Thursday, September 13, 2007



1. What is the goal of the LASIK procedure?

The goal is to reduce or eliminate your dependence on glasses or contacts.

2. What kind of vision correction can be done with LASIK?
LASIK is a very flexible procedure, and can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

3. What about my need for reading glasses?
If you are over 40 and are using reading glasses or bifocals, there is no procedure for correcting this. Your distance prescription is corrected, which reduces your reading prescription. There are also ways to use laser vision correction to help reduce your reading glasses need further, these options will be discussed with you before your procedure.

4. Is there a right age to have LASIK done?
LASIK can be done from the age of 18 years old onwards without an upper age limit.

5. What if I am wearing contacts now?
If you wear soft contacts, they should be out for at least 24 hours (preferably 3 days) before your examination for LASIK. Hard or rigid gas permeable contacts should be take out for at least two weeks prior to your exam. The interesting fact that people forget about contact lenses is that they can also cause a significant number of problems including infections, allergies, and corneal epithelial scratches or breakdown.

6. What will my vision be like after the procedure?
Vision after LASIK is as clear as with good contact lenses.

7. Is the procedure difficult or painful?
The procedure is done using only anesthetic drops in the eyes, and is not painful. It takes about 15-20 minutes for both eyes to be done, and you are driving and back at work the next day.

8. Do I need to take time off from work?
Although it is probably wise to take off at least part of the day you have the procedure, you should be back at work by the next day.

9. Can both eyes be done at the same time?
Using the LASIK procedure, both eyes are done at the same time.

10. How long does it take?
The actual time to do the procedure on each eye is about 2-3 minutes, but the set up time actually makes the overall time about 15-20 minutes for both eyes.

11. Do I have to wear a patch?
No, just protective sunglasses during the day, and protective plastic shields at night.

12. Is laser vision correction permanent?
Yes, it is permanent. It has been shown that in small percentages of people (2-4%) it can have some loss of effect within the first 3-6 months, but Alpha Laser Centers guarantees its procedures for 12 months, and will enhance at no extra charge. Long-term data show no change in effect over many years.

13. Are there long term side effects?
LASIK has been performed in this country since 1995, and is actually a modification of a procedure called ALK which has been around for about 30 years. The excimer laser has been used for worldwide for about 10 years now, so there is an enormous amount of data concerning laser vision correction.

14. PRK or LASIK?
Although both procedures will get you good vision correction, LASIK will get you good clear vision much faster, in as little as hours. LASIK allows you to get both eyes done at the same time on the same day, and is more comfortable. LASIK also allows for much more flexibility in the type of correction done. Dr. Motwani performs his procedures almost exclusively using the LASIK procedure, and PRK is only used in the rare case that someone is a poor candidate for LASIK.

15. Why shouldn't I get this done for the lowest price I can find?
Unfortunately, because of the high cost of the most advanced equipment, you do get what you pay for, and the costs for the best equipped centers are considerably higher than for the mainstream. Currently, the latest and technologically most advanced excimer laser machine (the Nidek EC-5000, which we use) costs up to double what the other machines do. The latest devices used to make the flap cost about $70,000. Once you factor in the cost for the other equipment, annual service contracts, personnel, and for having a center that makes the client comfortable, the cost is high indeed. If someone is offering a lower cost, you are losing something in one of these factors. Fortunately, the majority of people interested in laser vision correction realize that this is a one-time procedure, and do not choose their laser center based on price alone.

16. How do I pick my laser center/doctor?
This is a really hard question to answer. Although most centers would have you believe that this is directly in relation to the mega-thousands of procedures their doctor has done, the answer is more complex than that. It has to do with the level of equipment, the attention to detail, determining the pre-operative parameters and in performing the procedures, and the center's commitment to patient satisfaction. In reality, most people pick the center and doctor that they feel the most comfortable with, one they feel be stable and there for them a year down the road, and one that specializes in refractive surgery only so they know the doctor's concentration is focused.

17. How do I get started if I am interested in LASIK?
If you have read this far, then you are pretty well informed. You can call our Point Loma location at 1-877-SEE-ALPHA to schedule a free consultation to find out more or come down to our center at:

8899 University Centre Lane
Suite 250
La Jolla-UTC

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