Now you can impress your friends and acquaintances at parties: LASIK is an acronym for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. What does that mean? I make a flap in the front clear part of your eye with a laser or a microkeratome. I lift the flap, and a laser shapes the front of the cornea to the correct prescription. Finally, I smooth the flap back into place, and then you’re on your way to the freedom of clear vision without glasses or contacts.
That’s what LASIK means.
One of the concerns I hear from LASIK patients is that they will have glare and halos at night. I’m glad my patients ask me about this because I think there is some confusion about glare and halos after LASIK.
Let me be honest: this is an area where having the latest technology really makes a difference. And I have this latest technology. I am using the only laser the FDA allows to make the claim of REDUCING GLARE AND HALOS after LASIK.
Ten years ago we used lasers that had a more drastic shape change from the “optical zone” to the “blend zone,” which for higher treatment amounts could cause glare and halos at night, usually temporarily. Ten years ago, I told patients that they absolutely would get glare and halos at night after LASIK– but that the worst of it would be over after one month. If any glare or halos remained after a month, it would usually be gone after 6 months.
Today, with the latest technology, glare and halos have been drastically reduced. While the flap is still healing, you may have some glare and halos for a few days or weeks, but that’s it. As a result, I just don’t hear the glare and halo complaints anymore–that’s how much this problem has been minimized. In fact, if you have glare and halos driving at night, I can probably make you better. Now that’s state-of-the-art technology!
Here in San Diego, LASIK patients ask me when they will see after their procedure. I tell them: You can see right away after LASIK. In fact, many patients have been very emotional when they sit up after their procedure and find out they can see!
Usually, your vision will be a little foggy for the rest of the day after the procedure, but it should still be better than before. The day after LASIK, you should see very well, almost perfectly, and your vision may continue to sharpen and get better for up to a week or two.
I recently found a note from the wife of a patient, and it reminded me that even though I am a LASIK surgeon who is highly specialized, I am first and foremost a doctor. Because of this, I will often notice serious problems, even if they are not related to vision.
The note below is from the wife of a patient who came in for an eye exam, but after examining and talking to him, I called around and arranged some cardiac tests for him:
“Dear Dr. Nahl
My husband & I would like to thank you for your caring & concern. You were the only one that cared enough to help us get the right tests. Now we finally know what is the matter with him. He has endocarditis & is improving. He still has a long recovery but thanks to you at least he has a chance.”
So, when I say I am first and foremost a doctor, what I mean is that I want to be able to give people a chance—a chance to see better and ultimately to live better. When I became a doctor, I swore always to protect my patients from harm; and that means at the end of the day, I want to go home knowing I’ve improved the lives of my patients—whether that is through a LASIK procedure or making sure they get the tests they need.
For me, being a doctor means I have the honor and the privilege of changing lives for the better.
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La Jolla LASIK BlogTwitter: LaJollaLASIK