Laser vision correction is a safe and effective surgical procedure designed to reduce a person's need for glasses or contact lenses and includes LASIK and PRK. Through the procedure, an excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea (clear covering of the eye) to help focus the light the way glasses or contact lenses would.
LASIK is a quick, usually painless, procedure. It is performed on a delicate part of the eye, and therefore an individual undergoing the procedure should understand the risks and the benefits, the importance of an initial screening exam by a physician, and have realistic expectations about the procedure's outcome.
Of all the patients who present for a consultation, we recommend LASIK to about 65% of patients and PRK to approximately 35%. Your surgeon will discuss the risks and benefits and why you may be a candidate for one over the other at the time of your consultation.
With the advent of customized vision assessment and correction, combined with technologies such as a wave-front-guided LASIK, topography guided LASIK and the renowned expertise provided by Emory Vision, your vision may improve dramatically in both quality and quantity after LASIK.
According to the Eye Surgery Education Council Medical Advisory Board, many millions of LASIK procedures have been conducted, and less than 1% of patients have experienced serious vision problems. Complications are rare and usually represent delays in full recovery and resolve within a few months of surgery.
Some LASIK patients may require an enhancement (re-treatment) to achieve the optimal outcome. This may be done about three months after the original procedure. The post-operative period lasts about 12 months after surgery.
The 12 month post-operative period includes:
- Post operative visits related to the refractive surgery at no charge. Typically, this is one day, 1 month and 1 year.
- The post-operative period does not include other medical conditions that may require additional examinations and treatment during this period including significant dry eye.
- If a retreatment is needed during this 12 month period to achieve your optimal vision, it is covered by the initial costs of the procedure.