Are there any risks associated with Lasik?
There are risks with any procedure. However, because laser vision correction uses a cool beam of light that is computer controlled, there is little room for error. In a recent study, all patients experienced better uncorrected vision following laser vision correction.

Do you perform LASIK?
Yes. Please schedule a free consultation to see if LASIK is right for you.

Is laser vision correction safe?
Yes. Over one million patients worldwide have had this treatment performed on them successfully. The FDA has recognized laser vision correction for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, and found the treatment safe and effective for eligible patients.

Is laser vision surgery painful?
No, the treatment itself is painless. Some patients may experience discomfort for one to three days after treatment. Many patients compare this to a sensation of sand in the eye. We can prescribe pain medication to alleviate any discomfort during the recovery.

What are the benefits of laser vision correction?
Laser vision correction for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism is designed to be a onetime treatment that should reduce the condition overall, while also reducing or eliminating your dependence on glasses and contact lenses.

What are the long term effects of LASIK?
Since LASIK is a relatively new procedure, no one knows with absolute certainty what the long term effects are. However, since LASIK was first introduced, clinical studies have been unable to show any negative effects on the eye. If a problem does develop, it will most likely occur within the first few months after the procedure, not years later.

What causes retinal detachment? How is is treated?
Retinal detachment most often results from posterior vitreous detachment, an often harmless condition that commonly affects older adults. Injury to the eye, a blow to the head, eye disease, and conditions such as diabetes can lead to retinal detachment at any age.

Treatment for retinal detachment always involves surgery. Surgery can repair most retinal detachments and restore good vision in many cases.

What is a cataract? Can it be treated with laser?
A cataract is an opacity of the normal lens of the eye precluding or distorting visual function. The cataract is usually removed with a machine called a phaco-emulsifier.

A laser could indeed cut or partially absorb a cataract, but you still have to put an intraocular lens implant in the eye to correct the visual function of the normal crystalline lens.

What is laser vision correction?
It is an outpatient treatment that uses a cool beam of light to gently reshape the surface of the eye-the cornea - thereby improving vision. The light gently pulses to remove a microscopic amount of tissue, flattening the curvature of the cornea, allowing images to be more sharply focused on the retina.

Laser surgery has been approved by the FDA for use in treating nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. This approval means that the FDA has recognized that laser vision correction is a safe and effective procedure.

What is the difference between RK, PRK, and LASIK?
You may have heard about PRK, which stands for Photo refractive Keratectomy, the medical name for laser procedure. PRK and LASIK (Laser in-situ Keratomileusis) both utilize the VISX Laser System to remove corneal tissue in order to flatten the cornea. With LASIK, we first create a flap on the cornea and then use the laser for treatment below the corneal surface. RK (Radial Keratotomy) is a non-laser procedure where we use a knife to make a series of radial cuts into the cornea. These cuts are intended to produce a bulging effect in order to flatten the corneal surface. Both PRK and LASIK have now been approved by the FDA. Because of increased patient comfort, less chance of haze, and faster recovery times, most of our patients choose LASIK.

What kind of results can I expect after laser vision surgery?
Results vary with each individual. In a recent study, 98% of patients treated for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and/or astigmatism with the VISX STAR Excimer Laser System saw well enough to pass a driver's test without glasses. Your vision should be improved immediately after treatment. Some patients may experience small vision changes during the first several months, which is a normal occurrence.

What should I expect before laser vision surgery?
We will conduct a thorough examination to determine whether your eyes are healthy and suitable for the laser procedure. Your eye will be photographed and a computerized map, called corneal topography, will be made. This will assess the shape of your cornea and is one of the many diagnostic tests that we use to help ensure precise results.