LASIK Eye Surgery Questions and Answers

Question:

I have always wanted to be a pilot but my poor vision has kept me from going after that dream. Very recently the military has changed their poilicy regarding eye surgery. My recruiter told me that they are now allowing people who have had PRK surgery to enrole in the pilot program. He did not have many details regarding this policy change. Do you know what the new rules are? He tells me I would have to wait a year following the proceedure to enrole. What if my vision does not end up 20/20 but after surgery is now correctable to 20/20. Would that still aloow me to fly? I know there are several types of surgery, which do the military accept? Are others currently being considered?

Answer:

Dear Matthew, I am sorry but I am not aware of current regulations regarding pilots license and vision correction. I suggest you ask the office which takes the applications. Sincerely Dr. Alexandra Chebil The Lasik Center

Question:

Hello, I am 35 years old. I have myopia and astigmatism. The power in each eye is more than -5. Am I an eligible candidate for lasik. I am not diabetic, no bp. How long is the surgery. What is the cost of the surgery. Can u recommend a good doctor who does lasik. Is lasik covered under any kind of insurance ? If so, can you give the name ?

Answer:

Hi Padma, Thank you for your email. Your eye prescription sounds treatable. The treatment lasts only a few minutes and costs $4400 for both eyes. Most insurances do not cover the cost. I perform lasik with excellent results. You could call the office to set up an appointment. Sincerely, Dr. Alexandra Chebil

Question:

I have debilitating dim light glare and halos following LASIK 2.5 years ago. How do I go about finding the best doctor to treat it? I've been told this is a bad mismatch between the ablation size (5mm) and my pupils (9mm) and the ablation size needs to be increased. Pupil contracting drops work but only for about 90 minutes. (Pupil size in dim light was not measured prior to the procedure. Q2. Is there any hope that a future technique will be be able to restore the natural curve in the cornea. I now don't care about the need to wear glasses.

Answer:

Dear Steven,With the new VISX Laser, treatment areas can be increased-I would suggest contacting a TLC Center (The Laser Center) which also has access to lasers in Canada where more perfected treated could be available. Sincerely Dr. Alexandra Chebil The Lasik Center

Question:

I wear Acuvue extended wear lense;-8.0 in one eye and -8.5 in my dominant eye.Is Lasix a viable option to consider? What percentage of people with my degree of nearsightedness can expect 20/20 vision after lasix? What is the probability that I would continue to need glasses or contacts to correct my nearsighted vision after surgery? Thanks

Answer:

Your prescription is certainly treatable. 98% of patients I have treated have obtained 20/20 vision with no corrective lenses. Sincerely, Dr. Alexandra Chebil The Lasik Center

Question:

How much pain is involved during the procedure and how long is the recovery time?

Answer:

Dear Elizabeth, The procedure is virtually pain free and the recovery time is 24 hours.Sincerely, Dr. Alexandra Chebil The Lasik Center

Question:

About Laser eye surgery: If I(30 yrs. old) am thinking of having children in a few years, should I wait until after I have them to have the procedure done? Once I have the procedure done and in the future I need a little correction due to age, is it possible to ever wear contacts again?

Answer:

No need to wait unless you are already pregnant. Also, you should not be nursing at the time of your evaluation and surgery. Contacts can usually, but not always be worn after LASIK (if you could prior to LASIK)

Byron Stratas, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Wilmington, NC

Question:

I was to have bilateral LASIK last Friday, however, after starting the first eye, the doctor stopped the procedure and said that the flap was irregular and she could not proceed. She did not lift the flap. She said that I would have to wait 3 months before surgery again. I have a very steep cornea and wonder if this could have been part of the problem. I asked the surgeon at an earlier visit what her experiece was and she said that she had performed about 50 LASIKs but several hundred PRKs, but that LASIK was easier since a computer did all the work. When I asked her about the problem at surgery, she said it had to do with the steepness of my cornea. Now I am concerned that I chose the wrong doctor and she is simply not experienced enough. The doctor is with an extremely highly regarded eye center that specializes in cataract surgery. Would you shop for another doctor in my situation? IS the three months waiting time appropriate? By the way, I have healed very well since the procedure. Thank you for any advice that you can give me as I am very upset with this turn of events.

Answer:

Your situation is a complex one, and needs to be reviewed in detail by a qualified physician. Factors that can be important are the steepness of the cornea, the experience of your surgeon and (very importantly) the equipment utilized. I highly recommend the 'Down-Up' LASIK procedure, as flap complications are quite rare, even with steeper corneas. This involved using one of the newest generation micro-keratomes, which we have used for the past two years without a single complication. If you would like a complimentary consultation please call Pam at 1-800-824-1073. Thank you. Sincerely, John Zdral, M.D.

John D. Zdral, M.D.
Fullerton, CA

Question:

What year did eye laser surgery get started?

Answer:

Dear Ron, Laser eye Surgery has been performed since around 1987. Sincerely Dr. Alexandra Chebil The Lasik Center

Question:

I have Astigmatismus myopicus. Left eye is -0,25, Right eye is -4.0. Tell me method for the medical tretham for the eyes.

Answer:

Dear Natasa, The treatment I recommend is Lasik. Sincerely Dr. Alexandra Chebil The Lasik Center

Question:

I was having a lasik operation last Saterday. However while cutting the flap, it all stopped at once and the cutting of the flap could not be continued. the Surgeon explained this happens in 0,1% of the cases. He said that now I have to wait for 3 months in order to do it again. Could you explain how this can happen? What causes the Lasik machine to stop during the cutting of the flap? Was the doctor right about aborting the operation? Could the doctor do the operation earlier than after 3 months? Thanks in advance for your answers, it might take away some of my anciousness. Kind regards, Daisy Saelens

Answer:

Dear Daisy, Your doctor was absolutely correct.The treatment should not continue unless the flap is absolutely perfect. The "Flap- maker" is a mechanical instrument which can occassionaly jam at the gears. I'm sure you will do very well the next time. Best of Luck Dr. Alexandra Chebil The Lasik Center

Question:

What are the complications of lasik vision surgery? I have capillary fragility, would that cause a problem with lasik surgery? I am 53 years old, is that a problem

Answer:

Please go to the following site for excellent information. http://www.locateadoc.com/scripts/LDredirect.cfm?client=lasikinstitute

Byron Stratas, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Wilmington, NC

Question:

Is this procedure generally covered by insurance. Average costs for the procedure.

Answer:

In most cases, insurance does not cover the LASIK procedure. However, we have found a few policies which do have some coverage. It is best to come in for a free consultation at which time we can verify the insurance that you have. The average cost for the procedure is $1900.00 per eye. There are many types of financial arrangements and payment programs available which again would be discussed at your free consultation. Please call Pam at 1-800-824-1073 to set this up.

John D. Zdral, M.D.
Fullerton, CA

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