Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is LASIK and how is it done?
2. What does the name of the LASIK procedure mean?
3. How long has LASIK been performed?
4. Why is LASIK considered an advancement in refractive surgery?
5. Who can LASIK benefit?
6. Who can't have LASIK?
7. I am happy with my contact lenses. Should I pursue having LASIK?
8. How much does LASIK cost?
9. What results can I expect from LASIK?
10. Are the results achieved from LASIK permanent?
    
11. If I have LASIK and my vision changes later in life, can it be redone?
    
12. How long does the LASIK procedure take?
    
13. Can I drive immediately after having LASIK?
    
14. What type of anesthetic is used for LASIK?
    
15. Does the LASIK procedure hurt?
    
16. Can I have both eyes done with LASIK at the same time?
    
17. How long will I be off work after having LASIK?
    
18. Can I play sports after LASIK surgery?
    
19. How long will it take before I can see well and how long will it take before I have my best vision?
    
20. Will I need to wear glasses once my eyes have healed?
    
21. Will my eyes look different after LASIK?
    
22. How safe is the LASIK procedure?
    
23. After LASIK, how will my vision be at night or in low light?
    
24. Will my eyes be dry after LASIK?
    
25. I wear bifocals now. Will I still need reading glasses after the LASIK procedure?
    
26. If I am corrected for distance, will I lose my ability to see well up close?
    
27. Does insurance cover this surgery?
    
28. What is PRK?
    
29. Not everyone can have LASIK, but can anyone have PRK?
    
30. What is 20/20 vision?
    
31. Can Excimer Laser correct every eye to get 20/20 vision?
    
32. Do I qualify?

1. What is LASIK and how is it done?
   
   LASIK is an acronym for laser in situ keratomileusis. LASIK is a type of outpatient surgery where an excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea without invading adjacent tissue in the eye.
   
   
2. What does the name of the LASIK procedure mean?
   
   Laser in situ keratomilleusis means using a laser to reshape the cornea. In situ means to confine the surgery to the site of origin. Kerato is the Greek word for cornea. Mileusis means to shape.
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. How long has LASIK been performed?
   
   LASIK has been performed internationally for about 10 years. The first clinical trials were done in the United States in 1995.
   
   
4. Why is LASIK considered an advancement in refractive surgery?
   
   By combining the precision of the excimer laser with a corneal flap technique, the LASIK procedure has fewer complications, a faster recovery time, more comfort and requires less post-operative medications.
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Who can benefit from LASIK surgery?
   
   LASIK can benefit most people with myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. Candidates should have a strong desire to become less dependent upon corrective lenses and be willing to accept the risks of having surgery.
   
   
6. Who can't have LASIK?
   
   A full diagnostic examination by a doctor must be conducted to determine if a patient is a candidate for LASIK. Some pre-existing conditions may prevent some people from have surgery. Other conditions may complicate the surgery and increase the risk of developing complications. Patients with these conditions need to have a candid conversation with their doctors regarding eligibility and expectations.
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. I am happy with my contact lenses. Should I have LASIK surgery?
   
   Your needs and your lifestyle should be factors in making your decision. All patients should evaluate the risks and benefits of having LASIK surgery.
   
   
8. How much does LASIK cost?
   
   All refractive surgery centres have different prices. Please call our office at 1-866-808-3937 for the latest pricing information.
   
   
   
   
   
   
9. What results can I expect from LASIK?
   
   No surgeon in the world can guarantee exactly what your vision will be after surgery. However your chance of getting 20/20 or better vision is over 93% with Bausch & Lomb 217 excimer laser. (Compare it to VISIX 20/20 or better vision 48.1%; Alcon LADARVision 20/20 or better vision 65.2%: Nidek20/20 or better vision 42%)
   
   
10. Are the results achieved from LASIK permanent?
    
    Yes. However in some people they may have a small regression which can be touched up with an enhancement procedure if there is enough corneal tissue available and medically advisable.
    
    
    
    
    
    
11. If I have LASIK and my vision changes later in life, can it be redone?
    
    It is unlikely it will change later in life. However you could develop other conditions like cataracts or diabetes that may affect your vision.
    
    
12. How long does the LASIK procedure take?
    
    The procedure is very fast by nature because the surgeon does not want the eye to dry up during the procedure to get the best result. Usually it takes five minutes for each eye from the beginning to the end of the procedure. You will be in the laser room for approximately 20 minutes for both eyes.
    More about the procedure...
    
    
    
    
    
    
13. Can I drive immediately after having LASIK?
    
    No. Your eyes will take at least 4 to 5 five hours before they stop being uncomfortable after the surgery. Unless your vision meets the driving requirements to drive without glasses you should not be driving. Your vision will probably be good enough to drive (or better) the very next day. You should really not be driving for 48 hours after the surgery. Check with your surgeon on the post-operative day whether your vision meets legal driving standards.
    
