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Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions about LASIK Surgery
Why should I choose Denver Eye Surgeons?
What is the difference between PRK and LASIK?
How do I know if I am a candidate?
Can I have both eyes done the same day?
Is LASIK safe? What are the risks involved?
How successful is LASIK?
When will I be able to see?
Will I need to take time off work?
What are the restrictions following surgery?
Can I have LASIK if I have astigmatism?
What is astigmatism?
What stops me from blinking or moving my eye during the laser treatment?
When can I return to work and my normal activities?
Can LASIK eliminate my reading glasses?
Is LASIK permanent?
Does insurance cover LASIK? Can I finance my surgery?
What’s the next step?
Why should I choose Denver Eye Surgeons?
Attention to detail: Your decision to undergo a LASIK procedure is an important one. At your free consultation, your surgeon will thoroughly examine your eyes and help you determine if LASIK is the right choice for you. Using state ofthe art equipment your surgeon will make sure that LASIK is a safe procedure for you and that you are a good candidate. Using a conservative approach and a keen eye for details, we do not hesitate to tum people away if they are not good candidates.
The Personal Touch: The doctors at Denver Eye Surgeons who perform your LASIK procedure have the qualifications and experience it takes to deliver excellent outcomes. Your surgeon is with you every step of the way. From the initial consultation through surgery and all follow up appointments, your surgeon will be there to ensure optimal outcomes.
Outcome Analysis and Tracking: Using very sophisticated programs, we track our results meticulously. This helps us fine tune our laser which results in a very low enhancement rate and very happy patients.
Allegretto EyeQ Wavelight Laser: At Denver Eye Surgeons, we believe in cutting-edge technology and staying up-to-date with all our equipment. The Allegretto laser gives you a customized treatment that is specific to the options of your eye. This increases the post-operative quality of vision, both during the day and at night. Because of its fast speed and excellent eye-tracking system, the results are spectacular. With the combination of thorough screening, excellent surgeons, cutting-edge technology, our patients are very satisfied.
Thorough screening at consultation: Your decision to undergo a LASIK procedure is an important one. From our free consultation your surgeon will thoroughly examine your eyes and discuss with you if LASIK is right for you. Using state ofthe art equipment we will make sure you will have a safe and successful outcome.
The Doctors: The doctors at Denver Eye Surgeons who perform your LASIK procedure have the qualifications and experience to perform procedures successfully. Your surgeon is with you every step of the way, from the initial consultation through surgery and all follow up appointments to insure optimal outcomes.
What is the difference between PRK and LASIK?
In the LASIK procedure a thin corneal flap is created with a device called a microkeratome. The patient does not feel or see the cutting of the corneal flap, which only takes a few seconds. The excimer laser then sculpts the inner tissue of the cornea, and the flap is then repositioned. The corneal flap begins to adhere within a minute or two. After LASIK, your vision will improve within the first 24 hours.
In the PRK procedure, a thin layer of corneal tissue is removed with an alcohol solution and the laser is then used to re-sculpt the cornea. After the procedure the patient is fitted with a bandage contact lens to improve comfort during healing. The bandage lens is usually removed within the first week, and the patient uses drops to increase comfort and promote healing. It can take several weeks for vision to stabilize, which is one reason LASIK has become the procedure of choice for many surgeons and patients. Some patients will be better candidates for PRK however because they have thin or slightly irregular corneas.
How do I know if I am a candidate?
Our surgeons at Denver Eye Surgeons will determine whether LASIK is the best choice for you through a very thorough screening exam. This involves checking and reviewing your vision, corneal shape, corneal thickness, pupil size, and previous ocular and medical history. We want to make sure this is a safe procedure for you.
Can I have both eyes done the same day?
With the LASIK procedure, both eyes are typically done the same day. PRK heals more slowly and therefore you will have the option to have the second eye treated a few weeks later or that same day.
Is LASIK safe? What are the risks involved?
