Common LASIK Questions
What is LASIK surgery?
LASIK is a form of refractive surgery that changes the shape of your cornea to correct your vision. Ideally, when you’re looking at an object, the light that goes into your eye is bent in such a way that it’s directly focused on the retina, allowing you to see that image clearly and crisply.
If your vision is blurry, it may be because the light that’s entering your eye is bent in the wrong direction and is focusing improperly on the retina. Your glasses or contacts correct the angle of the light for better vision. With laser vision correction, the team at Cohen Laser & Vision Center can reshape your cornea to focus light perfectly.
What laser system is used?
CLVC is proud to offer the Alcon Wavelight EX500 excimer laser and FS200 femtosecond laser system in our office-based surgery suite. We utilize both laser systems for LASIK, and the EX500 solely for PRK.
This integrated platform utilizes a rotating bed that swings between both machines ensuring patients are comfortable and always in the proper position for every step.
Both machines have multiple safety checkpoints to guarantee that all components are calibrated and performing reliably. The EX500 system has a pupil tracker and iris registration system to compensate for ocular rotation and alignment.
Our state-of-the-art laser platform utilizes wavefront-optimized treatment algorithms to minimize higher-order-aberrations (HOAs). Additionally, our doctors' own nomograms may also be implemented for further customization and refinement.
We are also certified to offer Contoura topography-guided treatments that utilize three-dimensional corneal maps for even greater precision and HOA mitigation for patients who qualify.
For more information about our laser platform, please review the Wavelight patient information booklet, found here.
What is Contoura Vision?
Contoura Vision at CLVC is the latest and most-advanced topography-guided laser algorithm offered by Alcon. This modification to LASIK uses a detailed map of the corneal curvature to create a completely customized treatment pattern that is extremely accurate.
The major benefits of topography-guided laser treatments may include improved detail, contrast, glare, and depth-perception over traditional laser modalities. In fact, nearly 1/3 patients claim post-operative vision with Contoura is better than with glasses or contacts.
National studies have demonstrated that over 92.6% of patients achieve 20/20 or better and 64.8% see 20/16 or better. Our outcomes at CLVC are similar.
Am I a good candidate for LASIK surgery?
The team at Cohen Laser & Vision Center determine if you’re a good candidate for LASIK surgery when you come in for a free consultation. The team has many years of experience and helped many people improve their vision.
You might want to consider LASIK surgery if your vision issues are due to:
- Nearsightedness
- Farsightedness
- Astigmatism
- Presbyopia
During your consultation, the team can determine if LASIK — or another procedure — is the best choice for you. If you are deemed a good candidate, then an additional visit with detailed measurements and a complete, dilated eye exam is needed to finalize the treatment plan.
The experienced team at Cohen Laser & Vision Center offers the most advanced techniques for refractive surgery, including traditional LASIK, Wavefront optimized LASIK or PRK, and fully customized treatments with Contoura Vision by Wavelight.
What can I expect during LASIK surgery?
Your LASIK eye surgery is performed in-office at CLVC without the need for sedation. Most patients receive an oral medication to ease anxiety, but you will be awake and comfortable during the procedure.
Preparation. First the eyes are cleansed and numbed with special medications that are safe for the eye. During this step the surgeon will guide you through the rest of the procedure.
Flap creation. The doctor will position the patient under the femtosecond laser, which makes tiny bubbles within the corneal tissue to create a very thin flap. Most patients experience mild pressure during this part and may lose vision temporarily. This process takes only 10-15 seconds per eye.
Flap lift. Using delicate instruments, the surgeon then carefully marks the cornea and then lifts the flap to expose the corneal tissue for treatment.
Laser reshaping. A second laser called an excimer laser uses precise energy beams to eliminate microscopic amounts of corneal cells to change the curvature of the cornea. The laser and surgeon are constantly tracking the eye position to ensure the alignment is perfect for optimal results. This process takes just a few seconds depending on your prescription, usually less than 10 seconds.
Recovery. The flap is precisely put back into its original position, where it seals in place. Antibiotic eye drops are placed on the eye followed by safety goggles.
How long does it take to recover from LASIK surgery?
Most of our LASIK patients are able to drive themselves to the office for their follow-up appointment the day after their procedure. However, it could take up to three months for you to see the full effects of your surgery, especially with PRK.
If you’re tired of wearing glasses and/or contact lenses, it might be time to consider LASIK. Call Cohen Laser & Vision Center today to see if LASIK fits into your lifestyle.
What are the alternatives to LASIK?
PRK (Photorefractive keratectomy) is an alternative to LASIK for those patients who are not candidates due to their prescription, thin corneas, or other considerations.
In Advanced Surface Ablation, also known as “PRK”, the top layer of the cornea (epithelium) is gently removed, then the same excimer laser used in LASIK reshapes the corneal surface. While this procedure is faster and technically easier than LASIK, it takes longer to heal. Generally, patients who have LASIK are seeing almost 20/20 or better by the next day. With PRK, the healing time for 20/20 vision may be several weeks, depending on your prescription. Also, for the first 2-5 days, the patient may experience discomfort and pain requiring medication. However, long-term outcomes are similar between both procedures.
Furthermore, PRK may result in cornea haze so it is not uncommon for Dr. Cohen to use medication at the time of the laser (such as Mitomycin C) in an effort to prevent or minimize the risk of haze.
Patients who have PRK wear a bandage contact lens for the first few days after surgery. They also take steroid eye drops and vitamin C for up to three months to ensure normal healing. Please discuss these options with Dr. Cohen if you have any questions.
What is an EVO ICL?
If you are a highly myopic patient, LASIK or PRK eye surgery may not the best option. Our physicians are among few eye surgeons in South Florida that can insert the new EVO ICL also called the Implantable Collamer Lens. Collamer Lens, created by STAAR® Surgical Company, is a phakic intraocular lens (IOL) for the treatment of myopia and other refractive errors. Dr. Cohen is the Boca Raton EVO ICL expert that can help you with high myopia or astigmatism. Read more about the EVO ICL on our page here.
An ICL offers some advantages over laser refractive surgery in that the implant is completely removable, so the cornea itself is altered. This allows for a wider treatment range with less risk of glare or haloes in some patients. However, there are risks like increased ocular pressure and cataracts so a thorough evaluation at CLVC will be necessary to determine whether a Visian ICL is right for you.
If you’re looking to change you life and see without glasses or contacts, take the first step and call us today!
Want More Information?
Contact us today so we can answer your questions.
Call us now at (561)981-8400, or request an appointment online here.