LASIK Eye Surgery FAQs

If you've been thinking about living your life without having to rely on eyeglasses or contact lenses, you may want to consider LASIK eye surgery. Learn more about this popular laser eye surgery below, including answers to some of the most common frequently asked questions (FAQs) people have about LASIK eye surgery, to help you decide if LASIK is worth it for you.

Q: Can I get LASIK with astigmatism, nearsightedness or farsightedness?

A: LASIK eye surgery is one of the most popular and frequently performed types of laser eye surgery. It’s done to correct common vision problems like myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism, reducing your need to wear prescription glasses or contact lenses.

Q: Who is a candidate for LASIK eye surgery?

A: Your eye doctor will conduct a thorough eye exam to make sure you're a good candidate for a LASIK procedure. People with medical conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, diabetes, an eye infection or severe dry eye may not be able to undergo LASIK eye surgery. In general, LASIK patients should be age 18 or older and have a current vision prescription within certain limits.

Q: How does LASIK work?

A: LASIK eye surgery works by reshaping your cornea, which is the clear front part of your eye. Reshaping and creating a corneal flap allows the cornea to better focus images onto the retina for sharper vision. LASIK eye surgery takes about 10 minutes per eye and both eyes can be treated during the same appointment.

Q: Does LASIK eye surgery hurt?

A: Fortunately, LASIK eye surgery usually does not hurt. LASIK is an outpatient procedure that uses local anesthesia in the form of eye drops to numb the eyes before the procedure.

Q: What happens after LASIK eye surgery?

A: After LASIK eye surgery your eyes may feel temporarily dry, and your vision may be hazy for the first few days. For that reason, you’ll need to have someone drive you home after your surgery. You can expect to have follow-up visits with your eye doctor after your LASIK procedure to make sure that your eyes are healthy and healing properly.

Q: How long does LASIK recovery take?

A: Full recovery and noticeable results can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks after LASIK eye surgery. In most cases, patients enjoy 20/20 vision without glasses or contact lenses after their eye surgery. For many patients, the improved vision from LASIK may be permanent.

Q: Are there any side effects from LASIK eye surgery?

A: Some people experience temporary side effects from LASIK eye surgery, such as glare or fluctuating vision. You may also experience dry eyes, which can be relieved with eye drops. Side effects usually disappear after a few days.

Q: Will I still need to wear glasses or contacts after LASIK surgery?

A: Most people are able to see clearly after LASIK surgery. However, corrective lenses might be needed for specific activities, like night driving or reading.

Q: How much does LASIK eye surgery cost?

A: The cost of LASIK eye surgery can vary by location and provider, but the average cost per eye is $2,246.¹

If clear vision without glasses or contact lenses is on your wish list, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor. Following a thorough eye exam, your eye doctor can answer your eye care questions and help you decide if a LASIK procedure makes sense for you.

The CareCredit credit card is an easy way to pay for LASIK eye surgery, eye exams, and other vision products and eye care treatments at locations in the CareCredit network.* Use the Acceptance Locator or download the CareCredit Mobile App to find a provider near you that accepts CareCredit.