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You have questions, we have answers. Here is a list of the most common
questions that we answer. If your question is not addressed here, please
feel free to contact us.
Q:
Can you guarantee 20/20 vision?
NO. There are no guarantees. You must have realistic expectations
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Q: Will it hurt?
There is no pain during the actual procedure. You may experience some mild
discomfort 12-24 hours after surgery.
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Q: Can I have both eyes done in the same day?
Yes.
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Q: How long will it
last?
The procedure is considered a permanent correction with a possibility of a small
degree of regression in the first few weeks after surgery. This is usually
detected in the first year after surgery. As you age, you will probably need to
wear reading glasses.
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Q:
How many LASIK procedures has Grossnickle Eye Center performed?
We have performed more than 5,000 procedures to date
and perform over 80 monthly.
However, Grossnickle Eye Center has built its reputation as an eye surgery
center. We perform over 3,000 cataracts annually and also specialize in corneal
transplant surgery. Both of these surgeries can be much more complicated than a
LASIK procedure.
In researching a LASIK center, most experts agree that you should inquire
whether a surgeon does other eye surgeries. This will give you a good indication
as to the quality of the surgeon and the number of surgeries done on a
monthly/yearly basis.
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Q: Does the complication rate increase with higher prescriptions? What type of
treatment do your suggest for higher prescriptions?
Generally speaking, the risks associated with LASIK are slightly higher for
those with higher corrections. Studies have shown that people with higher
corrections have an increased chance of best-corrected visual loss and there is
an increased chance of the need for an enhancement. However, LASIK, PRK, and
Refractive
Lens Exchange (RLE) have been used successfully to treat those with very poor
vision. Our surgeon prefers Refractive
Lens Exchange (RLE) to treat patients above –10.00 diopter.
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Q: What does the complication “hazy vision” mean and what are the chances of
this complication?
“Hazy vision” can be a symptom of glare, halos, and starbursts that some
patients see around objects at night or in dim light conditions. For some
patients this experience can interfere with daily activities and driving at
night. For the majority of patients who experience “hazy vision” this symptom
subsides within one month to six weeks although it can continue for a greater
length of time. This is not considered a long-term complication.
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Q: Is the procedure for an enhancement the same as the original surgery? When is
an enhancement performed and is the recovery time any different?
Timing on an enhancement depends on many factors that the surgeon must evaluate.
These include: The eye’s healing response and your comfort level with outcomes
after your initial procedure.
Although the optimal timing of enhancements will differ from eye to eye, most
enhancements are performed three months to one year after your initial
procedure. Within this time frame, the surgeon will simply re-lift the flap.
This minimizes your discomfort and risk of complications. Since a microkeratome
is not used, suction is not applied therefore you will not lose you vision
during the procedure. Enhancements are pain free and recovery occurs just as
quickly as your recovery from the initial procedure.
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Q:
What are the advantages of making the flap with the
IntraLase Laser over the previous keratome method?
The IntraLase laser provides a uniquely precise and safe method of flap creation
minimizing potential risk for complications associated with the previous
keratome method. A more uniform flap creates predictably better vision.
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Q:
What is dry eye? How do you detect it and how do you treat it?
Dry eye can be typical of patients that have previously been bothered by contact
lenses, are going through menopause, or taking birth control pills. When you
come in for your LASIK evaluation, the doctor will perform a test where he will
take a small paper and place it in the tears of your eye, which is called
fluorescein staining. You will not feel any of this. This will allow us to
evaluate the amount of tears being produced by your eyes to determine whether or
not dry eye syndrome is an issue for you. If we do suspect dry eye syndrome, we
will do further testing to assess the extent of the condition.
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Q: Is it possible to have pupils that are too large to have this procedure?
If your pupils are too large for laser vision correction, the surgeon will make
this determination during the eye exam. There is a correlation between wide
pupils and the experience of decreased night or low-light vision. The doctor
will perform a test to measure your pupils by using an instrument called a
pupilometer.
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Q: Do you own
your own laser?
We own our own IntraLase laser which creates the flap.
We lease our laser from Laser Vision Centers Inc., which brings in our laser
specifically for surgery days. By leasing the machine, we ensure that our
machine has the most updated hardware and software for LASIK vision correction.
Laser Vision also provides a factory-trained engineer to ensure that the machine
is calibrated and functioning appropriately.
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Q: Is it
safe to transport a laser?
We use a transportable Excimer Laser. The truck is patented for safe and protective
transportation of Excimer Lasers. While housed in a temperature-controlled
truck; the laser is supported on eight air bags, which are custom mounted
through the system. In addition, the truck is equipped with an air ride
suspension system designed to absorb the rigors of even the bumpiest roads.
While loading and unloading the excimer laser, the airbags in the system
continue to provide support until the engineer gently lowers the laser into
place by releasing the air out of the airbags.
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