LASIK surgery

LASIK surgery can improve vision for people with nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. For many, it reduces – or even eliminates – the need for glasses or contacts.

At Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic, our eye care specialists use LASIK as an effective option for vision correction.

What is LASIK surgery?

LASIK stands for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. It is the most popular type of laser vision correction surgery.

LASIK is a type of refractive surgery. This means it’s used to treat what are called refractive errors of the eye – such as nearsightedness and farsightedness. If the lens and cornea of your eye don’t bend (refract) light properly, you aren’t able to see clearly.

During LASIK surgery, the doctor uses a laser to reshape the cornea. By changing the shape of the cornea, the eye is now able to refract light properly, making your vision clearer.

Other types of vision correction surgery

LASIK may be the most popular and well-known surgery used to correct vision, but it isn’t the only option.

Other types of vision correction surgery include:

• Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK): This is a different type of refractive surgery. It also uses a laser to reshape the cornea. Because the technique is slightly different, PRK is often a better option than LASIK for those who have dry eyes or thin corneas.
• Implantable collamer lens: This corrective surgery involves implanting a special corrective lens into the eye in front of your natural lens. This option is typically better than refractive surgery for those with more severe nearsightedness.

Conditions treated with LASIK surgery

LASIK surgery corrects refractive errors that affect both near and far vision. It cannot treat presbyopia, the loss of close-up vision that typically comes with age. Even those treated with LASIK will eventually need reading glasses to see clearly close up.

LASIK can be used to treat:

• Myopia (nearsightedness)
• Hyperopia (farsightedness)
• Astigmatism

Not everyone is a good candidate for LASIK surgery. To qualify, you need:

• Healthy corneas that aren’t too thin or scarred by injury
• Mild-to-moderate near or farsightedness
• Overall healthy eyes (no dry eyes, disease or other conditions affecting your vision)
• Stable corrective prescription that hasn’t changed significantly in the past year

LASIK surgery side effects

About 90% of people who have LASIK to correct their vision experience significant improvement in their eyesight. But, like any surgery, LASIK can come with some risks.

Some complications of LASIK are temporary and improve as you continue to heal. Others can be permanent. Some of the most common complications can include:

• Double vision
• Dry eyes
• Eye pain
• Light sensitivity
• Night vision issues including difficulty seeing in low light, halos or glare