What is LASIK & How Does it Work?

LASIK works by reshaping the front surface of the eye (called the cornea) so the light rays that enter the eye bend in the correct way to give good vision. When a person wears their glasses or contacts, the light rays are altered in front of the eye. When the cornea is reshaped, the light rays are altered on the surface of the eye. This means with LASIK, the patient enjoys 24/7 vision correction—as compared to glasses or contacts that only provide the correcting effect when the patient is wearing lenses.

LASIK PROVIDES VISUAL FREEDOM.

When our patients experience the joy of abandoning their glasses and contacts, life truly looks different. The difference is so dramatic, we often hear our patients consider it to be in their top five major life events (next to marriage and childbirth).

What are you waiting for?

Types of LASIK Eye Surgery

LASIK for Nearsightedness

LASIK for Nearsightedness

When a person is nearsighted, the eye is anatomically too long for the shape of that person’s cornea; therefore, the rays of light fall short of the person’s retina. This results in blurry vision for the patient.

To correct this blurry vision, a patient can wear corrective lenses or potentially have LASIK. With LASIK, the corneal surface is flattened with a cool laser beam to alter the path of the light rays. This results in rays of light landing in focus onto the retina, providing a clear picture of the world to the patient.

LASIK for Nearsightedness
LASIK for Farsightedness

LASIK for Farsightedness

When a person is farsighted the opposite is true for the cornea and the rays of light. The eye is anatomically too short for the shape of that person’s cornea; therefore, the rays of light fall behind the person’s retina. To correct this blurry vision, a patient can wear corrective lenses or potentially have LASIK.

With LASIK, the corneal surface is steepened with a cool laser beam to alter the path of the light rays. This results in rays of light landing in focus onto the retina, giving a clear picture of the world to the patient.

LASIK for Astigmatism

LASIK for Astigmatism

When a person has astigmatism, the cornea is shaped more like a football than a basketball, causing distortion to both distance and near vision. With LASIK, the corneal surface is reshaped to be spherical so the light rays bend correctly to focus the light, resulting in a clearer picture of the world.

LASIK for Astigmatism

Are You a Candidate
for LASIK?
Schedule Your Free Virtual Consultation Today!

Have Questions About Your Vision? We would like to invite you to a free virtual consultation where all of your questions will be answered.

Experience Bladeless LASIK

The team at Elite LASIK & Cataract has always believed that using leading-edge technology is critical to patient safety, satisfaction and overall visual outcomes. One of the most groundbreaking shifts in LASIK technology has been the evolution of bladeless LASIK. In bladeless LASIK, a femtosecond laser rather than a handheld instrument is used to perform the first step of the procedure: the creation of the corneal flap.When it comes to the second part of the procedure — the reshaping of the cornea — we use the EX500 excimer laser, which is an excellent match for delicate procedures like LASIK. The excimer laser creates clean, precise cuts and removes microscopic amounts of corneal tissue while leaving the remainder of the tissue intact. To put it in perspective, the EX500 is so precise that it can divide a grain of sand into 1,000 pieces. By precisely reshaping and smoothing the cornea, the excimer laser helps us to improve the way light enters the eye and is focused on the retina.

The EX500 has other special features, such as a tracking mechanism that can track your eye 5,000 times per second; if your eye moves even the smallest bit during the treatment, the laser will shut down until your eye returns to the
proper position.

Recovering from LASIK

After your procedure, the surgeon will check and make sure everything is in perfect position by looking at your eye
under a magnifying microscope called a slit lamp. Then, we will release you to go home. Your vision will be blurry and your eyes might be puffy, watery or sensitive to light. You must arrange transportation ahead of time, as you will not be able to drive yourself.

Once you arrive home, you should nap or rest for three to four hours or for the remainder of the night if your procedure is done in the evening. Our team will give you protective eye shields to wear to protect your eyes as you sleep. You should plan to wear them while sleeping for the first week after your surgery.

Some patients experience mild burning or itching as the numbing eyedrops wear off. We will provide you with special eyedrops to help lubricate your eyes, but you must be careful to avoid rubbing them as your corneal flap heals. You may also experience temporary visual problems like mild glare, halos around lights and sensitivity to light.

You can expect to have a follow-up appointment with our team the day after your surgery, so we can check your recovery progress and ensure your eyes are healing properly. The majority of our patients are able to see well enough the day after surgery to drive themselves to their appointment.

Any aftereffects should subside within a few days and your visual results should become more apparent as the weeks go by. You will check in with our team over a period of one year to ensure your eyes are recovering properly.

LASIK is a wonderful procedure that has been life changing for thousands of our patients. We would love to start that journey with you today. Please call us at (317) 202-0669 or send us an email today to schedule your free consultation.

HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?

Money

Will My Insurance Cover LASIK Surgery?

Fast Facts

How to Prepare for Your Procedure

Decrease Caffeine Intake

On the day of your procedure, please consume only a minimal amount of caffeine prior to your procedure. It is best that you are able to sleep after your procedure to help in the healing process.

Minimize Your Morning Routine

Do not wear any makeup, hair products, perfume, aftershave or lotion on the day of your procedure.

Follow Your Normal Meal Schedule

Do not change your eating habits prior to the procedure. Please discuss any medications you are currently taking with your doctor prior to the day of your procedure.

Bring a Friend

You’ll need to arrange for someone to bring you in for the procedure and pick you up once the procedure is completed. Your guest is more than welcome to accompany you through your procedure. If they wish, they may watch your procedure live from our “friends and family viewing area.” If your guest chooses not to view the procedure, they may wait in our comfortable lounge or simply return to the center one hour after your arrival time.

