease such as HIV, herpes, diabetes eye surgery could lead to disastrous results.

Eye conditions such as large pupils and thin corneas also spell trouble.