Your Guide to LASIK Surgery: Most Frequently Asked Questions

LASIK has been one of the best-known procedures in ophthalmology since the 1990s. The acronym LASIK stands for laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis, meaning reshaping the cornea with a laser. We have written this article to be a complete reference for everything you need to know before considering LASIK.

What Is LASIK Surgery?

LASIK reshapes the cornea using a laser. A precise instrument is used to lift a thin layer (flap) from the surface of the cornea, leaving a small section attached to the eye as a hinge. (This step can also be performed with a femtosecond laser.) An excimer laser then reshapes a portion of the underlying corneal tissue — the amount calculated according to the type and degree of refractive error — and the surface flap is repositioned over the cornea, where it heals naturally without the need for any sutures.

The History of LASIK

In 1987, the first surface laser refractive procedure (PRK) was performed in New York by Dr. Stephen Trokel.
In 1991, with advances in surgical microkeratomes in the United States, the first true LASIK procedure on the cornea was performed by Dr. Stephen Slade and Dr. Stephen Brint, who created a corneal flap with the microkeratome, applied therapeutic laser underneath, and replaced the flap.

About 10 years after the first surface laser procedure — in 1996 — LASIK was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It quickly became the most popular refractive procedure due to its low pain profile and rapid visual recovery.

In 2001, the femtosecond laser revolution began, and the corneal flap could now be created with a femtosecond laser instead of a mechanical blade, with extreme precision — substantially reducing complications associated with LASIK.

For all these reasons, LASIK is now considered one of the safest eye surgeries in the world, thanks to its speed, low risk profile, and significant visual improvement after surgery.

Types of LASIK Surgery

1- Surface laser ablation (PRK)

2- Conventional LASIK

3- Femto-LASIK

4- ReLEx SMILE (small-incision lenticule extraction)

We have covered the types of LASIK in detail in a previous article — you can read it here — and we'll review them briefly in this guide.

Benefits of LASIK:

1- Minimal pain thanks to the topical anaesthetic drops used.

2- Vision is corrected almost immediately or within the day after the procedure.

3- Enhancements can be performed years later if a touch-up is needed.

4- Most patients no longer need glasses or contact lenses.

Frequently Asked Questions About LASIK

1- Is LASIK painful?

Because anaesthetic drops are applied before the procedure, LASIK itself is generally pain-free. After treatment, patients may feel some discomfort during the early healing phase. The level of discomfort depends on the type of procedure performed, but any discomfort is short-lived, and patients are typically enjoying improved vision within days.

2- How long does LASIK take?

You'll be in and out of the operating room in under 30 minutes. The actual time the laser is applied to your eye ranges from a few seconds to about two minutes per eye, depending on the complexity of your prescription.

3- How do I choose the right surgeon for LASIK?

Your surgeon should have extensive experience in LASIK and ophthalmic surgery in general, with a long track record of successful procedures — like Dr. Ahmed Shaarawy.

Dr. Shaarawy is a lecturer and consultant in cornea and refractive surgery at the Research Institute of Ophthalmology, with a PhD and fellowship in corneal surgery from the Devers Eye Institute in Oregon, USA, where he trained under leading U.S. eye surgeons. He was the first surgeon in Egypt to perform endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) using the S-stamp technique. He has taught this technique to many ophthalmologists and presented it at numerous conferences in the United States and the Arab world. Dr. Shaarawy is regarded as one of Egypt's most prominent eye surgeons, with a long record of successful operations and consistent use of modern surgical techniques.

4- When will I see the results?

Most patients notice a clear improvement in vision within 24 hours of surgery, and a substantial improvement by the end of the recovery period — which depends on your prescription and the type of procedure performed.

5- What is the success rate of laser eye surgery?
Laser eye surgery is highly effective. LASIK and LASEK have very high success rates. In a published study of 190,231 patients with the most commonly treated prescriptions, 99.2% achieved fully functional vision.

6- How much does LASIK cost?

The price of LASIK varies between centres, depending on surgeon experience, the technology used, and the location of the clinic.

7- How long do the results of laser eye surgery last?
The results of laser eye surgery generally last for life, but a small percentage of patients may experience some regression and benefit from an enhancement procedure. This is part of the natural healing response, and an enhancement is usually performed three to six months after the original treatment.
As we age, normal age-related changes also occur in the eye, affecting our near vision. This is part of the natural ageing of the eye, as it gradually loses its ability to switch focus quickly between near and far. This condition is called presbyopia. Presbyopia is age-related and entirely unrelated to laser eye surgery; some patients may eventually benefit from complementary procedures such as refractive lens exchange to restore visual freedom in older age.

We hope this article has answered most of the questions you may have about LASIK. Don't hesitate when it comes to the safety of your eyes.