I've Decided to Get LASIK. Now What?

The first step is admitting you have a problem. A vision problem.

So you’ve made the decision to get LASIK surgery. Right on!

Now what?

Step 1: Find a Surgeon

The first thing you need to do is to talk with a doctor that can provide LASIK — called an ophthalmologist — to find out if you’re a good candidate for the procedure. Many provide free consultations for LASIK, so even if you’re just first considering it and want to get all those initial questions off your chest, it’s a great place to start.

Now not every ophthalmologist can perform LASIK. To find one that can or seek a second opinion, you can find one in your area here.

Step 2: Ask the Right Questions

You’ve probably got a million of ‘em. How long does it take? Can I get LASIK if I have astigmatism?

Contrary to popular belief it is a doctor, not the internet, that is best equipped to answer your questions about LASIK. Nobody is going to have quality answers specific to your eyes besides a qualified doctor.

Once you’ve found your ophthalmologist, he or she will want to talk through your concerns and expectations. There’s a lot of misinformation (“LASIK will let me see around corners”) out there that needs to be addressed before the procedure. You can also talk to your doctor about the technology involved to get a better understanding of how LASIK is conducted.

Step 3: Plan Ahead

This is also a good time to talk about life after LASIK. Your doctor’s head is full of information on healing, recovery and post-surgery eye care. He or she can also tell you about what your vision might be like after LASIK. Imagine waking up and seeing what time it is on your alarm clock, or being able to take a swim without worrying about your contacts.

Your surgeon can tell you how soon you can expect to get back to your active lifestyle after LASIK. Most people are able to get back to their daily routine with clearer vision in a few short days.

That being the case, there are still some arrangements that need to be made in the immediate term. Generally speaking, your first follow-up visit will be the day after your procedure, and even if your vision seems clear at that point, have someone drive you to that appointment.

If you have any additional questions about LASIK, this is one great resource, or if you’re ready to speak to a doctor, you can find one near you here.