Approximately every month we offer informative seminars for patients who want
to learn more about our services, and to discuss questions about procedures
performed by our corneal and refractive surgeons. The seminars are held at the University Medical Pavilion
You can sign up for this seminar by calling our office at 601-815-3248.
Many patients ask, "How can a laser correct my vision?" The laser removes tissue from the center of the cornea (in the case of myopia) to flatten its curvature and correct nearsightedness; in the case of farsightedness, tissue is removed from the periphery of the cornea to steepen its curvature. The laser essentially reshapes the cornea's front surface. To do this, the corneal stroma (tissue beneath the corneal epithelium) must be exposed. This can be accomplished by directly by creating a corneal flap with a Microkeratome (LASIK) or removing the corneal epithelium with a laser (PRK).
Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK)
Photorefractive
Keratectomy (PRK)
A brief
comparison of PRK and LASIK is outlined in the following chart.
We
can make a fingerprint of your vision.
Who is
a candidate for Custom Wavefront procedure?
What are
the benefits of the Custom Wavefront Procedure?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What Is the Difference Between PRK and LASIK?Does LASIK Hurt?
Can You Guarantee 20/20 Vision?
Has Anyone Ever Gone Completely Blind from Their LASIK Procedure?
Can Both Eyes Be Done at Once?
What Are the Results of LASIK Surgery?
How Long Will the Correction Last?
What about Enhancement Surgery?
I Have "Dry Eyes." Will This Affect My LASIK Surgery?
If I need to, Can I Wear Contact Lenses after Surgery?
What Is Monovision?
Can There Be a Problem with My Eyes Twenty Years from Now Because I Had LASIK?
Can I Have Cataract Surgery If I Need It in the Future?
Will Having LASIK Prevent Me from Getting Other Eye Diseases?
Is LASIK Approved by the Food and Drug Administration?
What Does Laser Vision Correction Surgery Cost?
Will Insurance Companies Pay for LASIK Surgery?
Who Is a Candidate for LASIK Vision Correction?
Who Is Not a Good Candidate for LASIK Surgery?
When Can I Drive?
When Can I Return to Work?
Financing
Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK)
The LASIK process also uses the
excimer laser to reshape the cornea, but this is done under a thin, protective,
corneal flap. Rather than vaporizing the
epithelial cells to expose the corneal stroma, a flap of corneal tissue that
is attached by a "hinge" is used in LASIK. This flap is created by
using an instrument known as a microkeratome. The flap is then gently pulled
back like a tiny, clear, hinged lid and the corneal stroma is exposed. The
laser part of the LASIK procedure takes place in the exposed corneal bed. The
laser application itself lasts about thirty to ninety seconds.
After the exposed corneal stroma is treated by the laser and minute amounts
of cells are vaporized, the flap is replaced in its original position. Amazingly,
the flap is held in position by the eye's natural suction facility and provides
increased comfort and decreased recovery time for the patient. The entire procedure
takes approximately ten to fifteen minutes per eye and again is virtually pain
free.
The amount of tissue removed in each of these procedures is determined by the
patient's degree of refractive error. Before the laser is employed to vaporize
the tissue, the degree of refractive error is translated into numbers that
are entered into the laser's computer. The quantity and pattern of tissue removal
unique to each patient are then calculated. Both PRK and LASIK are refractive
procedures that utilize the precision of the excimer laser to reshape the surface
of the eye by vaporizing corneal tissue.
Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)
This is a procedure in which the front surface of the cornea is directly sculpted by the excimer laser. The surgeon prepares the eye by gently removing the surface layer known as the corneal epithelium. This layer regenerates itself within a few days. Computer-controlled pulses are directed at the exposed surface (corneal stroma) to reshape the cornea. Less than ten percent of the cornea is affected, with the deeper layers remaining untouched. The entire procedure takes approximately ten minutes per eye and is virtually pain free. PRK is an option for those patients with thin corneas who cannot undergo LASIK.
