Norwich Ophthalmology Group

LASIK Surgery

How do I know if I am a candidate for LASIK?

With the help of a complete eye examination, it will be confirmed if you are a candidate for laser vision correction. Our highly trained LASIK surgeons will evaluate your eyes and let you know if you are an ideal candidate for LASIK.

How do I choose a LASIK surgeon?

The success of  LASIK surgery depends on an experienced surgeon evaluating your visual needs along with an accurate pre-operative assessment. All of our LASIK surgeons are board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and have over twenty years combined experience doing laser vision correction.

How long does a LASIK treatment take?

The entire procedure may take 5-7 minutes for each eye. It takes place under topical anesthetic drops. During LASIK, a microkeratome is used for lifting the thin upper layer of the cornea. Then the laser removes a precise amount of corneal tissue. After the procedure takes place, the flap is laid back in its previous natural position. No sutures are used. Eye drops and plastic shields are used for protecting the eye for the day. Results are more or less immediate. Slight discomfort might take place for the first 24 hours.

How does the laser work?

The excimer laser uses a cold beam of light to sculpt the surface of the cornea to its desired shape. It helps in correcting farsightedness, nearsightedness, and astigmatism as determined by our surgeons at your preoperative one on one consult.

Does LASIK hurt?

With the help of eye drops, the cornea can be easily numbed. During the procedure, patients feel no discomfort. Some patients experience minimal pain after surgery. Most patients require no postoperative pain medication.

What about the recovery process?

In LASIK treatment, recovery is usually very fast. For the first few hours after surgery, patients might feel some minor irritation or a tearing and burning sensation. At this time the vision is generally blurred, many patients nap at this point of time to rest their eyes. After a few hours, the irritation stops as the vision begins to clear. One day after surgery most patients are pain-free, and their sight is quite clear.

I just cannot tolerate anything in my eye!

Using modern LASIK techniques our patients feel relaxed and are pain-free. Using our state of the art Allegretto Laser, the average LASER time is 10 seconds per eye.

Will it be possible to do both eyes at the same time?

Most people prefer to have both eyes corrected at the same time. Our experienced LASIK surgeons will let you know if this is the best treatment option for you.

What will happen if I move or blink my eye during the procedure?

During the procedure, you will be lying on the comfortable Lasik stretcher and staring straight at a fixation light. A lid speculum will prevent any blinking. The laser has a built-in eye movement tracker, and the surgeon has full control of the laser and can stop the procedure if it becomes necessary.

Will I need glasses after the surgery?

You cannot get a guarantee of perfect vision with any medical procedure. Most people enjoy clear vision and can legally drive without glasses. It is an important point to note that LASIK does not eliminate the need for reading glasses if you are over 40 years old. During your free consultation, your surgeon will discuss your treatment options.

How much time do I have to take off from work?

In most cases, patients return to work the day after surgery.

Will LASIK affect my lifestyle?

Contact sports should be avoided for two weeks after surgery, and it is always a good idea to wear eye protection. We advise against hot tubs, swimming, and saunas for two weeks as well.

How long will the correction last?

LASIK is a permanent correction. Most patients experience years of excellent vision without the aid of glasses or contact lenses. As we age, especially for patients over the age 40, the need for reading glasses is not uncommon.

Is it true that LASIK takes six months to improve vision?

No, visual improvement is more or less immediate, even though some fluctuations in vision may take place intermittently until the eyes are completely healed.

How safe is LASIK?

LASIK is quite safe. With any kind of surgical procedure, complications might arise. There are some vision-threatening complications, but these are extremely rare. These complications include infections (1 in 5,000) and irregular healing process, which may result in irregular astigmatism and less than 20/20 vision. During such instances, contact lenses or further surgery might be necessary. Most complications are minor and may lead to blurriness for a short time and use of contact lenses or glasses for a short time. Occasionally an additional laser treatment is necessary. In most cases, patients recover without any problem. Your LASIK surgeon will be happy to discuss all aspects of your surgery at your free consultation.

How successful is LASIK?

If our experienced LASIK surgeons determine that you are a good candidate for  excimer laser vision correction, 95% of our patients achieve 20/40 vision or better and can legally drive without the use of any correction.

Can LASIK treat farsightedness?

Our state of the art excimer laser can correct up to six diopters of farsightedness. Your surgeon will determine if you can have LASIK at your consultation.

What to do regarding astigmatism?

Astigmatism occurs when the cornea is oval and not round. With the help of laser treatment, we can easily treat most levels of astigmatism.

Can LASIK help my dry eyes?

Most patients who have dry eyes can successfully have LASIK surgery. Your Surgeon will evaluate your tear function at your preoperative exam and determine if you are a good candidate for LASIK.

I use reading glasses, can LASIK help me in this regard?

LASIK is generally used to correct distance vision, although some patients opt for monovision correction where one eye is corrected for distance, and the other for reading. Ask your surgeon if you are a candidate for monovision

What is the price range of LASIK?

Norwich Ophthalmology Group offers several payment options so you can easily afford  improved eyesight. Ask our LASIK coordinator for all your payment options.

Will my health insurance pay for LASIK?

Most insurance companies will not pay for LASIK. However, there are some special programs that do cover the cost of LASIK. You should ask your insurance representatives about your benefits and coverage

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PRK/LASEK

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LASIK FAQ's

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Testimonials

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Words from our patients

Our Patient Testimonials

“I always waited for this opportunity to thank you for getting me back my eyesight. I must admit to the fact that I was  against the thought of eye surgery. But now, I have my full faith in you. After the procedure, I am very confident with the improvements I have noticed recently. Now I can see fine details without my glasses, along with the drastic differences in low light. I started comparing my eyes to check the difference, and I am truly mesmerized. Now, I am very anxious to go through the same process for my other eye. I never thought about the healing process, but I am really pleased with the fact that it was just a mild annoyance. I would love to recommend your services to everyone I meet.”

– K. Aubin

“The best decision I ever made in my life, was  choosing LASIK eye surgery with Norwich Ophthalmology. The entire procedure was absolutely painless and very simple, which kept me spellbound. Not to mention, it was quite fast too. The doctors along with the staff were very friendly in nature and very professional. It made me feel secure and comfortable, to be treated by such reliable hands. If I ever have to go for another round of eye surgery, I will not think twice before choosing their services. I am in love with my new life without glasses and my 20/15 vision!”

– Ben Barney

My heartiest thanks for giving my sight back. It feels wonderful without glasses, for the first time in my life. I was quite nervous when you suggested  two different options for my eyes, Restor and Rezoom. But you were absolutely right! Now I can watch TV for long hours, go for a drive, use my computer and even read books, without ever wearing my glasses.

– M. Belisle