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William Lahners, MD
Center For Sight
Venice, FL
  • Allegretto Wavetm
  • IntraLASIK (Intralase)
  • LASIK Eye Surgery
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LASIK Eye Surgery Cost & Profile

  • Avg. Cost: $1700
  • Candidate: Over 18 with healthy corneas
  • Length: 10 minutes
  • Treatments: Usually one
  • Results: Permanent
  • Back to work: 1-3 days

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Common Questions & Answers about LASIK Eye Surgery

"I am 50 yrs old, have been wearing eyeglasses since I was 7 yrs. old for myopia. I now also have bifocals. I've also been told I have severe astigmatism and also congenital cataracts. Could I possilby be a candidate for lasik surgery?"

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Lake Mary
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Sarasota
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Clearwater

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Benefits and Drawbacks of the iLASIK Procedure


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Millions of men and women pursue laser eye surgery to achieve near-perfect vision without glasses or contacts, and there are now several innovative vision correction treatment options available. iLASIK is one of the latest procedures designed to reshape the cornea within a matter of minutes. Instead of undergoing extensive surgery, this quick and simple procedure can be done under 10 minutes and is designed to be almost painless. iLASIK also promises 20/20 vision or better one year after treatment. 
 
Does iLASIK sound good to be true? Here’s what you need to know.
 

How the iLASIK Procedure Is Performed

iLASIK is performed using computer software that creates a blueprint of your eyes. This digital blueprint offers a more precise and accurate result, according to iLASIK.com, and helps the surgeon guide the laser to exactly the right area of the eyes. 
 
The first laser used on the iLASIK procedure is used to make a thin flap in the cornea, and the second laser makes the correction based on the blueprints. All patients receive numbing drops before the procedure so they rarely feel any pain, and the entire process takes less than ten minutes per eye, in most cases.
 
Conventional LASIK procedures require the surgeon to use a thin blade to cut into the cornea, but this presents several risks and the cut may not be made in exactly the right place. The iLASIK procedure makes use of the IntraLase laser which cuts into the cornea more precisely. 
 

Key Benefits of the iLASIK Procedure

The iLASIK procedure is one of the most convenient and affordable vision correction procedures available, and offers several benefits including:
  • High accuracy rate 
  • Safe and proven technology
  • Virtually painless
  • Likely to achieve 20/20 vision or better after surgery
  • Average costs range between $2,000 - $3,000 per eye
  • Financing available directly from the iLASIK surgeon

Drawbacks of the iLASIK Procedure

While the iLASIK procedure offers several benefits, there are some drawbacks to this innovative vision correction treatment.
The iLASIK procedure is relatively new and long-term studies have not been conducted to determine the effectiveness of the procedure after several years. 
 
Prospective patients who are under 21 years of age cannot have the iLASIK procedure, and anyone without a stable vision prescription for at least one year will also need to wait for iLASIK; the procedure can only be performed on eyes that are not changing.
 
Finally, the iLASIK procedure may not be available in your area which means you may need to travel extensively to find a surgeon. However, more doctors are being trained for iLASIK as the procedure becomes more popular around the country.
 
The iLASIK procedure has been proven to be safe, but is not without complications and some risks. Learn more about laser eye surgery treatment options in our information guide, or consult with a laser eye surgeon to find out if you are a good candidate for iLASIK or other vision correction procedures.

 

Published: 11/21/2008, Last Updated: 11/21/2008

By LocateADoc.com Medical Staff Writers

Our writers strive to present an objective, upfront and open view of the medical procedures you're interested in. We present you with both the good and bad, and work to represent both doctors' and patients' points of view. Our articles contain facts and statistics from medical associations, medical and surgical journals, and through doctor and patient interviews.





