LASIK FAQs in Los Angeles

LASIK stands for Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. It permanently reshapes the cornea — the clear dome at the front of your eye — to reduce or eliminate refractive error, improving how light focuses on the retina and dramatically reducing your dependence on glasses or contacts. It works in three steps: a thin corneal flap is created with a femtosecond laser, an excimer laser reshapes the underlying tissue based on your measurements, and the flap is repositioned to heal naturally with no stitches. Berg-Feinfield uses a bladeless, all-laser approach for both flap creation and reshaping — no mechanical blade at any point.

LASIK is FDA-approved to treat the three most common refractive errors: nearsightedness (myopia), or difficulty seeing at a distance; farsightedness (hyperopia), or difficulty seeing up close; and astigmatism, blurred or distorted vision from an irregularly shaped cornea. At your consultation, your surgeon evaluates your prescription and eye anatomy to confirm LASIK is the right fit — or whether PRK or EVO ICL may serve you better.

LASIK primarily corrects distance refractive errors. If you are over 40 and experiencing presbyopia — the age-related loss of near focus — you may still need reading glasses after surgery, even with excellent distance vision. Your consultation is the right time to discuss your complete visual goals; options such as monovision LASIK (one eye corrected for distance, one for near) or Refractive Lens Exchange with a multifocal lens may offer a broader solution depending on your age and lifestyle.

Yes. The lasers and diagnostic technology used at Berg-Feinfield for LASIK are FDA-approved for vision correction, including both the femtosecond laser used to create the corneal flap and the excimer laser used to reshape the tissue. FDA approval means the technology has passed rigorous clinical trials demonstrating both safety and effectiveness for treating nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

Good candidates are generally adults whose prescriptions have been stable for at least one to two years, with healthy eyes and adequate corneal thickness. Criteria typically include being 18–21 or older with a stable prescription; healthy eyes free from infection, disease, or significant dry eye; sufficient corneal thickness for safe reshaping; not currently pregnant or nursing; and realistic expectations about outcomes and recovery. The only way to know for certain is a comprehensive in-person evaluation, which Berg-Feinfield offers at no charge.

During your consultation, your eyes are evaluated across several factors: prescription stability over the past 12–24 months, corneal thickness and curvature mapping, overall eye health (including screening for dry eye, glaucoma risk, and early keratoconus), tear film quality, and pupil size in low light. This data — gathered with advanced diagnostic technology — determines whether LASIK is appropriate and, if so, what treatment parameters will be used.

There is no single perfect age for LASIK. Most candidates are adults in their 20s, 30s, or 40s whose prescriptions have stabilized, but there is no strict upper age limit — many patients in their 50s, 60s, and beyond are still strong candidates when their eyes are otherwise healthy. For patients over 50, the conversation often expands to include Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), which addresses both refractive error and the early lens changes that occur with age.

Not qualifying for LASIK is more common than most people realize — and it does not mean you are stuck with glasses or contacts. Berg-Feinfield offers alternatives depending on why LASIK is not the right fit: PRK for thinner corneas or certain lifestyle factors (same laser, no flap); EVO ICL, an implantable collamer lens for higher prescriptions, dry eye concerns, or corneal limitations; and Refractive Lens Exchange, which replaces the natural lens with an advanced IOL for patients with presbyopia or early lens changes. The recommendation is always based on your eye anatomy and visual goals.

Yes. Berg-Feinfield performs bladeless, all-laser LASIK as its standard approach. A femtosecond laser creates the corneal flap, replacing the mechanical microkeratome blade used in older techniques. Bladeless flap creation offers more consistent flap thickness, a more predictable flap edge, and a lower risk of flap-related complications compared with blade-based methods. For the vast majority of candidates, it represents current best practice.

Advanced technology improves three critical aspects of treatment: diagnostic precision, treatment customization, and execution accuracy. Platforms like iDesign 2 capture a far more detailed picture of your eye's optics than standard refraction, so the treatment plan is built on richer data. Laser systems with integrated tracking then execute that plan accurately, even if your eye moves. Together, this helps optimize outcomes, reduce residual prescription error, and improve visual quality beyond clarity — including contrast sensitivity, night vision, and glare reduction.

The procedure follows a consistent sequence. First, anesthetic drops ensure you feel no pain, with a mild oral sedative offered if you want it, and your eye is positioned under the laser. A small, painless speculum gently holds your eyelids open so you do not need to avoid blinking. The bladeless femtosecond laser then creates a precise, ultra-thin flap — you may feel brief, mild suction pressure, not pain, for a few seconds. The flap is lifted and the excimer laser, guided by your custom iDesign 2 measurements, reshapes the cornea in about 20–50 seconds per eye while eye-tracking compensates for movement. Finally, the flap is repositioned and adheres naturally within seconds — no stitches, no adhesive. Total laser time is under 15 minutes for both eyes; plan to be in the office about an hour.

Most patients are surprised by how painless it is. Numbing drops eliminate pain during surgery. You may feel mild pressure or a sensation of suction when the femtosecond laser creates the flap — normal, and lasting only a few seconds. Immediately afterward, some patients notice a scratchy sensation, watering, or mild irritation; these typically peak within the first hour and improve significantly by the next morning.

The laser application itself is fast — typically 20 to 50 seconds per eye depending on your prescription, with less than 15 minutes of total laser time for both eyes. Plan to be in the office for about an hour, which includes preparation, the procedure, initial post-op assessment, and discharge instructions.

