Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Am I a good candidate for LASIK?
A: You'll need to undergo a thorough exam from your eye doctor or one of LASIK's consultants before you this can be answered. To be eligible for the procedure, you must be 18 years old, have good eye health, and be in good overall health. LASIK is intended to treat a wide range of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
During your eye exam, your doctor will confirm if you're eligible, explain the surgery, and answer any questions you have. Your doctor will also examine your eyes and measure your prescription and explain what you can results you can reasonably expect after the procedure. The Laser Eye Centers have a record of providing each patient the highest quality of care possible, and many people choose Laser Eye Centers based upon our outstanding reputation.
During your eye exam, your doctor will confirm if you're eligible, explain the surgery, and answer any questions you have. Your doctor will also examine your eyes and measure your prescription and explain what you can results you can reasonably expect after the procedure. The Laser Eye Centers have a record of providing each patient the highest quality of care possible, and many people choose Laser Eye Centers based upon our outstanding reputation.
Q: What is Custom LASIK?
A: CustomLASIK involves the use of a Wavefront Analyzer - a special device that allows the surgeon to tailor the traditional procedure to your individual eye, and create a map that the laser will follow. This customized procedure can result in patients seeing clearer and sharper than ever before.
Q: What's the different between Custom and Conventional LASIK?
A: In CustomLASIK, the Wavefront Analyzer is used to measure contours of your cornea and how light passes through your eye. Based on this measurement, a map is created and programmed into the laser, and your eye is corrected based upon that map. CustomLASIK can also help to treat "higher order" aberrations: imperfections in your eye that have a negative impact on your vision. Higher order aberrations were not previously treatable before CustomLASIK.
While Conventional LASIK is still popular, CustomLASIK has really become the procedure of choice because of the individualized care. You can trust your LASIK eye care professional to help you decide which procedure is best for you.
While Conventional LASIK is still popular, CustomLASIK has really become the procedure of choice because of the individualized care. You can trust your LASIK eye care professional to help you decide which procedure is best for you.
Q: What can LASIK do for me?
A: LASIK - both Conventional and Custom, has been extremely successful in reducing dependency on glasses and contact lenses. While Laser Eye Centers cannot guarantee perfect vision to any of our patients, most mild to moderate prescriptions go on to attain close to (or better than) 20/20 vision, and the need for glasses or contacts in most cases is gone.
CustomLASIK is an exciting development in this field because patients who did not previously qualify for LASIK are often are good candidates for CustomLASIK. Extensive clinical studies have shown that CustomLASIK can improve not only what you can see - but how well you can see it. Before CustomLASIK, vision was measured using a standard eye chart. The doctor would assign you a number such as 20/20 to classify your vision based on how well you could see the letters on the chart. With CustomLASIK, doctors can focus on the quality of your vision - not just the quantity. Many patients who have had CustomLASIK are able to see better than they ever have before.
Furthermore, because the Custom procedure corrects the slight imperfections in each individual's eye, night vision will also likely be improved. LASIK has an extensive network of clinics and because tens of thousands of successful procedures have been completed by the LASIK network, we are able to gain knowledge and continually fine-tune the techniques that keep LASIK on the cutting edge of technology. Laser Eye Centers stand behind its patients' distance vision results for life because we have confidence in the stability of results over the long-term. The LASIK Lifetime Commitment SM program ensures free enhancement procedures for life for qualified nearsighted patients - and this commitment will be honored by any LASIK location in North America.
Furthermore, because the Custom procedure corrects the slight imperfections in each individual's eye, night vision will also likely be improved. LASIK has an extensive network of clinics and because tens of thousands of successful procedures have been completed by the LASIK network, we are able to gain knowledge and continually fine-tune the techniques that keep LASIK on the cutting edge of technology. Laser Eye Centers stand behind its patients' distance vision results for life because we have confidence in the stability of results over the long-term. The LASIK Lifetime Commitment SM program ensures free enhancement procedures for life for qualified nearsighted patients - and this commitment will be honored by any LASIK location in North America.
Q: How do I decide which procedure I should have?
A: Your doctor or a LASIK surgeon is really the only one that can consult you on this. Most patients now choose CustomLASIK because of the level of individual customization, but Conventional LASIK is still popular, and less pricey. During your initial eye exam, ask your doctor which procedure he or she recommends.
Q: What does LASIK cost?
A: The cost of your surgery will be discussed during your initial exam. It is important to understand the technology needed for your individual condition, and level of correction required before a cost can be calculated. CustomLASIK is typically more expensive than Conventional LASIK because it is performed using some of the most advanced technology in the vision industry. However, LASIK does offer several payment options to patients who want the surgery.
Q: Does the procedure hurt?
A: Most patients do not describe the procedure as painful - but uncomfortable. Often, the anxiety and the fear of the unknown is cause for discomfort, and the procedure itself is pretty painless. You will receive anesthetic drops in your eyes prior to the surgery, and you also may be given a mild sedative, in the event that you feel you need it. After your procedure, your eyes may feel irritated or dry, but a short nap should ease the discomfort. You'll also be given drops for any dryness you may experience after the surgery.
Q: What can I expect with recovery?
A: Most LASIK patients usually see clearly 1-2 days following the procedure. Patients with higher prescriptions may need additional time to recover but most patients will be seeing clearly within a week following their procedure. Remember, each case is unique and everyone's healing process is different.
Q: What are the risks?
A: There are a few risks, as there would be with any major procedure. However, millions of patients are ecstatic with the results from laser vision correction, and very few vision-impairing risks occur. Some procedure complications can include dryness, night glare, under or over-correction, complications in making the surgical flap, and loss of best-corrected vision. At Laser Eye Centers, these and other risks of the surgery are discussed completely prior to the surgery to assure that each patient is making a well-informed decision about the procedure. We proceed with the surgery only when it is medically advisable to do so. Additionally, extensive care post-op care will help to identify and address any other potential complications that could arise after the surgery. The best way to prevent complications is to choose a surgeon who is experienced and respected in the community. This is one of the advantages of choosing Laser Eye Centers. LASIK Network is careful to affiliate themselves with only the most knowledgeable eye care professionals.