LASIK Eye Surgery Surgery Information Guide

Basics of LASIK Eye Surgery
"I've heard about the surgery and I'm looking to learn a bit more about things like cost, whether it's right for me, and what options I have."
  1. LASIK Basics
    What you should know about LASIK surgery, including information about the latest technology.
  2. LASIK and Refractive Surgery Timeline
    Get a brief history of refractive surgery and see how technology has advanced.
  3. Information on LASEK
    A slight variation on the traditional LASIK procedure is becoming available, LASEK. This procedure may be an option for patients who are not good candidates for the traditional procedure. We have put together some information LASEK for your review.
  4. Vision Problems: Which one do you have? What does it mean?
    Learn about common vision problems, how they form, how they're measured, and how they can be corrected.
  5. LASIK Joins the Military
    LASIK, along with PRK, is being used to help active soldiers become independent from glasses and contacts.
  6. Online Video Presentation About LASIK Procedure
    Watch an online video presentation about the LASIK procedure. It covers the basics of LASIK: what to expect, how long the procedure takes, recovery time, etc.
  7. Another Commercial Laser Labeled for LASIK
    On May 11, 2000 Summit Autonomous received FDA approval to market its LadarVision System laser in the United States. The new approval allows surgeons to treat up to -9.0 D of myopia and up to 3.0D of astigmatism.
  8. Excimer Laser Procedures (LASIK, PRK, PARK)
    Photo-Refractive Keratectomy (PRK) uses the excimer laser to correct low to moderate amounts of refractive errors.
  9. From Contact Lenses to LASIK ? When to Make the Switch
    If you?re one of the millions of people hoping to switch from contact lenses to LASIK this year, the first step is setting up a consultation with your local eye doctor. Knowing when to make the switch will depend on your overall eye health, as well as how stable your eyes currently are.
Details of LASIK Eye Surgery
"I already know some basic things about the surgery and I'm ready to research some of the details and maybe ask some questions."
  1. Comparing the LASIK Lasers
    With all the different lasers available for use in LASIK eye surgery, how do you know which one is right for you? Does it matter? To help answer these questions we called upon some of the country's leading ophthalmologists to present a better vision of today's laser market.
  2. Is IntraLase a Safer Alternative for Your Eyes?
    Touted as "all-laser" LASIK, IntraLase promises better vision with fewer complications, but is it really true? Read how the procedure works, the pros and cons, and what type of patients benefit most.
  3. New Technology Increasing the Chance of 20/20 Vision to 99%
    Have you heard of the newest advancement in LASIK technology that offers a 99% chance of 20/20 vision without the use of glasses or contacts? Iris registration is the name of the special eye tracking tool that makes LASIK more precise than ever. Find out how it works, who's a candidate, and all the other advantages and limitations you need to make an informed decision.
  4. Covering the Cost of LASIK and Laser Eye Surgery
    If you are like most patients, the price of LASIK is an important consideration when deciding whether or not to undergo surgery. Learn about the different options that can help you make LASIK more affordable.
  5. LASIK Complications: Definitions and treatment options
    Learn about the possible complications of LASIK surgery, how they can be prevented, and how they are treated.
  6. Presbyopia Surgery: Decreasing Dependence on Reading Glasses...
    Monovision eye surgery can decrease dependence on reading glasses. Learn what it is and the options available
  7. Tired of Wearing Glasses for Seeing at a Distance? Why LASIK...
    It seems that LASIK has been all the rage in vision correction surgery since it was approved for use in 1998, generally accounting for somewhere around 95% of all refractive surgeries. But now a new procedure, using the technology that has been successful during cataract surgery, may offer a more desirable option for severely nearsighted patients.
  8. Study Recommends Longer than Previously Suggested Discontinuance...
    Discontinuing use of conctat lenses before LASIK surgery is an important step to reducing surgical risks. A new study finds that the use of some lenses shoulod be stopped earlier than previously advised.
  9. FDA-Approved lasers
    FDA-Approved lasers for LASIK, PRK and other refractive surgeries
  10. LASIK Surgery Considerations
    Considerations outlines the criteria you will need to weigh in order to make a well-informed decision.
  11. LASIK Glossary