In most cases, yes. Berg-Feinfield typically treats both eyes on the same day, which minimizes disruption and lets both eyes heal together. The final decision is always made individually based on your prescription, eye health, and surgeon recommendation, and is discussed at your pre-operative consultation.

You can drive yourself to your appointment, but you will need someone to drive you home. Vision can be blurry immediately after the procedure, and some patients receive a mild oral sedative beforehand. Plan to have a friend, family member, or rideshare available. Most patients can drive again the following day, after their post-op evaluation confirms adequate vision.

Most patients notice significantly improved vision within hours — often before they leave the office. By the morning after surgery, the majority see clearly enough to drive (after their post-op clearance) and return to most normal activities. Final visual stabilization varies by individual and prescription: some reach their best vision within days, others over a few weeks, and mild fluctuations during this period are completely normal.

In the first few hours, watery eyes, light sensitivity, and blurry or hazy vision are common — rest with your eyes closed and avoid screens. On day 1, most patients wake to noticeably clearer vision; a follow-up visit confirms healing and clears you for driving, and prescribed drops begin. Through days 2–7, vision continues to improve and most patients return to work and light activities. From week 2 onward, dryness and mild fluctuations may persist but are usually manageable, with follow-up visits monitoring progress. Swimming, contact sports, and water in the eyes should wait until your surgeon clears you — typically several weeks after surgery.

Many patients return to work within one to two days. Berg-Feinfield asks that you complete your one-day follow-up appointment before resuming work, especially for jobs with high visual demands. If your work involves heavy screen time, dusty or dirty environments, or contact with the public, your surgeon may have specific guidance for your situation.

You will typically be prescribed a short course of antibiotic drops to prevent infection and anti-inflammatory drops to support healing — generally for about one week. Preservative-free artificial tears are also strongly recommended for dry eye management and are often used for several months during healing. Your care team provides a complete post-operative drop schedule at discharge and reviews it at your follow-up visits.

Yes — LASIK is widely regarded as safe for properly screened candidates, and its safety record has improved significantly over the past two decades alongside advances in diagnostics and laser systems. The most important safety factor is thorough pre-operative screening: ruling out conditions like keratoconus, thin corneas, or significant dry eye before proceeding. Berg-Feinfield uses FDA-approved technology and a fully bladeless, computer-guided approach; careful candidate selection and adherence to post-operative instructions are the most powerful tools for minimizing risk.

Most side effects are temporary and resolve as the eye heals. Common ones include dryness or the sensation of dry eye, increased light sensitivity, glare or halos around lights, mild fluctuating vision, temporary changes in near vision, and mild irritation or scratchiness. These are most prominent in the first days to weeks after surgery and typically improve as healing progresses. Artificial tears significantly reduce dryness-related discomfort for most patients.

No — serious complications are uncommon, particularly when patients are carefully screened beforehand and follow post-operative instructions. The greatest risk reduction comes from pre-operative screening: identifying patients with undiagnosed keratoconus, insufficient corneal thickness, or active dry eye disease, and redirecting them to more appropriate options. At Berg-Feinfield, patients are closely monitored throughout recovery, and the care team is available to address any concerns that arise during healing.

Both use an excimer laser to reshape the cornea — the key difference is how the cornea is accessed. LASIK creates a thin flap that is lifted, treated, and repositioned. PRK treats the corneal surface directly after the epithelium (outermost cell layer) is removed, which then regrows naturally over several days. PRK recovery takes longer — typically one to two weeks for initial clarity versus one to two days with LASIK — but outcomes are equivalent for most patients. PRK may be preferred for thinner corneas, certain occupations, or contact sports where a flap poses theoretical risk.

EVO ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) does not reshape the cornea at all — a small, flexible corrective lens is placed inside the eye between the iris and the natural lens. No corneal tissue is removed, making it a strong option for higher prescriptions, borderline corneal thickness, or significant dry eye that laser surgery might worsen. EVO ICL is also reversible, whereas LASIK permanently alters corneal tissue. For the right candidate it offers excellent visual quality and a fast return of crisp vision, often with superior low-light performance.

Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) replaces the eye's natural lens with a precision artificial intraocular lens (IOL). Because the natural lens is removed, the eye can never develop a cataract — combining refractive correction with lifetime cataract prevention in one procedure. RLE is typically best for patients in their mid-40s and beyond who are developing presbyopia or early lens changes and want a comprehensive solution LASIK alone cannot fully address. Your surgeon will help you understand which approach aligns best with where your eyes are today and where they are headed.

Cost varies with the complexity and range of your prescription, the diagnostic and laser technology used (bladeless all-laser vs. older blade-based methods), surgeon experience and procedure volume, and what is included — consultations, surgery, post-operative care, and enhancement policy. Be cautious of unusually low advertised prices, which often exclude the pre-operative evaluation, post-operative visits, or the cost of an enhancement if needed. For pricing specific to Berg-Feinfield, see the LASIK Cost in Los Angeles page.

LASIK is considered elective and is not covered by most standard health insurance plans. However, patients with FSA (Flexible Spending Account) or HSA (Health Savings Account) benefits can typically use those pre-tax dollars, effectively reducing the out-of-pocket cost by your marginal tax rate. Some vision insurance plans offer a LASIK discount through contracted providers, so it is worth checking your specific plan before your consultation.

Yes. Berg-Feinfield offers patient financing that lets you spread the cost of LASIK over time. Plans through partners like CareCredit can offer low-interest or deferred-interest options for qualified applicants, making it possible to move forward without paying the full amount upfront. Details are available on the Patient Financing Options page, and your care coordinator can review options with you at your consultation.