LASIK
Has anyone ever gone blind from LASIK?
No. To date, with well over 10 million people in over 52 countries getting LASIK surgery, there has not been one reported case of any patients who have gone blind. However, in interest of full disclosure, in extremely rare cases, there have been complications on record, which required additional surgery to correct the problems. However, this is an extreme exception – the overwhelming number of LASIK surgeries worldwide reports no complications whatsoever.
Is LASIK Certain to work for me?
LASIK has an overwhelming success rate in reducing dependency on glasses and contact lenses. Although you cannot be guaranteed perfect vision, most patients with moderate prescriptions do achieve 20/20 vision or better. The best solution is to schedule a free eye exam with a LASIK Surgeon, which will help you decide if LASIK is right for you.
Please not that there is no way to guarantee 20/20 vision, as every individual is different. However, based on the most recent studies, the LASIK success rate is 100% for 20/30 (meaning you will be able to legally drive without glasses or contacts), 98% for 20/20, and 70% for better than 20/20 vision.
Am I a good candidate for LASIK?
To be a candidate for LASIK, you must meet a few basic criteria. They include being 18 years old, having stable vision in the past year (meaning it hasn’t gotten worse), being in good general health, and not have any diseases such has glaucoma or cataracts.
If you meet the above, you should be a fine candidate for LASIK. However, every person is unique, so the best way to asses if you are a qualified candidate is to schedule a free exam with a LASIK Surgeon. This personal appointment will inform you of the best possible procedures for you, answer every question you have, and, most importantly, allow you to make an informed decision.
Will the procedure hurt?
Most patients find the procedure to be pretty comfortable; to be honest, any discomfort will most likely come from the eyelid holders. The eyelid holder is the instrument that keeps the eye open during the procedure. A Topical Anesthetic drop is used to numb the eye before surgery. You will also be given a mild sedative to help relax you (and the pupil of your eye) before surgery.
Also, like any other medical procedure, you may experience some mild discomfort afterwards. Most patients are usually fine after taking a 4 hour nap. You will also have several drops that you can use to help relieve any irritations or dryness that you may experience after the procedure.
How long is the procedure?
The actual procedure is only about 10-15 minutes long. However, the pre-op and post-op can take up to a few hours. The day of your surgery, your LASIK Surgeon will go over – in detail – how the procedure will go, and re-examine your eyes again to prevent any complications.
Why is LASIK the most common vision correction procedure?
LASIK has very rapid recovery time, and offers the least discomfort to patients. For surgeons it is the most technical surgery to perform, but also provides the best possible results for patients.
Can I have both eyes done on the same day?
Absolutely! LASIK is usually performed on both eyes. However, in very rare cases, it could be deemed that it is more advantageous for you to have your eyes done one at a time. If that is the case, we have several options for you.
LASIK vs. Custom LASIK, how do I know which is better for me?
Custom LASIK is designed to treat higher prescriptions of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and aberrations with new technology that measures the way light travels through your eye. LASIK will most likely be the right choice for most patients, though you may prefer the higher level of customization that Custom LASIK offers. The ultimate decision will be determine by your LASIK Surgeon and yourself. As always, you have every option open to you, and we will make certain you have all the information you need to arrive at the best decision for you.
What are the risks?
There are certain risks with laser vision correction, but clinical studies (and our own success rate) show the chances of having any complications to be extremely minimal. Infections may occur, but are extremely rare and can be easily corrected with medication. The possibility of dislocating your flap is another thing that can happen, but it is also very rare, and is easily corrected by repositioning without suffering any permanent damage.
After the procedure, some symptoms include increased sensitivity to light, glare at night, and fluctuation in vision. Sensitivity to light is usually resolved within a few days by itself, glare at night also usually resolves itself; however, it could take several months to do so. Fluctuation in vision has the potential to stabilize itself, but if it remains to be a problem after 8 weeks, your LASIK Surgeon may perform an enhancement procedure to stabilize your vision and provide you with the best vision possible.
Millions of people have had excellent results from laser vision correction, with no complications at all. Your LASIK Surgeon will discuss these risks with you and make sure that you fully understand them. The ultimate goal is to be able to give you the ability to make an informed decision.
How long does the correction last?
The correction will most likely last you the rest of your life. Previous studies have shown that once the cornea has stop developing, the tissue becomes very stable, especially after modifications. There are rare possibilities that regression may occur over time, and if it should, it can be easily corrected with additional procedures.
Can I drive after the procedure?
No – it is STRONGLY recommended that you do not drive home after the procedure. It is best to arrange travel to and from the medical facility. You will most likely be given a mild sedative that will make you drowsy and you will not know how well your vision will be after the procedure.