Vision Correction Procedures Frequently Asked Questions
Isn't all vision correction surgery the same?
No. Many discount LASIK centers want you to believe that LASIK is the only vision correction surgery there is, that it should be purchased like a commodity and that surgeon experience, other alternative surgeries, lasers, diagnostic technology and follow-up care don't matter.
You should make your decision to have CK, INTACS, or LASIK carefully, not quickly. We encourage you to visit other eye surgeons. Our Web site has a lot of information about our surgeon, our Vision Correction technology, our advanced diagnostic technology and what you should expect for the money you spend. We provide you with all of this information because we feel the more you know about us, the more confident you will feel about choosing us as your vision correction provider. We encourage you to learn more about our practice and why you should choose us.
Will I have 20/20 vision following Vision Correction surgery?
The goal of any refractive surgical procedure is to reduce your dependence on corrective lenses. However, no one can guarantee you will have 20/20 vision as a result. Our commitment to you is that we will not perform Vision Correction surgery on you or anyone we feel does not have a good possibility of achieving markedly reduced dependence from glasses and contacts. The vast majority of our patients are extremely happy with their results and can do most activities without dependence on corrective lenses after Vision Correction surgery.
Is refractive surgery safe?
There are possible risks with any surgical procedure. Serious complications with CK, INTACS, LASIK , and PRK are extremely rare. The chance of having a vision-reducing complication from these procedures has been documented in clinical studies to be less than one percent. Many of the risks and complications associated with these procedure can be reduced or eliminated through careful patient selection and thorough pre-operative testing using the latest diagnostic technology.
After your vision correction surgery, you may experience some visual side effects. These are usually mild and most often diminish over a few days to a few weeks. But there is a slight chance that some of these side effects, such as feelings of dryness, glare and halos, won't go away completely. If after a thorough examination we decide you are a good candidate for vision correction surgery, you will be given additional information about the procedure that will allow you to make an informed decision about whether to proceed. Be sure you have all your questions answered to your satisfaction. If you would like additional information about risks and complications now, you may download our 'consent for surgery' form by going to Patient Forms.
Has anyone ever gone blind because of CK, Intacs, or LASIK?
In the many thousands of CK, LASIK and Intacs cases performed worldwide, we know of no recorded incidence of anyone losing their eyesight due to these procedures. Intacs also offer the unique safety feature of being removable. Both CK and Intacs offer the safety feature of no cutting or tissue removal from the central cornea.
What about nighttime side-effects?
You have probably seen news stories about people having difficulty driving at night after refractive surgery. Nighttime side-effects may include halos, starbursts, and glare around lights and blurry vision. Some of these can be caused by overcorrection,undercorrection, or residual astigmatism. These effects usually diminish as the eye heals in the first three to six months. Sometimes additional touch-up (laser enhancement, removal/replacement of Intacs, or adding CK spots) procedures will be recommended. Unique to Intacs is the option of removability.
Another possible cause of nighttime side-effects is pupil size. At night, the pupil expands to let in more light. Light coming through the peripheral cornea may be out of focus if the pupil opens beyond the Intacs, CK, or laser treatment area. This is why some patients are not good candidates for CK, LASIK or Intacs if they have very large pupils.
Does LASIK cause dry eye?
Following a LASIK procedure, every patient has temporary dry eye, which can be treated most often with artificial tears. This dry eye sensation usually clears up in eight to 12 weeks except in rare cases, where it may take longer. Intacs and CK are less likely than LASIK to cause dry eye because no large cuts are required in Intacs and CK.
Patients with pre-existing dry eye may not be good candidates for LASIK, but may be candidates for CK, Intacs, or PRK . If you have dry eye, you should discuss it with your doctor at your pre-op examination. Tests can often diagnose dry eye but it is still somewhat difficult to predict who will experience significant dry eye following LASIK. A thorough evaluation of your current medications, medical history and work environment should all be taken into account.
What keeps the flap in position after LASIK?
Following your procedure, the flap stays in position without the need for stitches. Initially, there is a vacuum effect created by the cells lining the inner surface of the cornea. As the eye heals over the first few days, the epithelium (the outer surface of the cornea) seals the edges of the flap.
Do you feel Intacs in the eye?
Intacs cannot be felt because they are under the surface of the eye. They are no more visible than the edge of a contact lens, and only then in certain types of lighting.
Will Vision Correction surgery hurt?
There is virtually no pain during any of the Vision Correction surgical procedures since anesthetic eye drops numb your eyes, although some patients may experience mild discomfort or a pressure sensation during their procedure. After LASIK or Intacs you might experience mild irritation for a few days. An over-the-counter pain reliever or use of artificial tears will generally take care of this discomfort. PRK and CK patients experience more post-operative discomfort for two to five days while the corneal epithelium heals.
