LASIK will reduce your dependence on corrective eyewear, however the results may not always be 20/20.  For instance, it cannot correct presbyopia, a normal condition affecting most of us when we reach our 40's.  Some patients over 40 that have their distance vision corrected find that they may need to wear reading glasses after LASIK.  The decision to have refractive surgery is an important one that only you can make.  We want you to understand your options so you can make an informed and educated decision.  Please ask any questions that may be of concern to you.

LASIK may be for you if you are over 18 years of age and have healthy corneas.  Patients who have had a prescription change in their eyewear in the last year, are pregnant or who have certain other medical conditions may not be good candidates for LASIK.

First, using an instrument called microkeratome, the surgeon gently lifts a thin layer of cornea called the corneal "flap."  Then in less than 30 seconds, the high energy ultraviolet light from the excimer laser reshapes the cornea.  This new shape correctly refocuses or refracts the light entering the eye.  The degree of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism treated is controlled by the computer software in the excimer laser.

After the cornea has been reshaped, the corneal cap is replaced in its original position.  Healing is quick and does not require any stitches.  Post-operative discomfort is minimal and can be alleviated with medications.  Many of our patients see a dramatic improvement in their vision the first day.  For others, some degree of blurry vision may exist for several weeks or more.  However, most patients resume normal activities within a day or two.

LASIK is very successful.  Most patients who have had LASIK vision correction are able to pass a driver's test without the aid of glasses or contacts.  However, some patients with a high degree of correction will require touch up procedures to perfect their correction.

The first step in answering this question is having a detailed eye exam by your eye doctor to determine your refractive error and the health of your eyes.  Should your refractive error fall within the acceptable limits of LASIK, more tests will be executed to complete the evaluation.

The normal eye is a perfect sphere, where the cornea and lens focus light to form an image on the back inside surface of the eye, known as the retina.  With nearsightedness (myopia), the cornea's curvature is too steep for the shape of the eye.  The light is focused in front of the retina, causing images of distant objects to appear blurry.

In a farsighted (hyperopic) eye, the image focuses beyond the retina.  In our youth, the innate accommodating (focusing) power of the eyes often compensates for farsightedness.  But as we age, our eyes become less able to accommodate.  For this reason, farsightedness most commonly becomes a problem later in life.  Many farsighted eyes do not need correction until the individuals reach their 40s or 50s.

The front of the astigmatic eye has an irregular shape, more oval, like a football.  Incoming light focuses at multiple points instead of one.  Astigmatism can make wearing contact lenses difficult or even impossible.  Laser vision correction with an excimer laser is now an FDA approved option for people with astigmatism.

The cool beam of light gently reshapes the surface of the cornea, making it more like a normal eye.  Light can then focus at the back of the eye, on the retina, making images on the retina clear, thereby improving vision. 

The FDA has approved the excimer laser for the treatment of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism for eligible patients.  Millions of patients worldwide have undergone successful laser vision correction procedures, and over one million excimer laser procedures have been performed in the U.S. since the FDA approval in 1996.  Virtually all people treated experience an improvement in vision that would allow them to pass a drivers' license exam without the aid of glasses or contacts.

The procedure itself is painless.  Your eye is numbed with eye drops that are instilled prior to the procedure and no general anesthetic is necessary.  Some patients have described having a slightly "sandy" feeling in their eyes immediately after the procedure, however this feeling will go away as soon as eye drops are administered.

No.  You can have laser vision correction as soon as you're ready for it. 

Dr. Nightingale will conduct a thorough examination to determine whether your eyes are healthy and suitable for the procedure.  Then your eyes will be photographed and a computerized map (corneal topography) will be created.  This "map" will assess the shape of your cornea and is one of the many diagnostic tests we use to help plan your procedure.

Laser vision correction is an outpatient procedure that takes approximately 15 minutes to complete for most patients.  Your entire visit will be complete in about an hour.

First, you will relax in a reclining chair.  Anesthetic drops will be placed in your eye and your head will be positioned your head under a laser.  A retainer will be used to gently and comfortably hold your eyelids open during the procedure.  You will be asked to focus on a blinking light for a minute or less.  The doctor will view your eye directly through a surgical microscope to ensure that you are fixating properly and can pause at any time.  Once finished, you will get up, receive instructions from the staff, and rest for a few minutes.

Afterward, you'll go home to rest and relax for several hours.

Results vary with each individual.  Nearly all patients having the procedure report that they could pass a state driver's exam without glasses or contact lenses.  Vision usually improves immediately after treatment though it's normal that some patients may experience small visual changes during the first several months.

Dr. Nightingale will consult with you prior to undergoing the procedure to discuss the benefits and risks to LASIK.

Most people return the day after treatment.

Dr. Nightingale will advise you if laser vision correction is right for you. Some basic guidelines are:

• You must have healthy eyes, and be at least 18 years old to undergo the procedure for nearsightedness.  You must be 21 years old for the farsightedness or astigmatism procedures.
• Your vision must be stable for at least one year before the laser procedure.
• You are not a good candidate if you have degenerative or autoimmune diseases, if you're pregnant or nursing, or if you have a condition that deters or slows healing.

There are risks that accompany all surgical procedures.  Laser vision correction is performed using a computer-controlled light beam under the guidance of a trained and certified eye doctor.  Dr. Nightingale will be pleased to discuss with you the risks and benefits of laser vision correction.

Here is a list of helpful links to medical associations, societies and organizations.