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Residents of New Baltimore, Marysville, and surrounding communities have trusted the experts at Fraser Eye Care Center for more than 35 years. Specializing in LASIK laser vision correction surgery, our surgeons are dedicated to helping our patients maintain eye health and achieve their clearest vision possible.
LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is laser vision correction that reshapes the cornea to treat nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. When patients have these common refractive errors, irregularities in the shape of their corneas cause blurred vision. By using the latest laser technology to reshape patients’ corneas, our surgeons can help them improve focus and enjoy clearer vision, often without the need for glasses or contact lenses. In fact, according to the American Refractive Surgery Council, roughly 90% of LASIK patients achieve vision that is 20/20 or even better.1
At Fraser Eye Care Center, we proudly feature the latest in vision correction surgery technology in order to provide the safest, most efficient, and most effective LASIK surgery available. Since LASIK was first performed, tremendous advancements have led to the improvement of refractive surgery. With original LASIK, surgeons used a blade called a microkeratome to create a flap in the cornea. Now, we are available to offer fully bladeless LASIK, using state-of-the-art Contoura™ Topography-Guided Laser Vision Correction.
Contoura Topography-Guided Laser Vision Correction allows our surgeons to correct the cornea’s surface with increased accuracy. This system provides advanced diagnostics, recording and analyzing imperfections among 22,000 different positions on the eye’s surface to create a customized corneal profile for each patient. This makes it possible for our surgeons to map out and precisely treat each patient’s unique eyes to deliver better, more accurate vision correction.
When you come to Fraser Eye for your LASIK consultation, one of our experienced eye doctors will conduct a comprehensive examination of your eyes and vision. This will include a dilated exam as well as advanced diagnostics with our WaveScan WaveFront™ system to perform 3-dimensional mapping of the surface of your eyes. Your doctor will also discuss your medical and vision history and make sure all of your questions about LASIK are answered.
To learn more about LASIK candidacy, you can take this quick, 60-second self evaluation quiz.
In general, the ideal candidate for LASIK vision correction:
If you have been told you are not a suitable candidate for LASIK, don’t worry. At Fraser Eye, we offer a full range of vision correction procedures for which you may qualify, including:
The first step in preparing for LASIK at Fraser Eye is to attend a consultation and examination with one of our experienced surgeons. Once your procedure has been scheduled, you will be issued detailed pre- and post-operative instructions.
Before your LASIK procedure, you should not wear soft contact lenses for at least 72 hours. Wearers of hard or gas permeable contacts need to switch to glasses full time for at least 4-6 weeks before the procedure, as contact lenses can have an impact on the shape of the cornea.
There are no dietary restrictions you need to follow before (or after) LASIK vision correction surgery. You will be asked to arrive for your procedure without any makeup, creams, or lotions on your face. Also, you won’t be able to drive yourself home after LASIK, so please make arrangements for transportation. Fraser Eye also offers a shuttle service for your convenience.
The LASIK procedure itself is very fast, and no general anesthesia is needed. Before your procedure, we will issue you a mild sedative to help you relax. Your eyes will be numbed with anesthetic drops, and a special device will be used to keep your eyes open and prevent blinking during the procedure.
To begin the LASIK procedure, your surgeon will use a laser to create a flap in your cornea. This flap will be lifted, and the cornea will be gently reshaped to correct any refractive errors. The flap will be put back into place, where it will heal itself without the need for sutures.
Following LASIK surgery, a protective shield will be placed over your eyes and you will briefly recover in our offices before being released to be driven home by a friend or family member.
After your LASIK procedure, you will be given a quick post-procedure check by your eye surgeon. Then you will be free to return home wearing protective glasses. You should keep these glasses on until for the first few days after your procedure.
Once you get home after your LASIK surgery, you should plan to spend the rest of the day taking it easy. You’ll likely want to take a nap; just be sure to keep your eyes protected while you sleep.
You might experience some redness, mild irritation, watering, or light sensitivity, but please do not rub or touch your eyes. You will be sent home with steroid and antibiotic eye drops; please carefully follow the instructions for administering these drops. You may also use artificial tears to help minimize any irritation. Any discomfort you feel can be resolved with over-the-counter pain relievers.
