The most common response our patients have moments after their laser eye surgery in Los Angeles is,
“Wow! Why did I wait so long to have LASIK? If I knew it was this easy to get rid of my glasses and contacts, I would have done it sooner.”

GOOD LASIK CANDIDATE

  • Are age 18 or older;
  • Have stable vision (for at least one year);
  • Have sufficient corneal thickness;
  • Have good eye health;
  • Do not smoke;
  • Are in good overall health.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR LASIK CONSULTATION

During your initial consultation, your eyes will be thoroughly examined and a number of specialized tests will be performed to see if you are suitable for Custom LASIK or one of the alternatives. You can come in wearing your contact lenses or glasses. Before the surgeon performs LASIK, preoperative tests and a comprehensive health eye exam are performed to screen for glaucoma, cataracts, and other disqualifying conditions. Possible risks and complications will be discussed with the doctor. Once you have decided to undergo LASIK, your procedure will be scheduled, and you will be advised of when you should stop wearing contact lenses.

LASIK PROCEDURE

LASIK eye surgery at Linda Vision is performed while you are awake, but we will numb your eyes to minimize discomfort. The procedure takes about 20 minutes for both eyes. When you open your eyes after the procedure, you will be able to see better immediately! LASIK surgery can be broken down into the following steps:

A flap is created on the outer layer of the cornea.
The Wavelight EX500 Excimer Laser by Alcon reshapes the underlying layer of the cornea using “Smart Energy” pulses.
The flap is laid back in place.
The newly shaped cornea will focus light without the need for glasses or contacts to improve your vision.

Ready to schedule an Appointment?

We are committed to helping you achieve your visual goals and guarantee that we will safeguard your interests at all times.

AFTER TREATMENT

You are encouraged to go home and rest for at least six hours. You will experience some mild discomfort including a gritty sensation, watery eyes, and light sensitivity, but this is a normal part of the healing process. The symptoms usually last for two to four hours.

POSTOPERATIVE RESTRICTIONS

  • No driving for 24 hours (or until your doctor clears you)
  • No eye makeup for one week
  • No aerobic activity for one week
  • No swimming for one month
  • No contact sports for one month
  • No eye rubbing for three months (but you should break this habit anyway)

FOLLOW-UP CARE AFTER LASIK SURGERY

Your post-op care is just as important to your visual recovery as the procedure itself. It is important that you use your eye drops as prescribed and keep all scheduled follow-up appointments.

UNDERSTANDING LASIK RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS

Although it is a highly safe and successful procedure, LASIK does have potential complications. It is essential to understand the risks and limitations associated with the LASIK procedure.

About LASIK

LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis) is the most popular vision correction procedure with the highest rate of satisfaction and success. This refractive surgery corrects your eyes by reshaping the cornea according to the power of your prescription glasses, thereby reducing or even eliminating the need for glasses and contact lenses. Since 1989 when the first LASIK operation was performed, over 10 million procedures have been completed worldwide, and numerous technological advancements have been introduced. Linda Vision uses some of the most advanced technology to perform Custom Wavefront LASIK. The Wavelight EX500 Excimer Laser by Alcon extends vision possibilities beyond 20/20 by tailoring treatment to your unique corneal curvature. The Wavelight EX500 laser is one of the safest and fastest (500Hz) excimer laser systems available today. Faster performance allows for reduced time under the laser, leading to less anxiety and increased comfort.

Wavelight EX500 Excimer Laser by Alcon

CUSTOM WAVEFRONT LASIK TECHNOLOGY

The Wavelight EX500 Excimer Laser by Alcon is a safe, precise, advanced LASIK technology that has minimized the problems associated with older-generation lasers such as reduced night vision and glare. While older-generation laser systems, such as those used in standard or conventional LASIK, can treat some distortions, the Wavelight EX500 Laser system can correct more minute visual distortions called higher order aberrations.

Ready to schedule an Appointment?

We are committed to helping you achieve your visual goals and guarantee that we will safeguard your interests at all times.

LASIK RISKS & COMPLICATIONS

Under-correction and Over-correction of Vision

Initial overcorrection is expected, and regresses as the cornea stabilizes. If the under-correction or over-correction does not regress, then it can usually be rectified with an enhancement procedure. The incidence of significant under-correction or over-correction is 1-3 percent.

Regression of Eyesight

Regression is an individual healing characteristic that refers to the tendency of the eye refraction to move towards the original prescription. Slight regression is expected, but the overall chance of needing an enhancement is about 1-3 percent.

