LASIK is among the safest and most successful elective surgeries, performed on over 40 million people worldwide. Jordan is a known medical tourism destination for this procedure. The ClinicsJo Editorial Team reviews what you need to know.
What Is LASIK?
LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is surgery to correct vision defects by reshaping the cornea with precise laser beams. Done under eye-drop anesthesia, it takes 10–15 minutes for both eyes.
Vision Defects Corrected
- Myopia: clear up close, blurry at distance.
- Hyperopia: the opposite.
- Astigmatism: blurring from irregular corneal curvature.
- Presbyopia: with specific solutions (monovision).
Types of Vision Correction Surgery
1. Traditional LASIK (Microkeratome)
Old — flap made with a mechanical blade. Less used today.
2. Femto-LASIK (Most Common)
Flap made with a femtosecond laser, more precise. Then excimer laser reshapes the cornea. Very fast recovery.
3. SMILE (Newest)
Small Incision Lenticule Extraction. No full flap — just a small (2–4 mm) incision. Better for athletes and dry eyes. Mainly for myopia.
4. PRK
The oldest. The epithelium is removed and the cornea reshaped. Slower healing (a week) but suitable for thin corneas.
5. EpiLASIK / LASEK
Modifications of PRK.
6. ICL (Implantable Contact Lens)
Permanent contact lens implanted inside the eye, used when LASIK isn't suitable (very thin cornea, severe myopia).
Suitable Candidates
- Age >18 (preferably >21).
- Stable vision for 1–2 years (change <0.5 D).
- Adequate corneal thickness.
- Generally healthy eyes.
- Not pregnant or breastfeeding.
- No active autoimmune diseases.
- Realistic expectations.
Who Is Not Suitable?
- Very thin cornea (<500 microns).
- Keratoconus.
- Severe dry eye.
- Very high myopia (>10 D).
- Uncontrolled glaucoma.
- Uncontrolled diabetes.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding (deferred).
- Autoimmune diseases (RA, lupus, Sjögren's).
- Medications affecting healing (Roaccutane).
Pre-Op Tests
- Comprehensive eye exam and refraction.
- Corneal topography.
- Corneal thickness (pachymetry).
- Pupil size measurement in the dark.
- Fundus exam.
- Eye pressure measurement.
- Dry eye assessment (Schirmer test).
- Keratoconus screening (aberrometry).
Before Surgery
- Stop soft contacts 1–2 weeks, rigid 3–4 weeks before.
- No eye makeup on surgery day.
- No perfumes.
- Eat a light meal.
- Bring someone to drive you (you cannot drive).
Surgery Steps
- Anesthetic and antiseptic drops.
- Lid speculum placement.
- Flap creation (Femto-LASIK) or epithelium removal (PRK).
- Excimer laser reshapes the cornea (20–60 seconds).
- Flap repositioning (Femto-LASIK) or bandage contact lens (PRK).
- Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops.
Patient is fully awake and feels no pain.
After Surgery
First 24 Hours
- Burning and itching (Femto-LASIK) or mild pain (PRK).
- Tearing and light sensitivity.
- Temporary blurred vision.
- Sleep without touching the eye.
- Wear protective shield at night for 1–2 weeks.
First Week
- Regular drops (antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, artificial tears).
- Avoid water in the eye.
- No swimming for a month.
- No eye makeup for 2 weeks.
- Avoid eye rubbing.
- Drive after 24–48 hours (Femto-LASIK) or a week (PRK).
First Months
- Final vision stabilizes after 1–3 months.
- Dry eye may continue 6 months (temporary).
- Routine follow-ups with the doctor.
Prices in Jordan
- Femto-LASIK both eyes: JOD 800–1,500.
- SMILE both eyes: JOD 1,500–2,500.
- PRK both eyes: JOD 600–1,200.
- ICL both eyes: JOD 2,500–4,000.
- Add pre-op tests, medications, and follow-ups.
Success Rate
- 95–98% achieve 20/40 vision (sufficient to drive without glasses).
- 90–95% achieve 20/20 vision.
- Patient satisfaction >95% globally.
Possible Complications
Rare but possible:
- Dry eye: most common, usually temporary (6 months).
- Halos around lights at night: gradually fade.
- Under- or over-correction: may need enhancement.
- Flap issues: <1%.
- Infection: very rare.
- Night vision difficulty.
- Induced ectasia: very rare.
Medical tip: Choose a reputable surgeon and center with modern equipment. Outcomes depend heavily on the precision of pre-op testing and selecting the right technique for your case.
FAQ
Does the prescription come back?
No, the result is permanent. But age-related presbyopia may still occur (requires reading glasses).
Is the surgery painful?
No — just slight pressure for a few seconds.
When can I return to work?
Femto-LASIK: 1–2 days. PRK: a week.
Can it be done twice?
Yes, an enhancement is possible if corneal thickness remains adequate.
For a consultation and to determine the best technique for you, book an appointment with an eye specialist on ClinicsJo.
