Ten Frequently Asked Questions About LASIK

LASIK is the most popular laser vision correction surgery in the world. A safe and effective procedure with minimal risks and a short recovery, LASIK has helped millions of people find increased freedom from glasses and contact lenses. All the same, when considering the procedure, questions will inevitably arise.

At 20/20 Institute, we believe in empowering you to make the best decisions for your vision. Our team of LASIK doctors, coordinators, and care specialists is dedicated to answering every question you have (even the ones you haven’t thought of yet!). We prioritize an extraordinary patient experience and are here to provide insight, guidance, and peace of mind before, during, and long after your procedure.

Below are ten LASIK FAQs along with straightforward and honest answers. If your questions are not answered below (or even if they are), we encourage you to reach out for a private and free LASIK candidacy evaluation where we can address your questions directly.

Contact Us With Your LASIK FAQs

To schedule your complimentary LASIK evaluation where you can ask all of the questions about the procedure that you may have, call 20/20 Institute at 303-202-0669 today. We have offices in Westminster, LoDo, the DTC, and Colorado Springs. We welcome patients from Boulder, Castle Rock, Fort Collins, and throughout the Rocky Mountain region.

10 Common LASIK FAQs

1. How Safe Is LASIK?

LASIK has been around for decades and has a strong track record of safety and efficacy. It has an extremely low rate of serious complications. Studies have found that the majority of LASIK patients achieve significant vision improvement and over 95% of LASIK recipients say they would do the procedure again.

While LASIK is incredibly safe, all medical procedures come with potential risks. However, modern LASIK technology—coupled with the skills of your LASIK surgeon—can greatly reduce the threat of complications. At 20/20 Institute, our LASIK doctors thoroughly evaluate each patient to determine if LASIK is safe and only suggest the procedure when we are certain it will produce the best outcomes for you.

2. What Is Custom LASIK?

Custom LASIK offers a personalized approach to vision correction. It’s like choosing your own clothing. Instead of a one-size-fits-all procedure, custom LASIK adjusts to the needs of the patient, helping to improve outcomes and enhance results. Our custom LASIK utilizes advanced Wavefront Optimized^® technology to craft and carry out customized surgical plans, allowing it to address specific visual imperfections more precisely than traditional LASIK options.

We have carefully selected state-of-the-art laser vision correction platforms and diagnostic technology that allow for the complete customization of each procedure. During your FREE LASIK evaluation, we can discuss the advanced LASIK technology, surgical techniques, and patient care that make 20/20 Institute stand apart as a top Colorado LASIK provider.

3. How Long Does LASIK Take Per Eye?

LASIK is a very fast procedure. The actual laser portion of the procedure typically only takes around five to seven minutes per eye (though it can take less time in some cases). Of course, you’ll be in our office for prep and post-procedure recovery, which will require some time before and after the procedure. On the procedure day, patients are at our office for around 90 minutes in total.

Because the procedure is so streamlined, many patients find it more convenient than they initially anticipated. We’ll make sure you understand exactly what to expect from start to finish, so there are no surprises. Transparency is a big part of the exceptional patient experience we offer at 20/20 Institute.

4. How Long Does It Take to Recover From LASIK?

One of the biggest perks of LASIK is its relatively quick recovery timeline. While the recovery process varies for each person, immediate vision improvement is a common experience. For some individuals, vision may continue to fluctuate for a few weeks after LASIK, but markedly clearer vision within 24 to 48 hours is almost universal. The vast majority of our patients have 20/20 vision by the next morning.

At 20/20 Institute, we maintain close contact with our LASIK patients. Not only is your follow-up care included in the cost of your procedure, but we will also provide you with 24/7 access to our team of LASIK specialists (you will be given direct access to the doctor’s mobile phone), making sure your needs are met and concerns are addressed no matter when they might pop up.

5. What Is LASIK Aftercare Like

With LASIK, your post-procedure care is just as important as the procedure itself. We’ll provide you with protective eye shields, medicated eye drops, and clear instructions on how to rest your eyes. Following all of our post-operative care instructions will help ensure the smoothest recovery possible.

Certain things—like rubbing your eyes and swimming—will need to be avoided for a bit after LASIK. During your time in our care, we’ll offer complete instructions on what to do (and what not to do) after LASIK. We are thorough in our patient care and will be here to ensure your satisfaction every step of the way.

