ABOUT LASIK

Why choose LASIK?

Until recently, if you were one of the millions of people with a refractive error, eyeglasses and contact lenses were the only options for correcting vision. But with the arrival of refractive surgery, some people with Myopia (nearsightedness), Hyperopia (farsightedness), or Astigmatism (an asymmetric cornea), may have their vision improved through surgery.

LASIK, or laser in-situ keratomileusis, is the most technologically advanced method for performing laser vision correction. The procedure uses the Excimer laser to produce cool pulses of ultraviolet light to cleanly and precisely reshape the delicate tissues of the cornea. This corrects any problems with the curvature of the cornea and allows light to focus directly on the retina. The result of the procedure is clear vision. It is important to note that LASIK is not an enhancement, it is a medical procedure, and only the advice of the most qualified and trained eye care professional should be sought. In general, a good candidate is at least 18 years old and is generally a healthy person. Your prescription should be stable for at least 1to 2 years and you must be in good eye health, free from cataracts or glaucoma.

What can LASIK do for you?

Many people have achieved overwhelming success with the procedure and have greatly reduced their dependence on glasses or contacts. Their active lifestyles are now a lot more convenient. For some people, it's just being able to see the alarm clock in the morning that makes all the difference in the world. It's important to be aware of the risks involved with LASIK. There may be some occurrence of glare or halos, usually experienced at night or under fluorescent lighting. This occurs because as the pupil expands in dim illumination, light is allowed to pass through the corrected and uncorrected portions of the cornea. As with any surgery, there is also a chance of complications, but occurrences are less than one percent.

It is important to seek the advice and council of only the most experienced and qualified doctors when inquiring about the LASIK procedure. Barenburg Eye Associates works with only the best and most experienced LASIK surgeons in North America. Our doctors will evaluate you as a candidate for the procedure and then recommend several exceptional surgeons from which you may choose.

Where Should You Seek Advice?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is laser vision correction or LASIK?
LASIK is a surgical procedure that uses a cool beam of laser light to gently reshape the cornea (the "outer window" of the eye). This reshaping allows light rays to focus more precisely on the retina, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses.

How do I know if I'm eligible for laser vision correction?
Several important factors include your age, eyeglass prescription, general health and eye health. Your vision should be stable for at least 12 months. Most importantly, a detailed discussion with your eye doctor regarding your visual needs is the only way to be certain that you're a good candidate for LASIK. Often, there may be other options available for you to consider.

How do I know if I'm choosing the right doctor?
LASIK is a surgical procedure and requires a high level of skill and experience. Not only should your surgeon be Board Certified in ophthalmology and a Fellow to the American College of Surgeons, but should leave you with a comfort level upon answering all of your concerns and questions. Unfortunately for some, the surgeon is based on who offers the lowest price. At Barenburg Eye Associates, our optometrists pride themselves on two main aspects of your care:

1) attention to detail every step of the way, especially regarding your true prescription, and, 2) completely and clearly answering all of your questions and helping you to understand the procedure and your expectations.

Is it Safe?
The FDA recognizes laser vision correction as proven, safe and effective. There are risks associated with any surgical procedure (again, the importance of a Board Certified surgeon), but LASIK uses a cool beam of light that is computer controlled. Additionally, the surgeon turns the laser on and is able to turn it off at any moment.

Does the surgery hurt?
No. The actual procedure does not hurt; anesthetic eye drops are used just before the surgery begins. Occasionally, some patients experience some mild discomfort 2-6 hours after the surgery. The discomfort is described as a gritty, watery sensation, comparable to an uncomfortable contact lens. Drops are used to minimize or eliminate any discomfort.

What should I expect the day of surgery?
In most cases, the procedure is performed in an office-based out-patient surgery LASIK facility. Upon arrival, your consent forms will be reviewed and signed and any additional questions that you may have will be addressed by your surgeon. Drops are placed in the eyes prior to the procedure and you may elect to take a mild tranquilizer.

The laser treatment itself usually takes less than a minute, while the entire procedure takes around 15-20 minutes for both eyes. During the procedure you lie down on a reclining chair. A small retainer is used to keep your eyelids open; this way you don't have to worry about blinking your eyes. After the surgery you'll relax in the office for about 30 minutes prior to heading home.

At this point, your vision will be better, but still somewhat hazy until the next morning. Your vision will improve as the weeks go by.

Can I go back to work the next day?
Most surgeons recommend that you plan on taking two or three days to rest and relax, but, often, patients decide to return to work the very next day. Frequently, while the distance vision may be quite sharp the next day, it may take several days for the near vision to achieve the same clarity. For the many patients who obtain perfect distance vision and are over a certain age, you may require a near vision reading prescription.

What is an enhancement?

Approximately 15-20% of the time, the surgeon has to repeat the LASIK procedure to obtain satisfactory results for the patient. This may be due to the eye not responding as predicted, patient expectations not properly determined before surgery or eyeglass prescription measurements not as accurately determined as we would like. The average enhancement rate is usually less than 3%. Simply needing to wear glasses or contact lenses and desiring the LASIK procedure is not enough to be considered a good LASIK candidate. That is why the doctors at Barenburg Eye Associates have the knowledge and take the time to determine if you are a candidate for LASIK surgery.