Know The Facts

FDA Results

The FDA, United States Food and Drug Administration, is responsible for evaluating new medical devices and determining if these devices are safe for consumers.

If you would like to more fully be informed of risks, we invite you to come in for a free consultation and a copy of our informed consent. It is long, but is designed to cover as many possible complications as possible.

LASIK Risks

LASIK, as in any other major surgery, has risks. Dr Stephen Slade, who is a highly experienced LASIK surgeon, can answer your questions about LASIK risks and possible side effects.

Anytime you have surgery there are some risks. Luckily the risks are low in LASIK and the rewards are high. Nevertheless, people have lost sight from having LASIK surgery. A good estimate is 1 in 10,000. We are proud that many doctors send their complications to us, from all over the world, to fix. The experience we gain from these complex cases translates to better results for our own patients.

Informed Consent

You will be asked to review and sign an Informed Consent statement before surgery.

Best and Worse Case:

When each laser gets approved in the US it has to pass through the FDA. Each laser manufacturer is required to sponsor a study with hundreds of patients, several surgeons, all using the same technique and follow those patients for years. The FDA closely examines and audits the charts and results before approval. All the lasers are held to the same standard so it really is an "apples to apples" comparison. While "Doctor Smith" may say his results are better than "Doctor Jones", there really is no proof like a formal FDA study. Take a look at the FDA website for yourself. The graph above shows the results for patients with up to 7 units of myopia and 4 of astigmatism, which includes most of us by far. For example, with the B&L laser, one would have nearly a 90% chance of 20/20 and nearly a 100% chance of 20/40. With our new Wavelight laser, 93.4% of a similar group saw 20/20 or better without glasses after surgery.

What To Expect On The Surgical Day

(Allow approximately 3-4 hours at the center)

Step 1: Arrive on time (ladies – no eye makeup) wearing comfortable clothing that allows you to feel relaxed.

Step 2: Your eyes will be dilated using eye drops and measured for the procedure. You will also receive additional eye drops to numb or anesthetize the eyes. There are no needles or IV’s. After you eyes have been prepared and cleansed for surgery, you will be comfortably laid on the laser bed. The eye to be operated on will be held open using a lid holder called a lid speculum so it is properly exposed for the doctor. A temporary shield will cover the eye that is not being operated on. The doctor and technicians will work together performing a checklist to ensure that the laser is properly set and that all of the necessary things are in place for your surgery.

Step 3: Next, the surface of your eye will be prepared. In some cases a microkeratome (an instrument that makes a thin flap of protective tissue) is used. This part of the procedure requires that a suction ring is engaged to stabilize the eye. During this time, your vision can grow very dim and you can feel some tightness in your eye. The eye tracker system will be engaged and the laser will follow the very small movements of your eye. Now the laser treatment will be applied.

Step 4: More eye drops will be used and you will be sent home for the remainder of the day. It is important for you to rest for the next 24 hours or as directed by your surgeon before resuming your regular daily activities. It is common to return to regular activity in approximately 1 to 2 days.

Step 5: Plan to return on the following day for a postoperative visit. This appointment will be scheduled before you leave the surgery center.

What To Expect After Your Surgery

You may be sensitive to light. You may also have a feeling that there is something in your eyes. Sunglasses usually help make you more comfortable. You will usually experience some discomfort.

Postoperative eye drops will be used for approximately 7 days. Sometimes as determined by the surgeon, you may need additional drops past that time period.

You will not be allowed to rub your eyes. You will also be asked to avoid getting water, soap or shampoo in your eyes while showering or bathing.

What Can You Expect Your Early Vision To Be?

Typically patients experience small fluctuations and blurriness in their vision for the first week to a few months as your eyes are healing. This can be very dependent on the amount of nearsightedness, farsightedness and/or astigmatism that was treated. It is common, however, for most patients to see to resume regular activity very quickly. Your surgeon will discuss with you based on your situation what is best for you.