Does LASIK hurt?
The laser procedure itself does not hurt. A slight pressure may be felt during the procedure. There is, however, the possibility of discomfort to some degree after the procedure for approximately 2 to 3 days. The discomfort is usually mild and does not require medication.
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Can you guarantee me 20/20 vision?
We cannot guarantee a certain result from the surgery, but we can accurately predict the probability of you achieving 20/20 vision. 95% of our patients with low or moderate ranges of myopia and/or astigmatism achieve normal or near normal natural vision from just one surgery. For those who do not achieve this quality of vision from one surgery, enhancement surgery can usually give the rest of the desired correction. There is no extra charge for necessary enhancement surgeries for a period of 90 days from surgery date at Nationwide Vision Laser and Eye Center.
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What are the risks and side effects of PRK?
As with any surgical procedure, PRK laser surgery has some possible risks. Serious complications are very rare. The greatest risk is that of infection, but its occurrence is extremely infrequent. Even if it develops, infection can usually be cleared effectively with medications. Other possible complications include scarring, induced astigmatism, and an over or under correction. Most, but not all, complications are treatable with medications or further surgery. Other possible risks and side effects include:
In most cases, these effects are temporary and disappear as the eye heals. Occasionally, some may persist. As with any procedure it is impossible to create an exhaustive list of possible complications, but these issues will be thoroughly discussed with you during your consultation.
As with any procedure it is impossible to create an exhaustive list of possible complications, but these issues will be thoroughly discussed with you during your consultation.
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Is this procedure permanent?
The laser procedure should last for the rest of your life. Medical experience shows that once the cornea has been modified, it tends to stay modified permanently. There are rare cases of regression, which may be corrected with further surgery, but the vast majority of corrected eyes continue to stay in focus. You may however, through the natural process of aging, develop a cataract late in life that will need cataract surgery. If this occurs your cataract surgery will be the same as in a person who did not have laser surgery.
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Can both eyes be done the same day?
Yes, in most cases. This is considered on a per case basis.
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When can I drive?
A patient is legal to drive with one eye seeing 20/40 or better, however, a patient should refrain from driving until they feel comfortable with the vision in their operated eye. This level of vision is typically achieved on the first day after surgery, but this must be assessed on an individual basis.
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When can I return to work?
Generally speaking, a LASIK patient can return to work in 1 to 2 days post-operatively. If a patient has had bilateral PRK, however, this may be extended for up to 1-2 weeks.
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If I need to, can I wear contacts after surgery?
Most patients will not need to wear contacts after surgery, but as long as the curvature of the cornea is within a normal range, there should be little difficulty wearing contacts after surgery.
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What is an enhancement?
The majority of patients at Nationwide Vision Laser and Eye Center receive their entire refractive correction in one treatment session. For the minority of patients who do not, an enhancement procedure is usually possible. An enhancement is simply a second treatment done to "fine tune" the results. Enhancements are more common in people with higher refractive corrections.
An advantage of LASIK is that enhancements can be performed without having to re-cut the corneal flap. For several months after the initial LASIK procedure, the surgeon can use specially designed instruments to identify and lift the flap thus accessing the central cornea for reshaping with the laser.
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