LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis, which is a fancy way of saying we use a laser to reshape your cornea and fix your vision. Think of your cornea like the front window of your eye. If it's not shaped just right, light doesn't focus properly on the back of your eye, causing blurry vision. LASIK is a quick, painless procedure where we reshape that window so light focuses exactly where it needs to be. Most patients see clearly by the very next morning.
The whole procedure takes about ten minutes and happens right in our office. We use numbing drops so you won't feel any pain, just a little pressure. First, we create a thin flap on the surface of your cornea. Then the laser gently removes microscopic bits of tissue to reshape it based on your prescription. Finally, the flap folds back down and acts like a natural bandage. You go home the same day and rest for a bit, and most people can return to normal activities within 24 hours.
You need to be at least 18 years old with a stable prescription for at least one year. Most people between 20 and 40 are great candidates. LASIK works for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The good news? NVISION uses advanced technology that may qualify people who were told no at other centers. We always do a free consultation to check if you're a good fit. If you have thin corneas or dry eyes, we might suggest PRK or SMILE instead, which are just as effective.
Your eyes heal fast with LASIK. Most patients notice improved vision within hours, with clarity improving over the next few days. Some people experience mild side effects like dryness or glare for a few weeks, but these almost always go away. You'll need to avoid strenuous activity and water for a bit, and use prescribed eye drops to keep things comfortable. We'll see you for follow-up appointments to make sure everything's healing perfectly. And here's the best part: with NVISION's Lifetime Commitment, if your eyes change in the future, we'll give you a free enhancement.
Once we reshape your cornea with LASIK, that shape stays permanent. Your cornea doesn't go back to its old shape. Now, does your vision change as you get older? Yes, that's natural aging. But the correction we gave you doesn't wear off. Some patients in their 40s and 50s might need reading glasses for small print because of presbyopia, which is a normal part of aging. But your distance vision correction from LASIK stays with you for life.