LASIK FAQ
Am I a good candidate for LASIK?
The best way for you to determine this is with a thorough exam from your eye doctor.
Appropriate candidates must be at least 18 years old, in good general health, and have good
eye health with no diseases such as cataracts or glaucoma. LASIK can treat a very broad
range of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
Through an initial consultation your eye doctor will confirm if you are a good candidate, explain the procedure, and answer your
questions so that you can make an informed decision. He or she will explain what results
you can reasonably expect by measuring your prescription and thoroughly examining your
eyes. Atlanta Lasik Center has a consistent record of doing what is best for the patient.
In fact, many people choose us based upon our reputation for excellent patient care.
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I have heard about CustomLASIK. What is this procedure?
CustomLASIK is a procedure that involves the use of a wavefront analyzer and enables your
surgeon to customize the Conventional LASIK procedure to your individual eyes. This
customized procedure can result in patients seeing clearer and sharper than ever before.
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What is the difference between Conventional LASIK and CustomLASIK?
CustomLASIK uses a tool called the wavefront analyzer to accurately measure the way light
travels through your eye. The data from the resulting map of your eye is then programmed
into the laser, and the laser treats your eye based upon that personalized 3D map.
CustomLASIK helps to treat "higher order" aberrations, which are tiny imperfections in the
eye that can have a significant impact on one’s quality of vision. In fact, higher order
aberrations have been linked to visual glare and halos. Higher order aberrations have not
been previously treatable with contacts, glasses, or Conventional LASIK.
Conventional LASIK is still a very good choice for many patients, though most will prefer
the higher level of customization that CustomLASIK can provide. Ultimately, you need to
discuss the options with your doctor.
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Is the actual LASIK procedure performed the same way? Or is CustomLASIK a
completely different procedure?
The actual LASIK procedure is performed in exactly the same way in both Conventional
LASIK and CustomLASIK. The pre-op testing for Conventional LASIK and CustomLASIK
can differ greatly. The data from the resulting map created by the wavefront analyzer is programmed
into the laser which creates the CustomLASIK procedure.
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I’ve heard a lot of great things about LASIK. What can LASIK do for me?
While LASIK has proven overwhelmingly successful in reducing dependence on glasses and contact lenses, the
degree of improvement may vary among individuals. How well and how quickly your vision improves depends on
how well you heal and the severity of your prescription.
Although we cannot promise patients "perfect" or 20/20 vision, most laser patients with mild to moderate prescriptions
do achieve 20/20 vision or are within 1 to 2 lines of 20/20 vision on an eye chart. This means they no
longer need glasses or contacts to drive, play sports, watch movies and TV, or participate in careers requiring
excellent vision such as police officers and fire fighters.
Additionally, CustomLASIK has proven to be an exciting development. Clinical studies have shown that
CustomLASIK can improve not only what you can see but how well you can see it.
In the past, all vision was measured using a standard vision chart. If you could see the letters, the doctor would
proclaim your vision as a number, such as 20/20, 20/100, etc. But now, with CustomLASIK, doctors are able to
focus on the quantity and quality of your vision. Many patients who have had CustomLASIK are reporting being
able to see clearer than ever before. It’s as if someone had taken an ink pad and freshly stamped each letter on
the vision chart in bold black letters. Because CustomLASIK corrects the unique imperfections in each individual’s
vision, it is likely that night vision will be improved.
Your pre-procedure consultation with your eye doctor will help determine the range of your probable outcome
based on your particular prescription, healing profile, and expectations. Keep in
mind, as a patient ages the need for reading glasses is quite common.
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How will I know what procedure I need to have?
Your eye care professional is the best person to tell you that. CustomLASIK is necessary for some and desirable
for many. Everyone’s eyes are different, and your eyes may best be treated with CustomLASIK. You should
schedule a consultation with your eye doctor. Together, you can determine what is right for you.
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Will the procedure hurt?
Most patients find the procedure to be slightly uncomfortable. One good way to learn more about how it might
feel is to talk to someone who has had the procedure, such as a friend, relative, or a staff member at the doctor’s
office. For most patients, the feeling of anxiety and the fear of the unknown is worse than the actual procedure.
Anesthetic drops are used to numb the eye just before surgery begins, and you may be given a mild sedative.
After your procedure, your eye may feel a foreign body sensation or irritation for a few hours, but most patients
are quite comfortable after taking a short nap. You will be given drops for your eyes to counteract the potential
dryness you may experience for several days following the surgery.
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What will my recovery be like?
Most LASIK patients usually see quite well the day following their procedure and may be able to resume most of
their normal daily activities, but patients with higher prescriptions may recover more slowly. Although the speed
of visual recovery depends on personal healing patterns, most patients notice dramatic visual results within the
first few days following their procedure.
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What are the risks?
There are risks with the LASIK procedure. However, the chance of having a vision reducing complication has been
documented in a number of clinical studies to be minimal. Remember, millions of people have had excellent
results from LASIK.
Some potential complications include conditions such as dryness, complications in making the surgical flap,
night glare, under- or over-correction, and loss of best-corrected vision. At Atlanta Lasik Center, these and other
risks of the surgery are discussed fully with the patient prior to the procedure. Proper pre-operative screening
ensures that we proceed with the procedure only when it is medically advisable. As well, diligent post-operative
care helps to identify and address any potential healing complications.
Perhaps the best way to help prevent LASIK complications is to choose a surgeon who is experienced and respected
in the community. This is one of the advantages of choosing Atlanta Lasik Center.
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