8 Questions to Ask Your Eye Doctor About LASIK Eye Surgery
After much consideration and planning, the time has finally come for your LASIK consultation! But you want to make sure you’re getting the information you need to make the best choice for your long-term vision. Here are 8 questions to ask your eye doctor about LASIK eye surgery in Grand Junction:
1. What Can I Expect from the Procedure?
LASIK eye surgery in Grand Junction is a quick outpatient procedure, lasting about 15 minutes for both eyes. To begin, your eye doctor will administer local numbing anesthetic and calming medication to make your procedure more comfortable. At ICON Eyecare, we use the Wavelight Contoura technology suite to deliver the customized, topography-guided results that maximize your vision.
2. What is LASIK Recovery Like?
The immediate recovery period for LASIK lasts for about one to three days. At this point, most patients report much clearer vision and are able to resume everyday activities like working and driving. Your eye doctor will prescribe eye drop medications, lubricating eye drops and an eye shield to use for the week after your procedure to encourage proper healing.
Keep in mind that the full recovery period can last three to six months, where vision fluctuations, dry eye and other mild symptoms are normal.
3. Will I Have 20/20 Vision After LASIK Eye Surgery?
The results for the LASIK procedure will vary from patient to patient. However, 99% of patients can expect 20/40 vision or better after surgery, while about 90% of patients will achieve 20/20 vision.
4. What are the Potential Risks of the Surgery?
LASIK is considered one of the safest and most common eye procedures with a 96% patient satisfaction rate, especially when performed with a skilled eye professional. Nevertheless, there are potential side effects, such as dry eye, halos, and glare.
5. What Age Do I Have to be for LASIK?
The minimum age for LASIK is 18. However, it may take longer for the vision to stabilize. There is no upper limit for LASIK, but the procedure is not suggested after 70 for the best results.
6. Are There Any Health Conditions That Would Rule Out LASIK?
LASIK is not for everyone, especially individuals with certain eye and health conditions, including:
- Thin corneas
- Significant dry eye syndrome
- Autoimmune diseases, such as RA and lupus
- Diabetes, glaucoma and cataracts
- Eye injuries and infections
- Unstable vision
Schedule your free consultation for a personalized review of your eyes to determine your LASIK candidacy.
7. Are There Any Alternatives to LASIK?
Yes! Because LASIK eye surgery in Grand Junction is not an option for everyone, there are several alternatives to correct refractive errors, namely PRK and Visian ICL.
PRK – Photorefractive Keratectomy, or PRK, is the predecessor to LASIK. It is a safer option for some patients who may not qualify for LASIK. The main difference is the first step. In PRK, the outer layer of the cornea is removed whereas in LASIK a corneal flap is created. In the second step, the same laser that is used in LASIK is also used in PRK. The end results are similar, although PRK does take longer to completely heal. PRK is a great option for patients who may not qualify for LASIK.
Visian ICL – Visian Implantable Collamer Lens involves placing a special lens in between the iris and the natural lens, and the two work together to correct eyesight. This option is usually recommended for patients who have high amounts of near-sightedness and do not qualify for LASIK. Visian ICL is an amazing option for patients who have suffered many years with thick glasses or near constant use of contact lenses.
8. Is LASIK Surgery Covered by Insurance?
LASIK is considered an elective surgery by many insurance companies and may not be covered. The team at ICON Eyecare will look through your benefits to determine if you qualify for any discounts through your coverage plan.
Regardless, we offer payment plans and financing options to make LASIK affordable. Not to mention, the savings continue adding up when you don’t have to purchase corrective eyewear and contact lenses year after year.
LASIK can be a great decision, freeing you from the limits of daily corrective eyewear. This fast, virtually painless procedure can boost your quality of life and only gets better year over year. For safe LASIK eye surgery in Grand Junction, be sure to trust the professionals at ICON Eyecare with proven results and thousands of happy patients.
Request An Appointment.
Give us a phone call at (970) 256-0400 Monday – Friday, 8am-5pm to schedule a consultation.