| Below are common questions we hear from people interested in LASIK. We recommend you ask these questions before you make a decision about where to have your LASIK or whether LASIK is right for you. We invite you to speak to a Key-Whitman counselor to get the answers to these and all your questions about LASIK. Please give us a call today.
How do I know if I am choosing the right surgeon?
Look at your surgeon's experience and reputation for excellence. Ask if your eye surgeon is board-certificated in Ophthalmology to ensure your physician has met the training and standards set by the American Board of Ophthalmology. Additional certification in LASIK by the American Board of Eye Surgeons shows specific proficiency in the LASIK surgical procedure.
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How do I know if I'm a good candidate for LASIK?
A comprehensive and dilated eye exam is the only way to determine your candidacy for LASIK. Like any procedure, LASIK is not for everyone because each individual is different. An extremely high percentage of LASIK patients achieve improved vision and are happy they had LASIK. You should have a frank discussion with your doctor about your suitability for LASIK and get a clear expectation of results.
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What are the risks?
LASIK is an extremely safe eye surgery and the potential complications are remote. But as with any surgery, there are some risks. The most common ones being flap complications, glare and halos. We believe that using the IntraLase reduces these risks. The least common is the risk of infection.
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What is the rate of complication?
In the hands of a skilled and experienced surgeon the rate of complication is less than 1%. National studies have shown that your chances of getting an infection from wearing contact lenses is substantially higher than your chances of getting an infection from LASIK.
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What is the likelihood that I will experience dry eye after LASIK?
At least temporarily, it is very likely you will experience dryness after surgery.
For this reason it is critical that you choose a reputable surgeon who will test and treat dry eyes prior to surgery and prescribe a treatment regimen during your postoperative period. Chronic severe dry eyes may eliminate your candidacy for LASIK surgery. Patients on anti-depressants and antihistamines may have dryness due to their medications.
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Does dry eye get better with time?
Yes, with the proper treatment from the doctor and careful compliance by the patient, most dry eyes caused by surgery will diminish over time. Supplements, medications and artificial tears and ointments will be recommended to treat eye dryness.
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Will I see halos or ghost images?
Ask if your eye surgeon will be using OptiLASIK™ with the Wavelight® Allegretto Wave® Eye-Q laser. The Wavelight laser can preserve or improve quality of vision in regards to glare and night driving glare. In fact, it is the only laser with FDA claims stating these results. In the case of myopia (nearsightedness) especially, there was an improvement in glare from bright lights, light sensitivity, and in night driving glare exhibited after the treatment.
During your early days of healing, there may be some sensitivity as a result of healing. These symptoms are usually short lived and continue to get better over the course of the healing time.
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Will my night vision be affected?
Night vision is usually improved after laser eye surgery with the Wavelight® laser. The laser uses a treatment zone that effectively treats your eye, taking into account your eye's pupil diameter during bright and dim light situations, while minimizing typical laser side-effects. Those patients with excessively large pupils in dim light will be counseled about the likelihood that glare sensitivities are increased in these situations and will be counseled as to the expectations after surgery.
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How soon after the LASIK procedure can I go to work?
Many people return to work the very next day, once they've been examined at their one-day post op visit but healing varies by individual.
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Will I need reading glasses after LASIK?
Once you reach the age of 40, you will probably require glasses for reading, regardless of your choice to have LASIK. The need for reading glasses is a function of the aging process. Ask your doctor about what other options are available for patients over 40 to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Find out about crystalens®, which is most often the choice of patients who do not want to rely on glasses and contacts to see near, far and in-between.
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If LASIK is so safe, why do so many ophthalmologists still wear glasses?
Just as with any patient, some ophthalmologists may not be good candidates for LASIK or they are not motivated to have a procedure.
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Is there an age limit to when you should have LASIK?
18 years of age is generally considered the earliest time to do LASIK. There is no upper age limit; however, ask your doctor about other options that may offer more benefits if you are close to age 50 or older.
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