LASIK FAQs
At Eye Q Premium Laser, Edmonton laser eye surgeon Dr. Joseph Leong-Sit and his medical staff are committed to helping our patients, like you, stay informed of their vision correction treatment options, including LASIK surgery. To this end, Dr. Leong-Sit shares the most frequently asked LASIK questions that he and his team receive from prospective and preoperative patients, as well as the answers to the inquiries.
- Am I a suitable candidate for LASIK?
- What if I don’t qualify for LASIK?
- How much time will I need off from work?
- Does LASIK hurt?
- Can I lose my vision from LASIK?
- Is LASIK permanent?
- Will I need anesthesia during LASIK surgery?
- How much will my vision improve after LASIK surgery?
- What is bladeless LASIK?
- What should I keep in mind as I recover from surgery?
- How much does LASIK surgery cost?
- Can I finance my LASIK surgery?
- Are there any side effects of laser vision correction?
- What are the potential complications of LASIK?
Am I a suitable candidate for LASIK?
Alberta patients who are interested in LASIK eye surgery must undergo an eye examination to determine whether they are suitable candidates for the surgery. We will not perform LASIK on anyone who does not qualify. In general, candidates must be over the age of 18 with a stable prescription. Women who are pregnant or nursing and people with rheumatoid arthritis or certain eye problems (e.g., cataracts, uncontrolled glaucoma) will not qualify.
What if I don’t qualify for LASIK?
Because not everyone is a suitable candidate for LASIK, we offer several alternatives, including PRK. We will work with you to determine the best vision correction treatment for your needs.
How much time will I need off from work?
Recovery from LASIK is fairly quick. Some of our patients have returned to work the day after their surgery. Recovering from another procedure such as PRK may take longer. Our surgeons will advise how long you should take off from work during your one-on-one consultation.
Does LASIK hurt?
Thanks to the topical anesthetic eye drops administered before surgery, the LASIK procedure should not hurt. Most patients do not feel a thing during laser eye surgery; though, a few individuals report feeling pressure on the eye during the procedure.
Can I lose my vision from LASIK?
LASIK as well as other vision correction procedures such as PRK have an outstanding safety profile and an extremely high success rate. However, like any surgical procedure, there is a small risk of complications, including temporary or permanent loss of vision. The best ways to avoid complications are to choose a highly experienced, meticulous eye surgeon such as Dr. Leong-Sit and to undergo a complimentary assessment to ensure you are a suitable candidate for the procedure. Dr. Leong-Sit and his team at Eye Q Premium Laser are committed to patient safety and will not perform LASIK on anyone who is not an appropriate candidate for the procedure. For individuals who do not meet LASIK candidacy requirements, Dr. Leong-Sit will suggest alternative vision correction treatment options, such as PRK for those with very thin corneas.
Is LASIK permanent?
The visual results from LASIK are considered permanent. (Some patients may require surgical enhancement three to nine months after the initial laser vision correction treatment to attain their final visual outcome.) However, a very small number of patients — especially those with a high vision prescription — may experience regression. In these cases, a secondary vision correction treatment may be necessary to correct the regression. Also, although LASIK results are generally considered permanent, most individuals develop a separate condition called “presbyopia” (the age-related need for reading glasses) during their 40s and 50s. In addition, experiencing the onset of certain diseases, such as diabetes, after you have had LASIK surgery can affect your vision, but this is unrelated to the visual results from your laser eye surgery.
Will I need anesthesia during LASIK surgery?
We will administer anesthetic eye drops prior to your procedure, so you will not feel any pain during surgery.
How much will my vision improve after LASIK surgery?
Results vary depending on a patient’s vision prescription and individual circumstances. Our surgeons will be able to give you a better idea of the type of results you can expect during your personal consultation. It is possible that you will achieve 20/20 or 20/25 vision; most of our patients do. A very small percentage of patients need additional surgical enhancement within three to nine months after their LASIK.
What is bladeless LASIK?
Bladeless LASIK involves using a laser to create the corneal flap and reshape the corneal tissue. The procedure is often called IntraLase, or Lasik, depending on the exact technology used.
What should I keep in mind as I recover from surgery?
Getting plenty of rest is crucial to your LASIK recovery. As you recover from LASIK, we will ask you to use specific medications at certain times to keep the eyes lubricated and prevent infection. Also, you will need to avoid rubbing your eyes, getting your eyes wet or wearing eye makeup for several weeks after surgery. Comprehensive directions will be provided to you prior to surgery.
How much does LASIK surgery cost?
We will be happy to provide a LASIK quote during your personal consultation.
Can I finance my LASIK surgery?
Financing options are available. Please speak to a member of our team about details.
Are there any side effects of laser vision correction?
Yes, some patients experience fluctuations in their vision, glare or halos at night and / or dry eyes. We have noticed better overall night vision in patients who opt for custom LASIK, or Custom Femto LASIK.
What are the potential complications of LASIK?
Most of LASIK’s potential complications occur during the creation of the corneal flap. The flap may become loose or displaced, and the laser correction procedure may need to be postponed until the flap has healed. A small number of patients develop an infection or allergic reaction after surgery, but we provide medication to help prevent this.
If you have a question that was not answered on our website, please don’t hesitate to call us and speak with one of our friendly staff members. To schedule a complimentary assessment with the Eye Q team, or to learn more about laser eye surgery, contact Eye Q Premium Laser by calling 780-429-2015.