For parents of prospective laser vision correction patients

If your son or daughter is considering laser vision correction, you’ve probably got some questions and concerns. Regardless of your child’s age, you continue to look out for them—and, although there may have been some years when you doubted it, your children still look to you for guidance and value your opinions.  So, like your son or daughter, you may be doing some research about this step they’re considering taking.  We’d like to help you support your son or daughter through this process and have assembled the following thoughts and information.

Educate yourself. We assume you’re shopping around, and you’re probably looking at the information about our technologies and the specific techniques for laser vision correction.  IntraLase, the laser that creates the corneal flap in preparation of the vision correction treatment, reduces the risk of complications.  VisX Advanced CustomVue is the laser that delivers the technology used that corrects your vision.  IntraLase and Advanced CustomVue technologies, together referred to as iLasik, is the combination of the two newest and most advanced technologies that allow vision correction to be customized to each unique eye.  It is the combination of these two technologies that led to the approval of LASIK for U.S. Navy fighter jet pilots and NASA astronauts.  Extensive testing was conducted to gain this approval and over one million IntraLase procedures have been performed. 

Hunkeler Eye Institute is currently the only facility that offers the iLasik technology in the greater Kansas City area.  Patients have many different reasons for being interested in pitching the eye glasses and contact lenses—but there’s never been a better—or safer-- time to have LASIK.  Patients are experiencing great vision results due to the precision the laser allows the surgeon.  A good description is the IntraLase method creates a corneal flap that fits back into place like a manhole cover; that precision allows for faster healing, fewer risks of complication, and better vision results. 

Although iLASIK is the newest technology, as Dr. Boomer works with your son or daughter, they may decide together that with all factors considered, there may be a better solution.  You may also want to know about  astigmatic keratotomy (AK), conductive keratoplasty (CK), Laser Epithelial Keratomileuses (LASEK), limbal relaxing incision (LRIs), Phakic  Interocular lenses (IOLs), Photo-refractive Keratectomy (PRK) and refractive lensectomy.

A note about age.  The age range of prospective LASIK candidates is technically from 18 to 50+.  Dr. Boomer takes a more conservative approach and prefers patients to be closer to 21, to ensure a stable prescription.  However, a more important indicator of when it’s a good time to have LASIK is the stability of your cornea.  Your glasses or contact lens prescription should not have changed in the past year to be a good candidate.  There are several other factors involved with evaluating candidates for LASIK, or another laser vision correction technique.  Dr. Boomer will evaluate and discuss each factor with your son or daughter and, together, they will decide the best course of action based upon all factors.

Free evaluations.  The first step is to schedule a free refractive evaluation with Dr. Boomer.  This will determine whether or not your son or daughter is a good candidate.  Among several diagnostic tests, Dr. Boomer will consult with your son or daughter to understand physical attributes of the eyes, environmental and lifestyle factors, and your son’s/daughter’s goal for their personal vision and the best solution for reaching their vision goals.  Evaluations are free and patients are under no obligation to proceed with any procedure.

Fear. Know that your son or daughter is probably uneasy.  In fact, fear is the number one obstacle to having laser vision correction.  Nobody really wants to admit they’re nervous, but it’s pretty universal.  At Hunkeler Eye Institute, we respect these feelings.  It’s not that we think you have reason to be fearful, but we believe strongly that anytime you’re considering a surgical treatment of your eyes, you should not feel cavalier about your choice of technology or surgeon.  You should have a lot of questions.  You should seek out a facility that makes you feel comfortable; not the prettiest or the least or most expensive.  The relationship you establish with the surgeon and the staff will help answer your questions about whether or not you wish to move forward with laser vision correction—and where.

The process.  For a more detailed explanation of the process, you’ll want to review the page dedicated to the procedure Dr. Boomer and your son or daughter have agreed is the best course of action.  In short, when you schedule iLASIK surgery, you can expect the following.
• When the patient arrives, we’ll get them checked in, collect payment and administer a mild sedative to relax the patient.  You’ll need about 30 minutes for the sedative to take effect. 
• The patient will be taken into the surgical suite and the IntraLase FM Laser will be used to create the corneal flap.  Allow approximately 30 minutes for this step, although actual treatment requires only seconds per eye.  The process by which this laser works is to create gas bubbles in the cornea.  This is the safest method of creating the corneal flap, but it is not the fastest.
• After the creation of the corneal flap, the patient will be taken to the LASIK waiting area and seated in a recliner with eyes closed for approximately 30 minutes so the bubbles can clear from the cornea. 
• Next, the patient will be escorted back into the surgical suite where the Advanced CustomVue  LASIK vision correction will be administered.  This will require about 30 minutes. 
• Upon completion, the patient will be escorted back into the surgical waiting area, back to that recliner, to relax for 20 – 30 minutes. 
• Dr. Boomer will then examine the results in an examination room before the patient is allowed to leave. 

Although the actual accumulative time required for surgery is approximately 30 minutes, you should be prepared to be here for approximately 2 hours. 

Transportation. Your son or daughter will need transportation home on the day of their procedure.  You may want to offer to help in this way.  Prior to the procedure, the patient will be given a mild sedative that will help them feel more relaxed.  (No, we can’t give you some, too!)  This is why the patient cannot drive after the procedure.  They may also be more light-sensitive than normal and will be provided with goggles to help protect their eyes.  We ask patients to return home after their procedure and sleep for the remainder of the afternoon or evening.  They’ll be provided with eye drops and instructions for their use.  The patient may be uncomfortable following the procedure, but over-the-counter pain relief generally eases this discomfort. 

Care after the procedure. It is important to keep eyes protected with shields or goggles at all times following surgery, except when placing eye drops in each eye, until your son or daughter is examined by Dr. Boomer one day after surgery. It is imperative that the patient does not rub his or her eyes as that can lead to dislocation of the corneal flap. 

Warning signs. Complications from laser vision correction are extremely rare—but you will feel more comfortable if you understand what should signal concern.  Call Dr. Boomer’s assistant at the number she will provide in the event of the following:
• Pain that does not improve after five hours following the procedure.  Patients will have eye irritation, burning, stinging and light sensitivity after the procedure. It is important to keep the eye well lubricated while awake.
• Loss of vision—vision should slowly improve each hour after the surgery; you should call if vision gets worse.
• Flashes of light or floating black spots in the field of vision

Follow Up. Dr. Boomer sees all his patients one day after surgery.  Encourage your child to keep this appointment.  Post operative visits are also scheduled at one week, one month, three months, six months, and one year. 

If you have other questions that have not been addressed, call us at
913-338-4733 or toll-free at 1-800-752-3937 or contact us.