Decrease in Best Corrected Vision

A small number of patients experience a slight decrease in sharpness following LASIK. In most cases, the sharpness returns over six months, but the incidence is less than 1 percent.

Flap Complications

The incidence of serious flap complications is about one in 1,000. This risk goes down to zero percent with Epi-LASIK or Advanced Surface Treatment where no flap is created!

Glare

Glare after LASIK can be annoying, but not usually visually significant. Patients may notice glare around lights and rays coming off of lights at night. Most patients say that the glare is no worse than what they had experienced with contact lenses or glasses. The glare diminishes over time, usually within three to six months.

Dry Eyes

Dry eyes are very common after LASIK. This usually lasts for two to three months after the procedure, and resolves without further issue. It is more common in older females. The dryness is usually easily treated with lubricating eye drops. If you experience more dryness than usual, we will help manage it to give you the best visual outcome possible.

Corneal Ecstasia

If too much corneal tissue is removed with LASIK, the corneal integrity can be compromised. The result is sometimes referred to as a “weakened” cornea that may “bulge” months to years after LASIK is performed. The technical term for this structural weakening of the cornea is “ectasia,” and it can cause significant regression. Unfortunately, re-treatment is not possible and would even make the regression worse. In the rare case of extreme ectasia, a corneal transplant would be necessary to regain useful vision.

LASIK COST AND FINANCING

While providing our patients with some of the best and newest technology available, we also make an effort to make our procedures as affordable as possible. At Linda Vision, there is no up-charge for high prescriptions or astigmatism, and all of your follow-up care is covered for one year. We also offer monthly promotions that you should take advantage of. For patients interested in a payment plan, we also offer interest-free financing options.

Cost

The cost of LASIK can vary dramatically not only from practice to practice, but also between each different type of LASIK eye procedure. Make sure that when you decide to have LASIK eye surgery in Los Angeles & Monterey Park, you are getting the best quality care and the newest technology available, rather than just the cheapest price. Become informed about the differences between conventional and Custom LASIK. When it comes to your eyes, you should not settle for anything but the best treatment available.

Insurance coverage

LASIK is considered an elective procedure which means that most insurance companies do not offer any coverage. However, there are a few that do pay all or at least a portion of the cost. During your consultation, we can check your benefits to see if this applies to you.

Payment Plan

We offer interest-free patient financing which allows you to make affordable monthly payments after your LASIK procedure.

LASIK FAQS

How do I prepare for my LASIK eye surgery in LA?

Our team will provide you with a detailed list of instructions to follow prior to your LASIK surgery. These instructions will include when to stop wearing contact lenses and arranging for a ride home after your procedure.

Can LASIK be performed on both eyes at the same time?

The majority of LASIK procedures are performed on both eyes at the same time. If your surgeon determines that it is unsafe to operate on both eyes at the same time, one eye will be corrected at a time. Your second procedure will be scheduled a few days after your first.

Are the results from LASIK permanent?

The results from LASIK are considered to be permanent. However, it is important to note that your eyes will still be susceptible to age-related vision changes, such as presbyopia and cataracts. If you develop an eye condition later on in life, you may need to use prescription eyewear or undergo additional treatment to see clearly.

Is the procedure painful?

LASIK is a safe, cutting-edge laser vision correction procedure that involves little to no discomfort. In addition, we administer anesthetic eye drops before surgery to ensure the eyes are comfortable. Minor discomfort or mild irritation may occur after the procedure. Our team can prescribe eye drops to minimize discomfort after surgery.

When will I be able to see clearly after surgery?

The majority of patients see an improvement in vision the day after surgery. Our team will give you a more accurate recovery timeline upon evaluating your eyes.

Will I need to wear glasses or contacts after LASIK?

The majority of patients achieve 20/20 vision or better following LASIK. However, results vary from patient to patient. Some patients may still need to wear prescription eyewear but experience a decrease in dependency.

Can LASIK make you go blind?

LASIK has a great safety record. To this date, there are no reported cases of anyone going blind from LASIK.

What if I don’t qualify for LASIK?

If our team determines that you are not a suitable candidate for LASIK, we will discuss alternative procedures with you, including photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and orthokeratology (Ortho-k).

QUALITY CARE WITH LINDA VISION

Our Los Angeles LASIK specialists have been performing LASIK surgeries for over 20 years combined, with very positive results. Linda Vision’s experience and dedication to each patient, along with the use of the Wavelight EX500 excimer laser, make Linda Vision the ideal place to have LASIK surgery. We offer unlimited LASIK follow-up exams for 12 months after your Custom Wavefront LASIK surgery.

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