Frequently Asked Questions About LASIK

Laser vision correction is a surgical procedure designed to correct common vision problems for patients that are nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism. The two most common types of laser vision correction are LASIK and PRK. LASIK, which stands for Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis, permanently changes the shape of the cornea using laser technology, offering a long-term solution to glasses and contacts.

LASIK has been approved by the FDA and has a proven track record of safety and efficacy. It’s widely considered to be one of the safest elective medical procedures available. There are no known cases of blindness from LASIK.

Laser eye surgery is virtually painless. Most of our patients experience little to no discomfort during the procedure, and often have a quick recovery, with mild side effects, if at all. Anesthetic eye drops are applied to the eyes before, during, and after the procedure. There may be a sensation of pressure during the surgery when the flap is created in the cornea, but it should not be painful. After LASIK, you may have some mild irritation or discomfort lasting a day or two, but symptoms should improve as the eyes heal. 

For LASIK, you can expect to be at our clinic for approximately two hours on the day of surgery. The procedure itself lasts only about 10 to 15 minutes, while the actual laser is used for less than a minute per eye. The most timely part about laser correction is the discussion and preparation done in advance.

Yes, you will remain awake during LASIK and will keep your eyes open. The reason you must keep awake and your eyes open is so that you can follow the fixation instructions from your surgeon. You may be offered a sedative to help you relax beforehand.

Absolutely. Laser vision correction has greatly evolved over the past two decades, offering patients more visual acuity than ever. This is demonstrated in the advanced LASIK technology utilized by Lasik Vision Centers of Cleveland. We perform both wavefront-optimized LASIK as well as Contoura Vision, which uses corneal mapping technology to deliver superior visual results.

You can speak with your eye doctor, who should be able to give you an idea of whether you’re a good candidate for laser vision correction. At Lasik Vision Centers of Cleveland, we believe in partnering with fellow eye care professionals to offer exceptional patient care. Your eye doctor can even co-manage your surgery by providing your pre-operative and post-operative exams. During your initial visit, we’ll evaluate your eyes with precise optical equipment to confirm candidacy and discuss treatment options with you.

Yes – laser eye surgery is safe for nursing mothers so long as your prescription is the same as it was before pregnancy.

Yes, it’s possible to no longer need readers after Monovision LASIK, an advanced type of laser eye surgery. We’ll evaluate your candidacy and explain how the procedure works in detail at a free initial consultation.

Many insurance companies consider LASIK to be an elective procedure, but you should check with your plan to see if coverage is available. At Lasik Vision Centers of Cleveland, we offer flexible financing plans to help make paying for a vision correction procedure easier. You may also be able to use your HSA or FSA towards the cost.