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What is LASIK?
LASIK (laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis) eye surgery is the most popular procedure for correcting vision problems caused by refractive error, in which the eyes fail to focus light correctly. LASIK eye surgery treats nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, dramatically reducing and often eliminating the need for glasses and contact lenses.
The LASIK Procedure:
First, the eye is numbed with use of local anesthetic drops. Once you can't feel your eye, a small flap is created on the surface of the cornea using a precise instrument known as a microkeratome. This allows the surgeon access to the corneal bed.
After careful positioning of the corneal flap, a cool-beam, excimer laser reshapes the cornea, shifting the eye's focal point to provide clearer vision.
The corneal flap is then gently repositioned and will begin to heal immediately.
What is CONVENTIAL LASIK vs. CUSTOM LASIK?
Conventional LASIK :
LASIK eye surgery reshapes the cornea, the part of the eye which focuses light on the retina. In a LASIK procedure, that reshaping happens after a calculated laser treatment plan taking into account the exact refractive error of the eye. Nearsightedness is corrected by flattening the cornea, whereas farsightedness is fixed by steepening the cornea. For astigmatism, the cornea is simply rounded. The final result of LASIK eye surgery is, for most patients, vision good enough that they no longer require glasses or contacts for most activities.
Custom Wavefront LASIK:
Custom LASIK can be used to reduce night vision disturbances like glare and halos. A larger percentage of Custom LASIK recipients gain 20/20 vision from this procedure, which uses personalized treatment in the form of the wavefront analyzer, which allows for a higher level of diagnostic information.
Wavefront technology originated through NASA, where it was originally used for high-powered telescopes. The wavefront analyzer creates a detailed map of your visual system 25 times more precise than standard LASIK technology can produce. This level of detail allows for tiny irregularities known as "higher order aberrations" to be captured and fixed. This highly personalized data is then transferred to the laser used in your Custom LASIK treatment plan, where it will best treat your unique vision problems.
What is PRK?
PRK (photo-refractive keratectomy) is a procedure that works similarly to LASIK eye surgery. It's most often used for patients who have corneas too thin to successfully make the corneal flap that standard LASIK creates, or who have pupils too large for LASIK. PRK has been successful for thousands of patients.
The PRK Procedure
- After the application of eye numbing drops, surface cells on the cornea are gently polished away by your surgeon.
- Then, the inner layers of the cornea are painlessly reshaped by the laser.
- In the final step, the surgeon places a clear, protective contact lens over your treated cornea.
Who qualifies for LASIK?
LASIK eye surgery can repair the vision of the nearsighted, the farsighted, and those with astigmatism. Basic qualifications for LASIK eye surgery include:
- At least 18 years of age
- Vision problems are unrelated to health issues
- Vision prescription has remained the same for at least a year
Common vision problems:
The way the eye works can be compared to a camera, in which the film focuses the light that passes through the lens. In the eye, the retina focuses the light which has passed through the cornea and lens, and creates an image.
Two-thirds of the eye's focusing power are found in the cornea, the clear window at the front of the eye. The lens is placed within the eye behind the pupil, and accounts for the other one-third. The cornea and lens function together to focus light rays onto the retina, creating a clear image. Myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism are all refractive errors that blur vision.
Nearsightedness (myopic): myopic eyes feature a corneal surface that's too steeply curved to successfully focus light, so light rays focus in front of the retina and create a blurry image. When you're nearsighted, far-off objects are blurred and near objects appear clearly.
Farsightedness (hyperopic): hyperopic eyes have corneal surfaces which are too flat, so that light rays focus behind the retina, blurring what you see in front of you. Farsighted people see objects both near and far as blurred.
Astigmatism: Astigmatic eyes have corneas in a shape similar to a football, rather than the more spherical shape of an unaffected eye. This means that light rays focus at multiple points, blurring the image you see. Astigmatism is often combined with farsightedness or nearsightedness.
Presbyopia: As you age, the eye weakens naturally, a process that generally begins in the early to mid 40's. Presbyopic eyes lose their ability to focus on objects nearby, such as small text, and reading glasses often become necessary. Although some have said that LASIK causes presbyopia, that is not the case. Presbyopia, and the eventual need for reading glasses, happens to most people whether or not they undergo Lasik.
Will my procedure be painful?
LASIK eye surgery is in no way painful or even uncomfortable. The anesthetic eye drops used numb the eye before the procedure, so nothing is felt while you're having it. Once the numbing eye drops have worn off, you might experience mild discomfort for up to 6-8 hours.
Will I go blind?
Blindness has never been a result of any LASIK eye correction procedure. It's relatively noninvasive, so only the eye's surface is treated.
Is LASIK a permanent fix?
After nearly 20 years in practice LASIK has been found to be a long term solution for vision correction. A very low percentage of patients have benefited by having their vision further improved via a second treatment, known as an enhancement.
When will I be able to return to my normal activities?
The recovery process from LASIK eye surgery is often brief. Most patients find that they're able to resume most of their normal activities the next day.
Is laser vision correction safe?
LASIK eye surgery is the most often performed and least invasive refractive procedure today. LASIK vision correction has been proven to be both safe and effective.
