– PRIOR TO LASIK –
1. WHAT IS LASIK VISION CORRECTION?
This is a procedure in which an excimer laser is used to sculpt the surface of the eye in order to lessen your need for glasses or contact lenses.
2. HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR LASIK?
Most individuals who wear glasses or contacts are candidates. Patients must be 18 years or older, have a stable prescription, and cannot be pregnant or nursing. There are certain diseases of the eye that can make you a poor candidate. Give us a call for more details.
3. WHAT IS THE FIRST STEP?
Call Davis Vision at 801-590-0864. Set up a FREE screening. This appointment is to determine the right procedure based on your prescription and take some preliminary photos to map the surface of your eyes. We will discuss whether or not you are a good candidate.
4. WHAT IS THE SECOND STEP?
You will have a pre-operative examination with Dr. Davis. This is a one and half hour appointment. Your eyes will be dilated to gather the most in-depth information possible. You, along with Dr. Davis, will form a treatment plan for the best refractive procedure for you.
5. HOW LONG DOES THE ACTUAL PROCEDURE TAKE?
Most patients are in our laser suite for less than 20 minutes. Your total time spent at Davis Vision Center that day will generally be one to two hours.
6. WILL I BE IN PAIN?
During the LASIK procedure there will be no pain. You may feel pressure. We put an analgesic drop in your eyes to numb them. Also, you may receive medication to help relax you.
7. HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO NOT WEAR CONTACT LENSES BEFORE LASIK?
It depends on the type of contacts that you wear. You must not wear soft contact lenses at least one week, toric lenses at least two weeks, and rigid gas permeable lenses at least four weeks prior to your pre-operative exam.
8. IF I HAD A PREVIOUS EYE INJURY CAN I STILL HAVE LASIK?
In most cases yes! A full eye exam and determination by Dr. Davis will need to be made.
9. CAN I AFFORD TO HAVE LASIK?
We strive to make the procedure very affordable. Davis Vision offers zero percent interest for one full year. Your payments could be as low as $40 per month. We take all major credit cards. You can also use your flex spending or medical savings account money. It can be very expensive to use glasses and/or contact lenses throughout your life. If you add to that all the lens solutions and accessories it can really add up. You will find that LASIK can pay for itself in a few years.
10. WHAT IF I LIVE OUT-SIDE THE SALT LAKE VALLEY?
Dr Davis has a numerous patients who come from all over the state and the World. Call our office and arrange a consultation. In most cases your family eye doctor is able to co-manage with Dr. Davis and perform all pre-operative as well as post-operative visits. You should plan on being seen at Davis Vision Center the day following your procedure. We do have a great relationship with local hotels that give our LASIK patients a fantastic overnight rate. Often a shuttle is available to and from our center on surgery day.
11. HOW MUCH TIME DO I NEED TO TAKE OFF WORK?
Most patients see well enough to drive after their appointment on the day following the procedure! We generally perform the procedure on Thursday or Friday and recommend you not return to work until the following Monday.
12. HOW ARE LASIK AND PRK PERFORMED?
LASIK is done by first creating a flap of the corneal surface of the eye using either a microkeratome or a laser (IntraLase). Next the flap is lifted and the excimer laser is used to sculpt the eye to correct your prescription. The flap is then replaced. With PRK no flap is created. PRK is done by removing the top skin layer of the eye or epithelium and then the excimer laser is used to sculpt the eye to correct your prescription. A contact lens is then place on the eye as a band-aid and is later removed.
13. ARE THESE PROCEDURES FDA APPROVED?
Yes, the LASIK procedure was approved in 1995. Each of the lasers used at Davis Vision Center is FDA approved.
14. IS IT POSSIBLE TO BECOME BLIND WITH THE SURGERY?
While it is possible to become blind with the surgery it is extremely unlikely. Dr. Davis has never had a patient go blind as a result of LASIK or PRK surgery.
15. HOW LONG WILL THE EFFECTS OF THE SURGERY LAST?
LASIK and PRK procedures have been performed for only the last 15 years and therefore long term effects are not known. However studies indicate that the effect of the surgery will be long lasting and will likely last throughout life. These studies also do not show any detrimental long term effects.
16. WHY DAVIS VISION?
EXPERIENCE: Dr. Davis was one of the first surgeons in Utah to perform LASIK and has preformed over 26,000 LASIK/PRK procedures. Dr. Davis also is an electrical engineer and has been involved in the research and development of lasers for eye surgery beginning in 1985. He continues to be involved in research studies and is held in high regard by fellow medical professionals.
NEWEST TECHNOLOGY: We at DAVIS VISION CENTER have the latest technology including the newest FDA approved excimer laser, the latest version of the INTRALASE laser flap creation machine, as well as the Bausch and Lomb Zioptix Custom/Wavefront excimer laser.
COST: We make LASIK affordable. Even with all our experience and technology, we think you’ll find that we have excellent prices. We also have 0% financing available.
