Are you a LASIK candidate?
Are over 18
Have had stable vision for the past 2 years
Have healthy eyes – free of diseases, scars and other health conditions
Have realistic expectations for LASIK
LASIK
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Understanding the LASIK procedure
LASIK, laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis, is one of the most popular vision correction procedures because it can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism for a broad range of prescriptions. LASIK corrects vision by reshaping the cornea so that light focuses more precisely on the retina. Today, with the advanced technology of CustomVue, combined with the expertise of the Horizon Laser Vision Center surgeons, 99% of our nearsighted patients see 20/25 or better!
The LASIK Procedure Step by Step
After your eye has been numbed with eye drop anesthesia, an eyelid speculum will be positioned to hold your eyes open. You will remain awake and comfortable throughout the procedure. Once the procedure is completed, you will be given additional eye drops. Your vision will probably be a little blurry at first, so have someone drive you home and relax for the rest of the day. Recovery from LASIK is amazingly fast. At Horizon Laser Vision Center, you can count on us to be there every step of the way.
Step 1
Using WaveScan technology, we take a "fingerprint" of your eye and your entire visual path, which is called a WavePrint map. This detailed information is evaluated by your surgeon. For the CustomVue procedure, this information is transferred into the laser.
Step 2
A small suction ring will be placed around the cornea and serves as a platform for the instrument known as a microkeratome. Using the microkeratome, your surgeon will create a small protective flap that is gently lifted back.
Step 3
Using the VISX Star S4 Excimer laser, a cool beam of light gently reshapes the cornea.
Step 4
Finally, the protective flap that was created in Step Two is gently placed back in its original position and begins to heal immediately.
Technology
VISX Star S4 laser
At Horizon Laser Vision Center Associates we are committed to offering you the latest in vision correction technology. We use the advanced VISX® Star S4 IR laser which has many exclusive features:
Variable Spot Scanning (VSS)
Produces seven variable sized treatment beams, allowing our doctors greater flexibility for faster, smoother treatments.
3D ActiveTrak™
Automatically tracks the tiny motions of your eye in all three dimensions, providing additional control and precision and reducing your worries.
WavePrint™
The VISX WaveScan® allows us to create a map or "fingerprint" of your entire visual path called a WavePrint™ map. This advanced technology shows us the minute details of your vision, allowing us to treat the tiny irregularities in your vision.
Iris Registration
Aligns and adjusts the laser to compensate for any rotation in the eye that occurs when a patient lies down during the procedure. This ensures the treatment aligns with the Waveprint map created during the consultation, improving the precision of the vision correction.
Custom LASIK
Dr. McCulloch and Dr. Christian understand that everyone’s eyes are unique. They are among an elite group of eye surgeons to offer their patients the benefits of CustomVue™, the new standard in LASIK. With this system, we can treat more than simple nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. CustomVue™ allows us to analyze your eyes’ specific irregularities with 25 times more accuracy than standard measurements used for glasses or contacts to completely customize your treatment.
With CustomVue, patients have the potential to see better than they ever have before with glasses or contacts and with better night vision. In fact, in a clinical study, four times as many patients were very satisfied with their night vision after their VISX® CustomVue™ procedure, compared to their night vision before with glasses or contacts.
Step 1: CAPTURE the imperfections in your vision.
Step 2: MATCH your vision to a perfect optical system.
Step 3: TREAT with unsurpassed precision.
Call one of our friendly patient counselors today and schedule your free VIP exam to find out if you are a LASIK candidate!
MonoVision LASIK
MonoVision LASIK is an alternative option to glasses for people with presbyopia. With MonoVision, one eye is corrected for distance and one for near. Typically the eye that is corrected for distance is the dominant eye. With this procedure, when you look in the distance, your distance eye is at work. When you are reading, the eye corrected for near is working.
Many patients enjoy this option because it can eliminate the need for reading glasses or bifocals. However, a very small percentage of patients do not adjust well to MonoVision. A trial basis can help determine if MonoVision LASIK is right for you through contacts or glasses.
LASIK FAQs
Q: I have seen other doctors advertise LASIK at discount prices. Why should I choose Horizon Laser Vision Center?
A: With some practices, a lower price for LASIK comes at the expense of patient care or surgical experience. In other words, you get what you pay for. In fact, according to a Market Scope study (March, 2003) the true average price of LASIK at a discount laser center is approximately $1600 per eye. And, surgeons advertising less than $1000 per eye account for less than 3% of all LASIK procedures. Don’t let price be the major determining factor for your procedure. At Horizon Laser Vision Center, you receive two of the most experienced surgeons with the most advanced technology - CustomVue LASIK.
Q: What is the difference between CustomVue LASIK and standard laser vision correction?
A: CustomVue LASIK can go further than conventional methods for correction and help with a range of visual problems that could not be measured before. With this technology we can create a map or "fingerprint" of your eyes, enabling us to address tiny imperfections that can significantly improve not only your visual acuity, but your visual quality as well. This means the potential for better vision than with your glasses or contacts – and less likelihood of significant glare or halos at nighttime!
Q: Will I need to wear glasses once my eyes have healed after LASIK?
A: Most patients who have CustomVue LASIK at Horizon Laser Vision Center no longer need glasses for their daily activities. However, if you’re over age 40, you still may need to wear reading glasses because of the normal aging process of the eye. This condition, known as presbyopia, occurs as you get older, whether or not you have had LASIK.
Q: Are there any risks with LASIK?
A: As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with LASIK, but in the hands of a highly skilled and experienced surgeon, LASIK can be a safe and successful procedure. Nevertheless, you should talk with your surgeon and our staff about any risks associated with the procedure, as well as all the benefits. Keep in mind, at Horizon Laser Vision Center, you are in the hands of a highly experienced and skilled eye surgeon who has a commitment to excellence and uses some of the most advanced LASIK technology available today.
Q: Is LASIK painful?
A: You will receive anesthetic eye drops prior to your LASIK procedure and should prevent you from feeling any discomfort. Once you return home after LASIK, it is normal for some patients to experience mild discomfort, watery eyes, light sensitivity or blurry vision. These symptoms are usually temporary and treatable with a mild medication, such as Tylenol.
Q: How soon after LASIK can I return to my regular activities like driving, going to work or exercising?
A: In most cases, people who have had LASIK can return to work the next day. Most people resume normal activities after a day of rest. However, be sure to ask your doctor before engaging in swimming or any other physical sports such as tennis or racquetball.
Q: What happens at the comprehensive free VIP LASIK exam?
A: During this thorough eye examination, you will learn more about LASIK as an alternative to glasses and contact lenses. The staff and doctors will perform a detailed evaluation of your eyes to determine if you are a candidate for LASIK. You will also meet Dr. McCulloch or Dr. Christian who will answer any questions you may have.
