How Long Does LASIK Take?

Have a watch or a clock with a minute hand?

Take notice of one minute – 60 seconds. It may seem longer or shorter than you imagine, but there’s a lot we can accomplish while the second hand makes that sweep ...

• We can put on our clothes
• We can microwave a bag of popcorn
• We can take a rejuvenating stretch break
• We can heat a cup of tea
• We can clean the computer monitor
• We can have LASIK vision correction surgery!

That last item may surprise you, but it’s true – the actual physical performance of LASIK vision correction takes approximately one minute for most patients. That includes creating the corneal flap to gain access to the cornea, re-shaping it to correct imperfections that can cause nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, and then putting the flap back in place, where it quickly bonds. Hard to believe, but it is true – just one minute to better vision and a lens-free life!

The entire process typically takes about 10-minutes per eye. Dr. Lindahl needs time to prepare the patient and their eyes for surgery before using advanced LASIK technology to perform the actual procedure. We schedule additional time before and after the surgery to help you relax and adjust to the surroundings and allow Dr. Lindahl to perform last minute tests. We advise patients to schedule about 90-minutes for the entire process, from the time we say “Hello!” to the time we’re satisfied you can go home (with someone else to do the driving).

Contact Rochester Eye and Laser Center to learn more about LASIK. We’re happy to answer your questions. Visit our website at rochestereyecenter.com or call us at 585-232-2560 to schedule your free LASIK Consultation. If you’re considering LASIK vision correction, you owe it to yourself to get all of the details about how one minute can change your life!

Visit our LASIK FAQ page for answers to commonly asked questions about LASIK.