what is LASIK?
If you're tired of wearing contact lenses and glasses and are ready to see clearer, LASIK surgery may be just the solution. LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileuses) is the surgical reshaping of the cornea — the clear coating over the eyeball.
Most vision problems, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, are directly related to the shape of the cornea. When the cornea is misshaped, the light cannot be focused properly on the retina, making vision blurry. LASIK surgery fixes that problem so you can see clearly without corrective lenses.
Board-certified ophthalmologist Dr. Young H. Choi is excited to offer LASIK with the Zeiss VisuMax® Femtosecond Laser for a blade-free technique and optimal precision. If you'd like to restore your eyesight and are considering LASIK surgery, reach out to Young H. Choi, M.D. Eye Surgery Center in Vestavia Hills, AL, to schedule a private consultation today. We have helped countless men and women in the Greater Birmingham area and look forward to serving you so you can enjoy your best vision yet.
What are the benefits of LASIK?
Besides reducing the reliance on glasses and contacts for better vision, LASIK surgery performed by Dr. Choi has a number of great benefits, including:
- Providing an almost immediate improvement in vision
- Reducing the need for glasses and contacts
- Making sports, exercise, and vigorous activities easier
- Eliminating the hassle of keeping up with glasses and contacts
- Saving money over time
- Procedure is easy, quick, and painless
- Recovery is fast
- No bandages or stitches
- Adjustments can easily be made as vision naturally changes
What is the ZEISS VisuMax?
Many patients often hesitate to turn to LASIK due to its perception as being an uncomfortable and lengthy operation. However, the ZeissVisuMax Femtosecond Laser is an innovative laser system known for its combination of comfort, precision, and speed. The VisuMax platform is more accurate, delicate, and gentle than any other laser system on the market. Our practice is the only provider in the state of Alabama where you'll find this cutting-edge technology designed specifically to make your experience as pleasant and quick as possible.
LASIK Reviews
who is a good Candidate for lasik?
Only a trained ophthalmologist like Dr. Choi can confirm if a patient is a good candidate for LASIK; however, there are a handful of basic guidelines for a good LASIK candidate. Ideal candidates include women and men who:
- Are 18+ years old
- Have a stable vision prescription for at least one year
- Are in overall good health
- Have healthy eyes
- Have corneas with enough thickness
- Have a prescription of -11 to +5 and 5 diopters for astigmatism
- Are not pregnant or nursing
- Do not have uncontrolled diabetes
how is lasik performed?
At Young H. Choi, M.D. Eye Surgery Center, LASIK is performed with state-of-the-art VisuMax Femtosecond Laser technology to provide optimal accuracy and safety. This is considered an outpatient procedure that takes about 30 minutes to complete.
First, Dr. Choi will numb the eyes with a special solution and then place a ring-shaped device on top of the eye to prevent blinking. Then, Dr. Choi will use the VisuMax laser to create a small flap in the outer coating of the eye (cornea). He will then gently fold the flap back and use the laser to correct the shape of the cornea. When this is finished, he will place the corneal flap back into position to allow it to heal naturally.
Most patients do not experience any pain or discomfort during LASIK surgery and are often very pleased with their results.
what Should I Expect After LASIK Surgery?
Some patients may begin to feel irritation, stinging, or "grittiness" in their eyes as the anesthetic wears off. These sensations can result in a severe desire to blink or rub the eyes, which is particularly dangerous right after surgery, and you should NOT do. Taking a long nap afterward is the most effective way to help rest and protect the eyes during the first few hours of recovery.
LASIK surgery has a 96% success rate, which means most patients will experience clearer vision almost immediately. However, some patients may experience hazy vision for the first 24 hours. In general, vision is noticeably better by the next day, and the corneas will continue to heal over the next 7 – 14 days.
Most individuals will have bouts of blurry vision, difficulty seeing at night, and sensitivity to light throughout their recovery processes. These side effects are to be expected and will dissipate as your eyes heal. In addition, an antibiotic and moisturizing eye drops are often prescribed to help with optimal healing. Dr. Choi will also have you return to our office for one or more follow-up visits so he can monitor your progress.
LASIK FAQ
Does the LASIK procedure hurt?
No, it doesn't. Prior to the LASIK procedure, Dr. Choi will numb your eyes with anesthetic drops. During the procedure, you may feel a slight pressure around your eyes. While your eyes may feel a little irritated or gritty, which may cause you to blink more after the procedure, most patients are surprised at how easy and painless the actual LASIK procedure is.
Is LASIK safe?
Dr. Choi is a highly trained ophthalmologist, having performed countless successful ocular surgeries. His expertise and attention to detail ensure you receive unmatched care and support during and after your LASIK procedure. The LASIK procedure itself is widely considered safe and has a very low rate of complications (~1%). Common side effects such as glare, haziness, or dry eye are temporary and often go away within weeks of the procedure during the healing process.
How long does LASIK vision correction last?
Several factors contribute to how long the results from a LASIK procedure last. These include age, eye health and overall health, and medical conditions. Some patients can achieve results that last a lifetime; others may see results that last 10 – 20 years.
Can you get LASIK more than once?
Yes, you can. It is common for patients to have additional LASIK procedures, usually in about 10 – 20 years after the initial procedure. How many LASIK procedures you can have will depend on eye health and cornea thickness.
How much does LASIK cost?
The cost of LASIK will depend on the severity of your refractive error and how significantly the cornea needs to be reshaped. Our office offers bladeless LASIK surgery, which will also affect the price. During your initial consultation, our team can provide an estimate of your costs and discuss all of your payment options. It's also important to note that most insurance plans do not cover the cost of LASIK since it is considered elective surgery. However, our office accepts most major credit cards and CareCredit.
How long does the LASIK procedure take?
The LASIK procedure itself only takes about 10 minutes per eye, but you should make plans to be in Dr. Choi's office for about an hour and a half on the day of your surgery.
How soon can I resume normal activities after LASIK?
Most patients are able to return to normal activities 24 – 48 hours after LASIK surgery with some minor restrictions. Dr. Choi will advise you on how to best recover, but often restrictions will include avoiding swimming, contact sports, strenuous exercise, and limiting computer screen time.
say goodbye to glasses and contacts
Ditch the glasses and contacts and get clearer vision with an easy, safe LASIK procedure today. Recent developments in LASIK technology are allowing more men and women to receive the corrective eye surgery they need at Young H. Choi, M.D. Eye Surgery Center If you were told in the past that you weren't eligible for LASIK, it may no longer be true. If you're in Birmingham, AL, or nearby, contact our Vestavia Hills, AL office and schedule a consultation with Dr. Choi to find out if LASIK is right for you. Clearer, crisper vision without the hassle of glasses and contacts can be yours.
