KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, LouisianaFrequently Asked Questions about LASIK at the Laser Center
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For More information call 1-877-95 FOCUS or visit The Eye Clinic's Lasik page at http://www.theeyeclinic.net/lasik/
QUESTION: What is nearsightedness?
ANSWER: Nearsightedness (myopia) is when the curvature of the cornea is too steep, causing focus of the rays of light to form in front of the retina instead of directly on the retina. The result is a blurry view of distant objects.
QUESTION: What is astigmatism?
ANSWER: Astigmatism can exist alone, or in combination with nearsightedness or farsightedness. With this condition your eye becomes oval shaped like a football instead of round, causing distortion when the eye tries to focus.
QUESTION: What is farsightedness?
ANSWER: Farsightedness (hyperopia) occurs when an eye is too short for the cornea curvature, causing focus of the rays of light to form behind the retina instead of directly on the retina. As a result, a blurred image is produced.
QUESTION: What is presbyopia?
ANSWER: Presbyopia, or aging eye, is a condition that will affect everyone as they get older, usually between the ages of 40 and 50. As we age, the lens of the eye loses its ability to flex, and the ability to focus on near objects is impaired. When this occurs, people who already wear glasses may need bifocals, and those who have never worn glasses may require reading glasses.
QUESTION: Can LASIK treat presbyopia?
ANSWER: LASIK cannot restore the focusing power of the lens, but it can be use to "work around" this problem with a procedure called monovision. With monovision, the laser is used to correct one eye for near vision and one eye for distance vision, and in most cases, the brain switches effortlessly between eyes to meet the focusing requirements. Many people wear monovision contacts to achieve the same affect. In fact, a trial period of monovision contacts is done as a test before the laser procedure is done to make sure the person will be happy with the results.
QUESTION: What are the benefits of LASIK?
ANSWER: It may reduce your condition overall, while also reducing or eliminating your dependence on glasses and contact lenses. During U.S. clinical studies, 95% of patients achieved results of 20/40 (vision level required to get a driver's license in Louisiana) or better, while 75% of patients achieved 20/20 vision.
QUESTION: Am I a candidate for LASIK?
ANSWER: The ideal candidate for this procedure is over 18 years old, has healthy corneas, and a stable prescription over the last year. People with medical conditions that can affect healing or women who are pregnant or nursing may not be good candidates. The best way to determine if LASIK is right for you is to have a FREE screening.
QUESTION: Will it hurt?
ANSWER: No, the actual LASIK procedure does not hurt. Some patients do experience mild discomfort during the first 12 to 24 hours after surgery. Many patients describe this as a sensation of sand in the eye. Medication is available to alleviate any discomfort during recovery.
QUESTION: What are the side effects?
ANSWER: As with any treatment or operation, there are risks, though they are rare. The level of risk is only slightly higher than the risks associated with wearing contact lenses. The risks and benefits will be thoroughly explained to you by your physician during your screening appointment.
QUESTION: How soon will I be able to return to work?
ANSWER: You can have the procedure and return to your normal daily activities very quickly. Many people return to work the day after their LASIK procedure. This may also depend on your occupation. We will be glad to address any questions or concerns during your evaluation.
QUESTION: Is LASIK covered by insurance?
ANSWER: Some insurance policies do cover LASIK. However, it is considered to be an elective procedure by most insurance companies, therefore, a benefit is not always offered. To be absolutely sure, we can check with your insurance company.
QUESTION: How much does LASIK cost at the Laser Vision Center?
ANSWER: The fee for the LASIK procedure is $1995 per eye. This covers all pre- and post-operative visits, the procedure itself, antibiotics used after surgery and follow-up care for one year.. To put this fee in perspective, compare it to the total cost of glasses, contact lenses, solutions, etc. over the course of several years. LASIK can be financed for about $3 a day and in most cases, an investment in LASIK can actually save you money when compared to years of other vision correction expenses.