More than one million procedures are performed each year in the United States. Seldom does a complication affect visual outcomes. As with every medical procedure, there are risks involved with Laser Vision Correction. You will receive a thorough explanation of all the risks and benefits involved with these procedures.
How successful is LASIK?
At Denver Eye Surgeons, almost all of patients are completely happy with the results from their initial surgery. We have one of the lowest rates of enhancements (an enhancement is when your surgeon performs another surgery to fine tune the result in order to achieve the desired outcome). This is due to the thoroughness of our exams, attention to detail, state of the art technology, and excellent surgeons. We are also one of the few clinics to use statistical software to fine-tune our laser performance.
When will I be able to see?
Many patients can read the clock on the wall in the laser room immediately after LASIK. You will also be able to sit up to look out at the nature scene through the windows without glasses or contacts for the first time. Many patients are already thrilled with the results. However, your vision will appear to be somewhat 'steamy' for several hours following surgery. Your sight may fluctuate for a few days following your procedure, but will improve during that time. It's important that patients have realistic expectations. While not all patients undergoing LASIK gain 20/30 vision, most see at least 20/40 or better the day after the procedure. That qualifies an individual to pass a driver's license exam without wearing glasses or contact lenses.
Will I need to take time off work?
With LASIK, you should be able to return to work in about 1-2 days following surgery, so there's little downtime. We may recommend that you take it easy for a few days depending on the work environment or type of life you lead, and will advise you during your consultation.
With PRK, most patients should plan on taking 5- 7 days off from work because of blurred vision.
What are the restrictions following surgery?
You should not wear eye makeup, or expose yourself to dusty or dirty environments for one week following surgery. You should not rub your eyes nor should you swim or hot tub for two weeks after surgery. Protective eyewear will be provided for you to use at night when you sleep to ensure you do not rub your eyes accidentally. Use protective goggles if playing contact sports like basketball.
Can I have LASIK if I have astigmatism?
Yes! Astigmatism can be corrected whether you are nearsighted or farsighted.
What is astigmatism?
The cornea of an eye with astigmatism is shaped like the end of a football, with one meridian being steeper than the other. This produces distorted and blurred images both up close and far away. When this is fixed with the laser, the cornea is now shaped more like a basketball rather than a football, and the vision is sharper.
What stops me from blinking or moving my eye during the laser treatment?
There is an instrument that holds your lids apart to prevent blinking. You will be fixating on a target light during the procedure. With the LADARVision tracker the position of your eye will be checked every 4-6 milliseconds, much faster than you can move it. The laser is very accurate; it follows your eye and positions the laser spot very precisely.
When can I return to work and my normal activities?
Most patients can return to work the day following their procedure. We will ask you to avoid certain activities like swimming, using hot tubs, and the use of eye makeup for 2 weeks following your LASIK.
Can LASIK eliminate my reading glasses?
It is unrealistic to expect that LASIK will free you from ever needing reading glasses. Often we can reduce dependency on reading glasses by under-correcting one eye. This very successful technique is called monovision, and can be covered in more detail at your complimentary consultation and exam.
Is LASIK permanent?
The results of LASIK and PRK seem to be stable over time. Most patients do not experience significant changes in their vision once the postoperative results have stabilized, although this does not affect the normal aging changes of the eye.
Does insurance cover LASIK? Can I finance my surgery?
Most insurance companies do not cover LASIK, although a few will offer discount programs. If you have a Medical Spending or FLEX Account through an employer you can use pre-tax dollars to pay for your procedure. Financing is also available.
What’s the next step?
The best first step is to schedule a complimentary consultation to find out if LASIK will work for you and to learn more about laser vision correction at Denver Eye Surgeons. Call our LASIK Coordinator at 303.273.8761 to schedule your appointment.
When you think of Denver LASIK, Cataracts or Glaucoma, think of the Denver Eye Surgeons.
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Drs. Kreider, Stahl, Maus and Kumar are the Glaucoma,
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