Your LASIK Journey

Are you curious about what happens during LASIK eye surgery? Here’s an insight into what your journey to better vision will look like.

A Personalized LASIK Surgery Experience

As two of the top LASIK surgeons in NYC and Long Island, Dr. James Kelly and Dr. Ashley Brissette will be personally involved with every step of your journey — from your initial consultation to your final follow-up. LASIK is a primary specialty for both doctors, and with their combined expertise and patient-first approach, you can feel confident you’re in the best hands possible.

Lasik Surgery at Kelly Vision

a woman looking over her shoulder and smiling into the camera

Your LASIK Surgery Consultation

During your free consultation with Dr. Kelly or Dr. Brissette, you’ll have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about LASIK surgery. Special measurements of your eyes will be taken, and a thorough eye exam — including dilation — will be performed to assess your eye health and determine if you’re a good candidate for LASIK. This exam may take up to 1.5 hours. (For patients with busy schedules, we also offer the option to complete the LASIK exam and procedure on the same day.) If you qualify, our surgical coordinator will review pricing, financing options, and details about custom treatments. From there, your LASIK surgery will be scheduled, prescriptions will be called in, and consent forms will be provided.

“Getting LASIK was the best investment I feel I’ve made. Definitely a life-changing experience.”

Sindy P.

The Day of Your LASIK Surgery

10 days before surgery, please stop any use of contact lenses.

On the day of your procedure, you will meet with the coordinator to go over your final payment and post-operative instructions. You will also sign the consent forms. LASIK surgery usually takes 10-15 minutes for both eyes.

We will offer you a Valium® to help keep you calm during the procedure. Our team will perform a brief exam of your eyes, and then you’ll be brought to our Laser Suite. Anesthetic eyedrops will be administered to keep you as comfortable as possible during the surgery. In addition, an eyelid holder will be placed to keep you from blinking.

At this time, a small suction ring will be placed on your eye. Dr. Kelly or Dr. Brissette will use a concentrated laser beam to create a thin flap on the outer part of your cornea, which works by creating microscopic bubbles in the cornea. The flap is then lifted — much like a page in a book. A second laser will be used to sculpt the middle layer of the cornea. The flap is then placed back down.

Special eyedrops will then be administered and the eyelid holder will be removed. This same process will then be repeated on the other eye.

Recovery After LASIK Surgery

You can expect your vision to be blurry for the first few hours after your LASIK in NYC. We advise patients to take a nap or keep their eyes closed for these first few hours.

Dr. Kelly or Dr. Brissette will see you for a follow-up appointment the day after your LASIK procedure to ensure everything is healing properly. You’ll begin using an antibiotic and a steroid eyedrop as part of your recovery. It’s normal for your eyes to feel dry in the first few weeks after surgery, which can cause some initial fluctuations in your vision — this is nothing to worry about. You’ll continue using medicated drops for several weeks to support healing and keep your eyes comfortable.

Dr. Ashley Brissette

Dr. James Kelly

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Dr. James Kelly is a board-certified ophthalmologist and leader in refractive surgery who directs Kelly Vision, a premier vision center in New York. A graduate of Columbia and Cornell with residency at Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital, he offers precise, personalized eye care solutions.

Double board-certified in ophthalmology, Dr. Ashley Brissette is a leading NYC expert in cataract surgery, LASIK, EVO ICL, and dry eye treatment. As ophthalmologist to the New York Rangers, she’s celebrated for her precision, warmth, and dedication to excellence.