LASIK and PRK are popular forms of laser eye surgery that change the shape of the cornea to improve vision. Past forms of vision correction included surgical treatments that used a microkeratome blade to shape the eye. However, these days, carefully-crafted lasers make the process faster, safer, and more successful than ever before.
What is LASIK Surgery?
Over 10 million Americans have had LASIK Eye surgery since it was approved by the FDA in 1999. LASIK is a type of corrective procedure, also known as “laser vision correction”.
People often opt for laser eye surgery when their eyes suffer from certain eye disorders including nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or even presbyopia (need for reading glasses).
LASIK and PRK are both types of laser vision correction or refractive surgery that are designed to reshape the cornea with advanced laser technology. The cornea is the dome-shaped area of clear tissue vaulting over the iris (colored part of the eye) at the very front of the eye. The cornea focuses the light that enters the eye so you can see clearly.
During the LASIK procedure, a doctor uses precise laser energy to cut a thin flap on the front of the cornea. This flap is gently pulled back and then another laser is used to reshape the tissue underneath the flap. The lasers eye surgeon then replaces the flap to complete the surgery.
The entire procedure only takes about 10–15 minutes and is usually painless. You may notice improvements in your vision immediately after the surgery as you are taken to post-op and discharged. Patients may experience some discomfort or mild burning sensation in the eyes as the numbing drops wear off but this usually subsides within a few hours.
The LASIK procedure typically involves the following steps:
- Anesthetic drops are applied to the eye to numb it.
- A device called a femtosecond laser is used to create a thin, hinged flap in the cornea.
- The flap is lifted to expose the underlying corneal tissue.
- An excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea by removing microscopic amounts
of tissue. - The flap is repositioned and allowed to heal naturally without the need for
stitches.
LASIK is a safe and effective procedure, with a high success rate in correcting refractive errors and improving vision. However, as with any surgery, there are potential risks and complications associated with LASIK. These are very rare but can include:
- Dry eyes
- Glare, halos, or double vision
- Undercorrection or overcorrection of refractive error
- Infection or inflammation
- Loss of vision
It is important to consult with a qualified ophthalmologist to determine if LASIK is the right option for you.
As with any procedure, experience matters, Drs. Olkowski and Hirabayashi have performed thousands of LASIK surgeries with many very happy patients.
How Much Does LASIK Cost?
LASIK and PRK are procedures that uses a laser to reshape the cornea of the eye, correcting nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The cost of LASIK/PRK surgery can vary depending on several factors, including:
- Geographic Location: The cost of LASIK surgery can vary based on the location of the facility. LASIK surgery in major metropolitan areas is generally more expensive than in smaller cities or rural areas.
- Surgeon Experience: The experience and reputation of the surgeon performing the procedure can also impact the cost of LASIK surgery. Surgeons with more experience and a high success rate may charge more than less experienced surgeons.
- Technology Used: The cost of LASIK surgery can also depend on the technology used during the procedure. LASIK centers that use the latest technology may charge more than those using older equipment.
On average, the cost of LASIK surgery in the United States can range from $2,000 to $4,000 per eye. This cost typically includes pre-operative and post-operative consultations, the procedure itself, and any necessary follow-up care. Please call EyeSight Hawaii at 808-735-1935 to discuss the current LASIK/PRK pricing.
It is important to note that insurance plans do not typically cover the cost of LASIK surgery, as it is considered an elective procedure. However, some plans may offer a discount or partial coverage for the procedure. It is always a good idea to check with your insurance provider to see if they offer any coverage. At EyeSight Hawaii we do participate with several local insurance companies to offer you a discounted rate on your LASIK/PRK procedure.
Finally, some LASIK centers may offer financing options or payment plans to help make the procedure more affordable for patients. These options can allow patients to pay for the procedure over time, making it more manageable for those who cannot afford to pay the full cost upfront. At EyeSight Hawaii we have a very favorable financing option that our staff would be happy to discuss.
Candidates for LASIK Surgery
Blade-free LASIK experience is an option for surgical procedures and also an effective and safe way to correct different eye problems. However, it may be inappropriate for some people. Your doctor will evaluate your eyes thoroughly to see whether laser vision correction (LASIK) is right for you, or if another kind of refractive procedure might be better suited to your needs.
Also, you have to consider the following requirements:
- The patient is over 18 years old
- The patient has refractive errors that fall within the treatable range
- The patient has a healthy cornea thick enough for a flap
- The patient has had stable vision for at least six months
Bladeless LASIK surgery is not an option for you if your visual acuity is good, you have an eye condition that affects your cornea, or you have age-related vision changes.
Candidates for laser vision surgery have to be aware of the possible complications of the procedure and keep their expectations realistic.
Benefits of LASIK
The number one benefit of this laser eye surgery is that it corrects blurry vision. Over 90% of people who receive LASIK and PRK eye surgery end up with 20/20 vision. The vast majority of people no longer have a dependence on glasses or contact lenses.
There are no significant health concerns with laser LASIK surgery and PRK. However, both procedures carry some potential side effects. For example, you might experience temporary dryness of the eye(s), which could cause itching and discomfort. You may also have trouble sleeping for several days following the procedure.
Rare complications involving a loss of vision or worse vision are very rare with modern tools and techniques.
The procedure itself is virtually painless and most people notice an improvement on the day of the surgery or the day after. Although it won’t guarantee perfect vision, the benefits outweigh the risks of LASIK surgery.
LASIK Consultation at
Eyesight Hawaii
An eye surgery consultation at EyeSight Hawaii is the first step in your journey to correct your errors of vision. Consultations are necessary to verify whether or not you are a good candidate for laser vision correction.
