Laser Vision Correction Overland Park and Kansas City
Vision Correction Procedures Frequently Asked Questions
Isn't all laser vision correction the same?
No. Many of the discount LASIK centers want you to believe that LASIK should be purchased like a commodity and that surgeon experience, lasers, diagnostic technology and follow-up care don't matter. Laser vision correction will affect the way you see for the rest of your life. You should make your decision to have laser vision carefully, not quickly. We encourage you to visit other laser centers and ask lots of questions. Our Web site has a lot of information about our Overland Park eye surgeons, our laser technology, our advanced diagnostic technology and what you should expect for the money you spend. We provide you with all of this information because we feel the more you know about us, the more confident you will feel about choosing us as your laser vision correction provider. We also encourage you to view the educational videos on IntraLase TM and CustomVueTM to learn more about the technologies we use as well as review why you should choose us.
How is the IntraLase method different from other methods of creating a corneal flap?
The IntraLase method is the most advanced technology available--and the first blade-free way to create a corneal flap. Prior to the IntraLase method, doctors relied on an instrument called a microkeratome to create corneal flaps. The IntraLase method allows doctors greater precision in customizing the size and shape of the corneal flap, based upon your individual eye.
How does the IntraLase method work?
The IntraLase method uses tiny, ultra-precise pulses of laser light to create the corneal flap--no blade ever touches your eye! The exact dimension of the layer of bubbles is determined by your doctor based upon what's best for your eye, and is computer controlled for maximum precision. The IntraLase method of creating the corneal flap takes between 15 and 30 seconds.
Will I have 20/20 vision following laser vision correction?
The goal of any refractive surgical procedure is to reduce your dependence on corrective lenses. However, we cannot guarantee you will have 20/20 vision as a result. Our commitment to you is that we will not perform laser vision correction on you or anyone we feel does not have a good possibility of achieving independence from glasses and contacts. The vast majority of our patients are extremely happy with their results and can do most activities without dependence on corrective lenses after laser vision correction. With the IntraLase Method, even more patients do achieve 20/20 vision--and some attain even better vision than 20/20!
Is laser vision correction safe?
There are possible risks with any surgical procedure. Serious complications with LASIK or PRK are extremely rare. The chance of having a vision-reducing complication from LASIK has been documented in clinical studies to be less than one percent. Many of the risks and complications associated with this procedure can be reduced or eliminated through careful patient selection and thorough pre-operative testing using the latest diagnostic technology.
After laser vision correction, you may experience some visual side effects. These are usually mild and most often diminish over a few days to a few weeks. But there is a slight chance that some of these side effects won't go away completely, such as feelings of dryness, glare and halos. If after a thorough examination we decide you are a good candidate for laser vision correction, you will be given additional information about the procedure that will allow you to make an informed decision about whether to proceed. Be sure you have all your questions answered to your satisfaction. If you would like additional information about risks and complications now, you may download our 'consent for surgery' form by going to Patient Forms.
Is the IntraLase method better for the eye?
Unlike the one-dimensional cut made by a blade, the IntraLase method gives your doctor the ability to tailor the dimensions of your corneal flap based on what's best for your eye. Everything from the circumference of your flap to the angle of its edges can be precisely determined. This is important because everyone's eyes are shaped a little differently. Having a corneal flap that's individualized to the patient contributes to excellent postoperative vision.
Has anyone ever gone blind because of LASIK?
In the many thousands of LASIK cases performed worldwide, we know of no recorded incidence of anyone losing their eyesight due to this procedure.
What about nighttime side-effects?
You have probably seen news stories about people having difficulty driving at night after refractive surgery. Nighttime side-effects may include halos, starbursts, and glare around lights and blurry vision. Some of these can be caused by overcorrection, undercorrection, or residual astigmatism. These effects usually diminish as the eye heals in the first three to six months. Sometimes additional touch-up (enhancement) procedures will be recommended.
Another possible cause of nighttime side-effects is pupil size. At night, the pupil expands to let in more light. Light coming through the peripheral cornea may be out of focus if the pupil opens beyond the laser treatment area. This is why some patients are not good candidates for LASIK if they have very large pupils. However, our advanced laser technology has expanded treatment zones and patients that were at one time not candidates for LASIK because they had large pupils, can now be treated. PRK and LASEK may also be better procedures for patients with wide pupils.
Does LASIK cause dry eye?
Following a LASIK procedure, every patient has temporary dry eye, which can be treated most often with artificial tears. This dry eye sensation usually clears up in eight to 12 weeks except in rare cases, where it may take longer.
Patients with pre-existing dry eye may not be good candidates for LASIK, but may be candidates for PRK or LASEK. If you have dry eye, you should discuss it with your doctor at your pre-op examination. Tests can often diagnose dry eye but it is still somewhat difficult to predict who will experience significant dry eye following LASIK. One of the benefits of the IntraLase method is the reduced occurance of dry eye as documented in over 1,000,000 procedures. A thorough evaluation of your current medications, medical history and work environment should all be taken into account.
