Understanding LASIK
Learn more about LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) and how it works.
Understanding LASIK
Learn more about LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) and how it works.
Is LASIK a Good Fit for You?
If you’ve ever wondered whether LASIK might be right for you, you’re not alone. Laser eye surgery has helped millions of people reduce their dependence on glasses or contacts1,2—and with today’s advanced technology, it’s more personalized and precise than ever.3 LASIK is designed for people who want clear vision without relying on glasses or contacts. You might be a good candidate if4:
- Moderate vision problems (nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism)
- No pre-existing eye conditions (such as glaucoma, dry eye disease or cataracts)
- Good physical health
- Stable vision (meaning that your current eyeglasses prescription is no longer changing)
Talk to your surgeon to find out if laser eye surgery is right for you.
What Happens During LASIK?
The LASIK procedure is quick and often takes less than 30 minutes for both eyes. Here’s a look at what to expect4,5:
Before surgery:
Your surgeon maps the shape and curvature of your eyes using precise diagnostic tools.
During surgery:
You’ll get numbing eye drops, then a laser gently reshapes your cornea to improve focus.
After surgery:
Most people notice sharper vision in the first 24 to 48 hours.6
You'll need someone to drive you home afterward, and rest is recommended that day.
Your doctor may prescribe medication or eyedrops to help reduce any discomfort, although most patients experience little pain.5
Your doctor will also schedule follow-up appointments in the months following the procedure to check your healing progress.5
Safety is the number one priority
LASIK is the most widely performed elective surgery in the world, with over 95% of patients saying they’re satisfied with their results.7 Many achieve 20/20 vision—or even better.8
As with any surgical procedure, there are risk factors associated with laser eye surgery. Please consult your eye care professional to determine if this procedure is right for you. Reduced dependence on glasses or contact lenses is a potential benefit of laser eye surgery – individual patient results may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Since anesthetic eye drops are administered before the procedure, the majority of patients feel little to no pain during the procedure. After the surgery, your doctor may also prescribe medication or eye drops to help reduce any discomfort, although most patients experience little pain.
As with any surgical procedure, there are risk factors associated with laser eye surgery. Please consult your eye care professional to discuss the expected outcomes in your case and the potential risks and warnings, to determine if this procedure is right for you. Individual patient results may vary.
Each person who undergoes laser eye surgery has a unique recovery experience. Many people are able to return to work the very next day. Others might experience side effects, such as watery or red eyes for a few days.5 Someone should drive you home. Plan not to drive for 24 hours and pick up any medications you have been prescribed.5
During a LASIK procedure, safety is the number one priority. LASIK is a proven technology with over 30 years of experience and more than 40 million procedures worldwide,1,2 but like all surgical procedures, it still involves a risk of complications. Potential risks associated with LASIK procedures include developing dry eye syndrome, which can be severe; a possible need for glasses or contact lenses after surgery; visual symptoms including halos, glare, starbursts, and double vision, which can be debilitating; and loss of vision.9
As with any surgical procedure, there are risk factors associated with laser eye surgery. Please consult your eye care professional to discuss the expected outcomes in your case and the potential risks and warnings, to determine if this procedure is right for you. Individual patient results may vary.
Talk to your surgeon to learn more.
The changes made to your cornea during LASIK are permanent. But your eyes can still change over time—particularly as you age. Around your 40s or 50s, many people develop presbyopia, a natural part of aging that affects near vision.10 That means you might still need reading glasses down the line, even if your distance vision remains sharp.
Find Wavelight Plus Certified Centres Near you.
We want to make it easy for you to locate an eye surgeon in your locality. He or she will be able to give you the advice on how to get your surgery done.
Note: This list only includes practices/clinics/hospitals that have explicitly provided their consent for their information to be displayed on this site. Alcon therefore points out that this is not a complete representation of all ophthalmological practices/clinics/hospitals in India. Alcon endeavors to keep the information in this listing up-to-date, however, Alcon does not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information. Alcon accepts no liability for the completeness or for the accuracy of the information contained herewith or its update. Information, statements, photographs and videos used are with the permission of all and must not be replicated. All the information and materials shared on this site are meant for nonpromotional purposes only.
Note for practices/clinics/hospitals: Not listed? If you would like your practice to appear here or if you wish to delist your practice, please contact your Alcon representative.
Look for this certificate in your clinic
Consult your eye surgeon on relevant safety information about the treatment.
References
1. Shapiro D. LASIK Invented 30 Years Ago, FDA Approved 20 Years Ago. Published October 31, 2019. Accessed July 24, 2024. https://shapirolaser.com/lasik-invented-30-years-ago-fda-approved-20-years-ago/
2. Stodola E. LASIK Worldwide. Published April 2016. Accessed July 24, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612162458/https://www.eyeworld.org/article-lasik-worldwide.
3. Brunson P, Mann PM 2nd, Mann PM, Potvin R. Comparison of refractive and visual acuity results after Contoura® Vision topography-guided LASIK planned with the Phorcides Analytic Engine to results after wavefront-optimized LASIK in eyes with oblique astigmatism. PLoS One. 2022;17(12):e0279357.
4. Bastawrous A, Silvester A, Batterbury M. Laser refractive eye surgery. BMJ. 2011;342:d2345.
5. Mayo Clinic. LASIK Eye Surgery. Accessed August 26, 2025. Accessed from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/lasik-eye-surgery/about/pac-20384774
6. Mayo Clinic. LASIK surgery - Is it right for you?. May 21, 2025. Accessed August 29, 2025. Accessed from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/lasik-eye-surgery/in-depth/lasik-surgery/art-20045751
7. Solomon KD, Fernández de Castro LE, Sandoval HP, et al. LASIK world literature review: quality of life and patient satisfaction. Ophthalmology. 2009;116(4):691-701.
8. Sandoval HP, Donnenfeld ED, Kohnen T, et al. Modern laser in situ keratomileusis outcomes. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2016;42(8):1224-1234.
9. American Academy of Ophthalmology. LASIK — Laser Eye Surgery. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/lasik. August 9, 2024. Accessed July 25, 2025
10. Kraff, C. Kraff Eye Institute. March 18, 2024. https://kraffeye.com/blog/how-long-does-lasik-last. Accessed August 27, 2025.
