LASIK

What is LASIK?

LASIK is a type of refractive surgery using a laser to treat vision problems caused by refractive errors.  A refractive error is when your eye does not refract (bend) light properly.

Light rays must travel through the cornea and lens in order to see clearly.  The cornea and lens refract (bend) the light so it lands on the retina.  The retina then turns the light into signals that travel to your brain and become images.  When a refractive error exists, the shape of the cornea or lens keeps the light from bending correctly.  When light does not focus on the retina as it should vision becomes blurry.

With LASIK, a laser is used to change the shape of the cornea.  This improves how light is focused on the retina.  LASIK is used to treat myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism. 

LASIK is used to correct refractive error and improve vision.  LASIK may drastically reduce the need for eyeglasses and contact lenses.

What to expect with LASIK

  • Prior to Surgery:  You and your ophthalmologist will discuss your vision needs based on your lifestyle.  Your ophthalmologist will thoroughly examine your eyes and make sure you are a candidate for LASIK.
  • Test your vision.  This is to make sure that your vision has not changed.  This will also show how high your refractive error is and whether or not LASIK can be used to correct your vision.
  • Check for other eye problems.  Your ophtholmologist will make sure you do not have any eye problems that could affect your surgery, or LASIK could make those other problems worse. 
  • Measure and map the surface of your cornea.  Your ophthalmologist will check the thickness of your cornea and make precise measurements of the cornea’s surface.  These measurements are used to program the computer based laser used during surgery.
  • Measure your pupil size.  Your pupil size will also be measured.  If your pupil is very large, you could see halos (rings of light) at night after LASIK.

Are You a Candidate?

Click the button below to take our LASIK Self-Test today!

During LASIK

LASIK is performed adjacent to Howerton Eye at Howerton Surgical Center.  This is done as an outpatient procedure.

After LASIK

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Appointments

Contact Us Now

If you live in Austin, Southwest Austin, or Kyle, TX and are in search of a great eye doctor, look no further than Howerton Eye Clinic. We are dedicated to helping our patients achieve and maintain healthy, beautiful vision. Contact us now!

South Central Austin

2610 South IH 35,
Austin, TX 78704

(512) 443-9715

Southwest Austin

5625 Eiger Rd., Suite 100,
Austin, TX 78735

(512) 872-6059

Kyle

4282 Farm to Market 1626, Suite 200,
Kyle, TX 78640

(512) 872-6064
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