A brief comparison of PRK and LASIK is outlined in the following chart.
| PRK | LASIK | |
| Range of correction | Low to moderate | Low to severe |
| Depth of penetration | Superficial | 20% deep |
| Intraoperative pain | Minimal | Minimal |
| Postoperative pain | Moderate,24-48 hours | Minimal,12 hours |
| Postoperative medications | 1-3 months,possibly longer | 1-2 weeks |
| Functional vision recovery | 3-5 days | 24 hours |
| Visual results fully recognized | 3 weeks to several months | 1-4 weeks |
| Return to work | 3-5 days | 1 day |
| Risk of complications | Low (less surgeon dependent) | Low (more surgeon dependent) |
| Risk of haze (scarring)in the central cornea | 1-2% | <1% |
We can make a fingerprint of your vision.
Your vision is unique - as personal as your fingerprint. Our WaveScan® technology creates a map of your vision. This is an analysis of the all the errors in your vision, even those not correctable by glasses. This information can be used during your surgery to not only correct your nearsightedness, farsightedness and/or astigmatism, but the other errors in your vision as well.
Who is a candidate for Custom Wavefront procedure?
This procedure is currently available to those patients who are nearsighted with or without astigmatism.
What are the benefits of the Custom Wavefront Procedure?
As shown in a clinical study, WaveScan-driven laser vision correction has
the potential to produce better vision than is possible with glasses or contact
lenses. In the FDA trials,
94% of participants could see 20/20 or better without glasses or contacts 74%
of participants could see better than 20/20 without glasses or contacts
What Is the Difference Between PRK and LASIK?
Both procedures use the excimer laser to reshape the cornea and correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The difference is that with PRK the laser is used on the surface of the eye, while in LASIK the laser work is performed under a thin, protective, corneal flap. The long-term results of both procedures are similar. Additionally, visual recovery with LASIK is usually faster, with less discomfort and less possibility of scarring. Since its advent, LASIK has become the procedure of choice over PRK.
Before the LASIK procedure begins, your eye is made numb by drops. While you may feel a pressure sensation as the corneal flap is being made, actual pain is rare. Any discomfort you may feel subsequent to the LASIK procedure will last only a few hours. Sleep and lubrication, as well as Tylenol or ibuprofen, are usually enough to counteract any discomfort.
Can You Guarantee 20/20 Vision?
As with any surgical procedure, there are no guarantees. Although the results are extremely good (ninety-five percent of patients in national studies no longer need glasses for driving), the results of the procedure depend on your initial refraction, your own healing characteristics, and other factors. It is good to look at LASIK vision correction surgery as a way of achieving an extreme decrease in your dependence on glasses or contact lenses. If 20/20 vision is not obtained after the primary LASIK procedure, enhancements may be effective to further improve vision. 20/20 can only be achieved in patients who have the potential to obtain 20/20 vision. For example, LASIK performed on a patient with a lazy eye that can only see 20/40 will only achieve 20/40 best corrected vision.
Has Anyone Ever Gone Completely Blind from Their LASIK Procedure?
No. In over 1.7 million cases done worldwide, no one has ever gone completely blind from a LASIK or PRK procedure, although you can lose a significant amount of vision if the procedure is not performed correctly.
Can Both Eyes Be Done at Once?
LASIK is often done on both eyes at the same sitting. The results are so predictable
and the procedure safe enough that most people undergoing LASIK surgery prefer
to have both eyes done on the same day. The advantage of bilateral surgery
is the convenience of having both eyes done at once. It also restores your
balanced vision as quickly as possible, especially if you are unable to wear
a contact lens in the unoperated eye.
One theoretical advantage of unilateral surgery is that if one eye should become
infected, the second eye would have an increased risk for this complication
as well. Infection turns out to be a very rare occurrence, so this advantage
becomes more of a theoretical benefit. Another theoretical advantage quoted
by proponents of unilateral surgery is that the results of the first eye can
be used to fine tune the results of the second. Again, in practice this turns
out not to be clinically significant in most cases.
At the time of your consultation, you will be advised of the advantages and
disadvantages of both options. The final decision should be based on your surgeon's
recommendations and your desires.
What Are the Results of LASIK Surgery?
Results may vary from surgeon to surgeon and from center to center. Results also vary depending on your initial refractive error. With higher amounts of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, results are less predictable and retreatments are more common. It is important to ask your surgeon about his or her experience and results.
