1.
Are there
any restrictions
on who
can have
iLASIK
corrective
surgery?
2.
Am I sedated
for surgery?
What kind of
anaesthesia
is used?
3. How long does the whole process take?
Are there any follow-up visits?
4. How long has LASIK been performed?
5. How many have the Eye Institute surgeons
done?
6. If I have iLASIK, would I be more prone
to cataracts?
7. Is this procedure long term or reversible?
8. What are the risks of possible complications
of refractive surgery?
9. What happens on the day of surgery?
10. What is iLASIK?
11. What is the risk of infection?
12. Who is iLASIK useful for?
13. Will there be any pain?
14. How long will it take for my eye to
recover from Laser surgery?
15. How can iLASIK reduce my dependence on glasses
or contact lenses?
16. Does Laser vision correction help my recreational
pursuits?
17. Can Laser vision correction help for occupational
reasons?
18. Can I really say goodbye to Contact Lens Intolerance?
19. Will I have the same problems with Laser that
I had with glasses?
20. Is there a risk associated with my continuing
to wear Contact Lenses?
21. Does having my eye lasered really enhance my
personal appearance?
22. Can Laser help my personal safety?
23. Can I afford Laser vision correction?
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Are
there any restrictions
on who can
have iLASIK
corrective
surgery?
Eye Institute now offers the blade-free Intralase iLASIK, so those who
were not previously eligible for LASIK surgery due to steep, flat or
thin corneas may now be suitable candidates.
You must be 18 years of age or older and have had stable vision for at
least one year before surgery. You must have healthy eyes that are free
of disease, scars, retinal problems and corneal malformations. You need
to have realistic expectations and objectives for surgery.
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Am
I sedated for
surgery? What
kind of anaesthesia
is used?
A topical anaesthetic (drops that are placed in the eye) is used for
refractive surgery. These completely anaesthetize the surface of the
eye so that no discomfort will be felt during the procedure. You will
be offered a mild sedative tablet before the procedure. Even with this,
you will be completely alert and able to cooperate during the operation.
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How
long does the
whole process
take? Are there
any follow-up
visits?
The initial examination takes one to two hours. You will receive a complete
eye examination, along with a number of special tests that are not routinely
performed. These tests allow us to determine whether you are an appropriate
candidate for iLASIK, or another refractive procedure. During this examination,
your eyes may be dilated.
For surgery, you will be in the operation room about twenty minutes.
You will need to allow about 1.5 hours at Eye Institute for surgical
preparation and postoperative instructions.
Follow-up examinations are routinely performed at 24 hours, one week,
one month, three months and six months.
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How
long has
LASIK been
performed?
The first keratomileusis procedure was done on humans in 1963. Technologies
and techniques have significantly improved since then. The excimer laser
has been used since 1989 and has received USA FDA approval
for photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), a procedure in which the laser
is
used to sculpt the surface of the eye. Eye surgeons have been creating
a protective flap of tissue for over 30 years. These two techniques were
first combined in 1991 to create a new form of refractive surgery – LASIK.
Eye Institute surgeons have been performing LASIK since its introduction
to New Zealand in 1997.
Since 2001 Intralase has been used in over one million LASIK procedures
with no reports of serious sight threatening complications.
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How
many have
the Eye
Institute
surgeons
done?
Over 43,000 corrections since 1992.
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If
I have
iLASIK,
would I
be more
prone to
cataracts?
Currently, there is no information to suggest that LASIK causes cataracts,
but we do not have information on very long-term follow-up.
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Is
this procedure
long term
or reversible?
Some refractive
surgical
procedures
are more
easily reversed
than others.
iLASIK permanently
changes the
curvature
of the cornea.
The result
can only
be modified
by additional
refractive
surgical
procedures.
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What
are the
risks of
possible
complications
of refractive
surgery?
The 100%
blade-free
Intralase
iLASIK is
the safest
method currently
available.
The corneal
flap creation
is 100% greater
in accuracy
than the
more traditional
blade microkeratane.
