• What is Lasik Surgery?
  • LASIK surgery or commonly misspelled as LASIC surgery is a surgical procedure that corrects a wide range of nearsightednes, farsightedness and astigmatism. The word LASIK is the acronym for laser in situ keratomileusis. The name refers to the use of a laser to reshape the cornea without affecting the adjacent cell layers.

• Am I a candidate for Lasik?
  • Dr. Gupta performs a thorough preoperative evaluation to determine whether or not you are a safe candidate for laser vision correction. It is important to understand that not everyone is suitable for LASIK. Some basic requirements include:
    • A stable eyeglass prescription for at least two years.
    • Best corrected vision of at least 20/40.
    • Healthy cornea.
    • No active eye disease.
    • Over 21 years old.

• Am I too old to have Lasik?
  • Although there’s no “maximum age” for laser vision correction, we would first need to determine that the overall health of your eyes is good, and that your vision difficulties are not being caused by some other eye disease. Before the decision is made to proceed with LASIK, your vision needs to be stable. Depending on your age, the need for reading glasses post treatment can be determined. Nearly everyone needs reading glasses by their mid-40s, this is called presbyopia.

• What about Lasik for astigmatism?
  • Patients with astigmatism often think that they may not be a good candidate for Lasik, but that is not true!  During the preoperative evaluation, Dr. Gupta will evaluate how the LASIK procedure can help.

• Do i need to have a referral from my Eye Doctor?
  • No, you can come in for our preoperative consultation and even undergo laser vision correction without a referral from your eye doctor. Dr. Gupta can evaluate your prescription. During your preoperative consultation Dr. Gupta will also be able to assess your vision correction needs. However, it is always beneficial to seek the advice of your own eye doctor or your family doctor.

• How safe is Lasik procedure?
  • The FDA has approved LASIK as a safe and effective procedure. However, LASIK may not be the right choice for everybody. Some people are not appropriate candidates, and if treated could have less than optimal results. It is important that you receive a thorough pre-operative evaluation to determine if LASIK is right for you.

• Does Lasik hurt?
  • No. The actual treatment itself is painless. You will be given plenty of anesthetic drops to completely numb the eye. You may feel a light pressure sensation around your eye, and after the procedure is completed you might feel a gritty sensation for a few hour, but most people experience very little pain to no pain. We’ll give you a prescription for a pain reliever in case needed, but most people need nothing more than Tylenol or Advil and obviously a little rest.

• Can I go blind from Lasik procedure?
  • To date, there have been no reported cases of a total loss of vision. The advanced laser technology includes ample safety features to keep the vision safe.

• Are the results of Lasik Sugery permanent?
  • The effects of the LASIK procedure are permanent. 

• If my vision changes post LASIK Surgery, can i repeat the procedure?
  • Retreatment may be a viable option to vision changes later in life. However, it is important to be aware that other treatment options also exist, as the cause of the change needs to be clear and then the Dr. will  determine which option is best for you. In case  a retreatment is needed, patient must wait a minimum of 3-6 month after the initial laser eye surgery.

• How will my vision be in the night or in low light post the LASIK surgery?
  • With LASIK eye surgery, the vast majority of night vision disturbances are cured since the area of cornea treated is larger than the dilated pupil size. Some patients may see mild glare, around lights in dim or low-light conditions temporarily post the surgery. These symptoms do not usually interfere with driving at night or other nighttime activities. Majorly, these symptoms are temporary and usually last a few days. 

• How long does it take to do LASIK?
  • The actual procedure usually takes less than 10 minutes per eye. However, you should plan on being in the office for approximately an hour and a half on the day of your surgery.

• What if I blink or move during the procedure?
  • Although everyone shares these concerns, we take measures to ensure that moving or blinking is not an issue during the procedure. Your eye will be held open with a holder supporting your eyelid so that you can’t blink. The holder is placed immediately before the treatment and removed immediately afterwards. 

• How soon after the surgery will I be able to see?
  • Recovery happens from one day to one week. The majority of patients resume normal activities one to two days following surgery but it may take 1 to 2 months for your vision to fully stabilize. Initially, your vision might not be very clear and may fluctuate slightly. But that is perfectly normal and it will improve day by day.

• When can I drive after the surgery?
  • On the day of your surgery, it is important to have a driver take you home. You will also need a driver to bring you to your post-operative appointment the day after surgery. In most cases, patients are able to drive by the end of that day.

• For how many days will i have to miss work post LASIK?
  • Most patients can return to their work the next day if not feeling fatigued, but in case your work requires intense clarity in the vision we would advise you to take one or two days. 

• Will my eyes look different than before after the procedure?
  • No. Your eyes will look exactly the same.

• How often will I see the doctor following my surgery?
  • Your postoperative appointments will be scheduled:
    • One day
    • One week
    • One month
    • Three months
    • And six months 

• Can i get vision correction by LASIK done for both eyes at the same time?
  • Yes, you can have both eyes done at the same time. 

• How is anaesthesia given for LASIK Surgery?
  • The procedure is performed with eye drops that numb the eye. Patients may be given a small amount of oral sedative to help them relax.

Please feel free to reach out to Dr. Gupta’s office in case you have more questions.