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12 FAQ's about Lasik Surgery
- 1. Have many people had LASIK surgery?
More than 5,000,000 Americans have had the LASIK procedure and the number continues to increase substantially every year.
- 2. How experienced is
Dr. Daubert?
Dr. Jack Daubert has been in the private practice of ophthalmology since 1989. With over 20 years of experience in refractive surgery, Dr. Daubert has been at the forefront of the movement to bring the LASIK revolution to South Florida. He has preformed thousands of LASIK cases, including, professional baseball players, golfers, pilots, and other doctors. Not only has he won the respect and admiration of his many patients, he has also been hailed by physicians and peers as South Florida’s “Best Doctors” in several publications including the consumer reference book “The Best Florida Doctors.”
- 3. Is LASIK Safer Than Contacts?
More than 30 million Americans use contact lenses. In addition to offering flexibility, convenience, and a “no-glasses” appearance, “contacts” help correct a variety of vision disorders, including astigmatism, presbyopia, farsightedness, and nearsightedness. Contact lenses do present potential risks. In recent studies, which included an advisory member from the FDA, suggests that prolonged use of contacts can represent a risk to eye health. In the past six years the FDA has posted an increasing number of advisories concerning risks associated with contact lenses. Concerns range from corneal ulcers and eye infections that usually develop quickly and can in some rare cases, lead to blindness. Daily contact lens wearers have a one in 100 chance of developing serious lens-related eye infection over 30 years of use.
- 4.Can I Really Get Rid Of My Glasses?
Most people over age 18 who suffer from farsightedness, nearsightedness, or astigmatism can be helped. If you are at least 40 years of age, have presbyopia and/or wear reading glasses, or have bifocals, you may still need to wear reading glasses following LASIK surgery. A thorough eye exam is the best way to determine if LASIK can achieve your expectations. The exam would include a full corneal mapping (topography), corneal thickness measurement, and your pupil size measurement to ensure that LASIK is right for you.
Your doctor would discuss your goals and expectations, as well as the risks and benefits of the procedure.
- 5. Am I a good candidate for LASIK?
All reputable experienced LASIK surgeons screen their patients very carefully. Mainly because not everybody is a good candidate for LASIK and surgery performed on a poor candidate is far more likely to have complications. By using proper FDA approved pre-operative technology for pre-screening candidates for the procedure, a LASIK surgeon dramatically lowers any risk of complication. Though most people are good candidates, there are some conditions which would preclude one from being able to have LASIK. If you have a pre-existing eye disease that affects vision – such as advanced glaucoma, cataracts, corneal diseases, or corneal thinning disorders – you would not be a good candidate. There are also temporary conditions that would prevent you from having LASIK, such as vision instability or pregnancy.
- 6. Will It Hurt? When Can I Return To Work?
LASIK is virtually painless. The LASIK surgery itself is very brief, only a few minutes for each eye. The next day you will be astonished at how clearly you can see. Most people are able to return to work within 24-48 hours following their LASIK procedure.
- 7. What is the IntraLase Method?
The IntraLase Method is a 100% blade free technique used to perform the critical first step in the LASIK procedure: creating the corneal flap. The creation of the corneal flap prepares the eye for the second step of the LASIK procedure, where an eximer laser is used on the inner cornea to correct vision.
- 8. What Is PRK?
Procedures such as “epi-LASIK” and “LASEK” are forms of PRK: a type of vision correction where the laser treatment is done on top of the eye, instead of under the protective flap used in LASIK. PRK is necessary for certain eye conditions where the cornea is too thin to create a protective flap. The PRK procedure is less comfortable than LASIK. Although the outcome of PRK is the same, it can take longer to achieve the level of vision that LASIK can deliver.
- 9. Is 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 correction carefully, not quickly. Our web site is full of information about our surgeon, 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.
- 10. What About Nighttime Side-Effects?
Nighttime side-effects can include halos, starbursts, glare around lights, and blurry vision. These side-effects are mostly reported in the early days of LASIK, and while some night-vision effects can occur today these usually diminish in the first few months as the eye heals. In extreme cases additional touch-up (enhancement) procedures would be recommended.
With the advent of advanced FDA technology, treatment zones have been expanded, reporting fewer nighttime vision side-effects. In fact, in FDA clinical trials, studies showed that four times as many people were very satisfied with their nighttime vision as they were with their glasses or contacts. In other words, the chances of long-term night vision problems were greatly reduced due to laser vision correction.
- 11. Can I Finance LASIK?
24 month, No Interest Payment plans are available through Care Credit and Chase Health Advance.
- 12. How Do I Choose a LASIK Surgeon?
Having LASIK is a lifetime decision. Here are some key points to consider:
- Look for a surgeon who utilizes the latest most advanced FDA approved technologies, who offer both Blade Free IntraLase, as well as Custom LASIK.
- Find out whether the surgeon you are considering is a LASIK specialist (having done over 40,000 procedures).
- Be satisfied that you have asked all the questions necessary to make an informed decision.
