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Frequently Asked Questions
The world of LADARVision
Frequently Asked Questions about LASIK Surgery
Why should I choose Dr. Stahl, Dr. Coulter or Dr. Kumar?
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 Dr. Stahl, Dr. Coulter or Dr. Kumar?
Dr. Coulter
Dr. Coulter has been performing refractive surgeries since 1993 and LASIK since 1996. She has served as the Assistant Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Colorado and was the former Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at Lutheran Medical Center. Her experience in Refractive Surgeries, both in teaching and performance, makes her an ideal Surgeon.
Dr. Stahl
Dr. Stahl not only has performed over 5000 LASIK refractive surgeries but also has supervised other surgeons in the performance of LASIK and PRK. In a News 4 poll of area physicians, Dr. Stahl was one of those most frequently mentioned as a surgeon physicians would trust to do their own LASIK Surgery. He has also been named one of Denver’s top LASIK surgeons in 5280 Magazine.
Dr. Kumar
Dr. Rajiv Kumar is a fellowship-trained cornea surgeon who specializes in refractive eye surgery including LASIK and PRK. He completed his Doctor of Medicine, Ophthalmology Residency, and Cornea/Refractive Fellowship training at the University of Utah. He excelled during his training at the prestigious Moran Eye Center, considered one of the top residency and fellowship programs in the country. Because of thorough preoperative screening, personal patient education, and superb experience, his patients have enjoyed excellent visual 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?
The ideal candidate for laser vision correction is an individual at least 18 years of age or older and has healthy corneas. Your vision should also be relatively unchanged over the last year. People with certain medical conditions are not candidates for laser vision correction. It is best to consult with Dr. Stahl, Dr. Coulter or Dr. Kumar at Denver Eye Surgeons during your complimentary consultation to determine whether LASIK is the best choice 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 when you meet with Dr. Stahl, Dr. Coulter or Dr. Kumar.
How successful is LASIK?
At Denver Eye Surgeons, 96% 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 you have not achieved your desired outcome and the Doctor would perform another surgery to fine tune the result in order to achieve the desired outcome) in the front-range area. This is due to the thoroughness of our exams and attention to detail. We are also one of the few clinics to use statistical software to fine-tune your individual results.
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 weeks following your procedure, but will improve during that time. It's important that patients have realistic expectations. While not all patients undergoing LASIK gain 20/20 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?
You should be able to return to work the next day, so there's little downtime. Dr. Stahl, Dr. Coulter or Dr. Kumar 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.
What are the restrictions following surgery?
Most patients can drive to work the next day. You should not wear eye makeup, or expose yourself to dusty or dirty environments for two days 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 at night when you sleep to ensure you do not rub or scratch your eyes.
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.
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 about 4,000 times per second, much faster than you can move it.
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 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 Consultant at 303.273.8740 to schedule your appointment.
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