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How Long Does LASIK Eye Surgery Take?

LASIK surgery takes very little time to complete.  On average it takes about twenty minutes from the time my patient enters the operating room to when he or she gets up and leaves.

This means that the actual surgery takes an even shorter amount of time – each eye normally takes me 5-7 minutes to complete.

Most of my patients are amazed at how quickly the surgery is accomplished and even more amazed at how they notice a drastic improvement in their vision the same day.  But that’s how it works at La Jolla LASIK Institute – I provide efficient, professional medical services and deliver excellent results.

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How will I know if I am eligible for LASIK?

La Jolla LASIK Institute’s latest laser technology has made it possible for more people to have LASIK than ever before.  Here are a few guidelines to determine LASIK eligibility:

  1. You are at least 21 years old.
  2. You are in good general health and free of infection or autoimmune disease affecting healing.
  3. You are free of certain eye diseases like keratoconus, cataracts, retinal diseases, ocular herpes simplex and ocular herpes zoster.
  4. You have had stable vision for at least one year before surgery, defined by the FDA as less than or equal to 0.5 diopters’ change in your prescription.  (Don’t worry, I can tell this from your old glasses on your consult day).
  5. Pregnant people are welcome to come in for a consultation.  Your procedure after you give birth will be something to look forward to.

These are general guidelines to determine if you are a good candidate for LASIK.  I’ll give you the full answer when you come into La Jolla LASIK for a free consultation!

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When can I start exercising after LASIK?

When you exercise after LASIK I want you to be careful to prevent two things:  1) infection and 2) a wrinkled flap.  So, let’s keep you away from nasty bacteria, and make sure you don’t squint or rub or squeeze your eyes for a week or two.

To prevent squinting your eyes when you strain during a workout, wait three days to exercise.  If you exercise in a gym, assume the equipment is covered in toxic bacteria.  Wash your hands before touching your face when working out after LASIK.

If you sweat a lot, use a cap, sweatband, or scarf to absorb the sweat so it doesn’t pour into your eyes.

But, yes, you can work out.  Just use a little care and judgment.  No problem.

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How Come Doctors who Perform LASIK Still Wear Glasses?

What an interesting question!

I had LASIK myself 9 years ago, and I’ve asked colleagues who never had it why they haven’t.  Most eye surgeons really believe in the procedure and would have it if they could.  I’ve discovered that most doctors who never had LASIK are not LASIK candidates and wish they were!  The LASIK surgeons I know who have never had the procedure have told me they are not LASIK candidates because their prescriptions are too high or their corneas are too thin.  This has happened enough times that I wonder if having an unusually high prescription or other eye condition is what attracted many people to becoming ophthalmologists in the first place.

Now with the implantable contact lens, there will be more and more people with high prescriptions, including eye surgeons, who are vision correction candidates.

I had LASIK myself 9 years ago, and I’m so glad I did.  I also performed LASIK on my husband and other relatives, so I truly believe that the procedure can change your life.  It certainly has changed mine!  If you’re thinking about LASIK, I’ve been in your shoes, and I can tell you all about my personal experience at your LASIK consultation.

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Am I Old Enough or Too Old for LASIK?

Have you asked the questions ” Am I too old for LASIK ?” or ” What age can you get LASIK ?”

If you are at least 18 years old, you can get LASIK.

But what if you’re 40, or 60, or 80?  If you are 40 or 50, you’re still young for LASIK.  I can help you to see up close AND far. Because LASIK occurs on the part of the eye that remains stable over long periods of time, LASIK won’t change the rate at which your eyes age.

If you are in your 70s, though, it might be better to opt for cataract surgery instead of LASIK.  In your 60’s, I’ll check you carefully for early cataract and we’ll decide if early cataract surgery or LASIK is a better choice for you.

Of course, every person’s eyes and circumstances are different, so regardless of your age, I still need to examine your eyes to make sure you’re a LASIK candidate. So call and make an appointment, and I’ll answer all the questions you have.

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What is LASIK?

Now you can impress your friends and acquaintances at parties:  LASIK is an acronym for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis.  What does that mean?  I make a flap in the front clear part of your eye with a laser or a microkeratome.  I lift the flap, and a  laser shapes the front of the cornea to the correct prescription.  Finally, I smooth the flap back into place, and then you’re on your way to the freedom of clear vision without glasses or contacts.

That’s what LASIK means.


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LASIK Recovery Time: When can I see after LASIK?

Here in San Diego, LASIK patients ask me when they will see after their procedure. I tell them: You can see right away after LASIK.  In fact, many patients have been very emotional when they sit up after their procedure and find out they can see!

Usually, your vision will be a little foggy for the rest of the day after the procedure, but it should still be better than before. The day after LASIK, you should see very well, almost perfectly, and your vision may continue to sharpen and get better for up to a week or two.

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I’m over 40, Can LASIK Help Me With Reading?

Yes! LASIK can help with reading. Depending on your age, visual demands, and exact prescription, there are several methods I can use to improve your reading vision. I will spend as much time as we need during the LASIK consultation at our San Diego LASIK center understanding your visual needs and designing a treatment plan that you will like best.

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Will I Have Pain After LASIK?

On leaving the procedure room, LASIK patients’ eyes are still anesthetized, so you won’t feel pain at that time. When the anesthetic drops wear off, LASIK patients may feel itching or a slight burning sensation.  The eyes may be light sensitive, so most people go home and take a nap.  If you have your LASIK eye surgery in the morning and take a nap in the afternoon, when you wake up you may have some itching or sensitivity, especially to light, but you shouldn’t have true pain.  What to expect after LASIK? The next day, your eyes may feel dry or itchy but should not hurt at all.  After their postoperative day 1 checkup, most of our San Diego LASIK patients go back to work or their usual activities with minimal discomfort.