How Long Will the Correction Last?
Eyes typically stabilize around 3-6 months after surgery. Once that occurs, your correction is permanent. Any additional need for glasses after that will be the result of normal aging processes that befall everyone and not due to any instability in the refractive procedure.
What about Enhancement Surgery?
In the event that you are undercorrected or over-corrected, it is possible
to perform an additional treatment. But first your eye must stabilize. Typically,
retreatment with LASIK usually takes place two to three months after the original
procedure.
With PRK this can occur after about six months to one year. In PRK, the front
surface of the cornea is treated again, and the recovery time is a week to
a month.
With LASIK, the corneal flap usually does not need to be recreated. Using specialized
instruments, the surgeon can just gently lift the preexisting flap and perform
additional laser work. Recovery time is similar to the original procedure.
Such enhancement surgery is usually not an additional charge but is considered
part of the original fee if performed within a specified time after the original
surgery.
I Have "Dry Eyes." Will This Affect My LASIK Surgery?
Many patients seeking refractive surgery do so because they have dry eyes and
are unable to wear contact lenses anymore. It is important that your dry
eyes be treated. This usually involves the use of tear supplements and punctal
plugs (tiny silicone plugs placed in the tear drainage openings of your eyelid)
that delay the drainage of your own tears so your eyes will stay moist.
After the procedure, your operated eye may feel temporarily drier because the
corneal nerves are severed during LASIK surgery, causing the eye to make fewer
tears. This condition is temporary and typically lasts three to six months.
CK and PRK may result in dry eyes post-operatively because the ocular surface
is irregular, but this is also temporary.
Dry eye symptoms can be particularly noticeable if you use the computer frequently,
read for long periods of time, or drive extended distances. These types of
activities exacerbate dry eyes because they cause you to stare and not blink
as often. It is important to use ample lubrication, especially during the first
few months after surgery.
If I need to, Can I Wear Contact Lenses after Surgery?
If you have a residual refractive error and you choose not to have an enhancement procedure, you may elect to wear contact lenses. With PRK you may need to wait up to three months; with LASIK and CK, you may wear contact lenses in four weeks. If you were a good contact lens wearer before LASIK, it is unlikely you will have problems afterward.
In patients in their mid-forties who are already experiencing difficulty with
reading in their distance correction, it is possible to treat one eye for
near vision and the other for distance vision, thus decreasing the necessity
for both near and distance glasses. This method is used with both LASIK and
CK.
If you are considering monovision, it is advisable to try it out with contact
lenses before proceeding directly to LASIK surgery. If you have already been
successful with monovision in contact lenses, you will most likely enjoy this
type of correction following PRK, CK or LASIK. If you are over forty and hope
to avoid glasses altogether in your life, this is presently the only way to
accomplish this.
Can There Be a Problem with My Eyes Twenty Years from Now Because I Had LASIK?
This is very unlikely. LASIK is a form of lamellar refractive surgery, and lamellar refractive surgery (myopic keratomileusis) has been performed since 1949. Patients who have undergone these related but less accurate and more invasive procedures fifty years ago have not had any unusual problems.
Can I Have Cataract Surgery If I Need It in the Future?
Yes. The surgical technique used will not change. However, your lens implant will be calculated using a different formula.
Will Having LASIK Prevent Me from Getting Other Eye Diseases?
No. LASIK does not prevent cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, or any other eye disease. Ophthalmologists term LASIK as disease neutral: It doesn't cause disease, it doesn't prevent disease, and it doesn't prevent diseases encountered in the future from being treated.
Is LASIK Approved by the Food and Drug Administration?
Currently, various lasers have been approved by FDA for LASIK:
· VISX S3 with Eye tracker
and Variable Spot Scanning*: For near-sightedness, far-sightedness, and/or
astigmatism
· Lasersight*: For near-sightedness and astigmatism
· Autonomous Ladarvision: For near-sightedness, far-sightedness, and/or
astigmatism; wavefront for simple nearsightedness only
· Nidek: For near-sightedness and astigmatism
· Bausch and Lomb Technolas: For near-sightedness and astigmatism
What Does Laser Vision Correction Surgery Cost?