During your consultation, one of our experienced surgeons will check your medical history and conduct a screening to determine if you are eligible. Things like muscle balance and eye pressure are tested during eye surgery exams. They will perform a comprehensive refractive eye exam to determine your exact prescription. The refractive surgeon will measure your corneal thickness and curvature as well.
As it was mentioned before, patients with active eye diseases or those who are under the age of 18 do not qualify for LASIK or PRK surgery.
You should be able to discuss any additional questions you might have about the refractive surgery with your surgeon before undergoing the operation. During your consultation, the surgeon will give you an overview of the benefits and severe complications during surgery. With this information, the surgeon will create a custom treatment plan for you. It’s also a good idea to ask your surgeon any questions you might have about the entire surgery.
Preparation for LASIK
Preparing for LASIK is usually pretty straightforward. You’ll need to stop wearing soft contact lenses three to seven days prior to the surgery. Hard contact and rigid gas permeable (RGP) glasses typically require a longer time off from them.
Makeup, perfume, cologne, and body spray interfere with the laser and medications used in the procedure. Your doctor will advise you not to wear any of the above on the day of your procedure.
LASIK Procedure
The day of surgery will begin with a comprehensive eye exam to verify the previous data about your prescription. Then, the eye doctor will give you powerful anesthetic eye drops to numb your cornea. The vast majority of eye surgery patients will have corrective eye surgery performed on both eyes on the same day.
The LASIK surgery itself involves two advanced lasers—one to create a corneal flap and the other to reshape the corneal tissue. Both steps only take a few minutes per eye. The surgeon will fold the flap back to expose the inner corneal tissue. The tissue is then reshaped based on your specific requirements. Next, the flap of tissue is replaced, and it will bond back to the eye on its own. The PRK surgery only involves one laser treatment, the one that reshapes the cornea.
The entire procedure only takes about 10–15 minutes. Feeling itchiness is a possibility since the numbing eye drops will wear off. You may notice improvements in your vision directly after the surgery as you are taken to post-op and discharged.
Recovery from LASIK
After your laser vision correction procedure, you should rest and possibly take a short break from work. Your eye surgeon will give you a clear plastic protective shield to wear during the first phase of Lasik surgery recovery. You may want to take some time off from work for your post-operative care.
As with any procedure, the recovery time of LASIK and PRK requires some quality care on your part. Temporary side effects such as dry, itchy eyes are common and not a cause for concern. You may also experience pain and discomfort, or some red and pink spots on the eye’s surface that won’t let you do your normal activities.
Vision changes are also common including light sensitivity, blurry vision, difficulty seeing at night, and glare or halo around bright lights. These changes could persist for up to a month after surgery.
Try not to rub your eyes the day after your surgery as it could interfere with the healing process. It can take up to six months to fully recover from surgery depends on the level of correction needed. Most of the symptoms listed above will fade with time, but you should let your doctor know if they worsen or persist past the normal healing times.
Follow-ups after laser eye treatment are necessary to check on your healing progress. Your laser eye surgeon will examine your eye and may prescribe artificial tears after surgery to prevent an infection or inflammation.
What Patients Say
Frequently Asked Questions about LASIK/PRK surgery
At EyeSight Hawaii, LASIK and PRK eye surgery cost $2200 per eye. We understand that this is a significant investment, but ultimately, a lifetime supply of corrective lenses would most likely be more expensive.
Unfortunately, LASIK and PRK are considered cosmetic surgery and, therefore, are not covered by insurance. If you are interested in financing your LASIK surgery, feel free to contact EyeSight Hawaii for affordable payment options.
Generally, the procedure itself takes only 10–15 minutes and usually lasts a lifetime, although your vision can change later in life due to other eye conditions such as cataracts and glaucoma.
Over-response or under-response to the treatment are all potential long-term complications of LASIK surgery.
Over-response is when too much tissue is removed, while under-response means, not enough tissue was taken out during the procedure. Both over- and under-corrections are treatable once the eye heals and the refraction becomes stable.
The need for retreatment (enhancement) is rare and at EyeSight Hawaii, unlike most other laser centers, there is no additional charge for these additional eye care procedures.
Generally, LASIK and PRK surgeries correct a person’s eyes to 20/20 or 20/40. Patients with 20/40 vision should be able to drive without glasses.
The effects of LASIK are considered to be permanent, meaning that the results of the procedure should last a lifetime. However, it’s important to keep in mind that your eyes can still change over time due to aging, hormonal changes, or other factors, which may affect your vision.
In some cases, LASIK may need to be repeated or an enhancement procedure may be necessary to maintain clear vision. This is more likely to occur in patients who had a high prescription or who have experienced significant changes in their vision after the initial LASIK procedure.
EyeSight Hawaii has a program where enhancements are performed at no-cost as long as there is no other medical changes in the eye (ex. Cataracts)
Overall, while the effects of LASIK are considered permanent, it’s important to continue to have regular eye exams to monitor any changes in your vision and discuss with your eye doctor if any further action is needed.
About EyeSight Hawaii
EyeSight Hawaii is the leading specialist in dry eye, cataracts, LASIK surgery, and cornea surgery in Hawaii. Founded by chief surgeon John D. Olkowski, M.D, EyeSight Hawaii has been serving patients for over 20 years, offering the latest technology and most advanced procedures. If you’re seeking dry eye treatment in Hawaii, you can read more and schedule an appointment here.
Contact Us Today
Overall, LASIK is a safe and straightforward procedure created to correct your vision and improve your quality of life. If you are looking for state-of-the-art laser technology for the correction of myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, or presbyopia, the experienced doctors at EyeSight Hawaii in Honolulu, HI, and Maui, HI, have the experience and knowledge to help. Schedule an appointment online or call our office to schedule a consultation today!
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