LASIK Vision Correction Questions

in Visalia, Fresno and Tulare, California

What is LASIK?

LASIK is a surgical vision correction procedure that corrects a wide variety of visual conditions related to nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

Is LASIK new?

LASIK has been performed safely and successfully for vision correction since the 1980s.

Is LASIK right for me?

If you suffer from near- or farsightedness, or astigmatism, and are dependent daily on contact lenses or glasses, LASIK may be able to offer you excellent results.

What other options are available?

LASIK technology has come a long way since its beginnings. Several variations on the original LASIK technique are available, including:

• WaveFront LASIK
• CustomVue Monovision
• Conductive Keratoplasty
• PRK (photorefractive keratectomy)

What results should I expect from LASIK?

LASIK improves ‘uncorrected’ vision – your natural vision without glasses or contacts. Although LASIK enjoys a high rate of success, there are no guarantees, and each case is individual. Your consultation with Dr. Murad Sunalp will reveal the outcome you can reasonably expect.

Will I still need to wear glasses after LASIK surgery?

Most LASIK patients are able to reduce, if not eliminate, their dependence on corrective lenses during the day. Some patients, especially those over 40, find they still need reading glasses. While LASIK can offer better vision, natural aging of our eyes can counteract the results of vision surgery and require that reading glasses or bifocals still be worn for best vision.

Does LASIK hurt?

During the procedure, you’ll receive numbing eye drops. There is no pain during the LASIK procedure, although you may feel a bit of pressure. A mild burning or itching sensation may be felt briefly after surgery and usually subsides after a few hours.

Is my vision at risk from this treatment?

Laser treatment for vision is one of the safest surgical procedures performed anywhere. Never has a patient of Sunalp LaserVision ever lost their vision due to one of our procedures. In the entire world, including accidents and untrained doctors, the rate of failures causing vision loss is only one case per million surgeries.

Are there any long term concerns?

LASIK vision correction surgery is a remarkably stable procedure with excellent long term benefits. Our patients report excellent un-aided vision for over eight years. These procedures are more than 1,000 times more accurate than any prior procedure including radial keratotomy, (RK) of just a decade ago. Extensive world wide testing has determined that since its first use in 1988, laser vision surgery presents no long term health risk to vision.

Will my vision deteriorate over time?

Everyone experiences changes in their vision over a lifetime. This slow rate of change is called Refractive Drift. With corrective lenses, patients generally check and update prescriptions every one to three years to compensate for drift. The amount of drift a person has is not worsened or eliminated by laser surgery. Any change after LASIK surgery will generally be very slight and should remain close to the zero point achieved by surgery.

How do I keep from moving during surgery?

This is one of the most amazing factors in laser surgery. Sunalp LaserVision uses a “Pupil Tracking” system laser which locks onto your pupil and follows it throughout the procedure. This is necessary as even if you stay completely still, you move when you breath. Special guards are placed prior to surgery to keep your eye from blinking. As an added safeguard, we can stop the surgery at anytime if needed.

Do I wear a bandage or an eye patch after surgery?

Though no bandages are required, some patients wear a contact lens placed over the surgical area as a band-aid to help speed the healing process.

Can I return for another procedure to gain more correction?

This is called an enhancement and approximately 5% of our patients return for more correction. This is done following dramatic corrections and can further improve corrected vision. This is even easier than the first surgery as the original incision can be used again.

Are there common complications or problems?

The most common is under or over correction which is treated by enhancement. Optical side effects during healing may include excessive glare, halos in darkness or ghost images. These usually pass after several weeks or months. Properly performed procedures ensure minimal after effects.

Is PRK and LASIK surgery pretty common?

It is becoming increasingly common as more than 8 million people world wide have had laser eye surgery. Approximately 2 million people in the US have had Excimer treatment.

How long do I have to wait before returning to regular activities?

For PRK we recommend three days taking it easy. For this reason many people schedule their surgery on a Thursday or Friday. Many LASIK vision correction patience resume normal activities the next day however, most patients require at least a day. Not everyone feels the same way. Avoid swimming or opening eyes under water. Driving is fine as soon as you feel ready.

Can this give me cataracts or prevent treatment later?

No. Laser surgery does not cause cataracts and does not hinder the removal of cataracts should they develop later on their own.

Your journey towards better vision and freedom from glasses or contacts begins with a phone call or email to Dr. Sunalp’s office to schedule your consultation. Why not contact us now? Se habla espanol!

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