LASIK/Refractive Surgery

LASIK is an acronym for Laser Assisted In-situ Keratomileusis and has been deemed by the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery and the Eye Surgery Educational Council to be a safe and effective treatment for a host of common vision disorders.  Such disorders include myopia (near-sightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism.

LASIK has become the safest, most popular vision correction procedure ever developed.  Since 1995, millions of people worldwide have had their vision corrected through LASIK which has improved their quality of life and dependence on vision corrective wear such as contact lenses and glasses.

A number of laser manufacturers have developed laser vision correction systems approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States.  Many of these systems have been upgraded over the years but only one was specifically designed for LASIK:  the WaveLight® Allegretto Wave® Excimer Laser System. Designed and developed in Germany, its unique patented beam profile, eye tracking system and consistent results make it the laser of choice among some leading LASIK surgeons like Dr. Price, founder of the Cornea Research Foundation.

1. Be at least 18 years of age.
2. Have a stable prescription for glasses or contacts for at least two years.
3. Have adequate corneal thickness.
4. Have naturally occurring myopia, hyperopia, and or astigmatism.
5. Have no medical disease or vision impairment that could reduce the effectiveness of the procedure.
6. Be adequately informed of the benefits and risks of the procedure.
7. Have a desire to reduce their dependence on corrective eyewear.
8. Have reasonable expectations.

What You Can Expect from LASIK

Following a LASIK surgery, the majority of patients with low to moderate levels of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism achieve 20/20 vision or better.  That translates to being able to pass the vision portion of their driver’s license test without glasses or contacts and enables them to perform the daily tasks of life.  (In Indiana the level of vision required to drive without glasses is 20/40.) 

The majority of patients also report that the quality of their vision after LASIK is better than what they saw previously with their glasses or contacts.  Each person’s goals are determined by their age and the general health of their eyes, and any special needs should be addressed candidly with the laser surgeon prior to surgery.  If these goals are not fully reached after LASIK, an enhancement follow-up procedure may be able to be performed to further improve vision. 

As with any surgery, there are post-operative instructions and steps to be followed as directed to ensure a complete and successful recuperation and results. LASIK, and related surgeries like PRK and advanced surface ablation, can also be used to treat nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) or astigmatism after cataract surgery, corneal transplants, other eye surgeries or corneal injuries.

Finding the Right LASIK Surgeon

• Has completed fellowship training in LASIK
• Is a corneal specialist
• Is an active member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
• Is certified and trained on the latest laser technology
• Has a proven history of refractive surgery
• Understands the intricacies of laser vision correction
• Continually monitors surgical outcomes (LASIK results) and makes them available to patients
• Is able to provide continuity of pre- and post-operative care after LASIK