Because the cornea is numbed with eye drop anesthesia, patients report little to no discomfort during the procedure. Some patients experience some scratchiness or grittiness for a few hours following while others did not experience any discomfort at all. We ask everyone to go home and take a nap immediately after his or her LASIK procedure. For any discomfort that remains after your nap, Advil or Tylenol is usually sufficient.
Many patients notice an immediate improvement in their vision and have functional vision the very next day. Full visual results are typically reached within one to three weeks but individual results do vary.
You can resume most normal activities such as driving, working, walking and exercising the day after your procedure. For women, eye makeup cannot be worn for three days and they should purchase new mascara. Swimming or contact sports such as basketball or racquetball should be delayed for two weeks.
After examining your eyes, our Jacksonville LASIK surgeons will discuss what your best treatment plan and options. They evaluate each patient thoroughly and will customize your treatment based on the health of the eye and your needs.
Most patients who have undergone All-Laser LASIK at Florida Eye Specialists no longer need glasses for their daily activities. However, if you’re over 40 and did not elect for MonoVision LASIK, there is a possibility that you will need reading glasses because of the natural aging process of the eye. This condition, presbyopia, occurs as you get older.
During the procedure a device will gently hold your eyelids open, which will prevent you from blinking. In addition, at Florida Eye Specialists the laser we use involves advanced eye tracking technology. In fact, Florida Eye Specialists uses the only Advanced Control Eye Tracker (ACE) available in Jacksonville, the most comprehensive eye tracker available in the US. This technology offers improved predictability and better visual outcomes, particularly for patients with astigmatism. If, at any time, your eye moves too quickly or out of range, the laser will track even the tiniest movements.
LASIK and surface ablation are very safe. Like all surgical procedures, laser vision correction has the risk of complications. Even complication-free procedures can result in less than 20/20 vision, or very infrequently may produce side effects such as glare or halos. These risks are very low for appropriate candidates, and most problems can be treated and resolved. The most common effect after surgery is dry eye. Dry eye can last for several months. Some patients report dry eye lasting over 1 year. There is also a small chance for an under correction or over correction. Some people heal more aggressively and may need an enhancement or touch up. This occurs about 1-2% of the time. If you are very near-sighted you have a greater risk of needing enhancement. There is also a potential risk of infection. The chance of infection associated with surgery is about 1/4000-5000. In the rare chance of a complication, you want a surgeon who has the background and the experience to identify the problem and treat it effectively. Dr. Hasan is a cornea fellowship trained surgeon (Duke University) who served as the Director of the Laser Vision Program at the Mayo Clinic in Florida for ten years. At the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Hasan was consulted numerous times by other physicians and patients who had suffered a complication. His surgical and clinical experience is a valuable asset. Dr. Amit Chokshi is highly trained in laser vision correction and is graduate of the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine. Both doctors are cornea fellowship trained and able to handle complications if they arise.
Yes – the excimer laser can also be used to treat the surface of the eye without creating a flap. This is often referred to as surface ablation, PRK, or LASEK. This treatment has been proven to be equally effective as LASIK. The cornea has an outer lining or”skin” called the epithelium. Surface ablation results in disruption of the epithelium. As a result, following the procedure, the eye is more uncomfortable and the vision is more blurred than with LASIK. It takes a few days for the skin to re-organize.
Although more uncomfortable, surface ablation is actually less invasive as no flap is required. Also, surface ablation is better for patients with thin corneas, certain corneal dystrophies, and dry eyes.
At Florida Eye Specialists, we take pride in offering our patients the most advanced technology, educated and experienced staff, and the highest quality patient care, all at an affordable price. We offer several payment plans to help make LASIK affordable for just about any budget. The approval process is fast and private – you can apply online or with our patient counselor at your consultation or evaluation appointment.
Many patients are pleased to learn that they can use their FSA (Flexible Spending Account) as an additional, pre-tax way to save on LASIK.