Complications that could threaten your vision are EXTREMELY rare. Infection
is the most serious possible complication. Eye Institute has performed
about 43,000 procedures and we have had only two documented infections,
which were resolved with antibiotic drops with a good outcome. To help
avoid infection, we do ask that you avoid swimming and exposure to
contaminated water such as hot tubs for one week after surgery. Like
all surgical procedures, complications are always a possibility.
Most complications are minor and do not threaten vision. These include
undercorrection, overcorrection, and visual aberrations (glare, halos,
starbursts, shadow images, double vision, etc.). The incidence of these
problems is about ½ of 1%.
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What
happens on
the day of
surgery?
On the day of surgery, there will be a thorough check of all the plans
for surgery. You will sign the Informed Consent documents (which you
should have read well in advance). There will be an opportunity for you
to ask questions if you have any.
- You will be taken into the operating room, where you will lie on
a comfortable bed. The area around your eyes will be cleaned with
an antiseptic solution and a plastic drape will be placed around
your eyes to keep the operative field sterile. Anaesthetic and antibiotic
drops will be used before and after the surgery. You should not experience
any significant discomfort at any stage of the procedure.
- After the Surgeon comes into the room, he and the Technicians will
carefully check the equipment and laser settings. To allay any fears
of blinking, a device will be placed between your lids to gently
hold them open during the procedure.
- You will be asked to look at a red flashing light in the laser
directly above your head. Your vision will briefly fade away. When
it returns you will be asked to look into the red flashing light
in the laser. The light will be fuzzy, but it will still be easy
for you to find.
- You will hear the laser operating, and delivery of the laser pulses
will be complete in about 40 seconds. Your other eye will be treated,
if that was the plan.
The actual surgery takes about 4 minutes per eye. However, you will
be in the operating room for about 15 minutes to allow for the preoperative
preparation and postoperative removal of the drapes.
Many patients are concerned that they may be too nervous to cooperate
for the procedure. Our Technicians will help you remain comfortable
during the surgery by making sure that you understand what is happening
throughout the procedure. We have found that even our most apprehensive
patients can remain calm and cooperative throughout the procedure.
Many patients are also concerned about what may happen if they move
or look away from the fixation light. Eye Institute’s laser has
the most advanced eye tracking system in the country. The laser literally
locks onto your eye, following even the finest movements.
In the end, most patients comment that the procedure was much easier
than they had ever imagined.
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What
is LASIK?
LASIK stands for LASER IN-SITU KERATOMILEUSIS. It is a form of laser
surgery that is a capable of correcting a wide range of nearsightedness.
The procedure uses a computer-controlled excimer laser to reshape the
cornea to correct your vision. The laser reshaping is done under a protective
flap of tissue to promote a very rapid recovery of vision and minimize
discomfort.
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What
is the risk
of infection?
Fortunately, infection is a rare event after refractive surgery. Sterile
procedures are meticulously followed and antibiotics are administered
routinely before and after surgery. In spite of these measures, infections
will occur occasionally. The likelihood of having an infection after
refractive surgery is about 1 in 15,000 based on our own experience.
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Who
is iLASIK
useful for?
iLASIK can be used to correct nearsightedness (myopia) and farsightedness
(hyperopia) iLASIK is capable of correcting myopia up to about -12 diopters
and hyperopia up to +5 diopters. It corrects astigmatism up to about
5 diopters.
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Will
there be
any pain?
iLASIK is virtually painless. Topical anaesthesia (drops that are placed
in the eye) is used during the procedure. For the first 24 hours, there
may be dryness or a sensation that there is a grain of sand in your eye.
After 24 hours, there should be no discomfort.
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How
long will
it take for
my eye to
recover from
Laser surgery?
In most cases, iLASIK offers patients a rapid recovery of vision with
little or no discomfort. However, the visual results are NOT INSTANTANEOUS,
particularly for patients with more than 5 diopters of myopia. In most
cases recovery is only a matter of a few days but it may take up to three
weeks, sometimes longer, for the shape of the cornea to stabilize following
surgery for those with severe myopia. During this time, you may need
to wear temporary glasses or contacts.
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How
can iLASIK
reduce my
dependence
on glasses
or contact
lenses?