    Glossary of technical words related to LASIK
  12. U.S. Federal Aviation Administration Policy on LASIK
    According to the Federal Air Surgeon's Medical Bulletin, Fall 1998, the FAA accepts LASIK for its pilots, as long as...
  13. LocateADoc.com pays for Nashville, TN father's surgery
    Winning LocateADoc.com's November $2k contest, Anthony Edwards, a firefighter from Nashville, Tennessee won a chance to rid his life of the inconvenience of wearing glasses.
  14. The Excimer Laser
    The Excimer Laser has added a tremendous amount of precision, control and safety to treating nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
  15. The Future of LASIK ? What to Expect
    Is now the best time to pursue LASIK surgery, or should you wait a few more years until technology gets even better? Learn about your future options with LASIK and corrective eye surgery.
Ready for LASIK Eye Surgery
"I've pretty much finished by research on the surgery and I think I'm ready to find and meet with a doctor to get started."
  1. Is Lasik Really the Answer to Vision Problems? Complications...
    LASIK surgery accounts for over 2 million services for vision correction each year and has quickly become one of the most effective ways to maintain good eye health while correcting common vision problems. Still, many people are walking away from the doctor?s office with less than perfect results. Learn about the potential complications to make an informed decision for corrective eye surgery.
  2. Find Laser Eye Surgery Doctors around Tampa, FL
  3. Find Laser Eye Surgery Doctors In Other Cities
  4. Patient Financing
    Think you'll need help paying for your surgery? Almost anyone is a candidate for easy financing of up to 100% of the surgery costs.
After LASIK Eye Surgery
  1. Recommend Your Doctor
Featured Articles & News Related to LASIK Eye Surgery
"What other related things might I like to know?"
  1. FDA Approves First LASIK Device for Monovision
    Patients who suffer from monovision can now receive LASIK surgery so that they will never have to wear bifocals again.
  2. Are You Paying Too Much for LASIK? The Real Costs of Corrective...
    Have you ever wondered why LASIK costs more in some cities and states than others? If you?re considering LASIK eye surgery, make sure you?re not paying too much by considering the following factors:
  3. Six Foods That Improve Your Vision
    Poor eyesight is often associated with aging and genetics, but experts suggest that eyesight damage can be prevented with everyday foods. Are you eating enough of these six important foods?
  4. Eight Signs You May Need Cataract Surgery
    Cell degeneration begins as early as your late 20s and vision impairment is just one of the major health problems associated with aging. Are you showing signs of cataracts?
  5. Key Benefits of Zyoptix Laser Eye Surgery
    The Zyoptix system is designed by Bausch & Lomb, and the company claims that this system is more precise than the standard LASIK treatment. How does it work? Here's a closer look at this innovative vision correction system.
  6. Do's and Don'ts After LASIK Surgery
    Have you recently had LASIK surgery? Make sure your recovery is as smooth as possible with these tips and suggestions.
  7. Laser Eye Surgery for Diabetic Eye Disease ? What You Need to...
    Diminishing vision, cataracts, and poor blood vessel structure are all signs of diabetic eye disease. If you've been diagnosed with diabetes, find out why laser eye surgery can help improve your vision.
  8. LASIK Information - Laser Eye Surgery Procedures and Costs
    LASIK laser eye surgery has been performed in the United States since 1993, and today?s technologies make it easier than ever to achieve clear vision. Here's what you need to know about laser eye surgery procedures.
  9. How to Reduce the Risk of Bad LASIK Surgery
    The latest advancements and innovative technologies used for LASIK laser eye surgery have made the procedure safer and more effective than a decade ago, but there are still several reports of bad LASIK surgery; learn how to avoid becoming a victim of bad surgery.
  10. Blade vs. Bladeless LASIK - What You Need to Know
    Which type of laser eye surgery really offers the most benefits? Here?s what to consider when researching blade or bladeless LASIK.
  11. Benefits and Drawbacks of the iLASIK Procedure
    iLASIK is one of the latest procedures designed to reshape the cornea within a matter of minutes and promises 20/20 vision or better. Does iLASIK sound good to be true? Here?s what you need to know.
Browse All Articles

Related Subjects and Keywords: iLASIK  laser eye surgery  LASIK  LASEK  vision correction  laser vision correction  iLASIK surgery  iLASIK benefits 


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