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LASIK Questions & Answers
Have a question that isn't listed? Please feel free to
ask our staff.
Does your clinic offer LASIK?
Yes, Drs. Bridgewater and Chrisagis actively offer LASIK refractive surgery to their to patients. They provide an independent resource for LASIK information, free consultations and pre-operative evaluations to help determine LASIK suitability, referrals to a surgeon specifically selected for each case, and post-operative care, all in a convenient, local location.
What are the long-term effects of laser vision correction?
Extensive research was conducted prior to the FDA granting approval for the procedure. There is no evidence of inherent short or long-term corneal damage from use of the excimer laser to reshape the cornea. (top)
Is laser vision correction permanent?
Yes, the laser gently reshapes the curvature of the cornea to correct distance vision and astigmatism. In our experience, the effects of LASIK don't regress, though the need for an enhancement for under or over correction is a possibility (approximately 5-10% of patients). (top)
What is the success rate of laser vision correction (LASIK)?
Based on industry estimates and our experience, we expect 98% of our patients to be at least 20/40 or better and over 87% to be 20/20 or better after LASIK surgery. While we cannot guarantee exact results, we only recommend surgeons with excellent surgical and patient care reputations and success rates. (top)
What does LASIK cost?
A LASIK procedure is an investment; one with an excellent return. Think of the freedom you will achieve and the hassles you'll no longer deal with (lost contacts, broken glasses). Consider the money you'll save long-term on solutions and new prescriptions?
In the valley, real costs generally range between $1,000 and $2,000 per eye, with an average of $1,700 for professional centers, using the most advanced surgical equipment. If you're comparing prices please make sure you understand the total costs, for your case. You should carefully review what's included in the quoted price, such as:
- LASIK Consultation (most good centers offer free consultations)
- Full Eye Exam
- Type of Laser
- Completed Procedure
- Facility Fee
- Postoperative care for six months after surgery
- Interim visits if needed and related to LASIK
Are there payment plans available?
Most surgical centers offer convenient and affordable financing plans. Generally, LASIK can fit just about any budget. Common options include 6 months same as cash and longer term plans up to 48 months, with approximate payments as low as $51 a month. (top)
How about insurance coverage?
LASIK is not a covered benefit with most insurance plans. In some cases, insurance programs cover a portion of the total cost or offer discounts from standard fees. Bring your insurance information with you and one of our staff members will be happy to review your LASIK coverage. (top)
Is the LASIK procedure painful?
Most people report feeling a little pressure around the eye, but it is not painful and only lasts a few seconds. Before the procedure begins, numbing eye drops are used, so there is no pain. Post-operatively, some patients have described a discomfort, similar to an eyelash being in the eye. There may be some minor irritation during the first several hours after the procedure. You will be asked to rest after the surgery, and when you awaken, you can expect your vision to be improved and your eyes to be comfortable. Most patients say their eyes feel normal by the next day. (top)
Is anesthesia or other medicine used for the procedure?
A mild sedative is used before surgery to produce a calming effect (it will not put you to sleep). Just prior to the surgery numbing drops are used. (top)
What is the healing time?
Healing will begin overnight. It is very important to rest immediately after surgery and to keep your eyes closed as much as possible. A follow-up appointment is usually scheduled with the surgeon 1 day post-operatively. Once your surgeon has examined you post-operatively, normal activities can resume. Your surgeon will give direction if there is an exception. Expect your vision to fluctuate slightly for the first few days post-operatively, with healing lasting between 3-6 months. (top)
How many follow up visits are there?
- 1 Day (with your surgeon)
- 1 Week (with our clinic or your surgeon)
- 1 Month (with our clinic or your surgeon)
- 3 Months (with our clinic or your surgeon)
- 6 Months (with our clinic or your surgeon)
Are there any restrictions after the surgery?
- Swimming and SCUBA activities are restricted for one week.
- You can typically return to work within 24 hours after surgery.
- Ask the doctor about specifics.
What does a free consultation from your clinic consist of?
- Review of your current eyeglass and/or contact lens prescription to determine general suitability for LASIK.
- Discussion with our doctors to address your LASIK questions and development of an individualized plan for your further review. (top)
- A full eye exam using the most advanced equipment with specific review of your: i) corneal topography, ii) corneal thickness, iii) pupil size.
- Discussion with your surgeon, who should address all of your LASIK concerns.
- Final determination of your candidacy for LASIK and/or other appropriate surgical procedures.
- Discussion with a patient coordinator about payment options. (top)
It is recommended that your surgery be scheduled the same day or shortly after the consultation. However, there is no obligation and you can schedule your procedure at another time. (top)
What about wearing contacts before the surgery evaluation?
- Soft lens contacts - daily wear lenses should be removed 48 hours prior to the evaluation, and soft lenses worn overnight should be removed 14 days prior to your evaluation.
- Hard, Gas Permeable, or Soft Toric Lenses - should be removed 21 days prior to the consultation.
How long has LASIK been performed?
- Corneal shaping has been performed to correct nearsightedness since the 1960's during this time there have been many refractive surgical variations.
- The LASIK procedure first developed in 1989 is similar to the procedures that are still used today. The first patient to receive this procedure still has 20/20 vision. (top)
LASIK can treat myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. To be a good candidate you should meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have stable vision for at least one year prior to surgery
- Have healthy eyes that are free of diseases, retinal problems, and corneal damage or degeneration
- Be in good general health
- Be well informed and have realistic expectations (top)
Presbyopia translated literally means "old eye" and occurs in most individuals around the mid-forties. Presbyopia is caused by a loss of focusing power, is age-related and very predictable, and is not currently treatable by LASIK. In some cases a monovision correction could be employed in which one eye is corrected for far vision and the other for near. We generally recommend attempting monovision with contact lenses prior to undergoing LASIK. (top)
How long does the procedure take?
- The LASIK procedure itself takes approximately 10 minutes for both eyes.
- Including the preoperative paperwork, counseling, procedure and postoperative exam, we approximate that you can spend between 1 to 3 hours at the surgical center. (top)
Our doctors are happy to recommend LASIK surgeons, based on your specific needs. When choosing a surgeon independently, we recommend that you make sure that they offer:
- Full consultation with comprehensive eye exam, including dilation with 1% Cyclogyl, and discussion,
- Corneal topographic analysis,
- Corneal thickness measurement,
- Pupil size analysis in different lighting conditions,
- Tear film analysis that evaluates important tear film healing factors,
- Tracking technology available to follow eye movements if you cannot hold your eye still,
- Scanning laser technology available to maximize the ability to treat with an area 1 mm larger than your pupil size in low light,
- Specialist in refractive surgery - a surgeon and team who spend the majority of their time analyzing and performing refractive surgery,
- Long term caring service, and
- New blade and sterilized instruments for every patient. (top)
If you have had an exam within the last year let me suggest that you simply come in for a free LASIK consultation. Our doctors will review your specific needs and suitability for LASIK. Should you desire to move further we will refer you to our recommended LASIK surgeon for a pre-surgical evaluation and final determination of suitability.
If you haven't had an exam within the last year, let me suggest that we schedule you for a comprehensive eye evaluation. With this information at hand, our doctors will then review your case and share with you their opinions. (top)
Have a question that isn't listed? Please feel free to
ask our staff.
