LASIK & PRK
LASIK and PRK
With LASIK and PRK eye surgery at OC Eye Associates, you can achieve your personal best vision. We believe in providing you with the most advanced technology and the highest quality of care. We provide each patient with individualized care from your first LASIK consultation to the very last day of recovery.
Dr. Todd Driver is a corneal specialist, highly trained in LASIK, PRK and other corneal procedures. Call now to schedule your free, no obligation consultation with Dr. Driver at OC Eye Associates!
WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR LASIK?
As great as LASIK is, it’s not right for everyone. This is why you need to have a LASIK consultation before you can have the procedure with a surgeon like Dr. Driver who takes an individualized approach to each LASIK candidate. At your LASIK consultation, Dr. Driver will take multiple measurements of your eye to assess your candidacy and recommend the best procedure for you.
Other factors that go into LASIK candidacy include:
- Having a stable prescription that’s remained unchanged for at least 2 years
- Being 21 years of age or older
- Your corneas are thick and healthy enough
- You are not currently pregnant or nursing
- You are in good health and do not have any autoimmune conditions that would make it harder to recover after LASIK
These are only some of the factors that your eye doctor will take into consideration for LASIK candidacy. The only way to know for sure if LASIK or PRK is the right vision correction procedure for you is to schedule a consultation at OC Eye Associates.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING LASIK?
Before signing up for LASIK, you must first qualify for the procedure. You will need to have a LASIK consultation with Dr. Driver at OC Eye Associates. The consultation allows Dr. Driver to assess your eye health and medical history. This appointment will include vision tests to determine your level of near- or farsightedness. Dr. Driver will also measure your corneal shape and thickness to prepare for the procedure. Your corneas must be thick enough to have LASIK safely.
If your LASIK consultation reveals that you’re a good candidate, the next step is scheduling your procedure. Once you know when you’ll have LASIK, you’ll need to stop wearing contact lenses in preparation. You may not realize it, but contact lenses temporarily change the shape of your eyes. You’ll need to stop wearing hard contact lenses at least four weeks before the procedure, or as directed by your doctor. Soft lenses should be discontinued at least two weeks prior to your procedure. This time frame prevents contacts from altering the shape of your eye when planning your laser treatment.
The procedure will take about 10 minutes. Many patients are given a mild sedative to relax before surgery begins. You’ll then receive numbing eye drops to prevent you from feeling anything. Your eye will be gently cleaned and then held open using a speculum to keep your eyelids open. Your LASIK surgeon will then ready a state-of-the-art laser system, the new VisuMax® laser, followed by the WaveLight EX500 Excimer Laser to perform the treatment. The doctors at OC Eye Associates are committed to providing the very best technology to their patients and take pride in having the most advanced lasers available for LASIK.
A computer directs the laser based on measurements taken during your LASIK consultation and final measurements from the day of your LASIK procedure. After reshaping the cornea, there’s no need for a bandage or stitches, as the flap heals on its own. Your surgeon will check your eyes again to ensure proper healing, and then you will spend about 30 minutes in our recovery room. During this time, your LASIK advisor will go over all postoperative instructions with you. This is a perfect time to ask any questions you may have. Ensure that you have a friend or family member who can drive you home, as you won’t be able to drive.
Thanks to the numbing eye drops, you shouldn’t feel any pain during the procedure. You may experience some discomfort when you get home, however, as the drops start to wear off. This usually lasts for the first night after the procedure. You will be given eye drops to help during this time, but the best thing to do is rest with your eyes closed.
WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT DURING RECOVERY?
One of the advantages of LASIK is the recovery is quite short. However, you should plan on taking it easy for a few days after the procedure. Rest and close your eyes for the first several hours after LASIK. Keeping your eyes closed limits dry eyes and irritation from dust or other particles and also helps promote proper healing. You should be able to return to work after a day or two. Most patients find they can start getting back to many of their normal activities within a few days. Avoid contact sports for four weeks. Skip eye makeup for two weeks or until your eye doctor says it is okay to resume. While healing, you may feel dry, itchy eyes or slight pain. You can take prescription eye drops and over-the-counter pain relievers as needed. You should not submerge your eyes in water for a month to avoid infection. This means no swimming in any bodies of water like pools, hot tubs, or the ocean.
Expect to return to the eye doctor the next day for an eye exam. You’ll need to return for several follow-up appointments over the next few months to ensure your eyes are healing as they should. Your sight may take three to six months to stabilize after surgery. You might have light halos or glare while seeing in the dark.
