Does the Procedure Hurt?
Amazingly, there is very little discomfort. This is one of the main advantages of LASIK. Only local anesthetic, administered through eye drops, is used. Patients are awake and alert during the procedure and most tell us that they did not experience any pain.

What can I Expect After the Procedure?
After the procedure your vision will be hazy. The haze will gradually diminish hour by hour, and generally, sharp visual acuity is achieved after a good night’s sleep. Most patients drive themselves to their one-day check-up without their glasses or contacts. For patients with more than six diopters of correctable myopia and for hyperopic patients, it sometimes takes an extra day to achieve sharp visual acuity. Even in these instances, vision is usually good enough on the day following surgery to perform your normal schedule of activities.

Why Does the Price Vary?
Like most major purchases, it is possible to pay too much for a "product", and it is also possible to pay too little. "Discounters" do exist and they sometimes use inexperienced surgeons-some are not even board certified. Like the majority of the consumer press, I caution prospective patients away from such facilities. Since this procedure will likely determine how well you will see for the rest of your life, the most important factor to consider should by quality.

Does the Brand of the Laser Matter?
Seven other lasers have been approved by FDA, yet VISX is the laser choice for 80% of the laser vision correction providers in the United States-some are significantly less costly than the VISX. Of those recently approved, several promote special features to make the laser seem preferable. Words like the "latest technology" can be misleading. Having been recently approved by the FDA is no indication of the advantages the technology has to offer, or even if the technology is actually new. It is in all of our best interest to use the equipment that achieves the best results. I choose VISX because of the consistency of the laser’s performance (and the results I achieve using it).

What Are the Risks?
As with any medical procedure, the possibility of complications always exists, but problems associated with LASIK tend to be relatively minor. Striae, or microscopic wrinkles in the flap, and under correction are the most common complications and are easily treated- and at no additional cost to the patient.