LASIK is one of the most trusted vision correction procedures, designed to reshape the cornea and improve how light enters the eye. At Milan Eye Center, our Atlanta LASIK specialists are fellowship-trained cornea/refractive surgeons and use advanced laser technology to help patients enjoy sharper vision and reduce their dependence on glasses or contacts.
As a patient at Milan Eye Center, our knowledgeable surgeons and coordinators will walk you through every step. The procedure usually takes 5-8 minutes per eye, with an average of 10-15 minutes total.
Our eight locations across Atlanta, Georgia ensure that the finest eye services and surgeons are just around the corner. Meet our team of award-winning surgeons to discover what sets us apart. Our ophthalmologists and optometrists will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the surgery.
LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is a safe and effective outpatient procedure designed to correct common vision problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. By gently reshaping the cornea with a precision laser, LASIK helps the eye focus light more accurately, leading to clearer, sharper vision.
LASIK is one of the most widely performed elective vision correction procedures in the world. Clinical studies report patient satisfaction rates above 90%, with many patients achieving significantly reduced dependence on glasses or contact lenses. Careful screening and experienced surgeons help minimize risks and improve outcomes. A good LASIK candidate has a low risk of complication, especially when screened and treated with the correct equipment by an experienced surgeon.
Approximately 700,000 to 800,000 LASIK procedures are performed annually in the United States, and more than 40 million people worldwide have undergone laser vision correction since the procedure was introduced.
With recent advances in technology, more and more people are prime candidates for laser eye surgery. Here are the characteristics of LASIK patients we take on:
Your LASIK journey begins with a comprehensive eye exam and consultation. During this visit, we measure your corneal thickness, check for eye health conditions, and map the unique shape of your eyes using advanced imaging. This helps our surgeons confirm if LASIK is the best option for you and allows us to create a customized treatment plan tailored to your vision needs.
The LASIK procedure itself is surprisingly fast, usually taking less than 15 minutes per eye. This is the process that a patient can expect during bladeless LASIK eye surgery:
As with any surgical procedure, LASIK carries potential risks and side effects. These may include dry eyes, glare, halos, fluctuating vision, or the need for enhancement surgery. A comprehensive evaluation helps determine whether LASIK is an appropriate option for you.
LASIK reduces dependence on correction; residual refractive error, regression, task-specific glasses, and presbyopia may still require glasses or contacts.
Choosing the right vision correction option can be complicated, especially with so many advanced technologies available today. Be it LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis), PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy), EVO ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens), or RLE (Refractive Lens Exchange), each offers effective pathways to clear vision, but they differ in technique, eligibility, and recovery time. Understanding their similarities and distinctions might help you align your vision goals with the right treatment.
Features |
LASIK |
PRK |
EVO ICL |
RLE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | A femtosecond laser creates a corneal flap, and an excimer laser reshapes the cornea, correcting your vision | Epithelium is removed to reshape the corneal surface with the excimer laser | A biocompatible lens is implanted in front of the natural lens and behind the iris | The natural crystalline lens is removed and replaced with an intraocular lens (IOL) for vision correction |
| What it corrects | Myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism | Myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism | Moderate to high myopia and astigmatism | Presbyopia, high hyperopia/myopia, and astigmatism when toric IOL planning is used |
| Ideal age range | Adults aged 18–50 | 18–50, and those not suitable for LASIK | 21-60 of age | 50+ (for older adults) |
| Corneal tissue removal | Yes, under a flap | Epithelium is removed and stromal tissue is ablated, but there is no flap | No corneal reshaping or tissue ablation, although a small corneal incision is still required | No corneal reshaping or tissue ablation, although a small corneal incision is still required |
| Suitability for thin corneas | Generally unsuitable when thickness or tomography is inadequate | May be considered in selected thin corneas, not automatically | Avoids corneal ablation but still requires full anterior-segment eligibility | Corneas aren’t reshaped |
| Presbyopia correction | Doesn’t prevent age-related presbyopia | Doesn’t prevent age-related presbyopia | Doesn’t prevent age-related presbyopia | Can address presbyopia depending on IOL selection, with optical tradeoffs that should be stated |
| Initial discomfort | Usually causes mild early discomfort | Typically more uncomfortable for the first 1-3 days | Avoid corneal nerve ablation but carry intraocular risks | Avoid corneal nerve ablation but carry intraocular risks |
| Dry eye risk | Causes temporary dry eye | Causes temporary dry eye | Lower than LASIK | Lower dry-eye risk but higher lens-related side effects |
| Recovery speed | Generally rapid | Often has functional recovery in days, while visual refinement takes weeks | Generally rapid | Staging is surgeon- and practice-specific; avoid a universal interval |
| Cataract correction | Not possible | Not possible | Not possible | On a clear lens does not treat a cataract. If a cataract exists, the operation is cataract surgery. Lens removal prevents that natural lens from later becoming cataractous, but posterior capsule opacification can still occur |
| Advantages | Precise, popular, quick, advanced | For patients with thin corneas, high-impact occupations, and those who don’t need a flap | Removable or exchangeable only through another intraocular operation; it is not truly reversible | For presbyopia patients, severe refractive errors, and early cataracts |
| Downsides | Dry eye, glare/halos, flap complications, rare ectasia | Pain, slower recovery, haze/infection, temporary dry eye | Cataract, IOP/angle/vault issues, endothelial loss, halos, infection, reoperation | Dysphotopsia, residual error, PCO, IOL problems, retinal detachment risk, and loss of accommodation |
LASIK is more affordable than continuing to spend money on glasses and contact lenses every year. The average national cost of LASIK in 2025 was approximately $2,500 per eye. The cost of LASIK surgery in Atlanta usually includes the initial consultation, the procedure, and post-operative follow-up care.
While this is a large upfront LASIK surgery cost, Atlanta patients typically save money in the long run as they no longer need prescription glasses or contact lenses and supplies.
Milan Eye Center accepts most insurance providers and has financing options through Healthcare Finance Direct (HFD). Flexible spending accounts (FSA’s) and Health savings accounts (HSA’s) are employer-sponsored programs allowing pre-tax dollars to be set aside for medical costs. You may be able to get LASIK virtually tax-free.
Learn More about the Cost of LASIK in Atlanta
Are you considering LASIK eye surgery? These FAQs answer how LASIK works, its benefits, alternatives, downsides, and what you can expect from the treatment:
Make an appointment today to discuss which procedures best meet your refractive goals. Come to one of our eight convenient Atlanta-area locations.
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