How Many Sessions Does LASIK Take? 

LASIK eye surgery has been around since 1991 and still remains the go-to treatment for restoring 20/20 vision. It’s safe and effective and can be performed in an in-office setting. That being said, it’s still a surgical procedure, and like most types of surgery, there’s a process that must be followed to ensure the best outcome. 

So how many sessions does LASIK take? This can vary from person to person. Your surgeon will work hand-in-hand with your optometrist from the very first eye exam to the last day of post-op care. Read on as a Broomfield, CO optometrist discusses the LASIK co-management treatment process and the types of sessions that take place along the way. 

What’s Involved With LASIK Surgery? 

LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis, which is a technical term for laser eye surgery. This procedure is designed to correct abnormalities in the cornea that cause certain eye conditions, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. 

A misshapen cornea misdirects incoming light and images, causing them to land in front of the retina instead of directly on the retina. This causes objects to appear blurry. A LASIK procedure reshapes the cornea, so light and images can land on the retina. 

LASIK Sessions – The Co-Management Process

The LASIK co-management process encompasses all the sessions required to prepare for the procedure, perform the procedure, and provide post-op care. Two doctors -an optometrist and an ophthalmologist or eye surgeon- coordinate your treatment from start to finish. 

Here’s a quick breakdown of the sessions that make up the LASIK co-management process:

• Pre-Op Care
  • The optometrist performs an eye exam to see if you’re a good candidate for LASIK
  • The ophthalmologist does a more in-depth exam of your cornea and overall eye health

• Surgical Procedure

• Post-Op Care
  • The optometrist will examine the incision area and check your vision
  • Follow-up appointments with both the optometrist and the surgeon to monitor your progress 

As you can see, the number of sessions you’ll need will vary depending on how you respond to the surgery and how quickly you heal.

Things to Consider

With LASIK co-management, optometrists typically work exclusively with one or more ophthalmologists. This makes it easier to coordinate the process and allows for a smooth flow of information between doctors. Also, the optometrist will be responsible for obtaining the eye measurements that will be used as a guide during the surgery so be sure to choose an optometrist that’s experienced in LASIK co-management. 

If you have more questions or wish to schedule a consultation, please feel free to call our Broomfield, CO optometry office today.