CONSIDERING LASIK SURGERY?
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

If you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, you know that swimming, wearing nonprescription sunglasses, reading, and sometimes just looking your best can be a challenge if not impossible. Fortunately, laser vision correction surgery has improved the lives of millions of former eyeglasses and contact lens wearers worldwide. The most popular procedure, LASIK surgery, has been successfully performed on millions for several years. And with technological advancements over the last decade, millions more are posed to take advantage of this life-changing procedure.

What is LASIK

LASIK (Laser In Situ Keratomileusis) is a laser-based, FDA approved vision correction procedure used to eliminate or reduce the need for contacts and/or eyeglasses due to nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.  Its use of a laser offers a level of precision and accuracy not available in other procedures. LASIK is vision correction surgery, and at Advanced EyeCare Medical Center, it’s performed by Dr. Renee Bovelle, a board-certified ophthalmologist during a short procedure that generally lasts no more than a few minutes per eye. This laser procedure is safely performed most often in the physician’s office without the need for a hospital stay.

LASIK is not the first laser vision correction surgery, but it’s the most common form in the United States due to its superior results for patients. In fact, about 95% of LASIK patients can see 20/40 or better once their vision has completely recovered. The key reasons for its popularity among patients in the U.S. are:

• Quick visual recovery time
• Surgery performed simultaneously on both eyes
• Minimal discomfort after surgery
• Smaller risk of side effects like corneal haze or scarring
• Safety

Types of LASIK surgery

There are two types of LASIK surgery:  Microkeratome and Intralase.  In both types, step one is that the surgeon must gain access to the patient’s cornea before the laser vision correction can be completed.  There are two methods of access that determine which type of LASIK will be performed.

The Microkeratome is a hand-held, automated microsurgical instrument that is attached to the eye to gain access to the cornea. This device houses a metal blade to gain access to the cornea and has produced excellent results in the hands of skilled surgeons worldwide.

With Intralase, a computer-guided laser is used to gain access to the cornea by placing thousand of bubbles in the central cornea that expand. It eliminates the need for a blade and gives many patients more confidence when considering laser vision correction.

In step two, which is the same for Microkeratome or Intralase, the surgeon will re-shape your cornea with the laser based on the unique characteristics of your eyes. The entire procedure takes approximately ten minutes with little or no discomfort.

What to expect after the surgery

You can resume most normal activities within a day, including work. It is common to experience mild discomfort within the first 2-3 days after the surgery but patients are placed on eye drops to ease any discomfort. Only 5% of patients have more significant pain that requires pain pills. Most patients have good vision within 3 – 4 days and full vision recovery within weeks or months. 

Side effects are minimal but may include double vision, shadows, light sensitivity, mild pain or swelling that lasts up to a week. In extremely rare cases, vision may be blurred which may last for months.

Costs

LASIK costs are reasonable. They range from $1500 per eye for the standard Microkeratome procedure to $2400 per eye for the custom Intralase procedure. Financing for Advanced Eye Care Medical Center patients is available from Capital One Healthcare Finance, CareCredit, and Unicorn Financial.   ( Put something in here about Flex account  and no interest with specials are avialiable from time to time)

Candidates for LASIK

Are you a candidate for LASIK? If you’re 21 years old or older, and you’re nearsighted, farsighted, or have a form of astigmatism, you may be a candidate for this life-changing procedure. Currently, more than 94% of persons 21 years old or older with vision errors in the U.S. are potential candidates for LASIK. Persons with  uncontrolled diabetes, severe allergies, or some other health conditions may not be candidates. A consultation with an eye care physician is the best way to determine if, based on your particular situation, you would be a good candidate for the LASIK procedure.

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