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Dr. Henry Answers LASIK Somerset FAQs

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When considering LASIK, Somerset patients often have questions during their consultation. Dr. Mark Henry provides the answers to your frequently asked LASIK questions in this blog.

 I am farsighted and have astigmatism, can that be fixed with LASIK at Southern Kentucky Eye Center?

Yes! Contrary to rumors you may have heard, Southern Kentucky Eye Center’s blade-free, all-laser LASIK can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

Will I feel pain during the LASIK procedure ?

Most patients describe the sensation during LASIK as a slight pressure. Before your procedure, Dr. Mark Henry will apply numbing drops, so there are no injections involved. Depending on the patient, the Dr. Henry may have them take medication beforehand to help them relax. Most LASIK Somerset patients are back to regular routines the following day.

How does the procedure work?

LASIK is a 2-step procedure. At Southern Kentucky Eye Center, Dr. Mark Henry performs the all laser LASIK procedure. First, Dr. Henry will create a thin flap on the surface of your eye with a Ziemer femtosecond laser. Then, Dr. Henry will use a VisX Star 4 excimer laser to reshape your cornea.

 Is this a long procedure?

No! It generally only takes about 10 minutes to complete both eyes.

 Can I see during this procedure?

Yes. You will in fact be able to see, however, you will experience varying degrees of blurred vision during the actual procedure itself.

 What happens when I blink?

You don’t have to worry about blinking. Blinking is actually stopped by the placement of an instrument called a lid speculum, which gently holds back your upper and lower eyelids and is put into place after you receive anesthetic drops.

How long is the recovery process?

That is all dependent on your individual eye prescription. For instance, patients who are extremely nearsighted tend to take a longer time to recover than individuals who are only slightly nearsighted. Although many wake up the following day with near 20/20 vision, it is only natural for those patients with stronger prescriptions to take a little more time for their eyes to adjust. Normally most patients feel comfortable driving themselves to their following day post-op visits.

Some people have experienced their eyes feeling dry after surgery, is this normal?

Experiencing dry eyes after LASIK is not uncommon. In most cases symptoms of dryness go away after a couple days with the use of your post-operative drops.

 Will my LASIK procedure “fade” over time?

LASIK is a permanent change to the cornea, so it will not fade. However as the eye ages, vision problems that are unrelated to the corneal surface can still occur, namely presbyopia (over-40 vision) and cataracts. When we assess your vision, we will determine if All-Laser LASIK is best for your unique vision, or if you may benefit from one of our other advanced procedures.

Can LASIK correct astigmatism and farsightedness?

YES! We use All-Laser LASIK to treat patients with nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and even astigmatism.

Could I possibly get cataracts from LASIK?

You cannot get cataracts from LASIK and LASIK will not be an obstacle if you find you need cataract surgery in the future.

Are there risks involved with LASIK?

With any procedure certain risks do exist, however rare. During your free consultation, our team will explain the risks associated with your procedure, so you can make an informed decision.

How long has LASIK surgery been performed?

LASIK was approved for use by the FDA in October of 1995.

 Is LASIK covered by my insurance?

Because LASIK is considered by most insurance companies to be an elective surgery, they most likely will not cover the procedure. Our staff, however, is more than happy to review your employer’s insurance policy to see if LASIK or a LASIK discount may be covered. We also work to help our patients finance their procedure to develop a payment plan with affordable monthly payments.

What is the cost of LASIK?

The cost of LASIK is based on several factors, including your specific prescription. This is something we can most accurately determine during your free LASIK consultation.

Is LASIK suitable for everyone?

Since a person’s eyes do not fully stabilize until their late teens or early 20s, it is required that patients be at least 18 years of age and have a steady eye prescription that hasn’t changed for over a year. Of course there are some medical conditions that can possibly interfere with the procedure so it is recommended that you learn from your doctor if you are an ideal candidate. Find out if you’re a good candidate for all-laser LASIK.

I want LASIK on both eyes, can I get them done at the same time?

Absolutely! Although there is no extra charge for choosing to have separate procedures, most patients like the convenience of getting both eyes done at the same time.