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Q.
Is laser vision
correction safe?
A.
The risk of having a
complication is less
than 1%. In fact, the
risk of developing a
sight threatening
infection is greater
from contact lens wear
than from refractive
surgery. Complications,
although rare, can
usually be successfully
treated.
Q. Does the procedure
hurt?
A.
Although you may feel
some slight pressure
around the eye, you
should not have any pain
during the procedure.
With LASIK, pain after
the procedure is
uncommon, but can be
treated with drops or
prescription
Tylenol.
Q. What actual
happens during the
procedure?
A.
After your eye has been
completely numbed using
"eye drop" anesthesia,
an eyelid holder will be
placed between your
eyelids to prevent you
from blinking. Next an
instrument, known as a
microkeratome, makes a
protective flap in the
cornea. During this
process you many feel a
little pressure. You
will be asked to look
directly at a target
light while the laser
reshapes the cornea,
usually in less than a
minute. Then, the
protective flap is
folded back in place
where it bonds securely
without the need for
stitches. After LASIK,
some patients report a
slight discomfort that
usually goes away within
twelve to twenty-four
hours.
Q. How long does the
procedure take?
A.
The actual procedure
takes approximately five
minutes per eye.
Q. Can I have both
eyes done on the same
day?
A.
Most of our patients get
both eyes done on the
same day. Every patient
has the option to have
each eye done on
separate days if that is
their preference.
Q. How soon can I
return to work?
A.
Patients who choose
LASIK can often return
to work the next day.
With PRK, patients often
return to work in 3-5
days.
Q. Can I be
guaranteed 20/20
vision?
A.
No one can guarantee a
20/20 outcome. However,
studies have shown up to
98% of patients achieve
20/40 vision or better,
which allows for legal
driving, playing sports,
and satisfies most
police or fire
department regulations
for functioning without
corrective lenses.
Q. How do I know I'm
a candidate for laser
surgery?
A.
In general, candidates
for laser surgery must
be 18 years or older,
have stable vision for a
year prior to the
procedure and be free of
certain diseases. Free
Refractive Consultations
are available at our
offices. Please use our
contact page to request
a free screening
appointment.
Q. How long have the
doctors been performing
this procedure?
A.
Lakewood/Los Alamitos
Eye Physicians and
Surgeons have been
performing refractive
surgery for over 10
years. They have
performed thousands of
LASIK procedures and are
certified in LASIK, PRK,
Astigmatic PRK, Radial
Keratotomy and
Astigmatic Keratotomy
procedures. While LASIK
surgery is usually the
procedure of choice, our
surgeons are in the
unique position of being
able to customize the
surgical plan for each
patient. As members of
the teaching staff at
the University of
California, Irvine, our
surgeons are always
attuned to the very
latest treatments that
will be right for
you.
Q. What is the cost
of the
procedure?
A.
The procedure fees
include:
- Prescheduling
discussion with the
surgeon
- Preoperative
exam by the
surgeon
- Corneal
topography
- All
Facility (including
university)
fees
- All
Postoperative Care
for a full
year
- Any
enhancements for a
full year
The
cost of LASIK or PRK
starts from $1200 per
eye.
(depending on your
prescription, and if the
Wavefront Custom Cornea
program option is
chosen. Discount applies
when pre-operative and
post-operative care is
arranged through our
large network of
affiliated COLA
(California Optometric
Laser Associates)
optometrists)
To confirm the exact
procedure fees of other
services, please
contact
us
or call us at our Long
Beach office (562)
531-2020 or at our Los
Alamitos office (562)
598-7728.
Payment can be made via
cash, certified check,
major credit cards or
personal check.
Financing is also
available.
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