Frequently Asked Questions About LASIK and Surface Laser Vision Correction.

Yes. Hundreds of thousands of people have had laser vision correction with less than 1% chance of complications. 3 D LASIK makes it safer by detecting those candidates with a higher chance of failure. It also allows for better planning to reduce potential side effects such as glare and haloes.

There are no guarantees in any part of medicine. We can give you odds, rather than good or bad, or so-forth, but as a general rule, people who have the lasik procedure to correct nearsightedness will have a 90% chance of success for 20/20 vision or better (good enough to drive) within a few days. Over 80% of people who have the lasik procedure to correct farsightedness can expect 20/20 uncorrected vision post operatively within a few months. As a rule, the higher degree of correction (myopia, farsightedness or astigmatism) the less of a chance you will have 20/20 uncorrected but 20/30 is nearly always attainable.

PRK and LASIK candidates are generally active people who are unhappy with their current system of vision correction: glasses and/or contact lenses. PRK and Lasik candidates must have healthy eyes, and be at least 18 years old. There is no upper age limit. Your vision must be stable for at least one year before undergoing laser surgery (i.e.: no big changes in your glass prescription). There are other qualifications necessary in order to be a good candidate, most of which relate to your overall health. Determining factors will be examined and discussed at your initial consultation.

In Surface Laser and Lasik are performed as an outpatient procedure in the comfort and convenience of an excimer laser surgical suite. Since the pupil has to be dilated for better tracking, you should expect at least a total of 3 hours for the whole process including re-checking before you go home. The surgery itself takes 10-15 minutes.

A combination of oral sedation (if you wish to help with relaxation) and anesthetic eye drops are used. Don't worry… no needles or intravenous drugs are used.

Surgery can be performed on both eyes on the same day. Due to the prolonged time it takes for visual recovery from PRK as opposed to LASIK, we sometimes suggest you have one eye done at a time for PRK.

For Lasik -usually one day, one week, one month and 3 months. For PRK Usually 6 or more check-ups 1st Month -24 hours (with Surgeon or with regular eye are specialist), 72 hours,1 week, 1 month 2nd,3rd, 6th, 12th Month -1 or more check-ups

For PRK most people are able to go back to work in 3-5 days. About 10% have significant discomfort. It will take 3 days to 1 weeks to have functional vision in the eye. For Lasik most people are able to go back to work the next day.

Generally, patients under 40 years of age read well without glasses following surgery. Patients over 40 may need magnification for reading fine print.

While laser vision correction can not correct loss of reading as we are over the age of 40 (a term called presbyopia), it is possible to have one eye lasered to improve near vision (sometimes called blended or mono-vision). This however wil result in a decrease in distance vision in the eye that is treated. We trial this with a contact lens before hand to see if you will like this.

No. The surgery does not hurt. You will feel pressure, but not pain. Very effective anesthetic drops are used before and during the procedure.

You should bathe or shower prior to your surgery. You will then be able to shower or bathe the day after surgery, following your post op exam. As always, avoid getting soap or water directly in your eyes. Avoid rubbing your eyes during the first month after surgery.

You may resume MOST physical activities the next day as long as you wear protective eyewear. No swimming for 3 weeks after LASIK. (See below). You should wear ultraviolet blocking sunglasses if you are in the sun.

You should not drive for 24 hours following your surgery. After that, you may drive when you feel confident that your visual acuity and eye comfort allows you to drive safely.

You may wear eye makeup starting 4–5 days after surgery. We strongly recommend you purchase new eye makeup, specifically mascara, to avoid potential infection following surgery.

Non-contact sports can be resumed as soon as you wish. Any activity that causes you to squeeze your eyes should be avoided the first 3 weeks after LASIK. Eye protection is always recommended for racquet sports or rough sports where there is a risk of being hit in the eye, especially the first year.

You may swim 3 weeks following your surgery. You will be cleared for occasional wading at your one-week post-operative appointment. You may not scuba dive for at least 6 weeks after the procedure.

Yes. Accutane & Amiodarone are contraindications to surface PRK surgery. Immetrex should be discontinued weeks ahead of time.

We do offer several different finance plans that we will be happy to discuss with you at the time of your evaluation.

We take pride in ourselves as being accessible to our patients. From the initial consult through to the post-op appointments, you will see Dr. Hedaya.