Laser Vision Correction:

Q:  Does it hurt?

A:  PRK and LASIK are generally considered to be "painless" procedures. Your eye is numbed with eye drops, and you are awake during the entire procedure. Some patients may experience what they describe as a slight discomfort, similar to feeling as if there is something in your eye, during the initial healing period of 2 to 3 days after the procedure is performed.

Q:  Does it require stitches or shots?

A:  No. At the time of the procedure, drops are used to numb the eye, and then you will be asked to stare at a light during the laser procedure. With PRK, a protective contact lens or medicated ointment is then placed on your eye until it completes its healing process. With LASIK, the "flap" is resealed using air, so a bandage contact lens is not required.

Q:  Can I wear contacts again?

A:  One of the advantages of LASIK and PRK is that they do not alter the integrity of the eye and, therefore, do not generally result in scarring which would eliminate your ability to wear contacts again. However, very few patients ever need contacts again.

Q:   How well will I see after the surgery?

A:  It is realistic to expect to achieve correction after the surgery comparable to what you are able to achieve with glasses and contacts. After laser vision correction, 98% of all people can see well enough to pass a driver's license test without any correction. We cannot, however, promise you that you will never have to wear glasses again. While almost everyone has significant improvement in their best, uncorrected vision (what you can see without any glasses or contacts), some people may still need to wear a much milder prescription for reading or driving after the surgery.