How long does the procedure take?

The total time you are at our center is usually less than 1 hour.  The procedure itself usually takes about 5 minutes per eye.

Do I need time off work?

Following LASIK, most patients return to work the day after the procedure.  With PRK, the recovery time may be a little longer.

Will it hurt?

There is no pain during any of the laser vision correction procedures since anesthetic drops numb the eyes.  A relaxation pill is also given prior to the procedure to help relieve anxiety.  The only discomfort that may be experienced is a slight pressure sensation lasting about 20 seconds, while the Intralase laser creates the corneal flap.  After LASIK you might experience slight irritation, a burning sensation, or increased tearing for 2 to 4 hours.  We encourage our patients to rest or sleep during this period of time.  If needed, an over the counter pain reliever should be all that is needed to relieve this discomfort.  PRK patients may experience more post-operative discomfort for 3 to 5 days following the procedure. 

What about night time side effects?

You have probably heard stories about patients having trouble with driving at night after refractive surgery.  Night time side effects may include halos around lights, glare or starbursts.   Most of these resolve over the first few weeks as the eye heals.  In some cases they may be caused by over correction, under correction, or residual astigmatism.  If this is the case and the side effects do not resolve on their own, a “touch up” or enhancement may be recommended.

Another possible cause of night time side effects is the pupil size.  In the dark, the pupil expands to let in more light.  If a patient has a large pupil, the pupil may expand to a size larger than the treatment area.  The light coming in through the peripheral cornea beyond the treatment area will be out of focus.  However, today’s improved laser technology has expanded the treatment area to go beyond most large sized pupils. Patients who at one time were not candidates because of  pupil size, are now able to have laser vision correction with less risk of glare and halos.

Has anyone ever gone blind because of LASIK?

Approximately 1.5 million people a year in the United States choose to undergo the LASIK procedure.  We know of no recorded incidence of anyone losing their eyesight due to this procedure.

Is laser vision correction safe?

There are possible risks with any surgical procedure.  Serious complications with LASIK or PRK are very rare today.  Many of the risks and complications associated with this procedure can be reduced or eliminated with careful patient screening and thorough pre-operative testing using the latest diagnostic technology.  This pre-screening combined with a highly experienced surgeon and staff dramatically increases your chances for success.

After laser vision correction you may experience some mild temporary side effects.  These most often diminish in a few days to a few weeks. If, after a thorough exam, we decide that you are a good candidate for laser vision correction, you will be given additional information about the procedure and what you can expect based on your specific treatment.  This will help you to make an informed decision about whether to proceed.

Will laser vision correction give me 20/20 vision?

The goal of any refractive surgical procedure is to reduce your dependence on glasses and contacts.
If you have correctable 20/20 vision with your glasses or contacts, you have the potential to achieve 20/20 with laser vision correction. 

Do you treat one eye at a time?

In most cases both eyes are treated the same day.  In some circumstances, or certain procedures, we will treat one eye at a time.
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