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Key Questions Answered

1. What Are the Risks?

More than 5,000,000 Americans have already had LASIK and the number increases every year by a substantial amount. Experienced LASIK surgeons report a less than 1% complication rate. Many ophthalmologists believe the long-term risk of wearing contact lenses can exceed the one-time risk of LASIK by a factor as high as 5X, and the most recent studies, including an Advisory from the FDA, suggest that prolonged use of contacts can represent a risk to eye health.

2. Can I Really Get Rid Of My Glasses?

By choosing LASIK with the right doctor and advanced technology, the typical person age 18 to 45 will not need prescription glasses at all. Sometime between age 40 and 50, the typical person will likely need reading glasses whether they have had LASIK or not due to the reduced flexibility of their eyes’ lenses.

This condition is called Presbyopia and can be effectively handled through a special LASIK technique known as monovision which has given thousands the ability to see both close up and far away. If you are considering LASIK and are using reading glasses, you should ask your LASIK surgeon if monovision might work for you.

3. Will LASIK Work For Me?

Most people over age 18 who suffer from nearvision, farvision or astigmatism can be helped, but a thorough eye exam is the only way to determine if LASIK can achieve your expectations. The exam should include full corneal mapping (topography), corneal thickness measurement, and measurement of your pupil size to ensure that LASIK is right for you.

Your doctor should discuss your goals and expectations as well as the risks and benefits of the procedure. You should feel comfortable with your doctor’s assessment of your anticipated outcome.

4. Will It Hurt? When Can I Return To Work?

LASIK in the hands of an experienced surgeon who is using advanced technology such as all-laser bladeless LASIK is virtually painless. After a good night’s sleep the typical person awakens to the joy of seeing the world clearly and without lenses - usually for the first time in many years. Most people are able to return to work within 24-48 hours of their LASIK procedure.

5. What Is PRK?

Procedures such as “epi-LASIK” and “LASEK” are forms of PRK: a type of vision correction where the laser treatment is done on top of the eye, instead of under the protective flap of LASIK. PRK is necessary for certain eye conditions where the cornea is too thin to create a protective flap. PRK is a less comfortable procedure than LASIK and can take up to two months to achieve the level of vision that LASIK can deliver in just a day or two but is better, when necessary, than the alternative of wearing contact lenses or glasses.

6. Isn’t All Laser Vision Correction The Same?

No. Many of the discount centers want you to believe that LASIK should be purchased like a commodity and that surgeon experience, laser technology, diagnostic technology and follow-up care don’t 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 carefully, not hastily.

7. What About Nighttime Side-Effects?

You may have seen news stories about people having difficulty driving at night after refractive surgery. Nighttime side-effects can include halos, starbursts, and glare around lights and blurry vision. These effects were mostly reported in the early days of LASIK, and while some night-vision effects can occur today these usually diminish in the first three months as the eye heals. In extreme cases additional touch-up (enhancement) procedures will be recommended.

With the advent of advanced technology such as VISX CustomVue, treatment zones have been expanded and patients who once may not have been candidates for LASIK can now be treated, with fewer nighttime vision complications. In fact, in FDA clinical trials for these advanced technologies, four times as many people were very satisfied with their nighttime vision after all-laser LASIK as were very satisfied with their glasses or contacts. In other words, the chance of long-term night vision problems were greatly reduced due to laser vision correction and the night vision of many people actually improved.

8. Can I Afford LASIK?

Although LASIK is a significant investment, a lifetime of glasses and/ or contact lenses is actually more expensive. An exact quotation is only possible after an examination and consultation, but for most people blade-free LASIK can be less than $100 per month on a payment plan – or around the cost of a daily cup of coffee. In addition to accepting VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover, the Eye Center of Central Georgia offers 0% Interest for up to 18 months payment plans and we can help you work with vision insurance and flexible spending accounts.

9. How Do I Choose a LASIK Surgeon?

Having LASIK is a decision that should not be taken lightly or rushed. Here are some key points to consider:

• Look for a surgeon who utilizes the latest advanced technology. Find one who offers both Blade Free Intralase to make the flap and true ‘Custom’ LASIK.
• Find out whether the surgeon you are considering is a full time LASIK specialist or spends most of his time treating eye disease.
•  Look for a local surgeon who will oversee every step of the procedure and be available if you need immediate attention.
• Ensure you feel at ease with the surgeon and his staff. Satisfy yourself that you have asked all the questions necessary to make an informed decision. Remember, the only ‘dumb’ question is the one you don’t ask. Know that it is always OK to walk away and get a second opinion if you have unanswered questions or uneasy feelings.

Make sure you look for all the indicators of a high quality LASIK practice when comparing LASIK centers. You will definitely see and feel the difference.