LASIK
LASIK
We understand that the decision to have LASIK eye surgery is a personal one. Dr. Shultz is a highly skilled surgeon uniquely qualified to address your visual needs. Dr. Shultz has performed thousands of LASIK eye surgeries and is considered a leader in the field amongst his peers. Call to schedule your LASIK evaluation to determine which procedure is right for your eyes. Our office number is (818) 349-8300 or e-mail us at info@shultz-chang.com.
LASIK is a treatment that corrects refractive errors. This eye surgery reshapes the cornea, making clearer vision possible. Refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism hinder a person’s focusing ability of the eye, thus making them dependent on eyeglasses and contact lenses. LASIK provides patients with an alternative. This safe and effective procedure removes a predetermined amount of corneal tissue and reshapes the cornea, which improves the focusing power of the eye and visual acuity. LASIK helps to reduce a patient’s reliance on eyeglasses and contact lenses.
FAQs
What does the LASIK procedure entail?
Your eye will first be anesthetized with topical eye drops. Then, your surgeon will use a specialized, femtosecond laser to create a flap on the outermost surface of the eye, which will reveal the underlying cornea. The surgeon will carefully reshape the cornea using an excimer laser and then replace the flap.
Is LASIK painful?
The LASIK procedure is near-painless. Usually, patients complain only of a mild discomfort, which can be controlled with medication.
How much does LASIK cost?
As the LASIK procedure becomes more increasingly popular, the overall cost has declined. On average, LASIK can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $3,000 per eye. It is recommended, however, that you not chose your surgeon based on cost, but rather on experience. Normally, insurance companies do not cover the cost of LASIK.
Are there any risks associated with the LASIK procedure?
Only a small number of patients have reportedly experienced complications as a result of the LASIK eye surgery. Some risks of LASIK may include:
Sensitivity to light
Glared vision
Dry eyes
Loss of visual clarity
Irregular astigmatism
Fortunately, with today’s advancements in technology, complications with LASIK are drastically reduced.
Who are good candidates for LASIK eye surgery?
A good candidate for LASIK should be at least 18 years old, have no change in refraction for at least one year and have realistic expectations for the results of LASIK. If you believe you are a good candidate for LASIK, contact your ophthalmologist for a comprehensive eye exam.
What kind of results can be expected?
Patients should have realistic expectations going into the procedure. While 20/20 vision has been achieved for most patients as a result of LASIK, it is not guaranteed for all patients. Improved vision and reduced dependency on eyeglasses and contacts can be expected but allow months for vision to completely stabilize.
Vision Problems LASIK Cannot Correct
One common vision problem, presbyopia, cannot currently be treated by any laser vision correction surgery. This condition is the result of an inelastic lens, not a misshaped cornea, and is part of the natural aging process for many people. If you have presbyopia and require reading glasses, laser vision correction surgery will not correct the problem. Although results vary from patient to patient, if you currently wear contact lenses to correct nearsightedness or farsightedness along with reading glasses for presbyopia, laser vision correction may eliminate or reduce the need for the contact lenses, but not for the reading glasses. If you are interested in the treatment of Presbyopia, please refer to the Premium IOL section of this website for a new exciting alternative to LASIK in which cataracts, refractive error and Presbyopia are addressed.
Is LASIK safe?
Provided you are a good candidate, the average success rate for LASIK is 95 percent. Contact your Dr. Shultz to see if you are a good candidate.
Is LASIK painful?
The LASIK procedure is near-painless. Usually, patients complain only of a mild discomfort, which can be controlled with medication.
What is PRK?
Photorefractive Keratectomy, or PRK, was the first FDA-approved surgical procedure developed to reshape the cornea using a laser. The major difference between LASIK and PRK is the way the middle layer of the cornea is treated. With LASIK, a flap is created in the top layer, folded back for the reshaping of the underlying corneal tissue beneath the protective corneal flap and immediately put back into position at the end of the procedure. With PRK, the laser makes direct contact with the cornea after pulling back or removing the top layer, called the epithelium. Thus, no protective flap is created. After reshaping the resulting exposed corneal tissue, the top layer, or epithelium, is left to heal with time during a natural healing process and without the aid of a protective flap. Dr. Shultz, pretreats patient with special medications that reduce the risk of post-operative pain commonly associated with PRK. Under certain conditions, Dr. Shultz may recommend PRK instead of LASIK.