Q. What is LASIK?

A. LASIK is a procedure that improves vision by changing the shape of the cornea with a laser and is a very effective treatment for a wide range of vision problems.  LASIK continues to grow in popularity and is the number one elective surgery in the country.

Q. Why do people have LASIK surgery?

A. Research has shown that there are four main reasons that people choose to have LASIK.  They are:

• Life simplification: No longer having to deal with glasses or contacts
• Independence: Freedom from dependence on glasses and/or contacts
• Performance: Ability to perform better in sports-related activities
• Ability to see 24/7 when it counts: Better vision for all occasions (e.g., at a play, evening out, playing golf)

Q. What results can a person hope to achieve?

A. LASIK has proven overwhelmingly successful in reducing dependence on glasses and contact lenses. Clinical studies show that most LASIK patients (with mild to moderate prescriptions) have the potential to achieve 20/20 vision or near 20/20 vision. Generally, this means they no longer need or have reduced their dependence on glasses or contacts to drive, play sports, watch movies and TV, or participate in careers requiring excellent vision.

Q. Who is a good candidate for LASIK?
A. LASIK can treat a very broad range of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. The best way to determine who is a good candidate is with a thorough eye exam. Candidates must be 21 years of age or older, in good general health, and have good eye health with no diseases such as cataracts or glaucoma.

Q. How long will the LASIK procedure take?

A. The LASIK laser vision correction procedure usually takes less than 15 minutes in the operating room. The actual laser time is approximately 1 minute.

Q. Are there any risks associated with LASIK?

A. Some potential complications include conditions such as dryness, night glare, under or over-correction, and loss of best-corrected vision.  The risks of surgery should be discussed fully with the doctor prior to the procedure. Additionally, proper post-operative care helps to identify and address any potential healing complications.

Q. Does the LASIK procedure hurt?
A. There is almost no pain involved with LASIK, but many patients find the procedure to be slightly uncomfortable. Anesthetic drops are used to numb the eye just before surgery begins and patients may be given a mild sedative to relax.  After the procedure, the eye may feel a foreign body sensation or slight irritation for a few hours, like a grain of sand in your eye, but most patients are very comfortable shortly thereafter.

Q. What is the recovery process like?
A. Most LASIK patients usually see quite well the day following their procedure and may be able to resume most of their normal daily activities. Although the speed of visual recovery depends on personal healing patterns, most patients notice dramatic visual results within the first few days following their procedure.

Q. What is the difference between Conventional LASIK and Custom LASIK?
A. Custom LASIK is an individualized laser vision correction treatment that is wavefront-guided.  With the Custom LASIK procedure, nearsighted, farsighted and astigmatic individuals have the potential to achieve a new level of vision.

Custom LASIK uses wavefront-guided technology to measure unique imperfections in the eye. The technology then produces a treatment for the eye and the information is transferred to the laser.  The doctor then uses that information to fine-tune the procedure thereby providing a new level of precision and accuracy.

Q. Is the actual LASIK part performed the same way? Or is Custom LASIK a completely different procedure?
A. The actual LASIK procedure is performed exactly the same way in both Conventional LASIK and Custom LASIK. However, the pre-op testing for Conventional LASIK and Custom LASIK differ.  The wavefront analyzer used with Custom LASIK brings a new level of knowledge and accuracy to the surgeon, giving a more precise and personalized result.

Q. What does LASIK cost?

A. When you compare against the cost of purchasing multiple pairs of glasses or contact lenses, LASIK is cost effective.  In fact, over a 20 year period, the average patient would spend between $12,000 to $16,000 on contacts and $6,000 on glasses.  The average cost of a LASIK procedure is $1,800 per eye.   Financing is available!!! Payments can be as low as $70.00 per month and interest free financing is available.