Frequently Asked Questions

Q . Who does the U consider a good candidate for refractive surgery?

A . The reasons that people decide to have a refractive procedure are numerous. Some people have become contact lens intolerant and do not want to wear glasses. Others pursue activities in which their contacts or glasses affect their performance. Generally, a good candidate is someone who wants to decrease dependence on glasses or contacts and who is well-educated on the advantages and limitations of LASIK.

Also, a patient must have a stable prescription and be free of chronic eye conditions and diseases. Women who are pregnant should not have LASIK, as the hormonal changes of pregnancy affect their vision and make it fluctuate.

Remember LASIK (or any refractive surgery) cannot offer you any guarantee of a specific visual acuity or quality. It can greatly improve your uncorrected vision, usually to the point where you do not have to depend on glasses or contacts for most activities.

Q . What are the side effects of surgery?

A . Some of the general side effects immediately following LASIK treatment are dry eye, glare and halos while driving at night, and a slight fluctuation in visual acuity from day to day. These side effects usually diminish within the first one to two months. However, as with any treatment or operation, there are risks of infection and scarring. The risks and benefits will be thoroughly explained to you by the physician during your pre-operative evaluation.

Q . When can I go back to work?

A . We suggest that you take the day of surgery and the following day off of work. You will need to see your surgeon the next day after the treatment for a post-operative visit and we would like you to have your vision checked before driving, so consider having someone bring you to your one day follow up.

Q . Is it covered by insurance?

A . Refractive surgery is considered a cosmetic treatment and therefore is rarely covered by insurance. If your employer participates in a Health Care Reimbursement account, you may be able to use pre-tax dollars to pay for LASIK and save up to 30%. Check with your human resources department for more information.

Q . How much does LASIK cost?

A . Depending on the type of procedure and who perfroms it, the lowest price is $1300 per eye and the highest is $1950 per eye. This cost includes the pre-operative exam, the procedure, all post-operative exams for one year and any enhancements that may be needed within the first year if your vision is worse then 20/40. This price is set, meaning that the University does not alter its price based on amount of correction or if you have astigmatism. If you consider the cost projection of a lifetime of glasses, contact lenses and solutions, the advantages of LASIK are numerous!

Q . My co-worker had LASIK and she still needs to wear reading glasses. Why is this?

A . Patients who are over 40 and need reading correction before they have LASIK will still need to wear reading correction after the procedure. This is because of a natural aging process inside the eye called presbyopia and not because of nearsightedness or farsightedness. If you are over 40 and take your glasses OFF to read or do close activities, you will need to put readers ON after LASIK.

Q . Do I have to wear only glasses before the LASIK evaluation and surgery?

A . If you are a soft contact lens wearer, for every ten years that you have been wearing them, you need to have them out for one week.  So, if you have been wearing contacts on a regular basis for over 20 years, you will need to have them out for just over two weeks prior to the LASIK evaluation.  It is then recommended that you keep the contacts out until your surgery.  If you wear RGP's or Ridgid Gas Permeable lenses, depending on how long you have been wearing them, they may need to be out a couple of months.

Q . Why should I have LASIK surgery done?

A . Life simplification: no longer having to deal with glasses and particularly contacts.  Independence: freedom from dependence on glasses and/or contacts.  Performance: ability to perfrom better in sports-related activities.  Ability to see when it counts: better vision for special occasions, e.g., at a play, evening out, playing golf, etc.

*See the section entitled “PROCEDURES” for further information about the procedures and how the eye works!