A person does not necessarily have to dislike glasses or have a problem
with contact lenses to consider Laser refractive surgery. Once the surgery
is completed there is a 99% chance that you’ll have no need to
wear long distance glasses. iLASIK removes minute layers off the cornea
of the eye to make for perfect or near perfect vision. If you have a
need to wear reading glasses you will continue to need these.
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Does
Laser vision
correction
help my recreational
pursuits?
Anyone who participates in athletics and particularly in water sports
knows the difficulties and sometimes the impossibilities of glasses or
contact lens use and knows the difficulties associated with protective
eyewear that is recommended in many sports. Once your eye has settled
down after surgery (a matter of a few days) you can participate in any
sport or recreation as would anyone not having a need to wear glasses
or contacts.
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Can
Laser vision
correction
help for
occupational
reasons?
In many occupations
requiring physical
work, glasses
use can be difficult,
especially under safety goggles. Contact lens use may be difficult due
to airborne debris creating ocular irritation. iLASIK surgery means that
you can participate in your chosen occupation as would anyone not having
a need to wear glasses or contacts.
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Can
I really
say goodbye
to Contact
Lens Intolerance?
Many people develop ocular irritation related to contact lens materials,
solutions, and protein build up on the lens surface. Some people may
be unable to wear the lens for the entire day due to dryness or increasing
discomfort as the day goes on. With Laser surgery you’ll be saying
goodbye to contacts forever*.
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Will
I have the
same problems
with Laser
that I had
with glasses?
Especially in cases of high nearsightedness or astigmatism, glasses may
give a distorted view of one’s surroundings, and the rims may limit
peripheral vision. Some people have difficulty finding comfortable frames.
Other people simply do not like their appearance in glasses. With Laser
surgery you’ll be saying goodbye to shortsighted glasses forever*.
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Is
there a risk
associated
with my continuing
to wear Contact
Lenses?
Overall, the risk of developing a vision threatening corneal infection
is higher with contact lens use than it is with having laser refractive
surgery performed. Also, contact lenses may lead to distortion in corneal
shape which may be difficult to treat. There may be a higher risk or
conjunctivitis (pink eye) in contact lens wearers than in non-wearers.
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Does
having my
eye Lasered
really enhance
my personal
appearance?
Many people prefer their appearance without glasses, and in some cases
this may have impact upon their career choice and success. Other people
realize that their eyes may become red or irritated appearing with contact
lens use, and that they have to frequently manipulate their eyes or eyelids
when they wear contact lenses.
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Can
Laser help
my personal
safety?
Having to hunt for glasses or insert contact lenses during an emergency
situation may be impossible and impractical. In those situations, a person
has to rely on his own natural vision. The use of extended wear contact
lenses may offer a solution to this problem, but these lenses also have
a much higher rate of complication and infection. Travel and especially
overseas travel can leave you in a foreign country with lost or broken
glasses or contacts. Once your eye has been lasered you’ll always
know that you’ll have the vision you need all the time, anytime
and anywhere.
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Can
I afford
Laser vision
correction?
With financing
plans and
other payment
options available, laser
refractive
surgery is
not just
for the wealthy.
In some cases,
vision plans
are now offering
discounts
on laser
vision correction also.
Please check
out our payment
plan calculator to
see just
how low your
monthly payments
can be. Use
this same
calculator
to see
how you’ll
save by not
having to
purchase
contacts
or glasses every
now and again
to correct
the problem
that your
Laser procedure
has corrected*.
*The modern techniques, equipment
and training available at Eye Institute indicate
a 99% chance that eye imperfections normally corrected
by the wearing of glasses and contacts will be corrected
with iLASIK to provide normal or nearly normal vision.
In a few cases there may be a need to revisit for
additional treatments. Your refractive error, occupation,
leisure activities, age and personal expectations
all help to determine whether you are a good candidate
for vision correction surgery. You must have realistic
expectations and understand that vision correction
procedures are not always perfect. For most patients,
refractive surgery offers about a 99% or greater
chance of gaining normal or near-normal vision. However,
it is impossible to guarantee 20/20 vision with every
vision correction procedure, and it may be necessary
to wear a thin pair of glasses at certain times,
such as when driving at night.
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