Lasik Frequently Asked Questions

Lasik frequently asked questions.

We have compiled some of the most often asked questions about conventional or custom wavefront Lasik, Bladeless Lasik, PRK, any refractive surgery procedure, vision, eye health, complications, and our organization.

Alternatives

Lasik may be the best known, but is something else better for you?

• Monovision
• Wavefront Custom

• Lasik
• Bladeless Lasik
• LASEK
• PRK
• Epi-Lasik
• Refractive Lens Exchange
• Crystalens
• CK
• Intacs
• Crosslinking

Considerations

Here are the main things just about everyone should consider before having refractive surgery.

• Steps to Consider
• Does Lasik Hurt?
• Recovery time
• Permanence
• Price
• Best Lasik Laser
• Surgeon experience
• Lasik Enhancement Rates
• Lasik Doctors Not Certified
• Pupil Size & Lasik
• Stable Prescription
• Hyperopia more difficult to correct
• Odds I'll see 20/20 After Lasik
• Told Can't get 20/20
• Common Lasik Complications
• Lasik Risk and Safety
• Dominant Eye
• Now or later?
• Enhancement
• When enhancement
• Lasik Enhancement & New Flap
• Age: Early, Middle, Late
• Lasik Flap healing
• Amount of Tissue Removed
• Double carding
• Lasik Patient Endorsements
• Prescription Meaning
• Deliberate over correction
• "Black box" or "Gray box"
• Return to Work
• Lasik & Scuba Dive
• Lasik, PRK, LASEK, & High Altitude
• Pilot's License
• Miliary
• Tax Deductible
• "Lasik Pioneers"
• Comanagement

Alerts and Position Statements

Some issues have required our patient advocacy organization to take a stand

• Counterfeit Lasers
• Wavefront Correction Claims
• Insurance Payment for Lasik

Pre-Existing Concerns

If you have or have had any of these, here is what you should know before making a decision.

• Acoustic Neuroma
• Acne
• Albinism
• Aniseikonia
• Anisometropia
• Atopy
• Asthma
• Astigmatism
• Autoimmune
• Blepharitis
• Cataracts
• Color shift
• Contact use
• Cornea Thin
• Crohn's
• Diabetes
• Diabetic Retinopathy
• Dry eyes
• Eyes Small
• Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC)
• Glaucoma
• Herpes
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
• Keloid
• Keratoconus
• Lenticular Astigmatism
• Lyme Disease
• Macular Degeneration
• Meibomitis
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Nursing Child
• Nystagmus
• Pregnancy
• Presbyopia
• Previous Refractive Surgery
• Pupils Large
• Retinal Detachment
• Retinitis Pigmentosa
• Rosacea
• Strabismus
• Vitreous Detachment

Problems After Surgery

Complications after Lasik are rare, but here are some ideas about how to avoid them.

• Astigmatism
• Buttonhole Flap
• Central Island
• Color Shift
• Contrast Sensitivity Reduction
• Corneal Abrasion
• Debris
• Decentered Ablation
• Diffuse Lamellar Keratitis
• DLK
• Dry eyes
• Ectasia
• Edema
• Epithelial Ingrowth
• Epithelial Sloughing
• Flap Aborted
• Flap Buttonhole
• Flap Wrinkles
• Floaters
• Fluctuation of Vision
• Ghosting
• Glare
• Glaucoma
• Halo
• Hazy vision
• Light Sensitivity
• Overcorrection
• Photophobia
• Presbyopia Increase
• Reading Problems
• Regression
• Retinal Detachment
• Sands of Sahara
• SOS
• Starbursts
• Striae
• Swelling
• Undercorrection
• Visual Acuity Loss
• Other

Organization

Information about the organization behind the website.

• Who is USAEyes?
• Why pick a USAEyes certified Lasik doctor
• Become a USAEyes certified surgeon

Looking For Best Lasik Surgeon?

If you are ready to choose a doctor to be evaluated for conventional or custom wavefront Lasik, Bladeless Lasik, PRK, or any refractive surgery procedure, we recommend you consider a doctor who has been evaluated and certified by the USAEyes nonprofit organization. Locate a USAEyes Evaluated & Certified Lasik Doctor.

Personalized Answers

If this article did not fully answer your questions, use our free Ask Lasik Expert patient forum.