1. How do I know if I am a candidate for LASIK?
2. If I am not a candidate for LASIK, are there other refractive procedures that I may be a candidate for?
3. How do I prepare for surgery?
4. Will I see 20/20 after surgery?
5. When can I go back to work?
6. How soon can I swim after surgery?
7. How soon can I exercise after surgery?
8. When can I shower or take a bath?
9. When can I fly?
10. How long do I have to keep my contact lenses out before the procedure?
11. Will I feel any pain during surgery?
12. How long do the procedures take?
13. Can I have both eyes done the same day?
14. How many follow-up visits do I need?
15. Is there a vision correction procedure that would not require creating a flap?
16. Will I meet the doctor before the procedure?
17. What are the possible side effects of LASIK?
18. Is there a chance I can go blind?
19. How soon can I wear eye makeup after the surgery?
20. Will I need glasses or contact lenses after the surgery?
21. Will I be able to read after the surgery?
22. Can I drive home after the procedure?
23. Will I be taking drops after the procedure? For how long?
24. How soon can I rub my eyes after the procedure?
25. What is myopia?
26. What is hyperopia?
27. What is astigmatism?
28. What is presbyopia?
29. What is LTK?
30. What is LASEK?
31. What is the difference between LASIK and LASEK?
32. Is financing available?

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1. How do I know I know if I am a candidate for LASIK?

The majority of the population wearing glasses or contact lenses are candidates for laser vision correction. In order for us to tell you if you are a good candidate for the procedure we would need to evaluate you in the setting of a consultation, a comprehensive exam requiring approximately 2 hours of your time.

2) If I am not a candidate for LASIK, are there other refractive procedures that I may be a candidate for?

Yes, there are other vision correction procedures that we offer. Among these are PRK, PTK and LASEK. The type of procedure that is best for a given individual is determined by a number of factors that will be discussed by Dr. Sebrow at the time of your consultation.

3) How do I prepare for surgery?

To prepare for surgery, you should be out of your contact lenses for the time instructed. Avoid foods and beverages with caffeine the day of your procedure. Make arrangements for someone to pick you up after your surgery. Arrive for your procedure 1 hour prior to surgery so that we may take care of the necessary paper work and prepare you for surgery.

4) Will I see 20/20 after surgery?

As with any surgical procedure, the results are not guaranteed. However, we do strive to correct our patients to the best corrected vision possible. The results depend on the degree of the refractive error as well as other variables. 95% of patients achieve 20/40 or better uncorrected vision, which is enough to pass a driving test. The majority of patients see better than 20/30 uncorrected.

5) When can I return to work?

You may return to work as soon as the next day. Time off from work is minimal.

6) How soon can I swim after surgery?

No swimming or hot tubs for two weeks. Ocean swimming is permitted after 4 weeks.

7. How soon can I exercise after surgery?

Exercising may be resumed one day after the procedure.

8) When can I shower or take a bath?

You may shower or bathe normally. However, for the first post-operative week no water may enter your eyes. This may require adjusting the shower head so that direct spray to your eyes is avoided.

9) When can I fly?

You may fly one day after the procedure.

10) How long do I have to keep my contact lenses out before the procedure?

Depending on the type of lenses worn they should be out from 7 days to 6 weeks prior to the consultation. Disposable soft contact lenses generally need to be out for 7 days preceding the consultation. Extended wear contact lenses need to be out 10 days. Gas permeable lenses need to be out a minimum of 1 month for every decade of use.

11) Will I feel any pain during surgery?

Pain is generally not felt during the procedure. Your eyes will be anesthetized with drops. Scratchiness and mild discomfort may be experienced for up to 12 hours after the LASIK procedure. A gritty feeling and some mild discomfort for the first few days may occur after the LASEK procedure.

12) How long do the procedures take?

Patients are generally not in the surgical suite any longer than 30 minutes. The actual laser treatment is a matter of seconds, depending on the degree of correction.

13) Can I have both eyes done the same day?

Yes, you may have both eyes done the same day. Most patients choose to have bilateral surgery, but the decision is up to you. Dr. Sebrow will give you his recommendation.

14) How many follow-up visits do I need?

Post-operative visits are very important in monitoring the healing process. The following post-operative appointments are necessary: 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year. Dr. Sebrow will inform you if additional appointments are indicated.

15) Is there a vision correction procedure that would not require creating a flap?

There is a vision correction procedure called LASEK which does not require creating a flap. Please see Your Surgical Options.

16) Will I meet the doctor before the procedure?

You will meet Dr. Sebrow at the time of your consultation. Dr. Sebrow performs his own pre-operative examinations, so you will have an opportunity to meet and have all your questions answered by him as you proceed along the course of your surgical experience.

17) What are the possible side effects of LASIK?

There are a number of potential side effects in all refractive procedures. The most common among these is dryness of the eyes, which is temporary and responsive to lubricating drops. Additionally there are reports of glare and halos after surgery. In our experience these symptoms are generally temporary. They generally subside during the post operative period as the eye heals.

18) Is there a chance I can go blind?

While there are no cases of blindness there have been a few cases of significant loss of vision- even to the point of requiring corneal transplant. These cases are extremely rare in experienced hands.

19) How soon can I wear eye makeup after the surgery?

You can resume the use of makeup 5 days after the procedure. However, you must be careful in the removal of your makeup so as not to rub your eye.

20) Will I need glasses or contact lenses after the surgery?

If you choose to have only one eye done at a time then Dr. Sebrow will have to fit you with a contact lens in the uncorrected eye for use until you have surgery done in that eye.

21) Will I be able to read after the surgery?

As one gets older it will be necessary to wear reading glasses. This usually takes place around age 40. This change occurs whether or not you have had refractive surgery.

22) Can I drive home after the procedure?

You will not be able to drive immediately after the procedure. Do not attempt to drive or operate machinery until you have been seen post-operatively by Dr. Sebrow. It is best that you arrange for a driver on the day of the procedure.

23) Will I be taking drops after the procedure?

Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops are used for about a week for all procedures. Artificial tears are also used for about 1 month after surgery.

24) How soon can I rub my eyes after the procedure?

Eyes should not be rubbed for at least one month after surgery. If rubbing of the eyes occurs shortly after surgery, there is a chance of corneal injury.

25) What is myopia?

Myopia (nearsightedness) occurs when light rays are bent excessively so that objects are brought to focus before they reach the retina.

26) What is hyperopia?

Hyperopia –see Refractive Errors.

27) What is astigmatism?

Astigmatism- see Refractive Errors

28) What is presbyopia?

Presbyopia-see Refractive Errors

29) What is LTK?

LTK- see Your Surgical Options

30) What is LASEK?

LASEK- see Your Surgical Options.

31) What is the difference between LASIK and LASEK?

Lasik requires creating a flap and LASEK does not.

32) Is financing available?

We do offer financing. We will discuss the available options in the course of your consultation.