FAQ’s

Will I lose my sight?

In fact, no patients in any FDA test or any of my own patients have ever had a significant decrease in vision resulting from excimer laser treatment. If it were to occur, the vision can be restored by a repeat laser procedure or an additional surgery.

Can I really eliminate my glasses completely?

The answer is YES and NO. Greater than 99% of my patients do not need glasses to pass a drivers license test; however, sometime after the age of forty all of us will need glasses to read. In some cases I correct one eye to read more clearly than the other eye does and thereby totally eliminate the need for glasses.

[Top]

Will I have to be without my contact lenses?

Depending upon the type of soft contact lens that you wear, this may be as short as one or two weeks. Rigid gas permeable contacts lens wearers need to stop wearing them for a minimum of two weeks. In all cases, I will not proceed until I am sure that your corneal and visual measurements are stable. The information that is put into the laser computer is dependent on the absolute accuracy of these readings.

[Top]

What are the long-term results of laser vision correction?

Excimer laser surgery had been performed since the 1980s. Long-term results show that this surgery is stable and that the health of the eye is not jeopardized. LASIK really lasts!

[Top]

Will it hurt?

LASIK is virtually painless. During the procedure I administer topical anesthetic eye drops to numb your eye. After the procedure is completed and when the effect of the drops wears off, you are left with a slight dry feeling. You are given a pair of dark goggles to wear and I recommend that you relax and keep your eyes closed for four hours after the procedure. This minimizes any further discomfort.

[Top]

What if I blink or move during the procedure?

Your eye is kept open by an eyelid retractor. Should you accidentally move I discontinue the laser treatment until I feel that it is safe to finish. I am holding your head and talking to you-so you can be confident that I am in total control of the beams' application.

[Top]

What will I experience during the actual procedure?

The laser beam is an invisible ultraviolet light that is applied to your eye from anywhere between five seconds to sixty seconds, depending on your prescription. All you are required to do is to look at a flashing light.

[Top]

What are my responsibilities after the surgery?

Immediately following the procedure, you should keep your eyes closed (take a nap) for four hours. Use medicated eye drops as prescribed. You should protect your eyes from rubbing, poking and scratching by wearing the goggles. The goggles also provide a moisture chamber for your eyes. You should avoid contact sports and swimming for four weeks. Post-operative visits are scheduled within the first 24 hours and again on day six or seven.

[Top]

Are there any common problems that are encountered after the procedure?

Some patients report some minor fluctuations in their vision usually associated with mild dryness. I have all my patients' use lubricating eye drops for 3 or 4 weeks. Some patients experience minor halos or 'starbursting' at night but these usually disappear within the first few months.

[Top]

Will my eyes look different?

Your eyes will look exactly the same. With LASIK there are extremely faint scars on the cornea that can only be seen with magnification.

[Top]

Will I need a "touch up"/enhancement?

Approximately 4% of my patients will return for a touch up. I do this when I believe that I can safely and substantially improve the final visual result. This is performed at no charge during the first year. The national average for "touch ups" is approximately 15-20%. 

[Top]