|
 Commonly
Asked Questions about
LASIK Laser Vision Correction
 Why
are prices for LASIK so different?
 There
are substantial differences in the quality of LASIK surgery being offered.
Dr. Stahl focuses on quality, offers only the very latest technology, and
personally examines and plans each patient's treatment. A recent Wall
Street Journal pointed out that as many as 15% of patients seeking care
from "discount" LASIK centers were unhappy
with their experience. You can't discount the importance of choosing
the right surgeon and technology for something as precious as your
eyesight.
Start
your shopping here!
If you're not a candidate here, you won't be
anywhere else, and we'll honestly tell you during your free
consultation. And with the only LadarVision system in Dayton and the
latest in vision correction techniques, you may be a candidate here even
if you weren't somewhere else. Come find our from Dayton's expert,
Dr. Brian Stahl, and be sure!
How
does LASIK work?
Using
the precision of a LadarVision laser, Dr. Stahl can reshape the surface of
your eye, the cornea, to reduce or eliminate nearsightedness,
farsightedness, and astigmatism. This enables the vast majority of
patients to see to drive, work, swim, play sports or just see the alarm
clock in the morning! The best candidates for this are between 18 and 62
years old with healthy eyes, and are eager to eliminate their dependence
on glasses or contacts.
Where
can I find out more information?
 Call
1-888-660-EYES and ask for a free copy of Dr. Stahl's book: "What
every patient needs to know about LASIK".
You can also visit these other non-commercial web sites for more unbiased
information:
The
FDA's fact sheet on LASIK:
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/LASIK/
Fairly
unbiased general LASIK information organization:
http://www.lasikinstitute.com/
Non-promotional
site with contraindications, questions to ask, selection criteria, links:
http://www.lasikmainframe.com
Magazine
article, highlighting some of the dangers of discount LASIK:
http://www.imagineyh.com/
Is
LASIK painful?
No,
with anesthetic eye drops your procedure should be quite comfortable. Once
you return home after LASIK, it is normal for some patients to experience
irritation, light sensitivity, or watery eyes similar to the feeling if
you had left your contacts in too long. Most symptoms are controlled with
Tylenol or Advil.
Are
there risks with LASIK surgery?
As
with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with LASIK. But in
Dr. Stahl's hands, and with the added safety of LadarVision tracking,
LASIK can be a safe and successful procedure. The FDA studied laser vision
correction for many years before approval, but each person does heal and
respond differently. You should talk to Dr. Stahl and his staff about the
risks, benefits, and alternatives for your eyes.
If
this were your eyes, would you have this done?
Dr.
Stahl believes enough in LASIK to have done LASIK surgery for his wife,
brother, sister, cousins, nieces, nephews, fellow eye doctors, office
staff and even his own mother.
What
about dry eyes and night glare?
The
two most common minor problems after LASIK are dry eyes and glare at
night. Nearly everyone experiences both to some extent for the first few
months after surgery, it is a part of the healing process. Some people can
have more significant problems with night glare or prolonged dry eyes. To
decrease your likelihood of having problems with night glare, Dr. Stahl
can check your pupil size in dim light to see if you are likely to
experience problems. The newest generations of lasers like LadarVision can
perform larger area treatments to decrease night glare in those with large
pupils. Dr. Stahl will also measure your tear function before your surgery
to determine if your eyes are dry before surgery. Two types of artificial
teardrops have been found to decrease dry eye problems with LASIK: Refresh
Plus, and Thera-Tears. Both are available without prescription.
How
long do I have to take off work?
 As
a result of Dr. Stahl's skill and the advances of
LadarVision technology, you'll be able to see some results almost
immediately. Your vision will be somewhat hazy at first and then
begins to clear over the first several days. Most people take only 2
to 3 days off work-- if you have your treatment done on a Thursday, most
people are back at work on Monday. Each person does respond
differently partly depending on their age and prescription. Once you
have recovered, start enjoying activities with your new vision!
How
do I decide who should do my surgery?
This
is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. By
choosing a skilled and experienced surgeon you can ensure the best results
and minimize the risk of problems. Simply put, Dr. Brian Stahl is
the most experienced LASIK surgeon in the area and one of the top
nationwide, offers the very latest technology, personally meets with you
and plans your treatment, and offers first class service with the best
staff around. Your eyes are precious; trust them to the best and the
doctor other eye doctors in the area choose for their own eyes!
How
do I get this done?
Call
us at (937) 643-2020
or toll free at 1-888-660-EYES
to schedule a complete eye exam
or Email Us to call you!.
Once you decide to schedule your surgery, you will need to be out of your
contacts a week before your exam. At your initial eye exam we will
take several measurements of the eyes and dilate your eyes. The day
of your surgery plan on having someone drive you. Your surgery only
takes 20 minutes, but you will be at our laser center for an hour and a
half. Your first follow up visit is the next morning, so wake
up and look at the alarm clock and read it for the first time without
glasses or contacts!
What
is myopia or nearsightedness?
 If
you are nearsighted, you cannot see things clearly in the distance. This
condition occurs when the cornea, which is located on the front part of
the eye, is too long or steeply curved. Because of this curvature, light
entering the eye focuses in front of the retina (film of the camera)
instead of on it. This causes blurry vision.
What
is astigmatism?
Astigmatism
occurs when the eyeball is oblong (football shaped). Light will focus in
two or more focal points causing blurry vision for both distance and near
vision. Astigmatism can be corrected for along with nearsightedness and
farsightedness.
What
is hyperopia or farsightedness?
People
who are farsighted can not see far away or upclose without glasses or
contacts. Lower amounts of farsightedness can be treated to improve
distance vision. This is different from a condition called
presbyopia, which is the natural loss of focusing ability for near objects
as we age. Currently there are no treatments for presbyopia other than
bifocals and reading glasses. This laser treatment does not prevent this
loss of near vision or cause it.
Does
it last?
The
results typically last a lifetime, but a few patients can regress or need
a second treatment to obtain their best vision. There is no charge for
enhancements (second treatments) within the first year and if needed most
people have their enhancement about three months after their first
surgery. If you have a higher than average prescription, or more
astigmatism, or are older than the typical patient your chances and final
vision may be less and you are more likely to need an
enhancement. Our typical patient averages 6.5 Diopters (D) of
nearsightedness with 1.5 Diopters (D) of astigmatism and is 45 years old.
What
is the difference between PRK and LASIK?
With
LASIK, a thin sheet of cells on the front surface of the eye is lifted and
then the treatment is done underneath. These cells are then replaced and
quickly heal without sutures. With PRK, the same laser treatment is done,
but the cells are cleaned off and then have to reheal. So with PRK the
recovery takes longer, but there is one fewer step than with LASIK. Which
procedure is best for you depends on your prescription, pupil size, and
corneal thickness. Both are still laser vision correction and offer
similar accuracy.
Set
Up a Free Personal Consult...
Email Us us a note right now and
we'll call you to set up a time!
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PRK
uses an Excimer laser to reshape the front of the cornea to reduce or
eliminate nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. In PRK, the
front surface is prepared by cleaning the front surface free of cells
before applying the laser treatment. A bandage contact is worn
afterwards for the first few days to allow healing of the surface.
Vision requires some time to heal and recover after PRK.
LASIK
is a modification of laser vision correction. In LASIK, a thin flap of
cornea is lifted in a single sheet to permit laser treatment of the
eye's exposed inner surface. Following the procedure, the corneal flap
is repositioned. The corneal tissue has extraordinary natural bonding
qualities that allow effective healing without the use of stitches. Many
patients report immediate vision improvement with minimal recovery time.
