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    • Frequently Asked Questions

    Is LASIK Painful ?
    Am I awake during my LASIK procedure?
    Can I wear my contacts when I come in for my pre-LASIK exam?
    When can I return to work?
    What restrictions will I have after my LASIK?
    Is the effect of LASIK surgery permanent?
    Is Laser Vision Correction considered experimental?
    What can I expect following my Laser Vision Correction?
    Can LASIK eliminate my Reading glasses ?

    Is LASIK Painful?
    No, we use a powerful numbing drop so that you feel no pain during LASIK.

    Am I awake during my LASIK procedure?
    Yes, you are awake during your LASIK procedure. We give a medication to relax you, but it doesn’t put you to sleep.

    Can I wear my contacts when I come in for my pre-LASIK exam?
    No, contacts alter the shape of your cornea. It is important that we work on the natural shape of your eye.

    • Soft contact lenses must be discontinued for 2 weeks.
    • Toric contact lenes must be discontinued for 3 weeks.
    • Hard contact lens wearers must discontinue their contact lens wear for 5 full weeks before their exam. (minimum)*
    • Gas permeable lenses must be discontinued for 5 weeks prior to your exam. (minimum)*

    * At your pre LASIK exam a corneal mapping will be performed. If Dr. Boling notes irregularities, the mapping will be repeated at 1 week intervals until stability is documented.

    When can I return to work?
    Most people have their LASIK performed on Monday or Friday and may return to work the next day. You should plan to rest the day of your LASIK.

    • If you can avoid bumping your eye or getting something in your eye, you may return to work the next day.
    • We recommend no reading for 24 hours after surgery, but watching TV is fine.

    What restrictions will I have after my LASIK?

    • Do not swim for 2 weeks.
    • Do not wear eye makeup for 1 week.
    • Do not participate in contact sports for 2 weeks. Use protective eyewear for 3 months when playing sports where the eye could be hit (i.e. basketball).
      Protective eyewear should be worn by everyone while playing sports with a higher probability of eye injury.
    • Do not rub your eye for four weeks.
    • Avoid getting soap, water, perfume, hairspray and aftershave in your eyes for 1 week.
    • Do not drive until your vision is clear. (99% of Dr. Boling’s patients are able to drive the morning after their LASIK.)

    Is the effect of LASIK surgery permanent?
    YES, the correction is permanent following a period of stabilization during the healing process.

    If you have both eyes corrected for distance, you will need reading glasses as you approach your midforties. However, mono-vision is an option. Mono-vision is a techique to reduce the need for reading glasses and bifocals.

    As a normal part of the aging process, gravity can slightly change the shape of your cornea. This change usually does not impair your functioning except for very fine detail work.

    Is Laser Vision Correction considered experimental?
    LASIK has been performed for over 10 years in the US. It is actually, the combination of 2 procedures; ALK (which has been performed for 25 years worldwide) and PRK (which has been performed for 17 years worldwide).

    What can I expect following my Laser Vision Correction?
    The weeks following your surgery you may experience:

    • Your vision may fluctuate during the first several weeks. This is usually due to dryness which is a common temporary side effect of LASIK that is treated with artificial tears.
    • Your vision may be worse in dimly lit areas while your eyes are stabilizing.
    • Night driving may be difficult due to a combination of low lighting and starburst or glare around car lights. This is due to post-operative dryness which is temporary.
    • Halos that persist after the first several weeks may indicate under correction. An enhancement (additional laser treatment) would correct undercorrection. There is no fee if an enhancement is needed.
    • You may experience initial overcorrection if you are being treated for farsightedness. This usually stabilizes in 2 weeks.

    Can I have LASIK if I am farsighted?
    Yes, LASIK was approved for the correction of hyperopia (farsightedness) in November, 1998.

    Can LASIK eliminate my reading glasses?
    NO, presbyopia, the need for reading glasses, is not corrected by LASIK. The need for reading glasses is caused by changes in the lens of the eye, which is not altered by refractive surgery. Successful LASIK patients who have both of their eyes corrected for distance vision, will need reading glasses after age 40-45 just like individuals who never required glasses for good clear distance vision.

    * Please ask our surgical consultant for a further explanation of monovision. With monovision, the cornea of your non-dominant eye is treated to create slight nearsightedness. This nearsightedness (steeper cornea) has a stronger focusing power and is able to bend light rays that your lens cannot bend due to loss of elasticity. Your dominant eye is treated for 20/20 distance vision. With both eyes open distance and near vision is clear. If you are over 50 years of age, monovision allows you to see your dashboard, computer, stovetop, menu but you will need glasses to read for an extended period of time.

    * At your pre LASIK exam a corneal mapping will be performed. If Dr. Boling notes irregularities the mapping will be repeated at 1 week intervals until stability is documented.