Will both eyes be corrected on the same day?
For most procedures, both eyes will be corrected on the same day. If you over 40 and are having CK to strenghten your near vision, you may only need one eye treated.
How long does the procedure take?
If both eyes are treated during the same appointment, you will be in the surgery room for approximately 15-30 minutes. Once in the procedure room your eyes will be cleaned and prepared for surgery. The surgery itself usually only takes five to ten minutes per eye.
Do I need to take time off work?
Following CK, LASIK or Intacs, most patients can return to work a day or two after their procedure. With PRK , the recovery time may be a little longer.
Do I have to go without my contacts before having Vision Correction surgery?
If you are wearing hard or gas permeable contacts, it's important that you remove them at least three weeks prior to your exam. Soft lenses should be out for at least one week before your exam. Soft toric lenses may need to be out longer. Your doctor will advise you how long you need to be out of your contacts prior to your exam and prior to your surgery.
How old do I have to be for Vision Correction surgery?
FDA guidelines state that you need at least 18 years of age for LASIK, and 21 for Intacs. CK is designed for people over 40 who are having trouble with their reading vision. For INTACS and LASIK, we recommend males wait until age 21, as they may still be growing after age 18. Your glasses or contact lens prescription should have been stable for the last year. If your eye is still changing from year to year, you should not have the procedure until the cornea and your prescription is stable.
Can I have Vision Correction surgery while I am pregnant or trying to conceive?
Pregnancy can affect your vision, therefore if you are pregnant or trying to conceive, you should not have Vision Correction surgery. You should wait several months after your pregnancy or after you finish nursing before having laser vision correction.
How long will the results of the surgery last?
Laser Vision Correction surgery (LASIK and PRK) is considered to be permanent. However, your eyes can still change as you age which may cause a need for glasses or contacts or additional vision correction procedures in the future. As people reach their early forties, they develop presbyopia and begin to need reading glasses. If you're over 35, you may want to consider monovision, or CK for "Blended Vision", to reduce your dependence on reading glasses.
Intacs offer a unique advantage: although they can be considered permanent (as long as the Intacs are in the cornea), they are removal and replaceable if your vision needs change later in life. With Intacs, if one desires monovision later in life, this can often be achieved by changing the power of the Intacs in just one eye. CK is not considered permanent, and you may need additional treatment as your reading vision naturally weakens with age.
If I choose to have "Blended Vision" with CK, or monovision with INTACS or LASIK, does that mean I'll never need reading glasses?
Not necessarily. The effects of presbyopia continue to worsen as you get older, whether or not you have monovision. At some point in time, reading glasses or another vision correction procedure may become necessary. The benefit to having "Blended Vision" with CK, or monovision with INTACS or LASIK is that there won't be complete dependence on glasses for close vision. Many who have monovision are able to see well enough both at distance and near to do most of their usual daily activities without corrective lenses. You still might occasionally need reading glasses for the most demanding near tasks such as threading a needle, reading a bible, reading un interrupted for many hours, etc.
How much should I pay for V ision Correction surgery?
The cost of Vision Correction surgery varies among practices, based on surgeon experience and what the practice includes in the fee. We are not the least expensive providers because we never sacrifice safety to save you money. We have invested heavily in advanced Vision Correction technology and diagnostic technology . This investment is extremely important to surgical results and our patients tell us they can see the difference. We encourage you to visit other Vision Correction surgeons and compare.
It's only natural to want to get the best price, but remember, quality and service are extremely important when it comes to medical care. After all, your vision is one of your most important assets. The best way to find out exactly what your price will be is to come in for an free consultation (800-551-5242) to determine what Vision Correction options is best for you, and what degree of correction you need.
Will my insurance cover my procedure?
A few insurance companies do pay for all or part of vision correction procedures. If you need Intacs for Keratoconus, this may be considered a medically necessary treatment by your health insurance carrier. You can check with you plan administrator, or we will be happy to make a copy of your insurance card and check coverage for you. Many people have medical flex plans they use to save up to 50 percent on their procedure by using pre-tax dollars. Your employer's human resources department can tell you whether you have this benefit. Vision correction also may be tax deductible as a medical expense (check with your financial advisor).
If you do not have insurance coverage, we do offer affordable payment plans. It is easy to apply online and receive credit approval before you schedule an appointment. We also accept cash, personal checks, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.
Call us at 800-551-5242 for more information, or visit us in our Riverside, CA location.
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