Long Island LASIK Specialists
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Long Island Main Office:
Rockville Centre
Ryan Medical Arts Building
2000 North Village Avenue
Suite 402
Rockville Centre, Long Island, NY 11570
Tel: 516-766-2519
LASIK Long Island FAQs
Below is a list of some frequently asked questions, but please feel free to contact us if you need additional information. We are always pleased to assist you.
- What is Laser Vision Correction?
- What are the benefits of laser vision correction?
- What is nearsightedness?
- What is farsightedness?
- What is astigmatism?
- How does laser vision correction improve nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism?
- Is laser vision correction safe?
- Does laser vision correction hurt?
- Do I have to wait for my regular eye exam?
- What happens before the treatment?
- What can I expect on the day of treatment?
- How well will I see after laser vision correction?
- How soon can I return to work?
- How do I know whether I can have laser vision correction?
- Are there any risks?
What is Laser Vision Correction?
It is an outpatient treatment first performed in 1987 that uses a light beam to gently reshape the surface of the eye (the cornea) and improve vision. The light gently pulses to remove microscopic amounts of tissue, altering the curvature of the cornea and allowing visual images to be more sharply focused on the retina.
What are the benefits of laser vision correction?
Laser vision correction reduces or eliminates nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism and, with it, the need for glasses or contacts.
The normal eye is a perfect sphere, where the cornea and lens focus light to form an image on the back inside surface of the eye, known as the retina. With nearsightedness (myopia), the cornea's curvature is too steep for the shape of the eye. The light is focused in front of the retina, causing images of distant objects to appear blurry.
In a farsighted (hyperopia) eye, the image focuses beyond the retina. In our youth, the innate accommodating (focusing) power of the eyes often compensates for farsightedness. But as we age, our eyes become less able to accommodate. For this reason, farsightedness most commonly becomes a problem later in life. Many farsighted eyes do not need correction until the individuals reach their forties or fifties.
The front of the astigmatic eye has an irregular shape, more oval, like a football. Incoming light focuses at multiple points instead of one. Astigmatism can make wearing contact lenses difficult or even impossible. Laser vision correction with an excimer laser is now an FDA approved option for people with astigmatism.
How does laser vision correction improve nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism?
The cool beam of light gently reshapes the surface of the cornea, making it more like a normal eye. Light can then focus at the back of the eye, on the retina, making images on the retina clear, thereby improving vision.
Is laser vision correction safe?
The FDA has approved the excimer laser for the treatment of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism for eligible patients. Millions of patients worldwide have undergone successful laser vision correction procedures, and over one million excimer laser procedures have been performed in the U.S. since the FDA approval in 1996. Virtually all people treated experience an improvement in vision that would allow them to pass a drivers' license exam without the aid of glasses or contacts.
Does laser vision correction hurt?
The procedure itself is painless. Your eye is numbed with eye drops that are instilled prior to the procedure and no general anesthetic is necessary. Some patients have described having a slightly "sandy" feeling in their eyes immediately after the procedure, however this feeling will go away as soon as eye drops are administered.
Do I have to wait for my regular eye exam?
No. You can have laser vision correction as soon as you're ready for it.
What happens before the treatment?
We will conduct a thorough examination to determine whether your eyes are healthy and suitable for the procedure. Then your eyes will be photographed and a computerized map (corneal topography) will be created. This "map" will assess the shape of your cornea and is one of the many diagnostic tests we use to help plan your procedure.
What can I expect on the day of treatment?
Laser vision correction is an outpatient procedure that takes approximately minutes to complete for most patients. Your entire visit will be complete in about an hour.
Anesthetic drops will be placed in your eye and your head will be positioned your head under a laser. A retainer will be used to gently and comfortably hold your eyelids open during the procedure. You will be asked to focus on a blinking light for a minute or less. The doctor will view your eye directly through a surgical microscope to ensure that you are fixating properly and can pause at any time. Once finished, you will get up, receive instructions from the staff, and rest for a few minutes.
Afterward, you'll go home to rest and relax for several hours.
How well will I see after laser vision correction?
Results vary with each individual. Nearly all patients having the procedure report that they could pass a state driver's exam without glasses or contact lenses. Vision usually improves immediately after treatment though it's normal that some patients may experience small visual changes during the first several months.
Your physician will consult with you prior to undergoing the procedure to discuss the benefits and risks to LASIK.
How soon can I return to work?
Some people return the day after treatment. Two or three days of rest are suggested.
How do I know whether I can have laser vision correction?
The physicians of OCLI will advise you if laser vision correction is right for you. Some basic guidelines are:
- You must have healthy eyes, and be at least 18 years old to undergo the procedure for nearsightedness.
You must be 21 years old for the farsightedness or astigmatism procedures. - Your vision must be stable for at least one year before the laser procedure.
- You are not a good candidate if you have degenerative or autoimmune diseases, if you're pregnant or
nursing, or if you have a condition that deters or slows healing.
There are risks that accompany all surgical procedures. Laser vision correction is performed using a computer-controlled light beam under the guidance of a trained and certified eye doctor. We will be pleased to discuss with you the risks and benefits of laser vision correction.