What is the next step?
Want all the details you need on getting LASIK eye surgery? We at KING LASIK encourage you to schedule a FREE PRE-LASIK EXAM with our highly educated staff, where we will walk you through the process step-by-step and answer all your questions. Call us today to make an appointment!
Call now for your FREE PRE-LASIK EXAM 1.877.551.2020 or visit www.kinglasik.ca
Are you ready to see more clearly? With LASIK eye surgery by KING LASIK, you can. We offer personalized care to make you feel maximally comfortable during your LASIK eye correction procedure. As LASIK specialists, we're devoted to providing you with the best care from world-class surgeons wielding the very latest in LASIK technology, so you have a great in-office experience that leads to the perfect vision you've always wanted without glasses or contacts.
Before making a decision about whether or not LASIK eye correction by KING LASIK is right for you, consult this handy guide. It will answer the most frequently asked questions about LASIK eye surgery, and if you don't find the answers you need here, our staff is ready to assist you by answering any further questions.
Why KING LASIK?
It's not easy to choose the right surgeon to perform your LASIK eye surgery, but we can assure you that when you choose KING LASIK, you're making the right choice. After researching the multitude of LASIK providers active in North America, you'll find - as have many others - that there's simply no one that stands up to our level of quality. With the extensive experience of our physicians and staff and the finest technology available, our record of outstanding results is no surprise.
KING LASIK is one of the top LASIK eye correction providers in the United States and Canada, with patients that come from all corners of the continent to avail themselves of our services. With our fantastic reputation based on the very best results, it's easy to see why.
Ultimate Affordability:
LASIK eye surgery is much more affordable than you might think! With KING LASIK's $0 down/0% financing program, a brand new view of life is available to everyone. Our LASIK eye correction surgery is fairly priced to stay within your budget, so the cost need not be an impediment to your decision to see clearly.
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Financing:
Customized payment plans with KING LASIK mean that you can make only the payments you can afford. There's no down-payment, so you can get a whole new outlook on life without any initial expenditure! If you want to pay off your LASIK eye surgery on an accelerated schedule, you can do so without fear of early repayment penalties, too.
- Medical and Vision Plans:
Since all health insurance plans differ, you'll want to check with your provider in order to get a full look at your vision benefits. KING LASIK has agreements with certain providers that make LASIK eye surgery more affordable, as do some other LASIK providers. In some cases, if KING LASIK is not your plan's provider of choice, KING LASIK will be able to match the offered discount on your health insurance. When you have your free pre-LASIK exam, bring your medical or vision plan information along with you and our staff will work with you to help you save on the procedure you want.
- Insurance:
You know your insurance is there to help you out with unexpected doctor's visits and similar situations, but did you know you might also be eligible for major savings on a LASIK eye surgery procedure? Bring your insurance information to us and together we can work out the best possible rate for your LASIK vision correction.
- Flex Spending:
Your Flexible Spending Account is one of the best benefits you have as an employee, and with this tax-free cash, you can lower the cost of your LASIK eye correction at KING LASIK! Reimbursed tax-free funds can dramatically reduce the out-of-pocket cost for your LASIK eye surgery, so take advantage of this benefit today if you have it.
- Corporate Discount:
Did you hear about KING LASIK through a corporate partnership with your company? If so, you could be eligible for a reduced rate on your LASIK vision correction surgery. If you don't have such a discount, contact us to learn more about how your company can partner with us.
Industry Leadership:
With over 20,000 LASIK eye correction procedures in our past, KING LASIK has the kind of reputation that other LASIK clinics would need years to obtain. We have some of the world's most advanced LASIK technology in our facilities, but more than that, we have a staff that cares about you having the most comfortable experience possible. We stay industry leaders for these reasons, and so many more:
- Surgeon Experience:
With an optional surgery like LASIK vision correction, you might feel like you're taking more of a risk than you normally do when you go through a medical procedure. That's why it's so important to be absolutely comfortable with your surgeon, and that's why you'll have the kind of access to your surgeon that allows you to get all of your questions answered before the procedure.
With KING LASIK, you'll be working with some of the most highly skilled and experienced LASIK surgeons around, extensively trained in this field so that you can be completely sure that you're in good hands. In fact, many of our doctors and staff have had LASIK eye surgery themselves, making them uniquely qualified to let you know exactly what you're getting into.
- Technology:
With trustworthy diagnostic tools and the very best laser technology available on the market, you'll never have to worry that you're getting anything less than the best and most recent technological advances in LASIK eye surgery. This top-quality technology combined with our highly skilled surgeons means you're getting the absolute best of everything!
Patient Satisfaction:
The #1 way that people come to KING LASIK is through referrals from friends and family that have had LASIK eye surgery. The experiences speak for themselves, and more importantly, so do the results! We provide the results that make patients glad they chose KING LASIK for this life-altering surgery, and we can provides those same great results for you.
