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Common LASIK Questions

Patients considering vision correction often have questions concerning procedures, costs and personal concerns. Following are some of the most common questions and responses.

How much does it cost?

Our iLASIK fee includes personalized care in a trusted, clinical setting. The price for iLASIK is $2,050.00 per eye, which includes pre-surgical measurements, surgical kit, physician fee, facility and laser fees, and related routine post-operative visits for 1 year from the date of original surgery. Enhancements cost $300 per eye when done within 1 year of the original surgery. Typically a full eye exam is performed at the time of the pre-operative evaluation and the charge of $91.00 may be covered by your medical insurance.  If you are interested in pursuing LASIK, we encourange you to schedule a consultation.  Our initial LASIK consultations are always free.  There we will perform intitial testing to determine if you are a candiatate for LASIK and answer any questions you may have.

What brand of Excimer Laser^™ do you use?

Des Moines Eye Surgeons uses the state-of-the-art VISX® Excimer laser system that incorporates VISX exclusive Variable Spot Scanning (VSS^™) laser technology with an active 3-D eye-tracking system to help him deliver the best possible treatment.

What if I move or blink my eye during the procedure?

Relax with 3D ActiveTrak™! Now, the 3D ActiveTrak follows the tiny motions of you eye instantaneously and automatically, in all three dimensions, repositioning the laser to ensure accuracy. You can relax during your laser vision correction, knowing that you're obtaining a correction that's precisely centered on your eye.

Is iLASIK covered by my insurance?

We recommend that you check with your individual insurance policy or benefits department at work. Many patients also utilize flex benefit plans.

Does the procedure hurt?

Due to the fact that the cornea is easily numbed with"eye drops" (anesthesia), most patients say they have little to no discomfort both during and after the procedure.

How long will I need to take off work?

You can have the procedure and be back to your normal day to day activities very quickly. Most people return to work within one day depending on their profession.

Will I need glasses after the surgery?

With any medical procedure there is not a guarantee of perfect vision or that you will not need distance or reading glasses again. However, almost everyone experiences improved vision, and 98% of patients see well enough to pass a driver's test without corrective lenses.

Are both eyes done at the same time?

With iLASIK, both eyes are done at the same time almost all of the time.

How long does the vision correction last?

iLASIK is a permanent procedure. However, there can be a chance for needing an enhancement procedure. The chances are higher if you have higher amounts of correction. The enhancement procedure is done to take care of any significant nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism that may be left.

What about reading glasses?

It is important to know that iLASIK does not eliminate the need for reading glasses, due to the normal aging process of the eye. Reading glasses are eventually needed in most patients beginning around age 40. However, monovision is a technique that corrects vision in one eye for distance and corrects the other eye (the non-dominant eye) for reading vision. For instance, using both eyes together allows you to read a menu and see across the restaurant. With iLASIK this may be an option for you to reduce or"put off" the need for reading glasses. We will discuss this option with you during your free consultation.

What is the success rate?

It's important that patients have realistic expectations for their Laser Vision Correction surgery. While not all patients undergoing Laser Vision Correction gain 20/20 vision, 98 percent of iLASIK patients see 20/40 or better after the procedure. 20/40 is the requirement for getting your driver's license without a correction. Less than one percent of patients experience any kind of serious vision-threatening complications from the procedure.

Will iLASIK interfere with my active lifestyle?

Playing contact sports should be postponed for two weeks or until the eye is fully healed as determined by your doctor. Swimming, hot tubs, and saunas also need to be postponed. After a full recovery, your ability to play sports may improve due to iLASIK. Following surgery, your normal activity can continue, but we do advise patients not to increase their activity until it is discussed with your doctor.

I've heard it takes six months to improve my vision?

Visual fluctuation is normal and can occur, but visual improvement is almost immediate following the procedure. Within two weeks most patients say major fluctuations have stopped. Depending upon your original refractive error, it may take several months for all of the healing in the eye to occur and vision fluctuation to cease.

How does the laser work?

The excimer laser uses a computer-guided cool light beam to sculpt the cornea's surface to the desired shape, which brings your vision into a sharper focus. You will not actually see or feel the laser beam during the procedure.

I hate to have anything in my eye. What if I am really nervous?

Valium is available prior to surgery to help you relax before and during the procedure. Your doctor will explain each step during the procedure which will put you at ease.

What are other types of refractive surgery?

PRK

Photorefractive Kerateotomy was the first procedure to treat nearsightedness with the excimer laser. The PRK procedure corrects the shape of the cornea with the precision of the excimer laser by altering layers of the corneal tissue. Unlike iLASIK, no flap is made during this procedure. Post-operative irritation and visual recovery time tends to be higher with PRK.

RK

Radial Keratotomy was the first surgical alternative for the correction of refractive problems. The procedure is most effective when treating low levels of nearsightedness. RK involves the placement of four to eight radial incisions in the outer perimeter of the cornea. As the incisions heal, the cornea is flattened to correct nearsightedness.

CK (Conductive Keratoplasty)

This is a procedure for patients over 40 who want to lessen their dependency on bifocals. The procedure uses radio frequency to shrink the collagen-protein structures within the corneal tissue. As the collagen shrinks, the curvature of the cornea is changed in a way that allows the eye to focus better for near work.

CLE Clear Lens Extraction

This procedure is sued to reduce severe cases of either nearsightedness or farsightedness. As with cataract surgery, the crystalline lens of the eye is removed and a plastic intraocular prescription lens is inserted. Reading glasses or contact lenses are usually still needed for close-up vision.

ICL Implantable Contact Lens

Implantable contact lens are limited to investigational use in the U.S. This procedure involves implanting a tiny prescription contact lens within the eye. Several types of lenses are available to correct various vision problems.

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