The LASIK Procedure
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What does LASIK mean?
LASIK LASIK:
is an acronym for laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis. It's
a surgical procedure in which an
excimer laser
Excimer
laser:
beam works within your eye's corneal tissue
under a protective flap to "reshape" the cornea,
Cornea:
thereby changing
where images focus on the retina. Many common vision problems, such as
farsightedness
Farsightedness:
and
nearsightedness,
Nearsightedness:
occur because of the length of the
eye or the shape of the cornea, which prevent the images from focusing on the retina
in the correct place.
Are there surgical options other than LASIK for correcting my vision problems?
Yes. In addition to LASIK, there are other procedures available, one of which is
PRK
PRK:
(Photorefractive Keratectomy). OptiLASIK® Laser Vision Correction does not
offer this procedure.
How do I know if I'm a good candidate for LASIK?
Only a qualified eye care specialist can confirm, based on a comprehensive pre-operative
examination, if you are a candidate for laser vision correction.
How is LASIK done?
A
refractive surgeon
Refractive
surgeon:
performs the LASIK
procedure. He or she uses a surgical device to create a small corneal flap. This
protective flap is folded back to expose a small area of your cornea onto which
a laser beam is applied to reshape the cornea. The reshaping helps correct vision
problems by changing the curvature of the cornea. For more on customized LASIK,
read about OptiLASIK®
Laser Vision Correction.
If I need reading glasses now, will I still need them after LASIK?
In all likelihood, yes. Most people who wear reading glasses continue to need them
even after LASIK. The reason? They likely suffer from presbyopia,
Presbyopia:
a physiological visual condition occurring with age.
There is a treatment approach called monovision,
Monovision:
in which one eye is left slightly nearsighted for reading,
and the other eye is treated for distance vision. Surgeons may choose to use this
procedure based on individual patient needs.
I've heard that some people need reading glasses after LASIK even though they
didn't need them before. Is this true?
Some people may start to need reading glasses following LASIK, particularly if they
were relying on nearsightedness to read without glasses, prior to surgery. They
probably suffer from presbyopia, a physiological visual condition occurring with
age.
If I need to wear contacts after laser eye surgery, will I be able to?
Immediately following the LASIK procedure, you should only wear eyeglasses, because
contact lenses might interfere with the natural healing process. As your eyes heal,
you should be able to wear contact lenses again if desired. Check with your doctor
to learn what you can and can't do regarding contacts after LASIK. Read
After the Procedure to understand more.
If LASIK does not correct my vision, what is the possibility that my glasses will
need to be stronger than before?
Some people have had their vision worsen slightly, requiring a slight increase in
the strength of their eyeglass prescription. This is not common, but it is a risk
when you have LASIK surgery.
I've heard that some people need to have a second surgery. Why does this happen?
Because every patient heals differently, some patients may benefit from a second
procedure. Your surgeon will determine if further improvement of your vision is
possible, and he or she may advise a second procedure, sometimes called an enhancement,
or retreatment.
I've heard that some people only have one eye corrected. Why is that?
In this mode of treatment, called monovision, one eye is left slightly nearsighted
for reading. The other eye is treated for distance vision. In time, the 2 eyes will
work together, with good vision in the distance and close up. If this is an option
for you, your doctor may have you wear a contact lens first, to simulate the result
before having the procedure. Your doctor can help you decide if this procedure is
right for you. OptiLASIK® Laser Vision Correction
is not approved for monovision.
What should I expect from my first consultation with my doctor?
If you do not have the results of a recent vision test, your doctor will conduct
one to determine your current vision both with and without your eyeglasses or contact
lenses. If you're a candidate for a LASIK procedure, your doctor will run special
tests to obtain very detailed information about the surface of your eyes.
What happens on the day of the procedure?
You should ask your doctor to explain the day's events to you since each doctor
works a bit differently. We also provide you with a detailed, step-by-step look
at the LASIK procedure.
Will LASIK hurt?
Most people may feel some mild discomfort during or after the surgery. Because your
eyes are "numbed" with eye drops before the procedure, you may not feel pain during
your LASIK procedure. During the creation of the corneal flap, you may feel some
pressure. The application of the actual laser beam should also be painless.
There are no stitches involved. Instead, the corneal flap
Corneal
flap:
is simply laid back into place and it adheres to
the rest of the cornea.
Do I need to have laser eye surgery performed on both eyes at the same time?
There may be reasons why only one eye is corrected, your laser vision correction
surgeon can discuss this option with you. Most patients prefer to have both eyes
treated at the same time. If both eyes are not treated on the same day, the second
eye can often be done within days of the first.
Will I need to limit my activities after LASIK?
Yes, and you should discuss this with your doctor. You will probably need to limit
only the most strenuous activities, and probably just for the first few days or
weeks following the procedure. (Remember, you should not drive a car immediately
after the procedure.) You should be able to return to work within a few days
following the procedure, unless your job might cause injury to your eyes
before they are completely healed. Many people even return to work the next day.
What kind of vision can I expect in the first few days following surgery? Or, in
the first few months?