Although LASIK is permanent, it does not prevent your eyes from aging. That means you will still develop conditions like cataracts after LASIK which will cause your vision to slowly change with age. You may also need glasses for reading as your near vision deteriorates with age. This is called presbyopia. Regular eye exams can ensure you have the correct prescription for changing visual needs.
Wondering if LASIK is right for you? Schedule your LASIK consultation at OC Eye Associates today!
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HAVING LASIK?
In the days after LASIK, your vision will only get better and better. Most patients experience immediate results. If you’re active, you’ll love not worrying about breaking your glasses or misplacing contacts. You can skip paying several hundred dollars a year on contacts or glasses after having LASIK. Many people also believe that they look better without glasses.
LASIK Technology at OC Eye Associates
At OC Eye Associates, we take pride in providing our patients with the latest technology in laser vision correction. We use the latest in blade-free LASIK technology with the VisuMax® Laser and the Alcon WaveLight EX500 excimer laser. The lasers minimize problems associated with older generation lasers, such as night vision reduction, glare, and halos.
VisuMax® Laser WaveLight EX500 excimer laser
The new VisuMax® laser is a ground-breaking laser system characterized by its speed, gentle technique, and outstanding precision. It is an ideal platform for cutting-edge corrective eye surgery.
The WaveLight EX500 Excimer Laser is the most advanced and latest excimer laser approved by the FDA that is capable of performing Custom Wavefront LASIK and Topography-guided Custom Ablation Treatment (T-CAT). It is the fastest excimer laser at a speed of 500 Hz and results in consistent outcomes.
The laser also has a high-speed eye tracking system that incorporates iris registration, which means the laser treatment will be aligned even if your eye twitches or moves.
It produces an extremely smooth corneal surface and treats a large area on the cornea, resulting in better results, less glare, and haloes.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR MY CONSULTATION
On the day of your consultation, you will be asked for the completed new patient registration and a medical history form. If you do not have the completed form, you will need to complete it upon arrival.
During your consultation, you will receive a comprehensive eye examination to determine your suitability for refractive surgery. The comprehensive examination includes a microscopic examination of the eye and comprehensive measurements of your cornea’s shape and thickness.
If you are a candidate for surgery, the doctor will determine the specific level of vision correction you require. You will also be advised about your likely outcome and made fully aware of the risks and benefits of laser vision correction.
Please bring the following to your initial visit:
Eyeglasses: Bring the eyeglasses you wear most often and/or your contact lens prescription with you, even if they no longer help your vision. Old eyeglasses and contact lens prescriptions are also helpful to bring as they will provide important information about the past condition of your eyes.
Special Preparation for Contact Lens Users:
Remove your soft contact lenses at least 3 days before your visit and keep them out until the appointment is over. Rigid gas permeable (RGP) and other hard contact lenses should be kept out for 4 weeks.
COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT LASER EYE SURGERY
At OC Eye Associates, we want you to have all of your questions answered before proceeding with any type of surgery. If you have a LASIK question, please feel free to ask your doctor during your consultation.
How good will my vision be after LASIK?
Most of our patients can expect to have 20/20 vision after LASIK surgery. Each patient’s results depend on multiple factors, including the level of vision prior to surgery. Dr. Driver uses the best technology available so that patients can achieve an optimal result. Dr. Driver will discuss what result you can expect at the time of your consultation.
Is LASIK affordable?
At OC Eye Associates, we believe that every patient should have the very best technology. We charge one fee for all patients and do not choose the laser based on cost or on your prescription. Our fee includes all of your pre-op and post-op care. We also offer financing options and accept CareCredit.
Which lasers does OC Eye Associates use?
The doctors at OC Eye Associates use the VisuMax® Laser to make the flap, and then uses the WaveLight EX500 Excimer Laser, to perform the treatment. Dr. Driver is committed to providing the very best technology for his patients and takes pride in having the most advanced lasers available.
How do I know if I’m a candidate for LASIK?
The first step to finding out if you are a suitable candidate for LASIK is to schedule your free consultation. At your consultation, several measurements will be taken of your eyes to determine if you qualify for LASIK or perhaps another refractive procedure. You will meet with one of our doctors to discuss your options and expected results. If you elect to proceed, all pre-op testing can usually be performed the same day as the consultation.