The day after LASIK, you can feel free to resume reading, viewing screens, and other non-strenuous activities. Please continue to avoid makeup, strenuous activities, and exercise.A member of the Fraser Eye Care team will call you to check on your recovery and answer any questions you may have. You should continue to follow your doctor’s recommendations for using antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops.
A week after your LASIK procedure, you will have already noticed an incredible improvement in your vision! You will be able to resume most of your normal activities, though you should continue to avoid swimming and contact sports for at least another week. You may still see some redness or spots on the wihte part of your eyes at this point, but this will fade shortly.
By now, you should be enjoying excellent vision and you’ll be able to get back to all of your favorite activities with no restrictions. Please continue to use caution during contact sports, doing yard work, or handling pets or small children, as your corneal flaps may still be healing. You may need to keep using lubricating eye drops for at least the first month following LASIK, and you’ll be scheduled for another follow-up visit so that we can be certain we have exceeded your expectations.
Recent research shows that more than 98% of LASIK patients are happy with the results they achieve. Most of our patients begin to see improvements in their vision in as little as 24 hours after LASIK surgery, and the full extent of vision correction is usually apparent within a few weeks. Because LASIK permanently reshapes the cornea to improve refractive errors, the results of LASIK last a lifetime. It is possible, however, for patients to develop presbyopia (age-related near vision loss) or cataracts after LASIK.3
At Fraser Eye, our eye surgery specialists and every member of our team are dedicated to providing the highest level of vision care in an environment where personalized care always comes first. Some of the many things that make Fraser Eye so special include:
LASIK has been approved by the FDA for more than 20 years, and was studied extensively before that. While all surgical procedures do carry some risk of complications and side effects, LASIK is associated with a low rate of complications and a high patient satisfaction rate.4
Before answering this question, it is important that we clarify the difference between side effects and complications, which are not technically interchangeable terms. Side effects happen as a result of surgery and are often temporary and minor. Complications are unintended events that are more serious. Potential LASIK side effects include dry eye and visual glare and often resolve during the recovery process. Possible LASIK complications include corneal infection and vision loss, and affect less than 1% of patients.5
Yes! For convenience and efficacy, we perform LASIK on both eyes on the same day. The procedure typically takes 10 minutes or less.
LASIK is not painful at all. Your eyes will be numbed with anesthetic drops before the procedure, and you will also be given medication to help you relax. The most you should feel is a slight sensation of pressure as your cornea is reshaped. Some patients experience mild discomfort or a feeling of soreness immediately after LASIK, but this quickly resolves.
After your LASIK procedure, you will receive a phone call from our team the following day so that we can monitor your recovery. After that, you will be seen one week and one month after LASIK.
If you live in New Baltimore, Marysville, or a nearby community and are interested in learning how you can reduce your dependence on corrective lenses and see more clearly with LASIK vision correction surgery, please contact us at Fraser Eye to schedule a consultation with an experienced surgeon.
1 American Refractive Surgery Council. What is the LASIK Success Rate? Available: https://americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org/laser-eye-surgery-lasik-success-rate/. Accessed April 19, 2021.
2 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Lasik. Available: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/lasik. Accessed April 19, 2021.
3 Sandoval HP, Donnenfeld ED, Kohnen T, Lindstrom RL, Potvin R, Tremblay DM, Solomon KD. Modern laser in situ keratomileusis outcomes. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2016 Aug;42(8):1224-34. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrs.2016.07.012. PMID: 27531300. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27531300/. Accessed April 19, 2021.
4 Solomon KD, Fernández de Castro LE, Sandoval HP, et al. LASIK world literature review: quality of life and patient satisfaction. Ophthalmology. 2009 Apr;116(4):691-701. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19344821. Accessed April 19, 2021.
5 American Refractive Surgery Council. LASIK Complication Rate: The Latest Facts and Stats You Should Know. https://americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org/lasik-complication-rate-latest-facts. Accessed April 19, 2019.
The Fraser Eye Care Center Doctors have either authored or reviewed and approved this content.
