Understanding LASIK
Learn more about laser eye surgery 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 contacts1-3*—and with today’s advanced technology, it’s more personalized and precise than ever.1,4-6 LASIK is designed for people who want clear vision without relying on glasses or contacts. You might be a good candidate if7:
- 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.
*3 months post-operation: n = 200 (400 eyes); n = 111 (222 eyes).
What Happens During LASIK?
The LASIK procedure is quick and often takes less than 30 minutes for both eyes.2,7 Here’s a look at what to expect:
Before surgery:
Your surgeon maps the shape and curvature of your eyes using precise diagnostic tools.2
During surgery:
You’ll get numbing eye drops, then a laser gently reshapes your cornea to improve focus.2,7
After surgery:
Most people notice sharper vision in the first 24 to 48 hours.8 Your doctor may prescribe medication or eyedrops to help reduce any discomfort, although most patients experience little pain. Your doctor will also schedule follow-up appointments in the months following the procedure to check your healing progress.2
You'll need someone to drive you home afterward, and rest is recommended that day.
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.1* Many achieve 20/20 vision—or even better.1,3†‡
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.
*In a clinical study; based on responses to the question "Currently, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the result of your LASIK surgery" on the PROWL questionnaire at 3 months post-op; n=106.
†In a real-world private practice setting-200 patients (400 eyes).
‡At 3 months post-op; n = 212 eyes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Since anesthetic eye drops are administered before the procedure, the majority of patients feel little to no pain during the procedure. However, there is no guaranteed level of comfort.
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.
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 a few minor side effects, such as watery or red eyes for a few days.
During a LASIK procedure, safety is the number one priority. 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. 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.12 That means you might still need reading glasses down the line, even if your distance vision remains sharp.
Still have questions?
The best first step is to schedule a consultation with an eye surgeon. They’ll help you understand your options, answer your questions, and guide you toward the right choice for your vision—and your life.
References:
1. Kanellopoulos AJ, Maus M, Bala C, Hamilton C, Lemonis S, Jockovich ME, Khoramnia R. International Multicenter, Myopic and Myopic Astigmatism Femto LASIK, Customized by Automated Ray-Tracing Ablation Profile Calculation: A Postmarket Study. Clin Ophthalmol. 2024;18:525-536.
2. Mayo Clinic. LASIK Eye Surgery. Accessed August 26, 2025. Accessed from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/lasik-eye-surgery/about/pac-20384774.
3. He G, Bala C. Ray-tracing-guided myopic LASIK: real-world clinical outcomes. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2023;49(11):1140-1146.
4. 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.
5. Mrochen M, Bueler M, Donitzky C, Seiler T. Optical ray tracing for the calculation of optimized corneal ablation profiles in refractive treatment planning. J Refract Surg. 2008;24:S446-S451.
6. Wavelight InnovEyes sightmap Diagnostic Device User Manual.
7. Bastawrous A, Silvester A, Batterbury M. Laser refractive eye surgery. BMJ. 2011;342:d2345.
8. 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.
9. 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/.
10. Stodola E. LASIK Worldwide. Published April 2016. Accessed July 24, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612162458/https://www.eyeworld.org/article-lasik-worldwide.
11. American Academy of Ophthalmology. LASIK — Laser Eye Surgery. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/lasik. August 9, 2024. Accessed July 25, 2025.
12. Kraff, C. Kraff Eye Institute. March 18, 2024. https://kraffeye.com/blog/how-long-does-lasik-last. Accessed August 27, 2025.
Please refer to relevant product directions for use for complete list of indications, contraindications, and warnings. Consult your doctor on relevant safety information about the treatment.