How does LASIK surgery work?
After the eye is anesthetized with drops, the LASIK surgeon uses a motorized blade on the surface of the cornea to create a hinged flap, which is gently lifted up. A computer-controlled ultraviolet beam is used to 'sculpt' the underlying cornea. The flap is then returned to its original position, and healing begins. Most patients go home within an hour. Most noticed improved vision by the next day, some almost immediately.

How can you prepare for surgery?
If you're considering LASIK, choose your doctor carefully. The more experienced he or she is, the better the results. Before you have any kind of refractive corrective eye surgery, you will need a careful eye exam.

Is LASIK for everyone?
Anyone between 18 and 70 can generally have LASIK surgery. To be eligible for LASIK, the eye must be in good health and vision must be stable. Some people are not good candidates, notably those with cataracts, uncontrolled glaucoma, diabetes-affected eyes and other eye diseases.

What should you expect?
The LASIK operation is an outpatient procedure. Some surgeons prefer to do one eye at a time; others will fix both at one sitting. The entire procedure takes only a few minutes and you can usually go home after an hour or two. You may feel a sensation like having an eyelash in your eye for a few hours.

Questions to ask the doctor:

• What is your success rate for achieved visual acuity (20/40 or better)?
  
• How many operations have you personally performed?
  
• May I speak with any of the patients on whom you've done this procedure?
  
• How many of them have required second operations? (It should be under 10%.)
  
• What is the best correction I can expect?
  
• How much will the operation cost?
  
• What are the chances that I may not see as well after the surgery?
  
• Do you operate on both eyes the same day?
  
• What are the possible complications?
  
• What anesthesia will I receive during the operation?
  
• How long will the procedure take?
  
• What is the recovery period?
  
• When will I be able to return to work?
  
• If the operation fails to correct my vision, will I be able to go back to contact lenses?
  
• What if, years from now, I develop cataracts. Will this operation prohibit or interfere with later cataract surgery?
  
• What are the long-term risks of this surgery?