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How do I know if I am a good candidate for LASIK Eye Surgery?
A large percentage of nearsighted, farsighted, and astigmatic
patients are potential candidates for LASIK. Patients who are 18 years of age or
older, have healthy eyes that are free from retinal problems, corneal scars, and
any eye disease are suitable. Along with being medically suitable, the best
candidates are people with a lifestyle or occupation in which they are
dissatisfied with their contact lenses or glasses. By having an evaluation,
examination, and consultation with you, the doctor will be able to determine if
you are a good lasik candidate.
How Long Does LASIK Take?
In our practices, LASIK is performed as an office procedure in
the comfort and convenience of an excimer laser eye surgery suite. The entire
treatment takes about 5 to 7 minutes per eye or approximately 15 minutes for
both eyes.
Is the Effect of LASIK Eye Surgery Permanent?
Yes. Following an initial healing period of two to three
months, the effect of the treatment is lifelong.
Will I Need Reading Glasses After the Treatment?
Generally, patients under 40 years of age read well without
glasses following the treatment. Patients over 40 may need magnification for
reading fine print. Presbyopia is the term that refers to the natural weakening
of the focusing muscles that occurs in our early to mid 40s, causing us to need
the magnification that reading glasses provide. The LASIK treatment does not
correct or prevent presbyopia. We also will be glad to discuss another option
called monovision.
How Many Times Do I Need To be Seen Following the
Treatment?
Most patients are usually seen the day following the treatment
and then at least 1 month and 3 months following the treatment. Some patients
require more visits. Remember, we are available 24 hours a day when you have any
questions, concerns or need attention.
How Soon After The Treatment Can I Bathe or Take a
Shower?
Your LASIK Surgeon will advise you as to the specific, however
typically you can bathe the same day as the treatment but you should not shower
for 2 days after the treatment. As always, avoid getting soap or water directly
into your eyes. Avoid rubbing your eyes during the first month after
surgery.
When Can I Drive After The Treatment?
You should not drive the day of treatment. After that, you may
drive when you feel confident that your visual acuity and eye comfort allow you
to drive safely.
How Soon Can I Use Eye Makeup?
You may resume wearing eye makeup starting 1-2 weeks after
your treatment. We strongly recommend that you purchase new eye makeup,
specifically mascara, to avoid potential infection following your
treatment.
How Soon After The Treatment Can I Exercise?
Non-contact sports can be resumed as soon as you feel capable.
Eye protection is always recommended for racquet sports or rough sports where
there is a risk of being hit in the eye.
How Soon Can I Swim?
You should stay out of swimming pools for one week after your
treatment, and rivers, lakes and oceans for two weeks following your
treatment.
What Kind of Anesthesia is Used During the
Treatment?
Numbing eye drops are used. Sometimes an oral medication is
used to help with relaxation. Don't worry -no needles or intravenous drugs are
used.
Can you Have Both Eyes Treated at the Same Time?
LASIK Treatment can be performed on both eyes on the same day.
This decreases the troublesome effect of being nearsighted in only one eye
between the two treatments. You may elect to have one eye done at a
time.
Does LASIK hurt?
The LASIK treatment itself is painless because we put a few
numbing drops in your eyes to make you even more comfortable. You will feel
pressure on and around the eye during treatment. With LASIK, some patients may
experience a feeling of "something in the eye" for a day or so after
treatment.
Can I See the LASIK Treatment as it is Being
Performed?
You will be "awake" but very relaxed. You will not be able to
see any of the details of the LASIK treatment. You will see a number of lights,
but the images will be blurred.
Will I Experience Pain after The LASIK Treatment?
Some patients experience a feeling of burning or scratchiness.
This feeling generally lasts from one to three hours following the treatment.
Most people feel fine if they can take a nap soon after the
treatment.
How Soon After Surgery Will I See Well?
Each patient is different. The eye drop medications cause some
blurring, but most patients notice a dramatic improvement even as they leave the
office. More than 4 out of 5 patients can pass a driving test without glasses or
contact lenses after the treatment.
Will My Eyes be Patched?
No, but clear, protective eye shields will be placed over your
treated eye(s) following the treatment, and will be removed in our office the
next morning. You will continue to wear these eye shields at bedtime for 1 week
for protection.
When Can I Go Back To Work?
Most patients are back to work full-time the day after
treatment. An additional day or two is rarely required before returning to work.
If you can we, recommend that you take it easy for a couple of
days.
Will I Need Glasses or Contact Lenses After The LASIK
Treatment?
The goal of refractive surgery is to reduce your dependence on
glasses and/or contact lenses, but LASIK patients still may benefit from reading
glasses or distance glasses when they desire perfect near or distance vision. A
nominal percentage of patients wear a thin pair of prescription glasses for
night driving.
Should I have a Custom LASIK Eye Surgery Treatment or a
Conventional Treatment?
The best treatment for you depends on the measurements we take
from the Aberrometer and your other clinical measurements and vision complaints.
This will indicate the presence and severity of aberrations, or distortions,
which will necessitate a Custom Laser Eye Surgery treatment. You may have
specific complaints that are related to the optical aberrations that are not
corrected by your current glasses or contact lenses. Finally, Custom Laser Eye
Surgery is usually indicated for anyone who has had previous corneal
surgery.
Why should I have Custom LASIK Eye Surgery when
conventional Lasik Eye Surgery worked fine for my friends?
Conventional Lasik Eye Surgery has provided excellent results
for literally millions of people. However, if you are a patient who has unusual
aberrations not readily corrected by conventional Lasik Eye Surgery, customized
laser eye surgery is the best choice for you. The best thing to do is to come in
for a Complimentary Consultation and together, the LASIK surgeon and you, can
determine which treatment option is necessary and best suited for your
individual needs.
What is the real difference between conventional Laser Eye
Surgery and Custom LASIK Eye Surgery?
Conventional Laser Eye Surgery treats the vast majority of
common optical aberrations called "lower order" aberrations. These are
responsible for causing nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Custom
LASIK Eye Surgery provides a more precise treatment for patients who have
"higher order" aberrations, which we can now measure with the Aberrometer. For
these patients, customized laser eye surgery may provide a better quality of
vision by measuring and addressing all of these aberrations as part of the
treatment plan.
Why is Custom LASIK sometimes more expensive?
Custom LASIK represents the application of advanced technology
to conventional Lasik Eye Surgery and may provide a better quality of vision by
measuring and addressing visual distortions that previously could not even be
measured. Our practices have incorporated the advanced measurement technology,
the Aberrometer measurement system, and the Custom LASIK Laser Eye Surgery
software necessary to provide these treatments. This advanced technology adds a
modest cost but may deliver the best vision quality.
How Much Does Laser Vision Correction Cost? Can I Afford
It?
Our practice policy is to arrange affordable monthly payments
in order to help fit LASIK into your budget. As compared with eyeglasses and
contact lenses LASIK can pay for itself in a few years time. Eyeglasses usually
have to be replaced once a year or so and contact lenses, depending on the type,
can be extremely costly. Speak with our Refractive Surgery Coordinator for more
financing information. In most cases you can qualify FOR AN AFFORDABLE MONTHLY
PAYMENT PLAN.
Your Company May Be Able To Help You Pay for LASIK!
Many companies have implemented healthcare options that make
elective surgeries such as LASIK an affordable alternative. These insurance
programs are referred to as Flex Plans, cafeteria plans or alternative health
plans. These plans designate a limited amount of pre tax dollars to pay for the
employees predetermined elective surgery. Generally the employee must decide
which surgery they are planning to have and declare this to their employer. You
can contact your human resource office to find out when your company's
enrollment period begins.
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