Access definitions and common LASIK FAQs related to vision conditions, procedures and more via the Providence Eye & Laser Specialists' glossary.
Most LASIK FAQs are related to price. At Charlotte’s Providence Eye & Laser Specialists, we believe in being honest and straightforward about pricing. We offer many options to make the procedure affordable for most candidates including financing with convenient monthly payments. Bargain price ads for LASIK eye surgery are optical illusions. Providence Eye’s pricing is competitive when compared to similar LASIK technology, surgeon expertise and level of patient care. We firmly believe that we are unmatched in the Charlotte region when it comes to our surgical outcomes and professionalism.
We do not charge more for high prescriptions or astigmatism. Be careful when comparing LASIK eye procedure prices. With numerous technological advancements in laser vision correction, not all practices utilize up-to-date diagnostic tools or the best available lasers. Providence Eye continually reinvests in the latest, proven, state-of-the-art technology rather than discounting our services and cutting corners elsewhere.
Under some circumstances, your vision plan may offer a nominal LASIK discount. We will be happy to discuss the details of our pricing with you over the phone.
Another one of our main LASIK FAQs is, “Does the procedure hurt?”. Our patients tell us that they generally do not feel pain during the LASIK procedure itself. Upon arrival at our office on the day of your LASIK eye surgery, you will be offered a light oral sedative that will help you relax. All LASIK eye surgery patients receive numbing eye drops so patient comfort is maximized. Patients tell us that at the beginning of the procedure when your surgeon places the instrument that holds your eye open, they feel a little pressure that lasts just a few seconds. During the remainder of the procedure, most patients do not feel much discomfort. After LASIK surgery, there is usually a period of burning, tearing and irritation that lasts for about 4 hours. It is for this reason that we provide our patients with another light sedative when they leave our office and encourage them to go home and take a four-hour nap.
Recovery of vision with LASIK is quite rapid but varies from person to person. Most people will be able to drive and perform normal daily activities within 24 hours. There is some fluctuation in the vision for the first few weeks depending on the severity of your prescription, your age, other health issues, and how much dryness you experience afterward. This will be discussed with you on an individual basis at the time of your free consultation. The recovery is somewhat slower with the PRK procedure and will be reviewed with you in detail if applicable.
At Providence Eye, the actual time you will be in our laser suite is approximately 20 minutes. Due to the time needed to, review instructions and triple check data we collected during the consultation, plan on spending about 1.5 hours at our office on the day of your LASIK procedure. For more information on what to expect, check out our blog on this topic.
We’re glad you asked for this LASIK FAQ, because yes, you can! Back in the early days of LASIK, this was not possible. However, with significant technological advancements, our surgeons, Dr. Mozayeni and Dr. Nunnery treat patients with astigmatism regularly. During your free consultation, your surgeon will examine your vision and the health of your eyes and let you know if you are a great candidate for LASIK.
YES, definitely! Only ophthalmologists (medical doctors with an M.D.) can perform LASIK eye surgery. Dr. Mozayeni and Dr. Nunnery are our two LASIK surgeons.
No, an eye exam is typically not necessary before a LASIK consultation. Your LASIK consultation includes a full eye exam and all additional testing necessary to determine if you are an ideal LASIK candidate!
According to the FDA, you must be 18 years old to have LASIK. This is important but the more important question for patients between the ages of 18 to late 20s is has your vision fully matured resulting in your prescription being stable for the past 12 months? Stability is a critical factor that Dr. Mozayeni and Dr. Nunnery examine carefully. If you have LASIK before your vision has stabilized, then your LASIK will not last.
All-Laser LASIK, IntraLASIK, I-LASIK and Z-LASIK eye procedures are similar in that no blade (keratome) LASIK technology is used as part of the procedure. All of these techniques create a flap of tissue with a laser, thereby avoiding some of the risks of traditional blade LASIK eye procedure. IntraLASIK or I-LASIK are one in the same and have been available since 2002. The technology behind IntraLASIK has been upgraded a few times since 2002, but the basics remain the same. Z-LASIK is a more recently introduced competing brand with a limited track record.
The all-laser procedure performed by Providence Eye’s LASIK surgeons, Dr. Mozayeni and Dr. Nunnery, is a whole level above the other procedures due to the investment in technology that Providence Eye has made for his patients. Dr. Mozayeni and Dr. Nunnery utilizes the WaveLight Refractive Suite, which is a combination of two lasers:
We chose these lasers specifically because they provide the best immediate results for our patients, and they ensure long-lasting results with uncompromised safety and precision.
