Q. Will I become nearsighted again?

A. LASIK and PRK procedures are essentially permanent corrections. Studies have shown results to be stable once healing is completed, three to six months after the procedure. However, small amounts of regression can occur in less than 10% of cases.

Q. Who is a good candidate?

A. Most people who are nearsighted (myopic) or farsighted (hyperopic), with or without astigmatism, are eligible for the procedure. To be considered a good candidate, your prescription must be stable (i.e. less than one diopter of change over the course of a year). Normally, once you have reached your twenties, your prescription will have stabilized. If you undergo the procedure when your prescription is unstable, you may regress from the desired result. Also, women who are pregnant or who are nursing, are not recommended for the procedure.

Q. What are the risks?

A. Laser Vision Correction is considered to be very safe. As with any surgical procedure, there can be complications and these will be described by your eye doctor. Serious complications causing partial loss of vision are extremely rare. Outcomes for both LASIK and PRK procedures are comparable. It is important to note that individual results may vary due to each person's healing rate. For this reason, a small percentage of patients will need to undergo a touch-up procedure following their initial, primary treatment.

The data on patients who have had Laser Vision Correction supports stable results with little, if any regression. No one can definitely say what will occur in twenty years, however specialists are confident that nothing will change over the long term. This view is based on a decade of study on results with the Excimer laser, and a century of continued research on corneal wound healing.

The risks and complications for both PRK and LASIK will be discussed in detail with the Eyecare Practitioner on the day of your consultation.

Q. Is there any pain?

A. There is no pain during the procedure. Anesthetic drops are instilled before the procedure to alleviate any discomfort. The majority of patients will experience some irritation in the first 12-24 hours immediately following the procedure. You may experience a scratchy sensation and will be sensitive to light for the first couple of days. Should you have any discomfort, pain relief medication is available. Do I need to take time off work? Every person's healing rate is unique. Patients who have PRK will normally return to work in three to five days after the procedure. Normal activities including sports may be resumed at this time. With LASIK, some patients will see well enough to return to work the next day! Yet, others may need 2-4 days to see clearly.

Q. Will both eyes be treated on the same day?

A. The majority of patients opt for a bilateral procedure — both eyes treated at the same time. Other patients will elect to have only one eye treated at a time. Your second eye may be treated as early as one week after the first eye provided healing is normal. During your consultation, the Ophthalmologist will discuss with you which option is best suited for you.

Q. What do I do with my glasses or contacts if I get one eye at a time?

A. Patients will either wear a contact lens on their untreated eye, or their old glasses with a plain lens over the treated eye. Most patients have little difficulty accommodating the refractive differences. However, a slight unbalanced feeling might occur depending on the degree of difference between the two eyes.

Q. What about the need for reading glasses (presbyopia)?

A. Presbyopia is part of the normal aging process where the eye's natural lens hardens and loses its flexibility. Almost everyone between 40 and 50 years of age will need extra help focusing for reading. The Excimer laser treats the corneal surface layers only, but can compensate for presbyopia. During the consultation, this option which is called monovision, will be discussed with the Ophthalmologist.

Q. What can I expect after Vision Correction?

A. After a laser procedure you can expect to see as well as you did with your glasses or contact lenses. For many patients the procedure means freedom to participate in sport and leisure activities without the hassles of corrective lenses or glasses. Others are motivated by the ability to see the alarm clock first thing in the morning. Whatever your motivation, the procedure offers new-found freedom.

In a recent study of 400 low to moderate myopes (less than -9), over 99% of our patients obtained 20/40 vision or better after their initial treatment. This means that over 99% of our patients were able to drive a car legally without the requirement of corrective lenses.