If you’ve ever wished for clear vision without glasses or contacts, you’ve probably wondered: What is LASIK eye surgery? LASIK is an FDA-approved, advanced laser vision correction procedure that can help you see clearly, often for the first time in years. At Florida Eye Custom Vision, our world-renowned surgeons use state-of-the-art technology to deliver safe, precise, life-changing results for thousands of patients across North Florida. In this article, you’ll learn what LASIK is, how the treatment works, who it’s for, and why our practice is trusted by thousands of patients across the region for a safe and reassuring LASIK experience. Ready to discover if LASIK is right for you? Read on—and take the first step toward a clear vision.
What Is LASIK Treatment & How Does It Work?
LASIK is a permanent vision correction treatment for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism that reshapes your cornea, the clear, front part of your eye, so that light focuses properly on the retina, allowing you to see clearly. This quick, bladeless laser treatment, which typically takes only 15-20 minutes for both eyes, with the actual laser time being just seconds, helps most patients achieve 20/20 vision or better, and live free from glasses or contacts. With a 95% patient satisfaction rate, LASIK is one of the most trusted solutions for clearer vision. We build on this trusted foundation with the latest, all-laser technology to deliver the safest, most precise results and best patient experience possible. Here’s how LASIK eye surgery works:
1. Pre-Surgery Prep.
Before the procedure begins, we take steps to ensure your comfort and relaxation. Numbing eye drops are applied so that you feel no pain, and you’ll be offered 1mg of Ativan, an oral sedative, to help you feel at ease throughout your LASIK treatment.
2. Creating a Corneal Flap with a Laser.
The first step in LASIK treatment is creating a thin flap in the outer layer of your cornea. This flap acts as a protective cover and allows for quick recovery in vision and comfort.We use a state-of-the-art femtosecond laser (such as IntraLase®) for this step. This all-laser, blade-free approach uses ultra-fast pulses of light to create a uniform flap, making it safer and more accurate than traditional techniques.
3. Reshaping the Cornea.
Once the flap is gently lifted, we’ll use a second laser called an excimer laser to permanently and carefully reshape the underlying corneal tissue. The excimer laser uses a cool ultraviolet beam to remove microscopic layers, removing just 39 millionths of an inch at a time, correcting the shape of your cornea so light focuses properly on your retina. Thanks to an advanced tracking and alignment system, the laser can follow your eye’s movements in real-time. This ensures exceptional safety and accuracy throughout your procedure, meaning you don’t have to worry about your eye moving out of position during the treatment.
4. Replacing the Flap.
After your cornea is reshaped, the flap is gently placed back into position, where it bonds naturally without the need for stitches. This acts as a natural bandage and helps your eye heal.
Thanks to this approach, most patients experience little to no discomfort and notice significantly clearer vision within 24 hours and full results within 1-3 weeks. LASIK is very safe, with complication rates under 1%, which are discussed during your consultation.
Who Is a Good Fit for LASIK Eye Surgery?
LASIK is an excellent option for individuals who want to reduce or eliminate their dependence on glasses or contact lenses. Generally, good candidates for LASIK eye surgery are:
- You’re 18+ in age. To determine the stability of your vision prescription for LASIK candidacy, we look at a 2-3 year prior eye history.
- You’re not pregnant or nursing (hormonal changes can affect vision stability).
- You have healthy eyes without significant disease or injury that would affect healing.
- You have common refractive errors like nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), or astigmatism.
Before your LASIK procedure, we’ll perform a series of comprehensive tests designed with your comfort in mind. These painless evaluations gather the essential information needed for us to create a tailored treatment plan for you and to confirm that your eyes are healthy. We use advanced technology like detailed corneal mapping and 3D scans (using tools like Pentacam, EyeSys, and Optical Coherence Tomography) to measure the shape, thickness, and surface of your cornea. These tests help us ensure that LASIK is safe and right for you, and allow us to customize your procedure for the best possible results.
Why Choose Florida Eye Custom Vision For Your LASIK Treatment in North Florida?
At Florida Eye Custom Vision, our expert team—including Dr. Jerry Maida, Dr. Amit Chokshi, and Dr. Akbar Hasan—has performed over 30,000 LASIK procedures, making us the most experienced LASIK providers in Jacksonville and among the most skilled LASIK surgeons in the world. We treat every patient like family, combining compassionate, personalized care with the latest bladeless laser technology to deliver proven, life-changing results you can trust. We understand that LASIK isn’t the right solution for every patient. That’s why our surgeons offer a full spectrum of customized vision correction procedures beyond LASIK, including PRK, ICL, and RLE, ensuring you receive the most appropriate treatment for your eyes and vision goals.
Ready to See Clearly? Take the first step—book your LASIK consultation or call (904) 593-4214 and experience the region’s most trusted LASIK care.