LASIK: The Questions Patients Actually Ask — Answered by Physicians
LASIK generates some of the most repetitive phone calls in any ophthalmology practice: rubbing anxiety, screen time, and when vision stabilizes. PrepQ, a patient-education platform built by physicians and operated by PrepQ LLC, maintains 24 physician-written answers about lasik as part of a library of more than 7,500 answers covering 700-plus procedures across 14 specialties. Practices that subscribe to PrepQ give their patients a dedicated phone number to text or call at any hour, and the platform replies instantly with content the practice's own clinicians have reviewed and approved in advance. Questions outside the approved library are referred back to the office, and any message that suggests urgent symptoms is directed to 911 or the practice instead of being answered by software. The result: patients arrive prepared, day-of cancellations drop, and staff stop repeating the same lasik instructions dozens of times a week.
Real lasik questions from our physician-reviewed library
A sample of the 24 lasik answers in PrepQ's library. Before any practice goes live, its own clinicians review and approve every answer — and can customize each one to their protocols.
Am I too old or is my prescription too strong for LASIK?
There isn't a single cutoff age or prescription that rules everyone out, since it really depends on the health and measurements of your eyes. Some stronger prescriptions or certain eye conditions may be better suited to other options. A full exam with your surgeon is the best way to learn whether LASIK fits your situation.
Can I go blind from LASIK?
Serious vision loss from LASIK is very rare, and the great majority of people heal well and see clearly. Most side effects are minor and temporary, and surgeons take careful steps to keep the procedure safe. Your surgeon can go over the specific risks for your eyes and help ease any worries you have before you decide.
Can LASIK be redone if my vision changes?
In some cases LASIK can be enhanced or repeated if vision changes later, but whether that's an option depends on your eyes and how much healthy cornea remains. It's not right for everyone. Your surgeon can examine your eyes and explain whether a touch-up procedure could be a good fit for you down the road.
Can LASIK cause permanent dry eye?
Dryness is one of the more common effects after LASIK, and for most people it is temporary and improves over the weeks and months that follow. Lasting dryness can happen but is less common, and there are ways to manage it. Your eye surgeon can talk through your own risk and what relief options may help.
Do I need a driver after LASIK?
Yes, it's important to arrange a ride home after LASIK, since your vision may be blurry and your eyes sensitive right afterward. Most people are not able to drive themselves safely until the surgeon confirms it's okay. Having someone available to drive you that day helps everything go smoothly.
Does LASIK hurt?
Most people find LASIK is not painful because numbing drops are used before the procedure begins. You may feel some pressure or a brief odd sensation while it happens, and mild burning or watering can come afterward as the eye settles. If anything feels worse than expected, it's best to reach out to your eye surgeon's office.
How do I know if I am a candidate for LASIK?
Good candidates for LASIK usually have healthy eyes and a stable prescription, but the only way to know for sure is a detailed eye exam. Your surgeon will measure your cornea and overall eye health to see if LASIK is a good fit. It's best to bring your questions to that visit, since the right choice really depends on your individual eyes.
How long do I have to stop wearing contacts before LASIK?
Contact lenses can temporarily change the shape of your cornea, so stopping them beforehand helps the surgeon take accurate measurements for your procedure. Because soft and rigid lenses behave differently, the exact timing varies from person to person. It's best to check with your surgeon's office for the schedule that's right for you.
How soon will I see clearly after LASIK?
Many people notice clearer vision within a day or so after LASIK, though it's normal for things to look hazy or to fluctuate at first. Vision often keeps sharpening over the following days and weeks as the eyes heal. Everyone heals at their own pace, so your surgeon can tell you what to expect for you.
I have a red blotch on the white of my eye after LASIK, is that okay?
A red blotch on the white of the eye after LASIK is often a small, harmless bruise from the procedure, similar to a bruise on the skin, and it usually fades on its own over a couple of weeks. It's typically nothing to worry about. If you have pain, vision changes, or new concerns, it's best to contact your surgeon's office.
Your staff answers these 24 questions by phone. PrepQ answers them by text, instantly.
PrepQ gives your ophthalmology practice a dedicated number patients text or call 24/7. Physician-written answers, approved by your doctors, delivered in English and Spanish — with urgent messages escalated to your office or 911, never improvised. HIPAA-compliant, BAA provided, no EHR integration required.