Frequently
Asked Questions
What
is Laser Vision Correction?
Are
all laser vision correction procedures the same?
What is Waveprint technology?
Why
is Waveprint Technology so important to the CustomVue
Procedure?
Will
I have 20/20 vision following laser vision correction?
Is
laser vision correction safe?
Has
anyone ever gone blind because of Laser Vision Correction
Surgery?
What about nighttime side-effects?
Does LASIK cause dry eyes?
What
keeps the flap in position?
Does the treatment hurt?
Will
both eyes be corrected on the same day?
How
long will the procedure take?
When will I be able to return to work?
Do
I have to go without my contacts before having
Laser Vision Correction Surgery?
Can
I have Laser Vision Correction while I am pregnant
or trying to conceive?
How
long will the results of the surgery last?
What does Laser Vision Correction cost?
What
is Laser Vision Correction?
Laser Vision Correction involves changing the shape of
the cornea (front surface of the eye) using one of a variety
of micro-surgical techniques. The main goal is to modify
the shape of the eye so that light will focus properly
on the retina (back of the eye).
Laser Vision Correction combines the use of two technologies:
the microkeratome and the excimer laser. The microkeratome
is a device that has been used for many years in corneal
eye surgery to create a flap on the cornea. Once the flap
is made, it is folded back to allow the excimer laser to
treat the corneal bed. The benefits of this procedure include
minimal pain, rapid visual rehabilitation, and less if
any regression in vision during the healing process.
Are all laser vision correction procedures the same?
No! Many of the discount LASIK centers want you to believe
that LASIK should be purchased like a commodity and that
surgeon experience, lasers, diagnostic technology and
follow-up care do not matter. Laser vision correction
will affect the way you see for the rest of your life.
You should make your decision to have laser vision correction
carefully, not quickly. Our web site exhibits a wide
variety of information regarding our surgeons, their
experience, our laser technology, our advanced diagnostic
technology and the expected process and outcomes to be
received for the money which you are spending. We provide
you with all of this information because we believe the
more that you know about us, the more confident you will
feel about choosing us as your laser vision correction
provider. We also encourage you to attend one of our
free educational seminars to learn more about our practice
and the reasons why you should choose us as your laser
vision correction specialists.
What is Waveprint Technology?
Waveprint technology was originally developed for use in
high-powered telescopes to reduce distortion when viewing
distant objects in space. This technology has now been
applied to laser vision correction, measuring imperfections
in the eye which have never been possible to measure
before using standard methods. Waveprint-based digital
technology identifies and measures imperfections in an
individual’s eye 25 times more precisely than the
standard method. Physicians use this information to treat
individuals with the CustomVue Procedure.
Why is Waveprint Technology so important to the CustomVue
Procedure?
Until now, physicians were forced to practice one-size-fits-all
vision. An off-the-shelf lens corrects an individual’s
vision fairly well, but it does not correct it precisely
because it is not uniquely tailored to that person’s
fingerprint of vision. Now, with Waveprint technology,
we can custom tailor a correction for the unique characteristics
of each individual’s vision.
Will I have 20/20 vision following laser vision correction?
The goal of any refractive surgical procedure is to reduce
your dependence on corrective lenses. However, we cannot
guarantee you will have 20/20 vision as a result. Our
commitment to you is that we will not perform laser vision
correction on you or anyone who we feel does not have
an excellent possibility of achieving independence from
glasses and contact lenses. The vast majority of our
patients are extremely happy with their results and can
do most activities without dependence on corrective lenses
after laser vision correction.
Is laser vision correction safe?
As with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks.
Laser Vision Correction uses a computer-controlled cool
beam of light. The flap in LASIK is created with the
latest generation automated microkeratome, the Amadeus.
Serious complications with Laser Vision Correction Surgery
are extremely rare. The chance of having a vision-reducing
complication from Laser Vision Correction Surgery has
been documented in clinical studies to be less than one
percent. Many of the risks and complications associated
with this procedure can be reduced or eliminated through
careful patient selection and thorough pre-operative
testing using the latest diagnostic technology.
After laser vision correction, you may
experience some visual side effects. These are usually
mild and most often
diminish over a few days to a few weeks. There is, however,
a slight chance that some of these side effects won’t
go away completely, such as feelings of dryness, sensitivity
to glare and halos. If, after a thorough examination we
decide you are a good candidate for laser vision correction,
you will be given additional information regarding this
procedure. This information will assist you in making an
informed decision regarding your desire to proceed with
the procedure. If this information does not completely
address all your questions and concerns, do not hesitate
to call our LASIK Coordinator for further information.