17. I CAN’T WAIT! HOW DO I PROCEED?
Call DAVIS VISION CENTER toll free 1-877-DAVIS or locally 801-590-0864 for your free consultation or CLICK HERE!
– POST LASIK –
13. WHAT IS 20/20 VISION?
By looking at lots of people, eye doctors have decided what a “normal” human should be able to see when standing 20 feet from an eye chart. 20/20 vision is considered “normal” vision.
If you have 20/40 vision, then when you stand 20 ft from the chart you can only see what a “normal” human (someone with 20/20 vision) can see when standing 40 feet from the chart. If you have 20/100 vision then when you stand 20 feet from the chart you can only see what a “normal” person standing 100 feet away can see. 20/200 is the cutoff for legal blindness in the United States.
You can also have vision that is better than the normal. A person with 20/10 vision can see at 20 feet what a normal person can see when standing 10 feet from the chart.
1. AFTER MY PROCEDURE WHAT EYE DROPS DO I TAKE?
During your LASIK procedure you will receive an anesthetic drop, an antibiotic drop, and an anti-inflammatory steroid drop. You will continue the antibiotic and the anti-inflammatory drops four times daily generally for the first week only. If you have the Intralase laser flap creation, you may be taking the anti-inflammatory steroid drop every hour the first day while awake. You will also apply a preservative-free artificial tear drop every half hour while awake the day and evening of the procedure. Dr. Davis will advise you how often and how long to continue your drops during your follow-up visits. Generally you will be taking the artificial tears at least four times a day for the first three months following your procedure. If PRK is performed your drops will be similar to patients who have LASIK but you will be taking the anti-inflammatory steroid drop such as Prednisolone Acetate typically four times a day for three months following your PRK procedure. You will also be taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drop typically four times a day for one week. You should wear UV protecting sunglasses for at least the first year following your PRK procedure.
2. WILL I NEED READING GLASSES AFTER LASIK?
As we enter our forty’s our eyes begin to noticeably lose their focusing ability. This will happen whether or not you have LASIK. You will therefore need to use reading glasses unless you have monovision where one eye is corrected for distance and the other for near.
3. HOW MANY TIMES WILL I NEED TO BE SEEN AFTER LASIK?
You will normally be seen the day following the procedure, one to two weeks later, and two to three months later. These visits are included in the cost of your procedure.
4. WHEN CAN I BATHE OR SHOWER?
You may bathe or shower the day after LASIK, but avoid getting water and soap in your eyes. If you do get something into the eye don’t rub. Attempt to rinse it out with your eye drops.
5. WHAT RESTRICTIONS ON ACTIVITIES ARE THERE FOLLOWING MY PROCEDURE?
You should avoid rubbing your eyes for the first two months. If your eyes itch, place a cool washcloth over them to relieve the sensation. Do not get dust, dirt, soapy or dirty water into your eyes during the first week. See question 23 regarding make-up use. No swimming for 2 weeks. We do not recommend skiing, snowboarding, basketball, football, running, cycling etc. for 2 weeks. No water sports like waterskiing for 2 months.
6. WHEN CAN I WEAR EYE MAKEUP AFTER LASIK?
We ask that you go for one week without eye makeup. It is always best to purchase new mascara and eyeliner, to avoid infection.
7. WHEN CAN I DRIVE AFTER LASIK?
Dr Davis will let you know if you are okay to drive. This often occurs the day following your LASIK procedure.
8. HOW FAST WILL MY VISION IMPROVE?
The evening of your LASIK procedure your vision will be quite blurry. Most patients notice a large improvement in their vision on the day following the procedure. You can expect to regain 75 to 80 percent of your vision in the first three days. The remainder of your vision will gradually improve over the next several weeks. If you have PRK performed it will often take a week or longer before you see well enough to drive.
9. WHEN CAN I BEGIN TO EXERCISE?
We recommend you wait one week, this is to allow your body to focus on healing. Do not get sweat in your eyes. Swimming should be avoided for a two week period. See question 22 for more details on sporting activities.
10. IS IT NORMAL TO HAVE PAIN AFTER THE PROCEDURE?
It is not common to have a lot of pain after your LASIK procedure. Some people describe the irritation as similar to having hair or grain of sand in the eye. If you are having more pain than this and particularly if your vision is quite blurry then you should call DAVIS VISION CENTER.
11. WHAT IS THE OPTIMUM ACTIVITY FOR ME IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING MY PROCEDURE?
The best thing to do is to rest with your eyes closed for at least the first four hours after the LASIK procedure and for the first 72 hours following the PRK procedure. It is best to keep the eyes well lubricated with artificial tears, not squeeze the eyelids tightly, and not rub the eyes.
12. WHAT DO I DO IF I HAVE A PROBLEM AFTER MY PROCEDURE?
Give us a call day or night at 801-590-0864.
