Procedure Advice / LASIK

A clear-sighted look at LASIK.

LASIK is one of the most studied refractive procedures in the world — but it isn't right for everyone. Our doctors begin with a careful in-clinic assessment, and only proceed when the measurements, your eye health, and your lifestyle line up.

Take a pre-screen How LASIK works →
Overview

How LASIK works

LASIK reshapes the surface of the cornea so that light entering the eye focuses precisely on the retina. The surgeon uses a femtosecond laser to create a thin flap on the cornea, lifts it, applies an excimer laser to remove a calculated amount of tissue underneath, then replaces the flap. The flap settles back into position naturally and seals over the following hours and days.

Quick Facts about LASIK

Procedure Time About 10 minutes per eye
Recovery Time 1 to 2 days for most patients
Anaesthesia Numbing eye drops only
Pain Level Minimal discomfort — pressure, not pain
Results Clearer vision typically within 24 to 48 hours
What it can correct

Refractive errors LASIK can address

LASIK is most often used to correct myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (long-sightedness), and astigmatism, alone or in combination. The right candidate has a stable prescription, healthy corneas of sufficient thickness, and no active ocular surface or retinal disease.

  • Myopia (short-sightedness)
  • Hyperopia (long-sightedness)
  • Astigmatism — often paired with myopia or hyperopia

LASIK isn't the right answer for everyone. Patients with thin or irregular corneas, advanced presbyopia, untreated dry eye, or certain retinal conditions are usually better served by alternatives — Trans-PRK, SMILE, ICL, or refractive lens exchange among them. Your doctor will name the trade-offs honestly during your assessment.

Pre-screening questionnaire

Are you a candidate for LASIK?

Five quick questions. We'll tell you whether a consultation is likely to be useful right now, or whether another path makes more sense first. The pre-screen isn't a diagnosis — only a full in-clinic assessment is.

Question 1 of 5

How old are you?

Question 2 of 5

What do you currently use to see clearly?

Question 3 of 5

Has your prescription been stable for the past 12 months?

Question 4 of 5

Have you been told you have dry eye, keratoconus, or another eye condition?

Question 5 of 5

What is your main goal?

Your results

An in-clinic assessment is the right next step.

Online answers can't replace the measurements that actually decide candidacy. If LASIK is right for you, the workup will tell us. If it isn't, the same workup will tell us which alternative makes sense.

Your consultation includes
  • Corneal thickness & topography
  • Tear film & dry eye screening
  • Refraction & pupil measurements
  • Surgeon review & honest recommendation

Worth assessing — in person

LASIK may still be on the table, but it depends.

Between 41 and 50, the lens behind your cornea begins to lose its near-focus flexibility. LASIK alone can leave you reading-dependent within a few years. Your surgeon will weigh LASIK against alternatives that account for presbyopia — the conversation is what the consultation is for.

Not yet eligible

LASIK isn't recommended under 18.

Your eyes are still changing, so any laser correction now is likely to drift. Once you turn 18 and your prescription holds steady for about six months, an assessment becomes meaningful. We're happy to see you in the meantime to track stability and answer questions ahead of time.

Other options usually fit better

After 50, LASIK is rarely the strongest option.

Age-related lens changes mean you'll likely still need readers after LASIK — defeating the point for many patients. Refractive lens exchange or a phakic ICL often makes more sense, and an early cataract may already be present. That's a conversation we'd rather have over a microscope than a website.

Frequently asked

LASIK, plainly answered

If your question isn't here, ask it during your consultation — or send it through and we'll come back with a written answer.

Most patients are cleared to drive after the Day-1 review. Office work resumes within 1–3 days. Roles involving dust, water, or contact — construction, swimming coaching, martial arts — need a longer pause. Your surgeon will give you specific dates.

Can both eyes be done the same day?

Yes. Bilateral same-day LASIK is the standard for most patients. The two eyes are operated on sequentially in the same session. There are reasons we'd stage them across two days — if so, your surgeon will explain why.

Recovery & aftercare

What to expect, week by week

Most LASIK patients see well enough to drive within 24–48 hours, but the cornea continues to settle for weeks. Following the aftercare plan is what protects the result.

First 24 hours

Sensitivity, then clarity

Light sensitivity, watering, and mild grit are normal. Sleep with the protective shields on. Use the prescribed drops on schedule. Avoid screens for the rest of the day.

First week

Protect the flap

No rubbing, no swimming, no eye makeup. Avoid dusty environments. You'll likely return to desk work within 1–3 days — ask your surgeon about your specific role.

First month

Resume gradually

No contact sports. Sunglasses outdoors. Continue lubricating drops — some dryness is expected as corneal nerves settle. Your prescription is still stabilising.

Beyond

Long-term review

Reviews at Day 1, Week 1, Month 1, then at 3, 6, and 12 months. Most patients reach steady-state vision around the 3-month mark. We track it for the full year.

Meet your specialist

Care led by specialists you'll meet in person.

Dr. Artem Kozhechenkov
Refractive Surgeon

Dr. Artem Kozhechenkov, MD

Russian-trained refractive and general ophthalmologist, leads lasik/ laser vision correction at EEC

Book with Dr. Artem See profile →
Frequently asked

LASIK, plainly answered

If your question isn't here, ask it during your consultation — or send it through and we'll come back with a written answer.

The laser portion is roughly ten minutes per eye. You're in the theatre suite for about an hour total once preparation, the procedure itself, and the post-op rest are added together.

Numbing drops handle pain. What patients describe is pressure during the flap creation — brief, several seconds — followed by a faint smell and the sensation of cool air. Discomfort starts after the drops wear off and is usually mild for 4–6 hours.

Most patients are cleared to drive after the Day-1 review. Office work resumes within 1–3 days. Roles involving dust, water, or contact — construction, swimming coaching, martial arts — need a longer pause. Your surgeon will give you specific dates.

Yes. Bilateral same-day LASIK is the standard for most patients. The two eyes are operated on sequentially in the same session. There are reasons we'd stage them across two days — if so, your surgeon will explain why.

Untreated dry eye changes the recovery experience and can affect outcomes. We screen for it at assessment. If it's significant, we treat it first — lid hygiene, lubrication, sometimes IPL or punctal plugs — and reassess once the surface is stable.

You lie back. The eye is gently held open. You see a soft, blurred light to focus on. There are a few seconds of pressure during flap creation, then the excimer laser does its work in under a minute. Most patients describe it as strange more than uncomfortable.

The right answer for your eyes — not a sales pitch.

Sometimes that's LASIK. Sometimes it's a different procedure. Sometimes it's "wait and watch." The point of a consultation is to find out, honestly.

Book a consultation →