Has anyone ever gone blind because of Laser Vision Correction
Surgery?
In the many thousands of Laser Vision Correction Surgeries
performed worldwide, we are aware of no recorded incidence
of anyone losing their eyesight due to this procedure.
What about nighttime side-effects?
You have probably seen news stories about people having
difficulty driving at night after refractive surgery.
Nighttime side-effects may include halos, starburst,
glare around lights, and blurry vision. Some of these
may be caused by overcorrection, undercorrection, or
residual astigmatism. These effects usually diminish
as the eye heals in the first three to six months. Sometimes
additional touch-up (enhancement) procedures may be recommended.
Another possible cause of nighttime side-effects is pupil
size. At night, the pupil expands to let in more light.
Light coming through the peripheral cornea may be out of
focus if the pupil opens beyond the laser treatment area.
This is why some patients with very large pupils are not
good candidates for LASIK.
Does LASIK cause dry eyes?
Following a LASIK procedure, every patient has dry eyes
temporarily, which can often be treated with artificial
tears. This dry eye sensation usually clears up in eight
to twelve weeks. In rare cases, it may take slightly
longer.
Patients with pre-existing dry eyes may have a slower
recovery from LASIK and may be a better candidate for PRK.
If you have dry eyes, you should discuss it with your doctor
at your pre-operative examination. Tests can often diagnose
dry eyes, but it is still somewhat difficult to predict
who will experience significantly dry eyes following LASIK.
A thorough evaluation of your current medications, medical
history and work environment will all be taken into account
during your initial LASIK evaluation.
What keeps the flap in position?
Following your procedure, the flap stays in position without
the need for stitches. Initially, there is a vacuum effect
created by the cells lining the inner surface of the
cornea. As the eye heals over the first few days, the
epithelium (the outer surface of the cornea) seals the
edges of the flap.
Does the treatment hurt?
The laser procedure is not painful since anesthetizing
eye drops are used during the procedure. After surgery,
most patients experience little or no discomfort. Your
eyes may feel scratchy, gritty, or watery after the surgery,
but these are temporary symptoms which are not a problem
for most patients. An over-the-counter pain reliever
and use of artificial tears will generally take care
of this discomfort. PRK patients, although, do experience
more post-operative discomfort for three to five days
while the epithelium heals.
Will both eyes be corrected on the same day?
For most procedures, both eyes can be corrected on the
same day. In some cases, either the surgeon or patient
may decide to delay surgery on the second eye. Also,
some patients with small corrections may only need surgery
on one eye. This will be discussed at your pre-operative
examination.
How long will the procedure take?
The total time at the Surgery Center typically is 2 to
3 hours. In the preoperative area, you will receive eye
drops and medication to decrease any possible apprehension
you may have. Once in the laser room your eyes will be
cleansed and prepared for surgery.
The surgical procedure takes approximately 25 to 30 minutes.
Most of your tests will be performed prior to the day of
the procedure in order to decrease the amount of your time
required on that day. Our thorough attention to detail
with each patient allows us to provide the highest quality
of laser vision correction possible.
When will I be able to return to work?
Following LASIK, most patients return to work the day after
their procedure. Following PRK, the recovery time may
be a little longer. Your surgeon will discuss with you
any activities you should avoid during the immediate
postoperative period.
Do I have to go without my contacts before having
Laser
Vision Correction Surgery?
If you are wearing hard or gas permeable contact lenses,
it is important that you remove them at least 4 weeks prior
to your examination. Soft contact lenses should not be
worn for at least 7 days before your exam.
Can I have Laser Vision Correction while I am pregnant
or trying to conceive?
Due to the fact that pregnancy can affect your vision,
you should not have laser vision correction while you are
pregnant or trying to conceive. You should wait several
months after pregnancy or the cessation of nursing your
infant before having Laser Vision Correction Surgery.
How long will the results of the surgery last?
Laser Vision Correction Surgery is considered to be permanent.
However, your eyes can still change as you age, possibly
causing a need for glasses, contacts or an additional
vision correction procedure in the future. As people
reach their early forties, they develop presbyopia and
begin to need reading glasses. If you are over 40, you
may want to consider monovision. If you are interested
in monovision, it can be discussed at the time of your
preoperative examination.
What
does Laser Vision Correction Cost?
For any further information or to schedule your initial
evaluation, call our LASIK Coordinator at (417)887-3900.
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