What keeps the flap in position?
When the LASIK treatment is complete, a corneal flap using the IntraLase method is uniquely able to lock back into place, allowing the eye to beging healing more quickly--without any need for stitches. Initially, there is a vacuum effect created by the cells lining the inner surface of the cornea. As the eye heals over the first few days, the epithelium (the outer surface of the cornea) seals the edges of the flap.
Will it hurt?
There is no pain during any of the laser vision procedures since anesthetic eye drops numb your eyes, although some patients may experience mild discomfort or a pressure sensation during their procedure. After LASIK, you might experience mild irritation for a few days after your procedure. An over-the-counter pain reliever or use of artificial tears will generally take care of this discomfort. PRK and LASEK patients experience more post-operative discomfort for three to five days while the epithelium heals.
Will both eyes be corrected on the same day?
For most procedures, both eyes will be corrected on the same day.
How long does the procedure take?
Since both eyes are usually treated during the same appointment, you will be in the surgery room for approximately 30 minutes. Once in the laser room your eyes will be cleaned and prepared for surgery. The surgery itself usually only takes five minutes or so per eye. However, there is wait time required between the steps of the process. For example, you'll need about 30 minutes for the mild sedative to take effect before you go into the surgical suite. You, and your transportation, should allow approximately 2 hours for the entire procedure.
Do I need to take time off work?
Following LASIK, most patients return to work the day after their procedure. With PRK or LASEK, the recovery time may be a little longer.
Do I have to go without my contacts before having laser vision correction?
If you are wearing hard or gas permeable contacts, it's important that you remove them at least four weeks prior to your exam. Soft lenses should be out for at least two weeks before your exam. Soft toric lenses may need to be out longer. Your doctor will advise you how long you need to be out of your contacts prior to your exam and prior to your surgery. Nobody likes this period of being out of your contacts prior to your surgery. However, wearing the lenses causes changes to the shape of your cornea. Without ensuring this amount of time for your corneas to return to their natural shape prior to the surgery, you may compromise getting your very best vision possible.
How old do I have to be for laser vision correction?
You need to be over 21 years of age, and your glasses or contact lens prescription should not have changed in the last year. If your eye is still changing from year to year, you should not have the procedure until the cornea is stable.
Can I have laser vision correction while I am pregnant or trying to conceive?
Pregnancy can affect your vision, therefore if you are pregnant or trying to conceive, you should not have laser vision correction. You should wait several months after your pregnancy or after you finish nursing before having laser vision correction.
How long will the results of the surgery last?
Laser vision correction is considered to be permanent. However, your eyes can still change as you age which may cause a need for glasses or contacts or additional vision correction procedures in the future. As people reach their early forties, they develop presbyopia and begin to need reading glasses. If you're over 35, you may want to consider monovision.
What is the reaction of patients who have experienced the IntraLase method?
In a clinical survey, the vision in the IntraLase treated eye was preferred by LASIK patients 3-to-1 over the vision in the microkeratome-treated eye (among those patients who stated a preference.)
If I choose to have monovision, does that mean I'll never need reading glasses?
Not necessarily. The effects of presbyopia continue to worsen as you get older, whether or not you have monovision. At some point in time, reading glasses or another vision correction procedure may become necessary. The benefit to having monovision is that there won't be a complete dependence on glasses for close vision. Many who have monovision are able to see well enough both at distance and near to do things at any age without corrective lenses.
How much should I pay for laser vision correction?
The cost of vision correction varies among practices, based on surgeon experience and what the center includes in the fee. We are not the least expensive providers because we never sacrifice safety to save you money. We have invested heavily in advanced laser technology and our diagnostic technology is second to none. This investment is extremely important to surgical results and our patients tell us they can see the difference. We encourage you to visit other laser centers and compare.
It's only natural to want to get the best price, but remember, quality and service are extremely important when it comes to medical care. After all, laser vision correction is a procedure you'll have only once in your lifetime and your vision is one of your most important assets. The best way to find out exactly what your price will be is to come in for an exam. After a comprehensive evaluation to determine what procedures you're a candidate for we'll be able to give you a specific price.
Will my insurance cover my procedure?
A few insurance companies do pay for all or part of vision correction procedures. You can check with your plan administrator, or we will be happy to make a copy of your insurance card and check coverage for you. Many people have medical flex plans they use to save up to 50 percent on their procedure by using pre-tax dollars. Your employer's human resources department can tell you whether you have this benefit. Vision correction also may be tax deductible as a medical expense (check with your financial advisor).
If you do not have insurance coverage, we offer affordable payment plans. For a limited time, you can receive 24-month interest free financing for your procedure. It is easy to apply online and receive credit approval before you schedule an appointment. We also accept cash, personal checks, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.
Laser Vision Correction Overland Park
Laser Vision Correction Kansas City
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