LASER VISION CORRECTION

Who is a candidate for laser vision correction?

You must be at least 18 for moderate simple myopia (up to -6.00 with no astigmatism). You must be at least 21 for treatment of myopia up to -12.00 and astigmatism up to -4.00. You may not be pregnant or nursing. You may not have any collagen vascular diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, etc.) or certain uncontrolled eye diseases. Your prescription has to be stable. It is also important that your expectations are reasonable.

Can you guarantee 20/20 vision?

As with any surgical procedure there are no guarantees. Although our results are extremely good (97% of patients no longer need glasses for driving), the results of your procedure depend on your initial refraction, your own healing characteristics, and other factors. It is good to look at laser vision correction as a way of reducing your dependence on glasses or contact lenses.

How long will the correction last?

Once your eye has stabilized (three months with LASIK and six months with PRK), your correction is permanent. Any additional need for glasses after that would be the result of normal aging processes that would occur to anyone.

What is the difference between PRK and LASIK?

Both procedures use the excimer laser to reshape the cornea. The difference is that with PRK the laser is used on the surface of the eye and in LASIK the laser is performed under a thin protective cornea flap. The long-term results are similar. With LASIK however, visual recovery is faster, there is less discomfort and less possible scarring. With PRK, post-operative drops are needed for three months whereas with LASIK, drops are only needed for 7 to 10 days. Since the development of LASIK, it has become the procedure of choice over PRK.

How much experience does the doctor have?

Dr. Wall has been doing refractive surgery for over 16 years. He began doing RK surgery in the 1980's and began doing PRK and LASIK in 1997. Dr. Wall has the most experience performing PRK and LASIK in Albany and the surrounding area. Dr. Wall uses the state-of-the-art VISX laser (the top manufacturer of the excimer laser).

Can both eyes be done at once?

Yes, in fact we suggest that you have both eyes done at once so that you do not experience any visual imbalance.

Will I still have to wear reading glasses?

Depending on your age and whether or not we have elected to try mono-vision, there is a possibility that you will need reading glasses.
Most patients, by the time they reach their mid-forties, have a condition known as presbyopia where the eye begins to lack accommodation, which increases the need for reading glasses. This condition occurs regardless of whether a patient has ever had refractive surgery. Many times we suggest that our patients who are over forty and interested in refractive surgery try mono-vision.

What is mono-vision?

Mono-vision is a procedure where we leave one eye slightly near sighted so that the patient can see at distance and still be able to read.

What will I experience during the laser treatment?

The laser will cause no discomfort. You will hear a snapping sound and may be aware of a mild "exhaust" type of odor. The total treatment for each eye lasts an average of 15-20 minutes.

Is the procedure painful?

The majority of patients state that it was not painful at all. Some patients stated that it felt like scratchiness or grittiness for a few hours while others did not experience any discomfort at all. As each individual is different, you may experience some discomfort or a headache the first few hours after the surgery. However, Advil or Tylenol is usually sufficient to take care of the discomfort.

Could I do something during the treatment to ruin the result?

No. Blinking of the eye is prevented by an eyelid speculum that holds the eye open. During the procedure, the patient’s only responsibility is to look at a blinking light. Throughout the procedure, the physician is observing the proper alignment through the microscope. In case of the slightest misalignment, the procedure is paused and the alignment is corrected prior to the procedure continuing.

What are my restrictions after LASIK?

You must not rub your eyes. You will be provided with protective eyewear for bedtime in the early postoperative period. Don't let water in your eyes, but you may shower with your eyes closed. Use protective eyewear if your activities risk contact with the eye.

When can I return to work?

With PRK you should plan on taking at least three days off as you will experience some discomfort and you will be fairly blurry. With LASIK you may return to work in 1-2 days.

When can I resume normal activities?

You can resume most normal activities such as driving, bike riding and mild exercising, etc. the day after surgery. For women, eye makeup should not be worn for one week and they should purchase new mascara at the end of the week to avoid any bacteria in the old container. Swimming or contact sports such as basketball, racquetball, etc. should be delayed for one week. If you have a particular activity that you are concerned about resuming, be sure to ask the doctor at your 1-day post-op visit.

What are the complications or risks?

As with any surgery, there are always possible complications or risks. The most common would be an allergic reaction to some of the medication or anesthesia, infection, or haze/glare/halos immediately after surgery. Though these are the most common, the incidence for these occurring is still less than 5%. In surveys around the world, LASIK has been proven to be one of the most safe and effective surgeries available with an extremely low percentage of complications. We would be happy to furnish you with our consent form to review, which lists all possible complications, and answer any questions you might have about possible risks.

Does insurance cover laser vision correction?

Usually insurance does not cover laser vision correction. Check with your insurance plan to make sure. However, remember financing plans are available.

What does laser vision correction surgery cost?

The cost of PRK and LASIK should be discussed with our patient counselor and is usually around $1,500 per eye. This can be a little as $4.25 per day. This includes the pre-operative evaluation, surgery, a post-operative kit containing eye drops and sunglasses, follow-up care for one year and any enhancement procedures. This does not include the cost of temporary glasses or contact lenses (if needed), and certain prescribed eye drops and medications. The surgery fee must be paid prior to the day of the surgery.

What financing is available?

Our office accepts major credit cards including VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. We have an arrangement with a local bank to provide financing over a 36-month period with low interest or you make contact your personal baking institution. We also are affiliated with a national provider who offers no-interest and low-interest financing with a quick and simple online application. Link to their website today to see how affordable this procedure can be for you.

Capital One Healthcare Finance is a flexible monthly payment option specifically designed for refractive surgery - with payments as low as $63 per month^**.

• No initial payment
• Low, fixed rates ranging from 5.9% - 12.9% APR
• No prepayment penalty

** Based on a loan with an 8.9% APR for 60 months. Terms of the loan may vary based on the treatment fee and credit information. All figures are estimates.

Patient Testimonials

What to Expect After Surgery

Treatment Options

Questions and Answers