LASIK (Laser Vision Correction)
Laser refractive surgery (LASIK)
Most patients that wear glasses or contact lenses are candidates for laser vision correction. However, the surgery will not treat the need for reading glasses at middle age (presbyopia). To find out if you are a candidate for Laser Vision correction, you can contact Dr. Frisch online or by calling us at 818-894-8127 to arrange for a consultation. Simply let us know that you are interested in the screening for laser vision correction.
You should know that laser vision correction is considered an elective procedure not covered by most insurance companies. However, the freedom from glasses and/or contact lenses that can be achieved with laser vision correction is well worth the investment. A variety of payment options is available to make laser vision correction affordable.
A SUMMARY OF THE PROCEDURE:
You will enter the laser room and lie down on a reclining chair below a microscope that is part of the laser. When you look up into the laser you will see a red light with a ring of lights around it. You will be asked to look directly at this "fixation" light while the procedure is performed.
The LASIK procedure usually takes about ten minutes. Numbing eye drops will be used to make your entire procedure painless. Each step of the procedure will be explained to you before it is performed. First one eye will be treated, then the other. The eye which is not being treated will be temporarily covered.
An eyelid holder will be placed between your eyelids to prevent you from blinking. Next, your surgeon will use a highly-refined instrument called a microkeratome to create the corneal flap. You will feel slight pressure but no discomfort. As a perfectly normal part of this procedure your vision will become dark for a few seconds. After the flap is created you will be able to see the fixation light again. The protective flap will be folded back and the laser applied to the cornea beneath the flap. Generally, the laser is used for less than one minute. The flap is thenb folded back into place where it adheres naturally and securely without the need for sutures.
COMMON QUESTIONS ASKED ABOUT LASIK:
1. Is Laser Vision Correction for Me?
2. What is PRK?
3. What is LASIK?
4. What are the advantages of LASIK?
5. Will the procedure be painful?
6. How soon after the procedure will my eyes reach their level of correction?
7. Will my vision be hazy or foggy?
8. Will my nearsightedness return?
9. What are the office procedures?
10. How much will it cost?
Is Laser Vision Correction for Me?
Although this can only be definitively answered after we have conducted a thorough pre-operative exam, if all or most of the following statements are true for you, then you may be a good candidate for laser vision correction:
My dependence on eyeglasses and/or contact lenses has always felt like a handicap.
I am an avid sportsperson, and I feel my performance would be enhanced without my corrective lenses.
My career opportunities would be improved if I did not have to rely on eyeglasses or contact lenses for distance vision.
I prefer the way I look without glasses.
I adapt well to change.
If laser vision correction can reduce the hassles of contact lenses or glasses and improves the quality of my life, it is worth the investment.
What is PRK?
PRK or Photorefractive Keratectomy uses a cool, ultraviolet excimer laser beam to reshape the outer surface of the cornea, which is the most accessible way to modify refractive imperfections. Close to 95% of typical PRK patients achieve 20/40 or better vision after one treatment; excellent vision stability is reported more than 5 years after treatment and corneal strength is preserved. It should also be noted that the healing of the eye involves a careful regimen by the patient and close monitoring by the doctor for several months following PRK, a minor degree of over or undercorrection may be present, "night glare" may occur in low light, and some patients experience post-operative discomfort or pain (which varies greatly from individual to individual and disappears completely in just a few days).
What is LASIK?
LASIK is an extremely effective outpatient procedure that is suitable not only for higher prescriptions but also for patients with moderate to low prescriptions. LASIK dramatically reduces your recovery time. The procedure takes only a few minutes to complete and involves minimal discomfort. LASIK requires more technical skill and training than other laser procedures. For this reason, our patients are treated only by a highly qualified surgeon.
The LASIK procedure involves two basic steps. The first is the creation of the corneal flap. The surgeon utilizes a microkeratome (an automated microsurgical instrument) to create a flap from the very top layer of the clear covering of the eye (cornea). The excimer laser utilizes a cool beam to gently reshape the layer underneath and the flap is then closed.
Each pulse of the layer can remove 39 millionths of an inch of tissue in 12 billionths of a second. This enables surgeons to achieve remarkable accuracy while maintaining excellent control throughout the procedure.
What are the advantages of LASIK?
• Brief recovery time
• Very low infection risk
• Relatively quick procedure to complete
• Very low risk of scarring
• Minimal discomfort
• High degree of predictability
• Reduced need for re-treatment
• Excellent ocular integrity post-treatment
• Widest range of correctable prescriptions
Will the procedure be painful?
The actual procedure itself is painless as local anesthetic eyedrops are instilled before the surgery begins. After the anesthetic wears off you may feel some discomfort. This might consist of a mild gritty sensation accompanied by mild tearing. This usually lasts only 3 to 4 hours. Most patients benefit from a short nap after the procedure.
How soon after the procedure will my eyes reach their level of correction?
Most patients see 20/40 or better by the next day. Patients can usually resume driving by the second or third day. Most patients return to work after 2 days.
Will my vision be hazy or foggy?
Almost everyone experiences a trace degree of corneal hazing during healing although most patients are not aware of it. It is usually only visible to the doctor under microscopic examination and permanently clears in almost all patients by their one week check-up.
Will my nearsightedness return?
Regression, or a shift back toward myopia after laser vision treatment, occurs to a small degree in all individuals and therefore the computerized laser is programmed to adjust for this. This process generally stabilizes within 3 months. Small variation of under or overcorrection may be expected. Part-time or full-time corrective lenses or a subsequent laser procedure may be needed to further enhance vision. More than 10 years of investigative trials with laser vision treatment show excellent eye stability years later.
What are the office procedures?
The first visit, the screening visit, will determine whether or not laser vision treatment is suited to the condition of your eyes and lifestyle. It will also provide education on the procedure and answer any questions and concerns you might have. The pre-operative visit is devoted to gathering detailed and precise measurements of your refractive error, corneal shape, and internal and external ocular health. This evaluation involves the use of dilating drops which blur vision for several hours after the exam. It is recommended that you bring sunglasses, and if possible, a friend or relative, should driving be required. The laser treatment is the next step and you arrive before your procedure for an additional consultation with the surgeon. A final map of your eye is made to calibrate the laser's computer. A medical assistant will begin a series of drops to anesthetize your eyes and a speculum will be used to restrict eyelid movement. After the procedure, the eye(s) will be fitted with a clear shield to be worn overnight. You will be seen the next day and then 1 week later. You will return to our office for ongoing follow-up visits at regular intervals, typically 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, 6 months, and 12 months. Thereafter, yearly eye examinations will help to ensure your continued visual and ocular well-being.
How much will it cost?
Please call our offices for full details on the cost of this procedure which includes pre-operative exam, the laser procedure, one year follow-up care, and any future enhancements if necessary. Financing plans are available.
