Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Am I a good candidate for LASIK?
A: A thorough exam from your eye doctor will be necessary before this question can be answered. To be a candidate, you must be 18 years of age, in good general health, and have good eye health (meaning no glaucoma or cataracts). The LASIK procedure intended to treat a wide range of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
Through your initial eye exam with your eye doctor your doctor will confirm if you're a candidate, explain the surgery, and answer any questions you may have about LASIK. He or she will also measure your prescription and examine your eyes - and explain what you can results you can reasonably expect.
Through your initial eye exam with your eye doctor your doctor will confirm if you're a candidate, explain the surgery, and answer any questions you may have about LASIK. He or she will also measure your prescription and examine your eyes - and explain what you can results you can reasonably expect.
Q: What is Custom LASIK?
A: The CustomLASIK procedure involves the use of an apparatus called a wavefront analyzer. The Wavefront Analyzer allows the surgeon to customize the traditional procedure to your individual eyes, based on a map of your eye that the analyzer produces. This tailored 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, a wavefront analyzer is used to measure how light passes through your eye and contours of your cornea. A map of your eye is created and programmed into the laser, and your eye is reshaped based upon that map. CustomLASIK can also help to treat "higher order" aberrations: slight imperfections in your eye that have a negative impact on your vision. Before CustomLASIK, higher order aberrations were not treatable.
You can trust your LASIK eye care professional to help you decide which procedure is best for you.
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. Most patients with mild to moderate prescriptions go on to obtain close to 20/20 vision, and the need for glasses or contacts in most cases is gone.
CustomLASIK is an exciting progression in the field of laser vision correction. Patients who did not previously qualify for LASIK now often are good candidates for the CustomLASIK procedure. Extensive clinical studies have shown that CustomLASIK can improve not only what you can see - but how well you can see it. Previously, vision was measured solely using a standard eye chart. The doctor would assign you a number (like, 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 clearer than they ever have before. Furthermore, because the Custom procedure corrects each individual's eye, it is likely that night vision will be improved. Because of the extensive network of LASIK clinics and the shear number of procedures completed successfully, we are able to gain knowledge and continually fine-tune the techniques that give you hope of seeing more clearly. 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 a free enhancement procedure for life for qualified nearsighted patients - and this commitment will be honored by any Laser Eye Centers location in North America.
CustomLASIK is an exciting progression in the field of laser vision correction. Patients who did not previously qualify for LASIK now often are good candidates for the CustomLASIK procedure. Extensive clinical studies have shown that CustomLASIK can improve not only what you can see - but how well you can see it. Previously, vision was measured solely using a standard eye chart. The doctor would assign you a number (like, 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 clearer than they ever have before. Furthermore, because the Custom procedure corrects each individual's eye, it is likely that night vision will be improved. Because of the extensive network of LASIK clinics and the shear number of procedures completed successfully, we are able to gain knowledge and continually fine-tune the techniques that give you hope of seeing more clearly. 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 a free enhancement procedure for life for qualified nearsighted patients - and this commitment will be honored by any Laser Eye Centers location in North America.
Q: How do I decide which procedure I should have?
A: Your eye doctor is the best person to answer this. Today, most patients choose CustomLASIK because of the level of individual customization. But you should schedule a Free Consultation to determine which procedure you should get.
Q: What does LASIK cost?
A: Several factors will determine the overall cost of the surgery - and this will be assessed during your initial exam. The cost of the procedure is determined by the technology needed for your individual condition, and level of correction required. CustomLASIK is typically greater than the cost of Conventional LASIK because CustomLASIK is performed using some of the most advanced technology in the vision industry. However, the LASIK Network does have several payment options patients who want the surgery.
Q: Does the procedure hurt?
A: Some patients find the procedure to be uncomfortable - but not necessarily painful. Often, the anxiety and the fear of the unknown is cause for discomfort, and the procedure itself is relatively painless. Numbing drops are applied to your eyes prior to surgery, and you also may be given a mild sedative, should you feel that you need it. After your procedure, your eyes may feel irritated or dry for a few hours, but most patients feel better after taking a nap and resting the eyes. 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 within 24 hours following their surgery. Patients with higher prescriptions may need additional time to recover - but typically only a matter of days. Although the speed of actual recovery depends on each individual person, most patients will be seeing clearly within a week following their procedure.
Q: What are the risks?
A: While the chance of having a vision reducing complication is minimal, there are a few risks, as there would be with any major procedure. However, millions of patients are thrilled with the results from laser vision correction. To be aware, some potential 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 thoroughly before surgery to assist each patient in 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 following your procedure will help to identify and address any 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. LASIK Network is careful to affiliate themselves with only the most knowledgeable eye care professionals.