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?