 What laser do you use
for LASIK?
Will I be guaranteed 20/20 vision
after surgery?
What if I
move my eyes during surgery?
How long does it take?
How long will my
recovery be?
Will I be in any pain?
Will the treatment be permanent?
Will I ever need
glasses again?
Is
LASIK safe?
Am I a good candidate?
What laser do you use for LASIK?
| We use the
newest generation VISX STAR S3 ACTIVE TRAKTM
Excimer Laser, that incorporates variable beam technology.
This state-of-the-art laser system ensures faster
treatment times and a smoother corneal surface.
Back to top |
Will I be
guaranteed 20/20 vision after surgery?
| The
majority of patients achieve somewhere between 20/20 and
20/40 without glasses or contact lenses. If, after
the first LASIK procedure, the desired result is not fully
attained, a follow-up procedure known as an "enhancement"
may be performed to further refine the result.
Back to top |
What if I
move my eyes during surgery?
| The VISX
STAR S3 ACTIVE TRAKTM
Excimer Laser, implements an advanced infrared tracking
system to track the eye, and instantly tracks and responds
to any eye movement. If your eye moves outside the
range of the tracker, the procedure is immediately
suspended until normal conditions can be restored.
This ensures safe and precise treatment.
Back to top |
How long does it take?
| The LASIK
procedure itself usually takes less than a minute.
While preparing the eye and positioning the laser take
some time, the total time for a single eye is usually
around 15 minutes.
Back to top |
How long will my recovery be?
| Recovery times
from LASIK vary based on each individual's own healing
time. A nap immediately following the procedure is
advisable to allow your eyes to rest. Almost
everyone experiences some dryness in the eyes and
fluctuating vision in the days following the procedure,
but most people are able to return to work and normal
activities the next day.
Back to top |
Will I be in
any pain?
| During the
LASIK procedure the patient is awake
and comfortable. The eye is numbed using "eye drop"
anesthesia and the patient may feel pressure
but not pain. After the procedure it is typical that patients experience some
discomfort such as itchiness, dryness, or watery eyes, but
these symptoms usually disappear in the following days. Normally, the patient is given eye drop
medication to help control any such discomfort they might
experience.
Back to top |
Will the
treatment be permanent?
| The cornea
is reshaped during the LASIK procedure. Unless the
prescription of the eye changes due to other internal or
health factors (genetic factors, diabetes, cataracts,
etc.), the vision correction will be permanent.
Back to top |
Will I ever
need glasses again?
| Since most
patients achieve 20/40 vision or better, the need for
glasses under normal conditions is virtually eliminated. Some patients
continue to use glasses in specific circumstances such as
night driving. Most people (whether or not they
have had LASIK) will need reading glasses as they reach
middle age.
Back to top |
Is LASIK
safe?
| Over 2
million LASIK procedures have been performed in the United
States since 1996. While no surgery is completely
risk-free, the LASIK procedure is remarkably safe and
successful. Nationwide, less than one percent of
patients have experienced any kind of serious
vision-threatening complications.
Back to top |
Am I a good
candidate?
|
The ideal candidate for
LASIK: |
•
•
•
|
has healthy eyes, free from disease or injuries
has had stable vision for one year
is at least 18 years of age |
A quick screening can determine if your vision is within
the acceptable corrective range for LASIK. People
with certain medical conditions or women who are pregnant
may not be good candidates for LASIK.
|
Back to top
|
|
Bart A. Adams, MD