6. What Are Some Common LASIK Side Effects?

Common LASIK side effects include:

• Dry eyes
• Light sensitivity
• Glare and halos around lights
• Blurry vision
• Fluctuating vision
• Decreased ability to see in low-light conditions

These are almost always temporary and tend to subside as the eyes heal. We’ll provide lubricating eye drops to help manage any discomfort.

Newer technology—including the advanced technology utilized at our four office locations—has significantly reduced the rate of LASIK complications in general. Serious LASIK complications occur in far fewer than 1% of cases. During your FREE LASIK candidacy evaluation, we can discuss potential side effects to ensure you are provided the information you need to make the best decision for your eyes.

At 20/20 Institute, all of our procedures are performed by Dr. Jim Montgomery, a board-certified ophthalmologist with over twenty years of experience. Combined with our conservative candidacy requirements and strict commitment to patient safety, our surgeon’s skill and experience further help to reduce the risk of serious complications.

7. What Results Can I Expect From LASIK?

Studies have found that around 90% of LASIK patients nationally achieve 20/20 vision and 99% achieve at least 20/40 vision. This speaks volumes about the effectiveness of LASIK. Do you know what speaks even louder? Our results. 99.67% of 20/20 Institute’s LASIK patients have achieved 20/20 vision or better*.

For some real-world examples of the results people have achieved through LASIK at 20/20 Institute, check out our numerous 5-star reviews. While we can’t guarantee you’ll never need glasses again (especially as you age), our goal is to help you see the world from a new view, with significantly reduced dependence on prescription lenses.

8. How Much Does LASIK Cost?

The cost of LASIK in the Denver area typically ranges from $1,800 to $2,800 per eye. This depends on factors like the surgeon’s skill and experience, the technology used, and the care offered before and after the procedure.

There are several ways to pay for LASIK, including with your FSA or HSA. At 20/20 Institute, we also offer discounts for individuals with vision and health insurance (even if LASIK isn’t covered) and a range of financing options that can help make the procedure more affordable.

We back our pricing with Colorado’s Best Price Guarantee: if you are quoted a lower price for Wavefront Optimized^® Custom LASIK, we will match that practice’s aftercare and LASIK refinement policies, and meet or beat the price you have been quoted.

9. Am I a Good LASIK Candidate?

Good candidates for LASIK are individuals who are over 18 and have a stable prescription, healthy corneas, and no major eye or health issues. That said, the only way to truly know if LASIK is right for you is through a complimentary one-on-one evaluation with one of our experienced LASIK doctors.

Certain factors can affect LASIK candidacy. These include chronic dry eye, thin corneas, or high levels of refractive error. During your free consultation, we’ll examine your eyes, discuss your lifestyle and vision goals, and help you determine if LASIK is right for you.

10. Are There Alternatives to LASIK?

What collection of LASIK FAQs would be complete without talking about other types of laser vision correction options? LASIK is amazing. It’s not always the right fit. If it’s not right for you, we’ll happily talk about LASIK alternatives—like PRK, SMILE, ICL, and RLE—we can discuss our beliefs around these alternative options, and why some of these options may or may not make sense for you during your consultation.

Ultimately, our mission is to help you find the vision correction option that pairs best with your eyes, lifestyle, and expectations. Whether you’re a LASIK candidate or better suited for something else, you’ll leave your consultation with clarity about your next steps.

We Are Here to Answer Your LASIK FAQs

At 20/20 Institute, we empower our patients with knowledge. We are here to support you at every step of your vision correction journey, and to cheer you on as you experience the freedom that can come with LASIK. If you’re ready to explore your vision correction options, we’re here to answer your questions and help you choose the best procedure for your needs.

We believe in keeping things comfortable, convenient, and collaborative. From the friendly faces that greet you at each of your no-wait office visits to the genuine concern we have for your health and happiness, you’ll know you’re in good hands as soon as you walk through our doors. We’ll provide you with straightforward answers to all of your LASIK FAQs and make sure you have the information you need to determine if vision correction is right for you.

Have LASIK FAQs That Aren’t So Frequently Asked? We Can Answer Those, Too!

Still have questions swirling around in your mind? 20/20 Institute is here to help you find the answers. Contact us online or call us at 303-202-0669 to schedule your FREE LASIK candidacy evaluation and discover if custom LASIK could be your perfect match. With offices in Colorado Springs, Englewood, Downtown Denver, and Westminster, we serve patients living along the I-25 corridor and throughout the state.