Wavefront is a term used in our industry to indicate a more customized treatment utilizing mapping information in addition to standard prescription information. There are different categories of Wavefront technology including Wavefront guided and Wavefront optimized, both of which are offered by our LASIK surgeons, Dr. Mozayeni and Dr. Nunnery. The difference is very technical and is best explained in person depending on your personal evaluation. A thorough corneal mapping evaluation and your complete examination will help us determine if you need Wavefront technology and what kind.
The thickness of a person’s cornea contributes to its strength and ability to maintain shape. Over decades of worldwide experience, LASIK eye doctors have determined that a certain corneal thickness is necessary in order to avoid long-term complications after laser vision correction. At Providence Eye & Laser Specialists, we believe this is crucial and our technology allows us to provide the safest form of laser vision correction today. Dr. Mozayeni and Dr. Nunnery use a LASIK Suite with the two most advanced FDA-approved lasers, the WaveLight FS200 and the WaveLight EX500 lasers. This combination allows for the maximum conservation of your corneal thickness, thus optimizing long-term safety.
During your LASIK eye surgery, you do not have to worry about keeping your eye open. After instilling numbing eye drops you actually do not feel the urge to blink, and a small device is used to gently keep it open when necessary. Each eye is kept open for only 2 to 3 minutes. Our lasers also have sophisticated eye tracking systems and will move the laser treatment with even the slightest eye movement.
The WaveLight EX500 has the fastest eye tracker of all lasers and will move the laser treatment with your eye movement to assure a more predictable result and give you further peace of mind. If there is too much movement the laser actually shuts down.
Yes. Clear plastic shields are placed over the eye(s) to prevent you from accidentally rubbing your eyes after your LASIK eye surgery. The shields should be worn until the day after your procedure. Additionally, your shields should be worn for 3 to 5 more nights or whenever you are sleeping. Check out this blog for more information on this common LASIK FAQ and what to expect immediately following your surgery.
This is another LASIK FAQ we often hear. The success of your LASIK eye procedure is dependent on many factors. A thorough consultation is necessary before specific success rates can be determined. The norm for LASIK patients at providence Eye is 20/20 or better uncorrected (without glasses or contacts) vision.
We feel strongly that our extreme attention to detail and personalized attention combined with the best LASIK technology are why our results are so outstanding. It is important to note that even though not everyone achieves 20/20 results immediately, as each patient’s body heals differently, those that do not experience immediate ideal results can typically get to that point with a second correction, otherwise known as an enhancement. For the roughly 3% of LASIK patients who require an enhancement, Providence Eye offers this at no additional charge within a year of undergoing a LASIK procedure.
LASIK can be utilized to correct both distance and near vision in many circumstances. Many LASIK eye surgery patients under the age of 40 choose to have both eyes done for distance and will still be able to see at near distances. For those lucky enough to age, there are several options for eliminating reading glasses, including monovision LASIK.
In reality, the complications associated with wearing contacts long-term are higher than those associated with LASIK. LASIK eye procedure complications are rare and if a qualified LASIK surgeon conducts a comprehensive consultation, they can be avoided. Many people are concerned with “flap issues.” This had been a viable concern in the past when flaps were made with blades. However, Providence Eye has been using a laser to make his corneal flaps since 2003!
Common post-procedural side effects include glare and halos in dim light or nighttime, as well as a sensation of dryness. In most circumstances, these side effects are temporary. Our thorough complimentary consultation helps to determine your specific risks (if any) before ever undergoing LASIK eye surgery. If your surgeon, either Dr. Mozayeni or Dr. Nunnery, feels you would not have an optimal outcome he will advise you not to have LASIK eye surgery.
Evaluating the shape and structural integrity of your corneas utilizing our advanced Pentacam system is critical to a thorough and accurate evaluation. You must also be over the age of 18 according to the FDA, but more importantly, your prescription must be stable for 12 months.
To be an ideal LASIK candidate your eyes should be generally healthy, and your corrective prescription must be within a certain range. Due to our technological investments at Providence Eye, we can treat people with high levels of astigmatism and very high prescriptions that may have been denied LASIK eye surgery in the past. Some eye problems, health problems and medications may also exclude you from having a LASIK eye procedure.
Other important factors that will be evaluated during your complimentary consultation include tear production, corneal thickness and pupil size. Each patient is examined individually to see if they are the right fit. The only real way to know if you are a candidate is with a thorough FREE consultation with one of our LASIK surgeons, Dr. Nunnery or Dr. Mozayeni.
This is a great LASIK FAQ. Most of our patients come to us from North and South Carolina areas like Dilworth, Myers Park, Plaza Midwood, Uptown Charlotte, South Park, Ballantyne, Huntersville, Mooresville, Matthews, Monroe, Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Spartanburg and Indian Land. Patients have been known to travel to us because of our great reputation for our work and patient care. We have been honored to have patients from Alaska, California, New York and the US and British Virgins Islands to name few.
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