LASIK eye surgery by KING LASIK has already changed the lives of these people:
- Testimonials:
"The team is really first class. Everyone in the office had such a positive, enthusiastic attitude about their work and the service they provide. Whenever I had a question, they had a good answer with lots of information. The surgery was, of course, easy. I suppose there is no way that you could have told me how truly effortless this would be for me. I suppose I held my breath the entire time, but since it was over in minutes, big deal. The descriptions of how the surgery would happen and what I would experience were accurate!"
~ Phillip S."The prep crew was top-notch. By the time the doctor arrived, things had gone so smooth I couldn't tell where one team left off and the doctor took over. The front office staff was just as accommodating; professional all the way. My 'congrats' to a well trained team."
~ Dave R."First time since I was 4 that I don't need glasses! 20/400 to 20/15 which is better than perfect!"
~ Jamie. A."I spent years keeping an eye, pun intended, on articles and testimonials regarding laser surgeries. When I heard that the next generation of laser surgery technologies had become available at KING LASIK, I set an appointment that day. The doctors were very experienced and the whole staff was terrific. The surgery was over in a snap and my vision is now 20/20; better than I ever saw with my glasses or contact lenses. The freedom I've gained is absolutely liberating. Thank you to the doctors at KING LASIK!"
~ Nick R."The doctors and staff are the kindest and most caring group I've ever seen in a medical atmosphere. I'm still in shock being able to see without any help! Thank you! Thank you, Thank you!!"
~Tara U.
Once you've had your Lasik eye surgery, you'll probably want to resume your normal activities almost immediately, but be cautious! While Lasik isn't surgery, you should still follow this rough timeline before you jump back into your normal activities.
A few minutes after LASIK: Have someone else drive you home. You might experience some sensitivity to light, so wear dark glasses and close the curtains once you've arrived home.
One to three days after LASIK: After you've given yourself a few days off to make sure there are no complications and get through the possible side effects, you're free to go back to work. You'll also have another doctor visit between your laser eye surgery and now. If you play non-contact sports, you may resume them now, just be sensible - skip the surfing for now and stick to ping pong or yoga.
One week after LASIK: You can sleep easier, as you're now allowed to stop wearing your protective eye goggles to sleep.
Two weeks after surgery: You may now use lotions, creams, or make-up around your eyes if you wish.
Four weeks after LASIK: Strenuous contact sports you've been avoiding (like football, boxing, or karate) may now be resumed, but use your best judgment as it's still best to be cautious about getting hit or bumped in your eye area. You may now also drive at night again, as it's recommended that you avoid doing so for about a month after your laser eye surgery.
One to two months after laser eye surgery: You may swim and use hot tubs or whirlpools again.
Not everyone is an ideal candidate for laser eye surgery. Review this list before you decide:
Are You A Good Candidate for LASIK?
- Does your job allow LASIK eye surgery? If you're not sure, it pays to check.
- Do you have an autoimmune disease? A major illness? A chronic condition that slows or changes your healing process? If the answer to any of these is 'yes', make sure you tell your doctor about LASIK during your pre-surgical exam.
- Do you have any other problems with your eyes? Other than needing glasses or contacts? Again, make sure you tell your surgeon during the exam.
- Are you taking any drugs that might prevent healing? Some steroids, for example, can interfere with recovery after any procedure.
Is Your Surgeon Qualified?
- How many LASIK surgeries has your doctor performed, with the same laser? This is important. Each system is different, and a doctor's experience with the laser is a crucial piece of their expertise.
- Does your doctor use an FDA-approved laser?
- Will your surgeon answer all your questions about the LASIK procedure?
- Does your doctor provide post-operative care and encourage follow-up? This doesn't necessarily have to be by the surgeon, but it's important that the surgeon is involved.
- Are you comfortable with your doctor? The best surgeon in the world may not be best for you if you don't get along.
LASIK is very safe, and it can free you from glasses or contacts. If you want to see it from the patient's point of view, watch Isaac Ropp's experience.
Note that this article is not meant to be medical advice. Please see your doctor before deciding on any medical procedure.
Watch this touching King5 report about how KING LASIK performed 21 complimentary laser eye surgeries on active and retired veterans in honor of Veteran's Day. One highlight of the video is hearing retired single mother Patricia Dooley talk about how she would previously never be able to afford LASIK without skipping Christmas for a few years.In fact, it is worth watching just to see the look on this faithful veteran's face when she sits up from her LASIK procedure and can clearly make out the clock numbers for the first time. $60,000 dollars of LASIK was donated during this experience, so click to watch the details!
In this blog post, KING LASIK shows both sides of sports personality Isaac Ropp's recent LASIK procedure, as told by both Ropp and the doctor.
With the eloquence that must have earned him his radio spot, Ropp recounts how he went from 20/400 to 20/15 vision in a matter of minutes. He describes LASIK as the procedure that "literally changed my life," saying how he was up and moving about the next day with total comfort.
On the flip side, KING LASIK's Dr. Michael Mockovak endured some good-natured grilling from Ropp's radio co-hosts, who were disappointed to learn Ropp's LASIK surgery did not include any crying or whining. They also inquire whether Ropp's new improved vision helped him realize how ugly he actually is. Guess that's where the expression "a face made from radio" comes from! Click below to hear both Ropp's testimony and Dr. Mockovak's responses to his interview.
Listen Here:
