LASIK FAQs
Dr. Lippman and his team of highly skilled medical professionals are dedicated to helping all of their Westchester County, including Mount Vernon, Scarsdale, Rye and White Plains LASIK patients, achieve rewarding vision correction results. They perform thorough consultations to decide which procedure is most suited for each patient. Please peruse these questions and answers to learn how Dr. Lippman determines if you are a candidate for LASIK, what happens on the day of the procedure, and what you can expect after your LASIK eye surgery.
- What is LASIK procedure?
- What is the history of LASIK procedure?
- What is today's best procedure?
- Does it really work?
- What do we do first?
- What happens on the day of the procedure?
- What happens in the future?
- How do I know if I am a candidate for LASIK surgery?
- Is the LASIK procedure painful?
- How quickly will my vision recover?
- Are the results permanent?
- Will I still need to wear glasses after LASIK?
1. What is LASIK procedure?
LASIK is a procedure that alters and often eliminates the need for glasses or contact lenses (refractive devices). LASIK is the most commonly performed refractive laser surgery worldwide. During this surgery, the corneal surface is modified by an excimer laser to allow for the reduction or elimination of the need for glasses.
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2. What is the history of LASIK procedure?
Historically, there have been many attempts to alter a person’s need for glasses without removing the human lens. The first to achieve popularity was radial keratotomy or RK. This procedure was somewhat limited by the “depth” in which incisions could safely be made to the eye’s surface. As a result, patients who needed refractive eye surgery most often could not undergo RK procedure. Modern laser vision correction started to become a reality in 1994. At that time, the excimer laser was being used with reasonable success in many countries around the world. However, at this time it was not yet FDA-approved and was not available in the USA.
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3. What is today's best procedure?
After the excimer laser received FDA approval in 1995, I carefully reviewed the meticulous, irrefutable research. Based on this review, I then chose to add LASIK to the treatments I offer for patients throughout Westchester County, including New Rochelle, Scarsdale and White Plains.
Beginning in 1996, the improved procedure known as LASIK became extremely popular worldwide among leading eye surgeons. Today it is widely recognized as a safe, reliable surgical vision correction method. While it seems the procedure is “new” in the US, it is actually more than 10 years old and combines the best of “corneal flap” procedures with the latest computer/laser technology. We have prepared an educational video that explains and demonstrates the complete LASIK procedure. We will be happy to send this highly informative video to you.
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4. Does it really work?
It is now estimated that worldwide, LASIK is the most prescribed vision correction procedure. This “explosion” of demand for LASIK is based on the tremendous technical advances and unparalleled patient satisfaction. The instruments used to prepare the eye for LASIK have improved dramatically, the formula used to calculate the treatment with the laser has been refined, and the skill of technical assistants has improved. Without question, LASIK will be the single greatest advance for healthy, eyeglass and contact lens-free eyes in the 21st century. This surgery is safe, predictable and stable. This is why I have built my own LASIK Westchester Eye Surgery Center to offer today’s best vision correction procedures at affordable fees.
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5. What do we do first?
It is my personal belief that the most important part of the laser vision correction procedure takes place before you actually see the laser. During your preoperative evaluation, we will perform a detailed evaluation of your particular visual system. We will help you understand and decide the best approach for your vision correction. In addition, your eyeglass prescription will be tested several times using different techniques to ensure accuracy in our measurements. These are the numbers that we use in “instructing the laser” on what do to. Lastly, a comprehensive eye examination will be done to verify the health of your eyes.
With all this information, I will consult with you, and together we will plan your surgery. As one of the New York’s most recognized and experienced eye surgeons, I feel confident that together, we can make a safe, intelligent decision as to whether or not LASIK or any other refractive surgical procedure is right for you. If we determine that LASIK is not for you, I offer several other sophisticated procedures that can help you achieve freedom from glasses, including clear lens exchange (CLE) with ReStor, ReZoom or Crystalens.
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6. What happens on the day of the procedure?
On the day of your LASIK procedure, you will meet me at our center. Eye drops are then given to disinfect the eye and make it numb. After the eyelids are cleansed, a painless 10-minute procedure is performed on each eye and you leave the laser room awake, free of pain but a bit blurry. We check your eyes shortly after your procedure, give you clear instructions on what to do next, and send you home. We advise patients to go home, nap and relax for several hours.
The evening of the LASIK procedure the eyes often feel “gritty”, the vision may be misty and some patients might feel fatigued. Most importantly, you will not feel pain. Your responsibility is to avoid rubbing the eyes and to protect them at bedtime. (We’ll provide safety goggles for you.) The next morning we will see you again. We will take a look at your eyes and then we will answer your questions. It is likely things will be going so well you will have driven yourself to the center. Yes, vision usually improves that fast! However, vision may be less than perfect on the day after surgery, but it should improve gradually for the next few weeks.
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7. What happens in the future?
We will see you again in one week and then in one month after your procedure. Your vision may fluctuate during the first 30 days following LASIK eye surgery. We may choose to review your LASIK results again 3-6 months later. We also recommend that you see us yearly after your LASIK procedure. I am always available for a follow-up visit or to answer your questions.
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8. How do I know if I am a candidate for LASIK surgery?
If you are a potential LASIK White Plains, New Rochelle, Somers or other Westchester County location patient, we recommend you arrange a free LASIK screening at our office. If LASIK is not right for you, we will tell you. If you are a candidate, you will have a chance to have all your questions answered one-on-one.
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9. Is the LASIK procedure painful?
Since the laser surgery is performed under eye drop anesthesia, there is no pain whatsoever during the operation. Afterwards, most patients experience a mild scratchy sensation for about 12 hours.
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10. How quickly will my vision recover?
Most patients notice dramatically improved vision the day after the surgery and are able to function visually for normal daily activities. Patients continue to see a gradual improvement in their vision during the first week after the procedure.
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11. Are the results permanent?
LASIK surgery creates a permanent change in your refractive condition. However, it will not prevent normal consequences of aging, such as cataracts or glaucoma. For my cataract White Plains, Somers, Yonkers, New Rochelle and other Westchester County locations patients, I offer the advanced “no stitch - no needle” cataract surgery.
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12. Will I still need to wear glasses after LASIK?
Our goal is to reduce your dependency on glasses or contact lenses. Some patients may still wear glasses for special tasks, such as reading or night driving. After the age of 40, nearly everyone will need glasses to help with near vision for reading and close-up work due to presbyopia. LASIK cannot halt or reverse the biologic clock of presbyopia — the normal loss of near focusing ability that occurs as we age. If you have successfully worn contact lenses for mono-vision in the past, speak with Dr. Lippman about achieving mono-vision with refractive surgery.
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