Laser Vision Correction refers to elective surgeries that can correct refractive problems. These problems include nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Millions of people in the U.S. have chosen to have these life-changing procedures. Imagine enjoying your favorite sports and activities without glasses or contacts.
LASIK, also known as “laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis” is the most common type of refractive surgery. It uses laser technology to reshape the cornea and enable light rays to be focused in a crisp image. Laser vision correction surgery was introduced nearly two decades ago. There have been major advancements in the technology since. These changes have resulted in enhanced safety and visual outcomes.
Having LASIK is a big decision, and everyone wants to find the best surgeon for their eyes. Our refractive surgeons have the best training, experience, and expertise in laser eye surgery. Because of this, patients at See Clearly Vision have confidence in the safety and quality of the procedure. In fact, our Corneal Specialist Dr. Rajesh Rajpal was a pioneer in the field. He served as a Principal Investigator for the FDA clinical trials for LASIK. These trials demonstrated the safety and efficacy of Laser Vision Correction treatment.
What Are the Benefits of LASIK Eye Surgery?
- Clear, natural vision
- Eliminating or reducing dependency on glasses or contacts
- No more glasses or contacts getting in the way of enjoying sports and outdoor activities
- Better vision for night driving
- Improved appearance
- Eliminating the significant ongoing costs of glasses and contacts
- Convenience while traveling
How Much Does LASIK Cost?
To find out if you are a candidate for LASIK eye surgery, you will need a complete eye examination with one of our See Clearly refractive surgeons. There are different types of eye vision correction procedures depending on the condition of your eyes.
The costs of these procedures may vary. Our doctors will explain which procedure is best for you. If you are interested in LASIK eye surgery but are concerned about the cost, remember that LASIK is permanent. With LASIK, most people can get rid of their dependence on glasses and contacts. LASIK sounds expensive because it is one “lump sum” charge. If you add up costs for eye exams, glasses, contacts, and contact solution over ten years, you will see that LASIK is an investment that will save you money!
SeeClearly Vision is pleased to offer financing options for refractive procedures, including LASIK, LASEK, and PRK. We offer a 6-month same as cash plan or longer term financing with minimal interest. We also accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AMEX, or check. Please call our office for interest rates, details, and application information.
Learn More About LASIK Pricing
Is LASIK right for me?
Only those who qualify as a candidate for LASIK are eligible to get the procedure. It’s recommended that you should not have LASIK if
- You’re younger than 18
- You’re pregnant or nursing
- You’ve had lots of recent changes to your vision prescription
- You have thin or uneven corneas
If one or more of these statements apply to you, consult with an eye doctor about your possible options or consider LASIK alternatives like PRK or Visian ICL.
What is LASIK Surgery like?
LASIK Eye Surgery is a notoriously quick and painless procedure. After your eyes are numbed, a laser reshapes your cornea. The process takes roughly 20 minutes to complete. You will need someone to drive you home following your procedure, but the recovery time in total is relatively quick. Following LASIK, you may experience some slight discomfort in your eyes; these can be relieved through eye drops and typically don’t last for more than a couple of days. If side effects persist, please meet with an eye doctor.
How long does it take to recover from LASIK?
The recovery period for LASIK is shockingly brief. Although the exact time varies from patient to patient, you can expect to see improved vision and return to work within a couple of days. It will most likely take a couple of weeks for your eyes to be healed entirely; until then, you should avoid activities such as swimming and driving at night. It also imperative to keep your eyes clean of any soap, lotions, or debris.
iDESIGN LASIK Surgery
For the best results, skilled surgeons need to work with the best tools. At See Clearly Vision in Arlington and Tysons Corner, our doctors are proud to offer the most state-of-the-art LASIK technology available today. This includes all Laser Bladeless Custom Wavefront LASIK, also known as iLASIK.
We use the iDESIGN Refractive Studio at See Clearly Vision to ensure our patients have the most precise and accurate LASIK procedures. With iDESIGN, patients receive the most personalized laser vision correction available.
iDESIGN produces measurements that are 25 times more precise than conventional LASIK measurements. Part of what sets the iDESIGN Refractive Studio apart is it uses topographic maps and wavefront-guided treatment planning for an inside-out approach.
