| Frequently Asked Questions |
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Click here to see what our patients say about LASIK |
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| What is LASIK? |
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| LASIK (Laser Assisted In-Situ
Keratomileusis) is a technique used to treat
nearsightedness, farsightedness, and/or astigmatism.
In LASIK, a protective flap is made on the surface of
the cornea. The flap is then lifted and a cool
beam of the laser is applied to the revealed portion of
the cornea. The laser reshapes the cornea to
accommodate a patient's exact prescription. The
flap is then folded down where it adheres without the
need for sutures. |
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Click here to read more about the technology |
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| Why should I choose LASIK? |
- To reduce or eliminate your dependence on
glasses or contact lenses
- LASIK is an extremely quick and virtually
painless procedure, taking only minutes to complete
both eyes. It is a non-invasive treatment and
most patients can return to work the next day.
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| What are the risks associated
with LASIK? |
- Glare or halos are a reaction to light.
The incidence is a rare occurrence with improved
technology. However, should this occur, the
symptoms usually resolve in three to six months.
- An irregular flap may occur in a few cases,
approximately one in 700. If this should
happen, it is not dangerous, only disspointing as
the flap must be placed back in its original
position and the eye allowed to heal before
proceeding. There is no loss of vision during
this time. After three to six months, the
procedure can be rescheduled.
- Infection is always a risk when you are
considering any type of surgery. However, our
patients use an antibiotic drop after surgery, and
to date, our practice has a 0% infection rate.
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| Is LASIK safe? |
| Yes. Over two million people all over the
world have had LASIK and statistics show that no one has
ever gone blind. |
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| What is my first step? |
- After you have been evaluated as a candidate for
LASIK, your next step is to schedule an appointment
for a pre-surgical exam. At this appointment,
Dr. Florkowski, with the assistance of his staff,
will measure the thickness of your cornea, determine
your precise prescription before and after dilation
of your eyes, and take a topographical picture or
mapping of the surface of your cornea.
- Soft contact lenses should be removed two days
prior to the mearuement appointment and two days
prior to the surgery appointment.
- Hard contact lenses should be removed three
weeks prior to the measurement appointment and three
weeks prior to the surgery appointment.
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| What if I am very nervous? |
| You will be given Valium. This will help you
to relax while remaining alert for the entire procedure. |
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| What should I do on the day of
the surgery? |
- Do not wear eye makeup or perfume. This is
important as we want to avoid the possibility of
debris under your flap.
- You will need to be at the surgical center
thirty (30) minutes prior to the surgery.
- Do not drive after taking Valium. Bring a
friend to drive you to and from the office.
- Most of all, relax. This will be one of
the best things you have ever done for yourself.
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| Will the procedure hurt? |
| You will feel nothing at all during the laser
treatment. Your eyes will be numbed with
anesthetic drops. Some patients say they can feel
a minimal amount of pressure but that it is not
uncomfortable. During the hours after your
procedure you may feel a little irritation, but that is
easily calmed by artificial tears and sleep. |
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| What if I blink? |
| We use an instrument called a speculum to hold your
eye open. Although you will not feel it, it will
prevent you from blinking. |
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| What if I move my eye? |
| You will be directed to look at a blinking light in
the laser. If by chance you happen to move, the
tracking system of the laser will immediately stop the
laser. |
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| How long will the procedure take? |
| LASIK takes between five to ten minutes for both
eyes to be corrected. You will need to wait
briefly after your surgery so that the surgeon can check
the position of your flap(s). Most patients are
here for about one hour. |
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| What do I do when I get home? |
- The best thing that you can do when you return
home is to sleep. This will hasten the healing
process and minimize any discomfort. It is
very important to use the eyedrops as instructed by
the technician following your procedure.
- You should keep your plastic eye shields on
overnight. They will top you from accidentally
rubbing your eyes and dislodging the flap. You
will need to wear the shields for four nights
following the procedure.
- Do not go swimming or use a hot tub for one week
after your LASIK procedure.
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| How fast will my vision improve? |
| Everyone heals at a different rate. On the
first morning, you will be amazed by the dramatic
improvement in your vision without any eyeglass
correction at all. Your vision will fluctuate for
the first three weeks after surgery and stabilize after
that. |
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| Will I ever have to wear glasses
again? |
| LASIK does not correct a condition called
presbyopia, the natural aging process of the eye that
can occur as early as age 40. Presbyopia results
in the need for reading glasses. If you were
wearing reading glasses before the procedure, you will
still need to wear them after the procedure. If
you have not yet become presyopic, LASIK will not hurry
the process, nor will it delay it. |
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| For those patients approaching presbyopia,
monovision will be discussed at your consultation.
Monovision is a technique that will offer some
independence from reading glasses. |
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| What is my follow-up care? |
| You will have the following post-operative visits:
one day following the treatment, one week, and then as
necessary depending on the healing process of your eyes,
and your doctor's recommendations. |
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| At these appointments, your vision will be evaluated
and you will have the opportunity to discuss any
questions you may have. |
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| What happens in the event of an
emergency? |
| Our doctors are on call 24-hours-a-day,
seven-days-a-week. If you have an emergency, you
can call our office and our answering service will page
the on-call doctor, who will return your call
immediately. |
