There is so much marketing and noise about Lasik procedure that it leaves many patients unsettled about the procedure.

At LaserVue, we are about clarity, transparency, and honesty. After all, Lasik is a procedure and no advertising gimmicks should minimize the risks or exaggerate the rewards. Here are some answers to basic questions. If you have more questions, feel free to email me (drnazari@laservuedc.com), or come in for a free consultation.

 

What Is Lasik?

If you are nearsighted, farsighted or have astigmatism then Lasik can potentially help you see without glasses. Lasik is an outpatient procedure that reshapes your cornea using the combination of femto and excimer laser.

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How Much does it Cost?

$1900 per eye. Your prescription number does not change the procedure or the cost. Either you are a candidate or not. If you are a good candidate for the procedure, then the cost is the same regardless of your prescription glasses. Centers which say there is difference are incorrect. Certain centers advertise low prices which are unrealistic. Once a patient comes in, they increase the price using the patient prescription glasses as an excuse.  

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Is Lasik Safe?

There is no procedure which is 100% safe. There are risks to everything in medicine and generally in life. Studies have shown the risk of the procedure is less than wearing contact lenses. The procedure is very straightforward and based on my experience performing Lasik over the past 20 years, it does not take special skill or talent. The technology has improved significantly over the past 10 year. We used to make the flap (First part of Lasik) with blades which resulted in many of the complications. The surgeon’s skill was important using the blade. But these days the Femto laser makes the flap which eliminated the risk prone part of Lasik. There are still risk with Femto laser, but it is rare in my hands.

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If Lasik is a low skill procedure, why should I see an experienced surgeon?

In the early days of Lasik more than 20 years ago, the complication rate was high, and the procedure got bad press (deservedly) and made many physicians and patients wary of the procedure. Two developments made the procedure safer

1. Introduction of Femto laser to create the flap (the complication prone part of the procedure). It eliminated the surgeon factor and made the procedure significantly safer.

2. Proper evaluation and screening of the patients. This is where the surgeon's experience and skill become very valuable. The procedure is great if it’s performed on a good candidate.

Surgeon judgement to screen patients well and decline patients who are poor or borderline candidates are invaluable. Many surgeons can properly perform Lasik, but in rare instances when encountering issues during the procedure, you want an experienced surgeon to manage it. It those rare situations, experienced surgeon can make a big difference.

Additionally, correction of the vision is not one procedure solution. You need to see a surgeon who can do all the corrective procedures. Certain patients are good candidate for Lasik, others Refractive lens exchange, or ICL, PRK. Dr Nazari has performed all these procedures and can recommend what’s best for the patient regardless of the modality of the treatment. It is crucial to see a surgeon who is skilled at all corrective surgery procedures, not just one.

Dr. Nazari has performed corrective surgery on our family members, fellow coworkers, nurses, fellow physicians and surgeons, generals, and judges.

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Why should I come to your clinic?

At LaserVue, we do not have advertising budget, monthly procedure goals or sales team. There is no pressure to sign up as many patients as we can. The practice still embodies Hippocratic principles of being a patient advocate. We have removed many of the unnecessary layers between the patient and the doctor, which is prevalent in most practices, to make it patient-centered. The practice is physician-owned and unlike many clinics in the area, there is no private equity, hedge fund, or faraway corporate overlords dictating profit schemes to the practice and interfering in practice of medicine.

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How is the evaluation Process?

At your initial consultation, a complete dilated exam with imaging studies are performed which usually takes about 45 minutes. At the conclusion of the exam, your options are explained, and a recommended treatment plan is discussed. The next step is decision by you to proceed to surgery or wait.

If you decide to proceed with surgery, an appointment for the procedure is made.

You have to take the day off work on the day of the procedure. You’ll be seen the next day in the office and most people resume work on that day.

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How many visits after the surgery are necessary?

 You are seen the day after surgery, (which you can drive yourself), you are then seen by our office or your referring Dr. a week or two later and then again for a one month visit and again at the 3 month postop period. These visits are typically quick and are to ensure health and accuracy.

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 Can I work out the next day?

 You can do just about everything the day after surgery  but no swimming for a week. Take your drops and wash your hands more than usual and all will go well.  

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Will "monovision" work with LASIK?

 If you are under 40 skip this answer. We often use laser to achieve a monovision correction. This is so your dominant eye sees well in the distance and your non- dominant eye is focused for near. I know, it sounds crazy, but this type of blended vision works really well. It’s easy for people that have done it with contact lenses and if you have never tried it and have only worn bifocals we often simulate it with contacts to see if a permanent LASIK correction is desirable. I like to call it “blended Vision” and it is the best way to solve presbyopic (for us 40 year old folks) issues.