The corneal topography generated by iDESIGN means that your LASIK surgeon has a map of your cornea to follow during LASIK, down to each variation that makes up your unique prescription. iDESIGN takes over 1,200 measurements of your eye in only 3 seconds.
Because of the level of customization, no two people will ever receive the same LASIK procedure with the iDESIGN Refractive Studio, leading to the crystal clear results that our patients expect when they choose See Clearly Vision.
BLADE FREE LASIK – Intralase™
Many patients are surprised to learn that traditional LASIK involves the use of a metal blade or microkeratome to create “flaps” in the cornea. At See Clearly Vision, we provide blade-free iLASIK eye surgery using IntraLase™ FS femtosecond flap-creation technology. This special laser enables our surgeons to ensure a premium level of safety and accuracy for our patients. The result is better visual outcomes and fewer complications.
The IntraLase method creates a corneal flap using rapid pulses of laser light. These pulses pass through the top layers of the cornea, forming a microscopic bubble. Once a uniform layer of bubbles has formed, the surgeon creates a corneal flap. This flap is created by gently separating the tissue where the bubbles have formed. The Intralase flap creation is amazingly fast, taking about fifteen seconds per eye!
Custom LASIK
Custom LASIK, or wavefront-guided LASIK, is the most recent technological advancement offered at See Clearly Vision. This allows the laser to be individually programmed for your eye’s subtle surface irregularities.
Our surgeons use the VISX Excimer Laser System with Wavefront-Guided technology. This creates a unique laser pattern for each patient. The laser tracks your eye movements during surgery and adjusts its position. Wavefront technology allows surgeons to treat more complicated visual problems such as blurriness, glare, and halos. This was not possible with traditional LASIK. The VISX system ensures that we are delivering the most accurate laser correction with the best visual outcomes.
LASIK Alternatives: What If I Am Not A Candidate For LASIK?
Although LASIK is an amazing, life-changing procedure, it is not right for everyone. PRK, or photorefractive keratectomy, is another type of refractive surgery you may be a candidate for. This procedure was actually developed before LASIK. It is still frequently performed and offers some advantages over LASIK to certain patients.
What Are the Advantages of PRK Over LASIK?
There are some distinct benefits to PRK. It is usually the best treatment for patients with thin corneas. Also, there is no risk of complications from creating a corneal flap. PRK does not involve creating any sort of flap during the procedure. Instead, the epithelium, which is the thin outer layer of the cornea, is gently removed. A contact lens bandage is inserted and the epithelium grows back in 3 to 4 days.
How is PRK Different From LASIK?
During LASIK, the laser treatment is “between the layers” of the cornea. This means LASIK requires more corneal tissue. With surface ablation such as PRK, the treatment happens on the surface of the cornea. The main difference between LASIK and PRK occurs at the beginning of the procedure.
With PRK, no corneal flap is created. Instead, the thin outer layer of the cornea known as the epithelium is gently removed.. This happens before reshaping the cornea with the excimer laser. Reshaping of the cornea allows for light rays to be focused in a crisp image on the retina. The epithelium grows back in a few days after surgery. The second part of the surgery with the excimer laser is essentially the same for LASIK and PRK.
The final results of PRK are comparable to LASIK. The only other difference is that recovery from PRK may take several days, and the healing process is a little slower. Patients can be more uncomfortable until the epithelium grows back. The eyes may feel scratchy and irritated. Vision improvement with LASIK is usually faster, whereas PRK can take a few weeks.
Lens Implant Options
For patients with extreme nearsightedness who are not LASIK candidates, the Visian ICL™ Implantable Collamer® Lens can be a very effective alternative. Currently, ICLs are not FDA-approved for farsightedness or astigmatism. The Visian ICL is a soft gel-like lens. It’s placed inside the eye, in front of the eye’s natural lens. The Visian ICL is sometimes called a “phakic implantable contact lens”. This is because it resembles how prescription contact lenses function. But it is smaller, and intended to be permanently placed. Unlike regular contacts, Visian ICLs do not need cleaning or maintenance.
Wondering if laser vision correction is right for you? Schedule a LASIK consultation at See Clearly Vision in Tysons Corner, VA, or Arlington, VA to find out now!
