LASIK FAQ's

in Dalton, Georgia

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Is laser vision correction surgery right for me?

Your refractive error, occupation, leisure activities, age and personal expectations all help to determine whether you are a good candidate for vision correction surgery. You must have realistic expectations and understand that LASIK surgery offers about a 90% or greater chance of gaining normal or near-normal vision. But it is impossible to guarantee 20/20 vision with every vision correction procedure, and it may be necessary to wear thin glasses at certain times such as when driving at night.

What happens on the day of the procedure?

We ask you to arrive 45 minutes prior to the appointment time for your procedure. One of our highly trained technicians will stay with you throughout your entire experience. You should also bring a family member or friend. On the morning of your procedure you may eat a normal meal. Once you arrive, your LASIK technician will greet and take you through the entire process. Many of our patients choose to take mild sedative so they can be more relaxed during the procedure and to help them nap following it. Your LASIK technician will then escort you to the laser suite. The procedure itself is essentially painless and most patients notice a significant improvement in their vision right away.

Approximately two hours after your arrival you will leave our office. Clear protective eye shields will cover both eyes while you take a nap for approximately four hours. Most of our patients wake up from their nap with little or no discomfort. Most patients notice a significant improvement in their vision that day. Patients often go out to eat that evening. The day after your surgery most patients can drive themselves in for their initial post-op exam without the need for glasses.

How much time will I need off work?

Most patients return to work the next day, so there's little downtime. Our doctors may suggest that you take it easy for two to three days and will make a recommendation for recovery time based on your individual vision needs and work environment.

When will I be able to see?

Many patients can read the clock on the wall in the laser room immediately after LASIK. However, your sight may fluctuate for a period of time after the procedure. It's important that patients have realistic expectations. While not all patients undergoing LASIK gain 20/20 vision, 92 percent of them see 20/40 or better after the procedure. That qualifies an individual to pass a driver's license exam without wearing glasses or contact lenses. Less than one percent of patients experience any kind of serious vision-threatening complications from the procedure.

Will I ever have to wear glasses again?

The goal of LASIK is to reduce or eliminate the need for any type of corrective lenses. Since virtually all of PEA's LASIK patients achieve 20/40 vision or better, very few choose to wear glasses. Those who do generally use them only in certain circumstances such as driving at night or in the rain. Reading glasses may be necessary with people as they get into their 40's. Most people, whether they have had LASIK or not, will need reading glasses as they reach their 40's.

What's the first step?

Call our office and ask to schedule a LASIK evaluation. You can also use our form found in the Contact Us section of this web site. After completing the form you can automatically fax it to us by clicking on the appropriate button. The consultation will be a thorough examination including computerized corneal mapping. At the end of the consultation, we will recommend a specific procedure to treat your vision problems. The entire consultation is conducted and supervised by our refractive surgeon. You will be able to spend as much time as you would like having your questions answered. If you currently wear contact lenses, you will need to stop wearing them two weeks before your evaluation for soft contact lenses and one month per decade of wear for hard contact lenses.

What is Laser Vision Correction?

Laser Vision Correction is a procedure designed to reduce or eliminate nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. Permanently reshaping or "sculpting" the surface of the cornea with a cold laser beam accomplishes this. The most current technology is called LASIK.

Am I a candidate for LASIK?

In general, the ideal candidate for LASIK is over 18 years of age and has healthy corneas. Candidates must not have had a significant increase in their prescription in the last 12 months. People with certain medical conditions or women who are pregnant may not be good candidates for LASIK.

Why should I choose your doctor over the doctors that offer significant discounts?

Our practice offers the expertise of three experienced, highly trained surgeons who have performed thousands of refractive surgeries, including LASIK. Our doctors and staff have been providing quality eye care to the North Georgia area for over 37 years. We are committed to taking care of your eyes from start to finish, beginning with your pre-op exam to a full year of follow-up visits, to ensure the health of your eyes. Our doctors are here to stay and they are here to help.

Is LASIK FDA approved?

The FDA does not usually approve procedures; they approve medical devices such as the VISX excimer laser. This type of laser was the first to receive FDA approval to treat low, moderate and high myopia, astigmatism and hyperopia. Almost 2 million laser correction procedures have been performed in the US alone using VISX laser systems and over 8,000 eye care professionals have themselves been treated on VISX systems.

What are the risks associated with LASIK?

Like any medical procedure, LASIK has some risks. Because LASIK uses a microkeratome, results are more dependent on surgical experience than with other refractive procedures. Our surgeons will give you more detailed information regarding risks and complications prior to your having LASIK, and all of your questions will be answered. A very small percentage of patients who undergo the procedure have experienced mild side effects. Some patients report seeing halos around lights at night or having fluctuations in vision throughout the day, though most side effects are temporary.

Is Laser Vision Correction Safe?

Over 3 million procedures have been performed worldwide since 1998. Data obtained during exhaustive clinical trials show that patients have experienced a significant improvement in uncorrected vision after laser vision correction.

Can I afford LASIK?

At Professional Eye Associates, we believe that financial considerations should not be an obstacle to obtaining this procedure. Being sensitive to the fact that different patients have different needs, we provide the flexible monthly payment option. It is specifically designed for LASIK, with payments as low as $108 per month. You may apply quickly and securely via the web. Click on the logo below to begin the process. If you prefer, you may also apply over the phone by calling 800-365-8295.

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