5 Things to Know Before Booking Your LASIK Surgery

Thinking about ditching your glasses or contact lenses for good? If so, LASIK surgery might be on your mind. It’s one of the most popular and effective options for laser vision correction, offering the freedom of clear sight without the daily hassle of eyewear. But while laser eye surgery can be a game-changer, there are some essential things to consider before you jump in.

At re:vision, we’ve performed countless LASIK surgeries right here in Auckland, helping Kiwis enjoy a life without the limitations of glasses or contact lenses. From understanding how the procedure actually works to knowing what to expect during recovery, these five key points will help you feel fully prepared and confident about your decision.

Key Takeaways

• How LASIK Works: LASIK reshapes the cornea using precision lasers, improving vision by adjusting how light focuses on the retina.
• Candidate Criteria: LASIK suits those over 21 with stable vision and healthy corneas. Pre-existing eye conditions may affect eligibility.
• Risks and Side Effects: While generally safe, LASIK can cause mild dryness or light sensitivity. re:vision offers thorough care to minimise risks.
• Recovery Process: Vision is clear within 24 hours, but full healing can take 4-6 weeks. Follow-up care is essential.
• Long-Term Benefits: LASIK offers freedom from glasses and contacts, enhancing daily life with lasting clarity.

1. Understand How LASIK Eye Surgery Works

LASIK is a type of laser eye surgery that reshapes the cornea to improve how light focuses on the retina, resulting in clearer vision. The process begins with your eye surgeon using a femtosecond laser to create a precise flap in your cornea’s outer layer, allowing access to the underlying corneal tissue. Your surgeon then gently lifts this flap to expose the area needing correction.

With the flap open, your surgeon applies the excimer laser to reshape your cornea. This refractive surgery removes tiny amounts of corneal tissue to adjust its curvature, addressing common issues like short-sightedness, long-sightedness, and astigmatism. The procedure offers impressive accuracy and minimal discomfort.

Once the reshaping is complete, your surgeon places your corneal flap back in position, where it naturally reattaches without stitches.

2. Determine If You’re a Good Candidate

While LASIK surgery can transform your vision, it’s not suitable for everyone. The ideal candidate meets certain criteria to ensure the best results. For starters, your age matters; LASIK generally works best for people over 21 with stable vision prescriptions. If your vision still fluctuates, waiting until it stabilises can lead to better, lasting outcomes.

Eye health also plays a big role. Conditions like severe dry eyes, certain eye injuries, or a history of eye infections may affect eligibility. Additionally, your corneas need adequate thickness to safely create the flap during the laser eye surgery procedure.

Finally, consider any pre-existing conditions like severe nearsightedness or glaucoma. At our Auckland LASIK laser vision correction clinic, we conduct thorough consultations to assess each patient’s unique eye health and determine if LASIK surgery is the right choice.

3. Be Aware of Potential Risks and Side Effects

LASIK eye surgery is generally very safe, but, as with most things, there are potential side effects. Patients often experience mild dryness, light sensitivity, and halos around lights. These effects are common during the initial healing period and typically improve with time and prescribed eye drops. Rarely, patients may experience over- or under-correction, where vision isn’t fully optimised, requiring potential follow-up adjustments.

Re:Vision's expert eye surgeons provide comprehensive pre-op and post-op care to reduce these risks and achieve the best results. Though serious complications are uncommon, being aware of potential side effects helps you prepare. Our Auckland laser eye surgery clinic supports you at every step, so you feel confident and prepared.

4. Understand the Recovery Process

After the LASIK procedure, you'll likely notice improved vision within a day or so, though the full healing process can take up to a few months. To ensure optimal healing, carefully follow post-op instructions. Avoid rubbing your eyes, swimming, or applying eye makeup during the initial weeks. Regular follow-up visits allow your surgeon to monitor your healing and address any questions. You’ll also receive eye drops to aid in recovery.

Recovery times vary, but most people find that with patience and proper aftercare, the long-term results of laser surgery make the journey worthwhile.

5. Know the Long-Term Benefits and Expectations

LASIK laser eye surgery offers long-lasting freedom from contact lenses and wearing glasses, which can dramatically improve your quality of life. Most patients enjoy clear vision for years after the procedure, but it’s important to have realistic expectations. As we age, some people may still need reading glasses for close-up tasks. However, the convenience of reduced reliance on corrective lenses and the daily ease of clear vision are among LASIK’s biggest advantages.

Laser eye surgery is an investment in your vision and lifestyle, offering a major enhancement in convenience, comfort, and confidence.

Laser Eye Surgery Auckland

Considering LASIK surgery is a big step toward clear, hassle-free vision, and understanding the five key points in this article can help you make an informed decision. From how the procedure works to what recovery entails and the life-changing benefits, each aspect of LASIK provides confidence in the results you can expect.

We pride ourselves on offering comprehensive, expert care in Auckland for a range of eye health needs, including LASIK eye surgery and cataract surgery. Whether you’re looking to correct vision with LASIK or address a cataract surgery requirement, our team of experienced eye surgeons uses advanced techniques to deliver safe, effective outcomes. We’re committed to supporting your journey to better vision at every stage, from the initial consultation through to follow-up care.

If you’re ready to explore how laser eye surgery could transform your vision, book a consultation to discuss your vision goals and learn more about our personalised approach to eye care.

Book your free LASIK consultation

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