In the first few days after surgery, your vision may actually be
a bit more blurry than usual, and you may be sensitive to bright light. This is
because the cornea is still healing after the surgery. In addition, your eyes will
probably feel dry for a few weeks following surgery. As the cornea heals, the dryness,
blurring, and sensitivity to light should diminish. Your vision may also continue
to improve over the first few weeks. All of these symptoms are common when
recovering from LASIK surgery.
Choosing a LASIK Doctor
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How can I find a LASIK surgeon in my area?
Choose your doctor carefully. Select a surgeon who willingly answers all of your
questions, who you feel comfortable with, and who puts you at ease. We've provided
some guidelines for choosing your doctor.
How do I choose a doctor?
You may want to talk to people who have had the procedure and ask for their recommendations.
You may also want to consult your regular eye care specialist for advice and a referral
to a laser vision correction specialist. You can also check with national or local
associations to find accredited, licensed laser vision correction specialists in
your area. For more detailed information and help, including what specifically you
should look for, see Choosing a Specialist.
Can only a laser vision correction specialist perform the procedure?
Yes, surgeons who perform laser vision correction surgery must be trained on the
use of laser equipment to perform this kind of vision correction. Medical licensing
is in most cases done by local, state, or national medical boards. Many laser vision
correction surgeons are also qualified to perform any eye surgery, including other
corrective procedures.
How are doctors trained to perform laser vision correction surgery?
Schools of ophthalmic medicine offer courses in these procedures. In addition, all
physicians are required to participate in continuing educational opportunities each
year by their state medical board, which is responsible for issuing and controlling
medical licenses. Refractive surgeons, who perform laser vision correction, typically
receive training on the laser system they use as well. When evaluating surgeons,
be sure to ask about their level of training and experience before selecting one
to perform your surgery.
Why do some doctors charge more than others?
There are various reasons for this.
- Some surgeons' costs are greater than others, since costs associated with different
areas of the country
(and even different parts of cities) vary.
- Reputation, skill, and experience of the surgeon also may be factored into the price.
- There are differences in equipment costs. Surgeons and laser vision correction centers
need to pay more for advanced, state-of-the-art technology.
- Some quoted costs may only be for very low prescriptions or they may not include
consultations and follow-up visits.
- The amount of time a surgeon devotes to each patient varies. If the surgeon is present
at all consultations, procedures, and tests, it may add to the cost.
Remember, these are your eyes and cost should not be your primary consideration.
You'll want to be mindful of all of these issues when choosing your doctor, and
be sure to fully understand what services are included in your surgeon's price.
How much does laser vision correction cost?
LASIK surgery costs are established by your doctor or laser vision clinic. You can
expect to pay between $1,600 and $2,300 per eye depending on the procedure that
is chosen by your doctor.
LASIK surgery costs are established by your doctor or laser vision clinic. You can
expect to pay between $1,600 and $2,300 per eye depending on the procedure that
is chosen by your doctor.
Overall, since these are your eyes, price should not be the only, or most important,
factor in your choice of laser vision correction specialists. You should consider
the quality and value of the service you will receive. Remember that this
is an elective medical procedure; for that reason, most health insurance plans do
not cover this expense. But you may not have to pay the entire cost at the time
of the procedure. Most laser vision correction surgeons and centers accept credit
cards, and many even offer financing so you can extend payments.
Does my health insurance cover laser vision correction?
In most instances, health insurance plans do not cover laser vision correction,
because it is an elective procedure, meaning that the patient chooses to have it
performed. However, there are some insurance policies that do cover the surgery,
so be sure to check with your insurance provider. You should also check with
your doctor regarding financing your
laser vision correction procedure.
I can't pay for laser vision correction all at once. Is there some form of financing
available?
There is usually no need to pay for the procedure all at once. Most laser
vision correction surgeons or centers honor major credit cards and offer financing
programs, which let you pay for the procedure in installments.
Your Safety
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How safe is this procedure?
The
FDA
FDA:
has approved laser eye surgery systems for the correction of various vision problems.
Check with your doctor to learn whether or not a system is approved for your
particular vision correction needs. In order for these systems to receive approval
from the FDA, controlled clinical trials were conducted in the United States to
evaluate the safety of laser vision correction procedures. As with any surgical
procedure, there are certain safety issues and risks,
and you should make sure to learn about them if you are contemplating laser eye
surgery.
Does the government regulate laser eye surgery?
The FDA does not monitor each procedure or physician practice. However, the government
does require the licensing of surgeons through state and local agencies. The
FDA regulates medical products and equipment used for procedures, by requiring
clinical trials and reviewing manufacturing information. The government also requires
that the safety and effectiveness for each laser be established through an approval
process. The FDA maintains a LASIK surgery Web site that provides more information.
How could LASIK affect my night vision?
In the first few days following laser vision correction, some patients find seeing
at night difficult, or they see
halos Halos:
or glare with very bright light. Individual results vary, but in most cases
these conditions are temporary and will disappear as the eyes undergo
a natural healing process. However, some patients continue to experience night vision
problems long term. This is one of the risks of LASIK
surgery.
Can I get an infection from a laser vision correction procedure such as LASIK?
Yes. As with any surgical procedure, there is always a slight risk of infection.
However, the laser beam itself cannot transmit infection. After the procedure,
your doctor will probably provide you with prescription eye drops to guard against
any post-procedure infection. If you use these drops as directed by your doctor,
your risk of infection is slim.