LASIK - the acronym for laser assisted in situ keratomileusis which refers to creating a flap in the cornea with a microkeratome and using a laser to reshape the underlying cornea.
We want to explain everything you should know about the LASIK procedure so you can decide if it's right for you. We believe informed patients will understand why thousands before them have turned to Clear Choice!
The LASIK procedure is used to correct or reduce nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism by re-shaping the cornea so that light will reflect properly off the retina. More than 90% of LASIK patients can see well enough after LASIK to drive a car - without contact lenses or glasses.
You Should Know:
- More than 1,000,000 Americans had LASIK performed to improve their vision last year
- Almost all LASIK patients can return to work within a day or two following their procedure
- There is virtually no pain during the procedure. Anesthetic eye drops are used to numb the eye
- No one has ever lost his or her eyesight due to the LASIK procedure
THE LATEST AND BEST TECHNOLOGY:
Clear Choice is proud to offer the latest in laser technology - the Nidek EC-5000 and the Bausch & Lomb 217A Technolas. Most refractive surgeons provide only one type of excimer laser. Clear Choice surgeons utilize both the "scanning" and "broad beam" lasers. Based upon your prescription, your surgeon will select which laser is best for your treatment.
Scanning Lasers (Nidek EC-5000) are by far the lasers of choice among LASIK surgeons worldwide. The scanning laser uses less energy per pulse than the broad beam laser. This results in a smoother ablation surface - one free from ridges or grooves.
Intralase
This is a laser that creates the corneal flap, the first step in the LASIK procedure. A surgical metal blade is used during traditional LASIK. This laser offers higher precision which results in better vision for you.
NearVision CK
How would you like to turn back the clock to a time in your life when you could read without glasses? The first FDA-approved technology for improving near vision now makes that possible.
Bausch & Lomb Technolas Laser
The Technolas® 217z ZyoptixT System for Personalized Vision Correction for wavefront-guided LASIK for correction of myopia, leads the industry with over 100,000 procedures performed worldwide. The Technolas 217z Zyoptix wavefront-guided laser integrates topography and wavefront diagnostics to deliver outstanding clinical outcomes.
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT:
Pre-Op Care
Eat and drink as you normally would on the day of your procedure. Please do not consume any alcoholic beverages. Please do not wear any eye make-up or jewelry on the day of your laser procedure. We prefer that you not wear any perfume, lotions, cologne or aftershave on the day of your procedure. Dress comfortably and note the laser room may be chilly. Wash your eyelashes thoroughly the morning of your procedure.
The Day of Your LASIK Procedure
If you need a mild sedative to help relax, we will provide this for you. During the procedure, you will be lying down and looking straight up into a blinking red light. Numbing eye drops will be applied so that you will not feel any pain during the procedure. Your time in surgery is about 7 minutes per eye. When the procedure is completed, transparent "shields" are placed over your eyes for protection when you sleep. (Wear these for about 24 hours.) You will need protective sunglasses if it is still light outside. When you leave Clear Choice, please try to sleep so your eye will be at rest and heal faster.
Post-Op Care
EXPECTATIONS: It is normal for your vision to be blurry and to fluctuate for the first few days. It is typical for your vision to gradually improve over the next four weeks. Complete visual recovery typically takes at least 3-6 months. You can expect dimming of your vision in the evenings, light sensitivity, or halos around lights during the healing phase. These symptoms and any discomfort you may have should decrease over time.
Please remember that everyone heals differently. Your progress will be monitored at regularly scheduled visits and your treatment will be decided accordingly.
FREE LASIK SCREENING:
We invite all who are interested to schedule a free LASIK consultation. This brief consultation with our patient counselor will only take about 20 minutes. We will start by measuring your prescription using computerized vision tests. A preliminary determination will be made as to whether you are a candidate for LASIK. You will view an informative computer presentation and be quoted the exact fee based on your prescription. You will then be offered an opportunity to schedule your procedure, and "secure" the special price.
Once we've received payment in full and if you have had your contacts off for the prescribed time, we will be able to perform your Pre-op exam. This is a very extensive eye exam that gives us all of the information we need to perform your LASIK procedure. The Pre-op will take approximately 1-½ hours. If you are not able to go ahead with the Pre-Op exam, it can be scheduled at a later date.
If you would like to schedule your Pre-op exam at the same time as your free LASIK consultation, remember to leave your contacts out for either 72 hours (soft contacts), or 6 weeks (hard or gas permeable contacts) prior to your visit.
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