Healthcare at West Virginia University

LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is laser surgery that corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. In most cases, LASIK can reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses.

The procedure is considered safer than other types of surgery, and recovery time is short. People who have had LASIK can usually resume their normal activities 1 day after the surgery.

Currently, the FDA has approved laser vision correction for nearsightedness, astigmatism, and farsightedness. Not everyone is a candidate. There are several factors to consider.

If you have severe nearsightedness, astigmatism, or farsightedness, you are not a good candidate. Certain eye and medical conditions also can make a person not suitable for LASIK surgery.

We recommend you call for a phone consultation with our patient counselor. If you have your eyeglass or contact lens prescription available, we can tell you if you are a potential candidate for laser refractive surgery.

Many patients notice improved vision immediately after the procedure, although it is normal for your vision to be somewhat blurred for a short time afterward. The next day, most patients have excellent vision and do not need any glasses or contacts. Patients continue to see a gradual increase in their visual acuity during the first 5 to 7 days after the surgery.

More than 95% of our patients who have laser vision correction achieve 20/40 vision or better. This clarity of sight will enable you to pass a driver's license exam without glasses. We will be happy to review the potential benefits and risks of laser vision correction with you.

Custom LASIK uses a tool called the wavefront analyzer to measure the way light travels through your eye. The resulting map of your eye is then programmed into the laser, and the laser treats your eye based upon that personalized 3D map.

Custom LASIK helps to treat tiny imperfections in the eye that can have a significant impact on one's quality of vision. These imperfections have been linked to visual glare and halos. The problems they create were not treatable with contacts, glasses, or conventional LASIK. Custom LASIK can result in vision that is clearer and sharper than ever before.

You will be at the Eye Institute for approximately 1½ hours. The time in the surgery suite with the surgeon is 15 to 20 minutes. The actual laser treatment time is approximately 1 minute per eye.

For many people, LASIK is indeed painless. However, some may feel discomfort after the procedure, usually for less than 24 hours. Your eyes may feel scratchy, gritty, or watery. These are temporary symptoms and are not usually a problem. Keeping your eyes closed and using the medicated drops as instructed minimize discomfort.

Discomfort during the procedure, if any, usually happens when the suction ring of the microkeratome (the flap maker) is seated on the eyes. The suction can give the eye a pressure sensation.

Contact lenses can change the shape of the cornea similar to how a watchband makes a skin imprint on your wrist. If you have your eyes examined too soon after taking out your contact lenses, some of the eye tests could give inaccurate results.

You should discontinue wearing soft contact lenses 2 weeks prior to the pre-operative measurements and surgery. Rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lens wearers should discontinue wearing lenses 4 weeks prior to pre-operative measurements. Our doctors will advise you if they suspect your corneas have not returned to their natural shape after removing your contact lenses.

Refractive surgery is considered to be a permanent procedure. However, refractive surgery will not prevent any age-related conditions such as presbyopia (the need for reading glasses) or cataracts. In a small number of cases, eyes can change over time.

Most insurance companies consider refractive surgery an elective surgery, and it is not usually a covered benefit. However, it is certainly worth checking with your insurance company.

Most patients return to their normal activities the day after the procedure. The doctor can give your more details on what you can expect when you come in for an evaluation.

Because of the advanced technology associated with laser vision correction, both eyes are most often done at the same time.

While enjoying a very high success rate, refractive surgery is like all surgery, there is some risk associated with it. Our most important goal is your safety.

Some potential complications include conditions such as dryness, complications in making the surgical flap, night glare, over or under-correction, infection, and loss of best-corrected vision. Your surgeon will go over the potential risks with refractive surgery and measures taken to avoid them. We want to make sure you feel at ease and have all your questions answered before the surgery.