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For most patients, LASIK vision-correction surgery delivers freedom from eyeglasses and contact lenses. The technology is incredibly precise and it's quick and painless.
Today about 800,000 people in the U.S. choose to undergo this transformative procedure each year, according to an article from the National Library of Medicine.
Despite its popularity, several misconceptions and questions are common. If you're considering LASIK, Katherine S. Hu, MD, a top vision correction surgeon at the John A. Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah has some advice.
Where to start
Schedule a consultation — and be sure it's with a qualified surgeon — to get all your questions answered upfront.
What to expect at a consultation
You will have several measurements of your eyes taken with various specialized equipment. You should expect the surgeon to give you a thorough eye exam and review all possible considerations — the benefits, the risks, your expectations and what to expect from LASIK. He or she will let you know what the best surgical options are for you.
At the Moran Eye Center, the surgeon who performs your initial assessment will be the one doing the surgery and examining you at your four to six post-operative appointments.
How to determine if you are a candidate for LASIK
An ideal candidate for LASIK is someone with healthy eyes, including adequately thick corneas, age 21 up to age 60 (though this may vary), who hasn't had recent significant changes in his or her glasses prescription.
LASIK effectively corrects most levels of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Overall, the happiest patients are those who relied heavily on glasses or contact lenses prior to undergoing LASIK.
After LASIK you might still need reading glasses
It is a universal fact that after about age 45, presbyopia develops. It becomes increasingly challenging to read small print or focus on objects up-close, so patients will need to wear reading glasses in such situations.
Why some people opt for LASIK surgery on one eye
Monovision—correcting just one eye—is common and can be a good option for those who want to avoid wearing reading glasses later in life. However, it's not suitable for everyone as it requires one eye to be optimized for distance vision and the other for near vision.
"To determine if this a suitable option, we have patients trial monovision using contact lenses after their initial consultation. If their eyes successfully adapt and harmonize, this is a great option to proceed with," Hu explains "If this adjustment proves challenging, we opt for correcting both eyes for distance vision."
Other options exist if LASIK isn't the ideal fit
Absolutely. PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) is another common and successful vision correction surgery. While it requires a slightly longer recovery time, it is particularly better suited for people with thin corneas or a tendency for dry eye.
"Fifty percent of our patients undergoing vision correction surgery at the Moran Eye Center choose PRK and have had fantastic experiences with it," Hu says. "Outcomes are excellent for both procedures. I myself had PRK done by our surgeons at the Moran Eye Center in 2022, and I loved it!"
There are other, non-laser eye surgeries such as ICL (implantable collamer lens) and CLE (clear lens exchange) that can be additional options.
Having LASIK doesn't mean you won't need cataract surgery later
These surgeries treat different parts of the eye. LASIK treats the cornea (the clear window of the eye), and cataract surgery addresses the natural lens inside the eye — just behind the iris, the colored part of the eye. LASIK surgery alters the curvature of the front surface of the eye, while cataract surgery involves removing a cloudy lens inside the eye and replacing it with a permanent, clear lens implant.
Developing a cataract is inevitable in all patients with time and normal aging. Rest assured, the Moran Eye Center also offers the most advanced, state-of-the-art cataract surgery available, and its surgeons are dedicated to excellence in the treatment of all types of cataracts.
To ensure the most predictable vision outcome after cataract surgery, your cataract surgeon will need comprehensive details regarding your eyesight from before and after your LASIK or PRK surgery, so be sure that information is included in your medical records.
You shouldn't choose a LASIK clinic based solely on price
Price and typically quality go hand-in-hand, especially when it comes to something as invaluable as your eyes, which serve you for a lifetime. To ensure transparency and avoid any surprises, it's important for both you and your surgeon to have a clear understanding of the costs associated with each eye correction procedure.
Absolutely, technology plays a significant role in the effectiveness and safety of vision correction surgeries like LASIK. It's important to choose a practice that offers up-to-date techniques and prioritizes technology that is faster and more accurate — reducing complications and enhancing patient comfort.
At the Moran Eye Center, pricing includes everything from your initial screening to post-operative visits and any additional care for a year after the procedure.
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