    
14. What type of anesthetic is used for LASIK?
    
    The anesthetic we use is only one drop of local anesthetic at the beginning of the surgery. This is all that is required for you to go through the procedure without feeling any pain or major discomfort. There are no needles. No sedatives are given before the surgery as we find it is not necessary. If you feel very strongly about having a sedative before the surgery do not take any medication before signing the consent form.
    
    
    
    
    
    
15. Does the LASIK procedure hurt?
    
    No, but some people may feel some pressure or minor discomfort when the speculum is used or with suction (which lasts only a few seconds).
    
    
16. Can I have both eyes done with LASIK at the same time?
    
    Yes. We prefer it that way as it cuts down the time you have to take off for recovery and an extra journey you may have to make to the laser clinic. Thousands of people have had both eyes done in this clinic at the same time with no hesitation. If by any chance there was any complication during the first eye procedure, the surgeon will advise you to have the second eye done at a later date. This happens very rarely. If you feel like having one eye done at a time, it can be arranged but there will be an extra charge for it.
    
    
    
    
    
    
17. How long will I be off work after having LASIK surgery?
    
    You should be able to go back to work in three days after the surgery, but if you have opportunity to have a week off you may find it useful. Very rarely if the vision is not good enough after surgery, you may be delayed for a few days.
    
    
18. Can I play sports after having LASIK surgery?
    
    Please refer to the information package that can be downloaded from this website for a list of restrictions after surgery.
    
    
    
    
    
    
19. How long will it take before I can see well and how long will it take before I have my best vision?
    
    It is quite common for the patient to see 20/20 or better the first day after surgery. In some people it may take longer to achieve this.
    
    
20. Will my eyes look different after LASIK?
    
    No your eyes will look exactly the same.
    
    
    
    
    
    
21. Will I need to wear glasses once my eyes have healed?
    
    If you are 40 or over you may need reading glasses. Occasionally cannot correct all of your prescription if there is not enough corneal tissue. In such cases he would have discussed with you the need for corrective lenses after the surgery. These may be ordered as soon as one week after the surgery. If you have any regression and you decide against enhancement, you will definitely need glasses to improve your vision.
    
    
22. How safe is the LASIK procedure?
    
    No surgeon in the world can say it is very safe as much as no one can tell that driving is very safe. Every effort is made before, during, and after the procedure to make sure that you will have an uneventful, good recovery from the procedure. Most of the complications are minor and dealt with successfully, giving you good results.
    
    
    
    
    
    
23. After LASIK how will my vision be at night or in low light?
    
    See the night vision information at this website.
    
    
24. Will my eyes be dry after LASIK?
    
    Some people feel the eyes are drier after lasik. It is advisable to use tear drops frequently for a period after surgery until the eye recovers its normal tear function. This may vary from person to person.
    
    
    
    
    
    
25. I wear bifocals now. Will I still need reading glasses after the LASIK procedure?
    
    Yes. If you have both eyes corrected for the distance. However new procedures may be available which may even eliminate the need for reading glasses.
    
    
26. If I am corrected for distance will I lose my ability to see well up close?
    
    If you are over 40 you may find that your close up vision will not be as good. However if you are within the ages of 18 to 40 your distance and near vision will be good.
    
    
    
    
    
    
27. Does insurance cover the procedure?
    
    Some may, contact your insurance provider to determine your coverage.
    
    
28. What is PRK?
    
    Please see the information on our website under procedure.
    
    
    
    
    
    
29. Not everyone can have LASIK but can anyone have PRK?
    
    This is not true. Some people can have neither LASIK nor PRK because of some diseases in the cornea. Some general medical conditions like auto-immune disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes with eye involvement will also be a factor that may adversely have consequences after surgery and hence, any surgery for refraction is not advisable.
    
    
30. What is 20/20 vision?
    
    20/20 vision means a person sees at 20 feet what a “normal” person can see at 20 feet. 20/40 vision means the person is seeing at 20 feet what a normal person should be seeing at 40 feet. In the metric system the same vision is expressed in meters e.g.: 6/6.
    
    
    
    
    
    
31. Can Excimer Laser correct every eye to get 20/20 vision?
    
    No. If the eye has only 20/100 as the best corrected vision with glasses or contact lenses, the chances are that is all that the eye will see after treatment. Such low vision is due to so many causes that cannot be treated with Excimer laser. If the eye is very shortsighted and the vision is 20/50 with glasses Excimer laser treatment may “improve” the vision to 20/20 in the same way a contact lens will for that eye.
    
    
32. Do I qualify?
    
    The most appropriate candidates for PRK vision correction meet these basic qualifications. Individual assessment is performed to determine your candidacy.
    
    
    •  Be at least 18 years of age
    •  Stable vision for one year (slight change in prescription may not qualify you)
    •  Eyes are free of disease
    •  Not pregnant or breast-feeding