Top Questions about LASIK – Part Two

If you are curious about LASIK and considering the procedure, it’s likely you have a number of questions about it. That’s a good thing. We want our patients to be completely informed and comfortable about their choice, and we are happy to answer any and all questions. Here are a few more of the top questions we get. Also take a look at Top Questions about LASIK - Part One.

How long will it take to recover from LASIK surgery?

The brief and comfortable recovery period – less than two days -- is one of the best things about LASIK, along with immediate improved vision. While we require that you have someone to drive you home right after the surgery, you will notice your vision has improved within 1-2 hours of the procedure. You will notice the most dramatic vision improvement upon waking the next day. Most of our patients drive themselves to the first follow-up appointment the day after the procedure and resume normal activity. Dr. Lindahl will advise if you should also avoid swimming and contact sports for a week following your procedure.

Do the results last?

Yes! Zyoptix personalized laser vision correction is permanent. Most people only need one treatment. However, 5 - 10% of patients may require additional fine-tuning (re-treatment) to achieve optimal vision correction. Dr. Lindahl will carefully monitor your progress in your follow up appointments to ensure a lasting result.

What happens immediately after the procedure?

You may experience some minor post-treatment after-effects. Most are completely normal and dissipate quickly, including a feeling of pressure, and dry eyes or a gritty feeling upon waking from long periods of sleep. We will give you drops for this. Some other temporary effects may include unstable or hazy vision, glare with night vision and overall corneal tenderness. It is important to keep your scheduled follow-up appointments so that you can discuss any issues directly with Dr. Lindahl.

Read more about the full LASIK experience here.

Can I have LASIK if I’m pregnant?

Pregnancy has an enormous impact on the body, including changes in hormone levels which can soften the corneal collagen, causing variable vision and unpredictable results. For that reason, Dr. Lindahl does not recommend or perform LASIK on pregnant or nursing patients.

Can I have LASIK if I am diabetic?

If your diabetes is well controlled and is not negatively impacting your overall health, LASIK can be performed on patients with diabetes. Rochester Eye & Laser Center’s complimentary LASIK evaluation exam will determine if you are a suitable candidate, and diabetes is generally not a problem unless it involves other complications.