Review the Informed Consent Document

Take the time to read the Informed Consent document prior to the day of your procedure. Please do not sign the document until you are with your surgeon on the day of your procedure. Additionally, if you happen to develop a cold sore the week of your surgery, please call us to let us know. For your safety, it may be best to reschedule your procedure if you have a cold sore.

What to Expect Day of Procedure

Arrive on Time

Plan to arrive at your scheduled check-in time.

Confirm Payment

Complete the financial arrangements for your procedure.

Overview Session

Meet with our doctors and staff to review your procedure and the plans for your post-operative care.

Meet the Surgeon

Meet with your surgeon to go over the detailed plan for your procedure.

Prepare for the Procedure

Receive relaxation medication to reduce your anxiety and Aleve to decrease discomfort after your procedure. Please let our doctors and staff know if you would prefer not to take the relaxation medication.

The Procedure

The procedure takes up to 10 minutes per eye. Only eye drops are used as an anesthetic. Our team will make sure you are comfortable and will talk you through the entire process.

After the Procedure

After a final check by one of our doctors, you will be on your way home to rest with your eyes closed for the first several hours. You may take the additional relaxation medication that is provided if necessary to help you relax or sleep. If needed, we recommend taking the appropriate dose of Tylenol PM, Benadryl, or anything you regularly use to assist with sleep.

Total office time is approximately 1.5-2 hours.

What Patients Have to Say…

Katelynn Kiehl
Katelynn Kiehl
December 21, 2022.
I rarely leave reviews but I felt I absolutely had to here to help others who are researching their best option for lasik or any of their corrective surgeries. Seriously look no further!! The staff here are beyond friendly, accommodating, empathetic, knowledgeable, helpful, and you can just tell they’re not just following some set of company guidelines that tell them to be nice to clients, they genuinely care about you. I went in for my free consultation at the end of July and was told while I didn’t qualify for lasik (based on shape of my cornea I think?) I did qualify for PRK and the doctor thoroughly explained that procedure and what it would entail from surgery day all the way through recovery and beyond. I was scheduled for PRK on Aug 5th and from the moment I walked in til the moment I left on surgery day, I was extremely well taken care of and I COULD SEE!! For the first time in 25 years I could see without glasses. The doctors told me what each day of recovery would look like and they were spot on!! I experienced no pain, but some mild irritation on recovery day 3 and sensitivity to light and eyes were watery. Vision was blurry for about a week, so I did have to take a couple more days off work than I planned to (doctor told me I should have planned for a week ahead of time, I should have listened.) For about a month after surgery, I wasn’t quite 20/20 but I could see! Seeing signs off in the distance was still a bit blurred but could definitely see well enough to function. I just kept slowly but surely gaining better eyesight as I healed. I just had my 3 month check up a couple weeks ago and I am 20/20 and can read on the 20/15 line! While PRK is a longer recovery process than lasik, it is worth it!! I wouldn’t change a thing and cannot think the doctors and their team enough. I can’t think of anywhere I’ve ever been where I’ve gotten better customer service. I hope this helps anyone who needed help making a decision on where to go for their vision!
Jesssica Wayman
Jesssica Wayman
December 20, 2022.
Had my lasik done about a week & 1/2 ago and could not be more happy! Libby the technician was fantastic! Dr. Massela was great and Dr. Davis who preformed my surgery was amazing! Everyone made me feel at ease and I definitely recommend this place. I can see 20/20 and even slightly better. Thank you Elite Lasik!
Breanna Orsi
Breanna Orsi
December 15, 2022.
The staff, the office, literally everything about this company is phenomenal. They were so helpful and accommodating as I traveled from out of state for the SMILE procedure. I am so grateful for how they’ve helped change my vision for the better!
Kate Goodyear
Kate Goodyear
December 15, 2022.
Elite Lasik provided a great, seamless, journey to gaining 20/20 vision! Their staff was very friendly and always willing to answer any questions. Definitely recommend getting a consultation here if you are interested in getting lasik done.
Barbara Logan
Barbara Logan
December 5, 2022.
I had Refractive Lens Exchange about 6 months ago and I am extremely pleased with the results. It has been life-changing to have clear, sharp vision. I can’t ever remember being able to see this well. I have not needed my contact lenses or reading glasses since the procedure. My night vision has improved dramatically. The procedure was painless, the people were wonderful, and the recovery was quick. I wish I would have had RLE years ago. Thank you, Elite!!
James Jordan
James Jordan
December 2, 2022.
Amazing place The ladies are just phenomenal. One week out and I'm at 2020 after wearing glasses for over 30 years.
laila abdalla
laila abdalla
November 23, 2022.
this place is genuinely amazing. the staff is so friendly! ive felt so welcomed there. yesterday i had my LASIK procedure done and i couldnt be happier with my results. the procedure was quick and painless. if you are on the fence about getting LASIK this is your sign to do it!!!! (they also play really good music and have really good snacks)
Mackenzie Tarble
Mackenzie Tarble
November 3, 2022.
I had a really great experience with all the staff and front office people. Libby and Keisha were super polite and always made me feel very comfortable. While the procedure was slightly uncomfortable for the first few hours right after, it was completely worth it and when I had questions the staff answered all of them in a timely and calm manner. My vision is now 20/15 and I’m pretty sure it’s better than even before I needed contacts as a kid! Would definitely recommend and will do so for any of my friends that want the same great service as I got. Thanks!