Answers to your frequently asked questions

Topic A: Commonly Asked Questions

Question 1: Will the LASIK procedure be painful?

Answer: No.  A few anesthetic drops given at the start of the procedure eliminate all pain and discomfort. Some patients do experience tearing and foreign body sensation after the procedure. We advise patients to close their eyes and sleep afterwards.

Question 2: How long will it take me to recover from LASIK?

Answer: Less than 24 hours to gain functional visual recovery and return to work.  Unlike PRK, which can take 3 to 5 days from which to recover, nearly all LASIK patients report being able to see better immediately after surgery usually returning to work the next day. Patients with higher prescriptions tend to take a little longer to reach maximal visual recovery.

Question 3: Could I do something during the treatment to spoil the result?

Answer: 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 surgeon hold's the patient's head in alignment.  In case of the slightest misalignment, it is instantly detected, treatment is paused, and the alignment is corrected before the treatment is resumed.  Therefore, patients can relax in the knowledge that all of their small movements will not cause a problem during the treatment.

Question 4: What are the risks?

Answer: LASIK is surgery and there are some risks. Glare, Halos, dry eyes, over or under correction, and infection are rare complications. Most complications are manageable and self-resolving. Less than 1% of all patients have non-resolving complications.

Question 5: Will I need additional treatments?

Answer: A small percentage of patients (approximately 7-10%) need an enhancement to touch up any remaining prescription. If an enhancement is necessary, there is no additional cost to the patient.

Question 6: Will I ever need glasses after the surgery?

Answer: Because of the normal aging of the eye, everyone will need reading glasses in their 40's unless monovision LASIK is performed. In some cases, patients will need a mild prescription for night driving.

Question 7: What is Monovision?

Answer: Monovision is when one eye is fully corrected for distance while the other is corrected for near vision, i.e. reading. The advantage to that is the patient can usually perform their daily activities free of glasses. The disadvantage to monovision is the loss of depth perception.

You may need spare glasses when it is optional to have both eyes corrcted, i.e. nighttime driving. Patients who have not experienced monovision can try it here in our office with trial contact lenses, during your free consultation. (This will give you the opportunity to see what it will be like by going through a simulated experience.) One other advantage to monovision is that it can also be reversed with an enhancement following your LASIK procedure. Therefore, you can try and if then you don't like it or cannot tolerate the effect, you can still remove the monovision.

Question 8: Do you have the Flying Spot Laser?

Answer: Yes. The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary offers both the Visx Star 2 and the Autonomous Spot Laser. During your evaluation, we will discuss which laser is best for you.

Question 9: How many cases have your surgeons performed?

Answer: Our surgeons have performed over 5,000 procedures. Dr's Seedor, Koplin, and Ritterband, each have an academic appointment at The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary and The New York Medical College. Dr. Seedor is the Director of The Cornea and Refractive Surgery Department at The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. Dr. Ritterband serves with Dr. Seedor as the Assistant Director.

Question 10: When can I have an evaluation and how long will it take?

Answer: You can schedule an evaluation when you are out of your soft contact lenses for 5 days and hard lenses at least 2 weeks. The evaluation takes 1 hour and includes a comprehensive eye exam as well as thorough counseling by our doctors.

Topic B. Financing

Question 1: Does Ophthalmic Consultants offer financing plans for LASIK?

Answer: Yes.  Financing plans are available to qualified applicants.

Topic C: Visual Recovery

Question 1: Can I play sports?

Yes, most certainly!  We ask that you wait until the next day and then you can resume your exercise activities. We ask that you avoid "contact" sports, heavy lifting or swimming for at least two weeks.  Wear protective eye wear if there is any risk to the eye for several weeks.