LASIK vision correction surgery delivers freedom from eyeglasses and contact lenses. The technology is incredibly precise, quick, and painless. It’s no wonder that nearly 800,000 people in the U.S. choose to undergo this transformative procedure each year.
Despite its popularity, several misconceptions and questions are common. There are no "one-size-fits-all" answers, but if you're considering LASIK, take some advice from Katherine S. Hu, MD, a top vision correction surgeon at the John A. Moran Eye Center at University of Utah Health.
Where do I start?
Schedule a consultation—and be sure it's with a qualified surgeon—to get all your questions answered up front.
What should I expect at my consultation?
Several measurements of your eyes will be taken with various specialized equipment. You should expect the surgeon to give you a thorough eye exam and review all possible considerations, such as:
- Benefits
- Risks
- Personal expectations
- What to expect from LASIK
They will let you know what the best surgical options are for you.
At the John A. Moran Eye Center, the surgeon who performs your initial assessment will do the surgery and examine you at your four to six post-operative appointments.
Who is an ideal candidate for LASIK?
Ideal candidates for LASIK include:
- People with healthy eyes, including adequately thick corneas
- People who are 21 years of age or older (up to age 60, though this may vary)
- People who haven't had recent significant changes in their glasses prescription
LASIK effectively corrects most levels of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Overall, the happiest patients are those who relied heavily on glasses or contact lenses before undergoing LASIK.
I've seen people who have had LASIK use readers. Is this common?
For the most part, yes. It is a universal fact that presbyopia develops after about age 45. It becomes increasingly challenging to read small print or focus on objects up close, so patients will need to wear reading glasses in such situations.
I've heard of people just having LASIK surgery on one eye. How does that work?
This is called monovision—the procedure of correcting just one eye. It’s common and can be a good option for those who want to avoid wearing reading glasses later in life. However, it's not suitable for everyone as it requires one eye to be optimized for distance vision and the other for near vision.
To determine if this is a suitable option, patients can trial monovision using contact lenses after their initial consultation. If their eyes successfully adapt and harmonize, this is a great option. If this adjustment proves challenging, they can opt for correcting both eyes for distance vision.
Are there other options if LASIK isn't the ideal fit?
Absolutely. PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) is another common and successful vision correction surgery. While it requires a slightly longer recovery time, it is particularly better suited for people with thin corneas or a tendency for dry eye.
About 50% of patients at the John A. Moran Eye Center that undergo vision correction surgery choose PRK and have great experiences with it. Outcomes are excellent for both procedures. I, myself, had PRK done by our surgeons at the John A. Moran Eye Center in 2022 and loved it!
Other non-laser eye surgeries, such as ICL (implantable collamer lens) and CLE (clear lens exchange), can be additional options.
If I have LASIK surgery, does that mean I won't need cataract surgery later?
No. These surgeries treat different parts of the eye. LASIK treats the cornea (the clear window of the eye), while cataract surgery addresses the natural lens inside the eye—just behind the iris (the colored part of the eye). LASIK surgery alters the curvature of the front surface of the eye, while cataract surgery involves removing a cloudy lens inside the eye and replacing it with a permanent, clear lens implant. Developing a cataract is inevitable in all patients with time and in normal aging.
To ensure the most predictable vision outcome after cataract surgery, your cataract surgeon will need comprehensive details regarding your eyesight from before and after your LASIK or PRK surgery, so be sure that information is included in your medical records.
Why do advertised prices for LASIK vary so much?
Price and quality typically go hand in hand, especially when it comes to something as invaluable as your eyes, which serve you for a lifetime. To ensure transparency and avoid any surprises, it's important for both you and your surgeon to have a clear understanding of the costs associated with each eye correction procedure.
Technology also plays a significant role in the effectiveness and safety of vision correction surgeries like LASIK. It’s important to choose a practice that offers up-to-date techniques and prioritizes technology that is faster and more accurate, which reduces complications and enhances patient comfort.
At the John A. Moran Eye Center, pricing includes everything from your initial screening to post-operative visits and any additional care for a year after the procedure.