If you’re thinking about Lasik surgery to improve your looks while also improving your vision, then you are joining the ranks of those who opt for this procedure rather than wear glasses or contact lenses. Not all patients are candidates for Lasik surgery, and deciding to have the surgery is something that should be discussed with your optometrist. If he or she thinks you’re a good candidate, have them recommend a reputable surgeon. If possible, do some research yourself to see if his, or her, patients are happy with their procedure, and overall care.

Pricing for this procedure is generally quoted ‘per eye’, and starts (by a reputable doctor) somewhere between $1000 and $1500 per eye. (Make sure you have all the information if you’re planning to have both eyes done at the same time.)

The surgery itself is a quick, painless procedure that can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, or even astigmatism. The surgery is generally done as an ‘outpatient’ procedure, meaning once it’s over, you may have to wait a few hours to make sure you’re doing alright. At the beginning of the procedure, drops will be put into the eye, or eyes, to numb the area. After that, is when the laser will be used. A ‘flap’ will then be cut in the outer surface of the eye, and then, depending on your condition, part of the cornea is removed, or reshaped, to allow for better vision. You will then be put in ‘recovery’ for a few hours, just to make sure the ‘flap’ that was made is starting the healing process. For a few days following the surgery, you may be asked to sleep with ‘goggles’ to protect your eye from accidental rubbing or scratching while the cornea heals. You will also be given appointments for followups that are very important to keep.

Immediately after the surgery, the patient may see halos, stars, ghosting, glares, or even double vision, but usually clear up or even go away within a few days; extreme cases may last up to a few months, but in a diminished state.

There is no long-term information available as to whether the improvement will last a lifetime or if, as with farsighted people, the improved vision could diminish as the patient ages.

As with any surgery to help improve our looks, Lasik surgery may be well worth the cost to help improve our self esteem.