After LASIK eye surgery, you’ll need to avoid swimming in pools, lakes, hot tubs, or any unclean water for at least two weeks to prevent infection. We also recommend staying away from dusty, dirty, or windy environments that could irritate your healing eyes. At Utah Valley Eye Center, we’ll give you a full list of post-op guidelines to help you heal safely and quickly.

LASIK permanently reshapes your cornea, so the vision correction itself doesn’t wear off. However, most people will naturally develop age-related near vision changes (called presbyopia) around age 45, which may require reading glasses. This change is due to aging and not LASIK wearing off. Many patients at Utah Valley Eye Center enjoy clear distance vision for decades after LASIK.

Yes, LASIK can safely and effectively correct mild to moderate astigmatism. During your free consultation at Utah Valley Eye Center, our experienced team will measure your corneal shape and determine if you’re a good candidate for LASIK or another vision correction option.

You won’t need to worry, blinking is prevented with a gentle eyelid holder, and numbing drops help reduce the urge to blink. Plus, the LASIK laser tracks your eye movements in real time. If your eye shifts, the laser pauses instantly and resumes only when your eye is properly aligned. At Utah Valley Eye Center, Dr. Gardiner and Dr. Christensen use the latest safety technology to ensure precise results.

Yes, You’ll receive numbing eye drops (called proparacaine) before and during your LASIK procedure to keep your eyes completely comfortable. These drops prevent pain but allow you to stay awake and relaxed. At Utah Valley Eye Center, we also offer a mild oral sedative like Valium if you’re feeling nervous on the day of surgery.

Yes, LASIK has been FDA approved since the 1990s and is considered a safe and effective procedure for correcting vision. The lasers used in LASIK, including those at Utah Valley Eye Center, are approved by the FDA and meet strict safety standards. Millions of people worldwide have had LASIK with high satisfaction rates.

You must be at least 18 years old to qualify for LASIK. Dr. Christensen and Dr. Gardiner recommends that your prescription be stable for at least one year before moving forward.

Yes, many people in their 40s are great LASIK candidates. If you’re starting to notice changes in your near vision (presbyopia), we can also talk about blended options like monovision. For patients over 50, Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) is often a better long-term option. We'll help you understand what’s best for your age and vision goals.

At Utah Valley Eye Center, we offer free LASIK enhancements within one year of your original procedure, if needed. Enhancements are rarely required, but we’ll know within the first few months if your vision needs a touch-up. If you ever need an enhancement years later, you’ll only pay half the current price as a returning LASIK patient.

Most patients return to work or school the Monday after surgery. We usually perform LASIK on Fridays so you can rest over the weekend. If your job involves a lot of screen time or physical activity, we’ll give you specific guidance during your consultation.

LASIK is considered a very safe procedure, but like any surgery, it does come with some risks. The most common are temporary dry eyes or infection. You’ll use antibiotic eye drops for seven days after surgery to reduce the risk of infection. Your LASIK surgeon will also check for any signs of dry eye before moving forward with the procedure. If dry eye does happen, it’s usually short-term and can be treated with drops or other options.

Most people notice clearer vision immediately after the procedure, but it won’t be perfect right away. Your vision will continue to improve over the next several days. You’ll have a post-op visit the next day with one of our LASIK surgeons, Dr. Gardiner or Dr. Christensen. Many patients feel comfortable enough to drive themselves to that appointment. It’s normal for vision to fluctuate during the first few weeks, and one eye may heal faster than the other.

Yes, you can use FSA or HSA funds to help cover the cost of LASIK. It’s a good idea to schedule a free LASIK screening first to find out if you’re a candidate and get an estimate of your costs. That way, you can make an informed decision before making any contributions through your employer.

LASIK isn’t painful, but you may feel some pressure during part of the procedure. Before surgery, your eyes are numbed with a drop called proparacaine so you won’t feel pain. Most patients describe a brief feeling of pressure during flap creation that lasts less than a minute. After the procedure, it’s normal to have some discomfort, burning, or watering for about four hours while your eyes begin to heal.

Most health and vision insurance plans consider LASIK an elective procedure, so it typically isn’t covered. At Utah Valley Eye Center, we offer flexible payment plans with 0% interest to make LASIK more affordable. Many patients also use FSA or HSA funds to help with costs.

If you’re not a candidate for LASIK, there are still excellent alternatives. At Utah Valley Eye Center, we offer procedures like EVO ICL, and Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE). During your free consultation, our surgeons will help you understand which vision correction option is the best fit for your eyes and lifestyle. - please link to evo icl and rle pages

Yes, you can have cataract surgery after LASIK. Since LASIK changes the shape of your cornea, it can affect the measurements we use to select the right lens for cataract surgery. At Utah Valley Eye Center, we use advanced tools like ORA intraoperative aberrometer during surgery to help ensure the most accurate lens power is chosen, even if you’ve had LASIK in the past.

Yes, Utah Valley Eye Center offers free LASIK consultations. Having a LASIK consultation is the first step to find out if you are a good LASIK candidate. During this appointment, we’ll check your eyes and answer any questions you have about the procedure, recovery, and cost. If you’re ready to see if LASIK is right for you, request a free LASIK screening. – link to contact us page.