LASIK/PRK costs from $1,000 to $3,500 per eye, depending on your area of the
country, the laser used, the experience of your surgeon, and the services covered.
LASIK, because of higher material costs, may cost a little more. This fee usually
includes the surgery, a post-op kit with sunglasses, follow-up care, and any
enhancement procedures during the first year. It typically does not include
the cost of temporary glasses or contact lenses, if needed.
At UMC, Our conventional LASIK costs $1800/eye, and the new CustomVue LASIK
costs 1940/eye.
Will Insurance Companies Pay for LASIK Surgery?
Some insurance companies will pay for the procedure, but that is the exception rather than the rule. It doesn't hurt to ask.
Who Is a Candidate for LASIK Vision Correction?
· You must be at least eighteen years old and have a stable prescription.
· Good candidates have myopia up to -14.00 or hyperopia up to +6.00.
· Your level of astigmatism may be as high as 6.00 diopters.
· You cannot be pregnant or nursing, have any unstable medical condition,
or any uncontrolled eye diseases.
· It is also important that you have reasonable expectations.
Who Is Not a Good Candidate for LASIK Surgery?
· Anyone whose prescription is actively changing more than one diopter
per year.
· Anyone who feels that he or she must absolutely gain 20/20 vision without
glasses or contact lenses. (No surgeon can guarantee 20/20 vision without correction.
Think of it, instead, as achieving a vastly decreased dependency on glasses
and contact lenses.)
· Anyone unwilling to accept the possible risks and complications of LASIK
surgery.
· Anyone with an uncontrolled or untreated eye disease. Certain corneal
dystrophies or a history of herpetic keratitis (a herpes infection in the eye)
may be relative
contraindications, as are certain arthritic syndromes.
With LASIK you can usually drive within one to three days. With PRK you should probably not drive for a week. This depends on whether you have one eye done at a time or have simultaneous surgery on both eyes. The Department of Motor Vehicles typically grants unrestricted driving privileges to individuals who possess 20/40 or better vision. Over ninety percent of all patients who undergo LASIK surgery have this level of vision or better by the first day after their procedure.
With PRK you should plan on taking off at least two days if you have both eyes
done simultaneously, as you will experience some discomfort and your vision
will be fairly blurry. With LASIK, the majority of patients can return to
work the next day, although it is advisable to take twenty-four hours off
following surgery on both eyes. If you work in a dusty environment, you should
wait forty-eight hours prior to returning to work.
While most patients can function normally at work the day after their LASIK
and CK procedures, we recommend that you not schedule any unbreakable appointments
or meetings on that day. If your recovery is delayed slightly, you will still
be able to accommodate the delay without any undue stress.
Vision correction is an excellent investment in an individual's well being. Because of this, we believe financial considerations should not be an obstacle to obtaining this procedure. Our refractive procedures range from $1800 to 1940 per eye. Being sensitive to the fact that different patients have different needs, we provide the following payment options:
Flexible Monthly Payment Plan • Cash or Check • Credit
Cards • Flex
Account
FLEXIBLE MONTHLY PAYMENT PLAN
We are enrolled with the CareCredit patient procedure financing. CareCredit is the leader in patient/client financing. With a comprehensive range of plan options, for treatment or procedure fees from $1 to over $25,000, They have a monthly payment to fit almost every budget. They offer 3, 6, 12 & 18 Month No Interest and 24, 36, 48, & 60 Month Extended Payment Plans. Submitting applications is quick and easy and decisions are typically provided within minutes -- or even seconds, with their online application option.
You may apply quickly and securely 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Click the logo below to apply. Please indicate that you are applying for LASIK financing with University Ophthalmology Associates.
If you prefer, you may also apply over the phone by calling (800) 677-0718 between 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., PST.
CASH OR CHECK
Our practice accepts cashiers checks, money orders, and personal checks if received 7 days prior to surgery, but no business checks.
CREDIT CARDS
We accept all major credit cards, including:
o Visa
o MasterCard
o Discover
COMPANY FLEX PLAN
Your company may offer a medical spending account, which allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for your medical expenses. Please contact your employer for more details.