In a simple term, it is using laser to perform surgery on eye. In my case, my surgeon used Lasik to correct my short sight.

Lasik stands for 'Laser-Assisted In Sutu Keratomieusis'. Yes, I know, it is a bunch of alien language. So, let just stays with Lasik.

Lasik is a generic term, there are few different techniques to perform the actual surgery. Mine was the most common one 7 years ago which utilize a sharp blade. These day, there is bladeless.

All of our eyes have a lens like glass call cornea. When we look at something, the cornea will change its shape to thinner or thinker to focus. The problem is, the muscle around the cornea responsible to pull and relax the cornea has gone holiday and being lazy. It does not pull or relax enough so our lens is now out of focus.

So, with Lasik, the laser is used to reshape the surface of the cornea to compensate the laziness of our muscle.

The actual laser zapping only took approx. 15 seconds in my case, the entire surgery took 45 mins for both eyes. No hospital, no needle, no stitches was required. Did it hurt? My answer is No, there was some discomfort, I think I was nerves.    ;-)

Basic Steps

1. Prepare Your Eye


2. Mount a device on your eye and stop you blinking


3. A very shape blade cut a flap on top of my cornea (no feeling of cutting, there is no nerve there)


4. Flip it open


5. Laser zap for 15 seconds


6. Clean the surface


7. Close the flap


8. Final clean and done


9. Repeat the same for the other eye

PS: You can not drive after the surgery. I can see but I had a clear plastic cover covered my eyes (like the horse eye pad). The purpose of the covers are just in case I rub my eyes.

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(Pack of 2)

I spent a lot of time on post surgery care and I went over the top. It was because I wanted it perfect. Post surgery care was mainly kept my eyes moist with eye drops.

First 24 hours is the most important. As I said, I went over the top, once every 15-30 minutes for the first 24 hours, including overnight while I was sleeping, I had my eye drops. Then I slowly moved to 12 times a day, 6 times, 4 times, 3 times etc for few months.

If you think about it, while you are sleeping, it is the worst time, your eyes do not get any moist at all. Moist only generates when you blink and you don't blink when you sleep.

My first month of eye dropping, I used individual disposable eye drops package. They cost slightly more, but I told myself that I have already spent few thousands on the surgery, what the heck about the extra few dollars for the eye drops.

It is now 7 years later and I had my eyes checked two months ago. It is maintaining 20/20 vision. So, I guess it worth the initial effort to take care of them.

Refractive Eye Surgery
A Consumer's Complete Guide

I been told I can not go to space. However, there is a newer 'Lasik' technique now available which is bladeless, with that, you can go to space. NASA approved too.

Having said that, only few more years to go, my cornea's tissue should be completely replaced and in theory, I should allow to go to space. FYI, you get a new kidney once every 7-10 years, I think, bone is something like 10-15 years.

If you want to know more in depth about Lasik, the book on the right is great source of information.

• How long he/she been in business?


• What technique he/she knows and practices? (Mine practice 3 different Lasik techniques for eye sight correction)


• How many operation he/she completed?


• Was there any issue with any of the operations mentioned? If so, what was it? (PS: Your surgeon should had some issue before if he/she been around long enough.)


• What are the side effects with my surgery?


• What is the percentage with someone who has a similar prescription need to come back for second operation?


• Is my cornea thick enough to have a second operation?


• Can I call any of your clients who had surgery?
  (PS: The surgeon should give you some contact detail. Imagine if this guy performed over 1000 patient, surely there will be one or two testimonials.)


• How old is the laser machine?


• How often you have the software upgrade and when was the last time?

As I said, ask more Now...