Do I need to stop wearing my contact lenses before my LASIK consultation and LASIK surgery?
Contact lenses change the shape of your eyes and can interfere with crucial measurements when planning LASIK. You will need to be out of your soft contact lenses for 2 weeks or hard contact lenses for at least 1 month prior to your consultation and LASIK surgery. You will also need to be out of your lenses prior to the LASIK surgery for the same amount of time. If you do not stop wearing contacts for your consultation or LASIK surgery, you will need to return after being out of your soft contact lenses for 2 weeks or hard contact lenses for at least 1 month. Please bring your contact lens information to your consultation, as this is important information for our doctors.
What can I expect on the day of LASIK surgery?
Most patients are given a mild sedative and then rest in the waiting room. You will be brought into the surgery suite once it is time for your procedure where our team will prepare your eyes with anesthetic drops. Your surgeon will talk you through the entire procedure, which takes less than twenty minutes. Before you leave, we will go over all post-operative instructions with you and ensure all of your questions are answered. You can expect to be at the office for a total of about one to two hours.
How soon will my vision recover after LASIK?
You can expect your vision to be blurred the day of the procedure. Although every patient heals at a different rate, most patients see about as well as they did with glasses or contacts the very next day and feel comfortable enough to drive to their 1-day post-op appointment. Most patients also return to work within one day.
What are the complications or side effects of LASIK surgery?
Although LASIK is very safe and effective, there are potential side effects and complications. Most patients experience some dryness immediately following surgery, which usually resolves after a few months. If you have dry eye syndrome, this can be treated prior to proceeding with LASIK to minimize this side effect. Glare and halos are much less frequent with the newer generation of lasers but can be present after the procedure. Loss of vision from LASIK is extremely uncommon, particularly if patients are screened properly. At OC Eye Associates, we perform thorough testing to ensure that you are a suitable candidate. Further information on the risks and side effects of LASIK can be found at fda.gov or https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/facts-about-lasik-complications.
What are my options for surgical vision correction?
At the time of your consultation, your doctor will discuss which LASIK or PRK and will recommend which procedure will give you the best and safest result.
What are my options if I wear bifocal or progressive lenses?
For those who wear bifocals, LASIK can only correct distance vision or near vision, but not both at the same time. For patients in their 20s and 30s, this is not an issue, as the focusing mechanism in their eyes still allows them to see at near and distance. For patients who wear bifocals, there are two options. One is to correct only the distance vision and then wear reading glasses as needed for close vision. Another option is called monovision, in which one eye is corrected for distance and the other is corrected for near. Your doctor will discuss your options with you at your consultation.
Why should I choose OC Eye Associates for my LASIK surgery?
Our philosophy is to provide our patients with the best care possible. Each patient is important to us and we will help each patient make the best and safest decision for their eyes, even if that means telling patients that they are not a good candidate for LASIK.
OTHER REFRACTIVE PROCEDURES
While LASIK is the most popular refractive procedure performed today, some patients are better candidates for other vision correction procedures, such as PRK. During your consultation, you will meet with Dr. Driver to discuss your individual needs, as well as which procedure is best suited for your eyes.
PRK
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is another exceptionally safe and popular way to reduce or eliminate your need for glasses. PRK is laser vision correction without making a flap. With PRK, the top layer of the cornea (epithelium) is gently removed and the same laser used in LASIK is used to precisely reshape the cornea or reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. Because no flap is created in the cornea, this procedure can be a better option than LASIK for some patients.
WHAT IS THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LASIK and PRK?
The main difference between LASIK and PRK is that LASIK involves making a flap, reshaping the cornea underneath the flap, and replacing the flap. For PRK instead of making a flap, the epithelial cells on the surface of the cornea are gently removed. After removal, the same laser used in LASIK is used to reshape the cornea to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses. After the procedure, a bandage lens is placed over the eye while the epithelial cells grow back.
As a result of not having a flap, PRK has a longer recovery time than LASIK but the end visual result is the same.
WHO SHOULD GET LASIK OR PRK?
LASIK is best for those who desire a quick recovery time. However, PRK could be a better option in those bothered by dry eyes and in those who play sports that involve risk of trauma to the eye.
LASIK SURGERY FINANCING
OC Eye Associates believe that financial considerations should not be an obstacle to obtaining laser vision correction. That’s why we offer financing options and accept CareCredit.
Our staff will discuss all of your financing options at the time of your consultation.