Am I a good candidate?

Yes if you are over 18 years old, are in good health, have no serious eye disease, and have no ophthalmic contraindications found  during our comprehensive eye examination .  Excimer laser can treat a wide range but not all  refractive errors .  Call us and ask to speak to Dr. Klapper,  or email us for further information.

What is the difference between LASIK and PRK?

PRK was the original excimer laser proceedure developed in the late 1980's.  PRK involved removal of the front epithelial layer of the cornea and then performing the excimer laser,  then allowing the epithelial layer to regrow over the lasered cornea, LASIK  offers  some advantages over PRK since the front epithelial layer remains intact.  Advantages include  faster visual recovery, less post operative discomfort, less risk of corneal haze and less scarring.

Is it painful?

The procedure requires only topical drops for anesthesia.  The postoperative discomfort if any is usually handled  with tylenol.

What happens next?

If you are interested in exploring if refractive surgery is for you.a complementary screening examination will determine if you are a candidate. After full discussion, if you elect to continue, further tests and measurements will be done in our office to determine the amount of laser needed for you. After which you are able to decide.

        LASIK  is the newest and most up to date laser procedure  available for refractive errors today.  First let us explain what a refractive error is.  For a person to see clearly, rays of light need to be focused precisely onto the retina.  The retina  lines the inner aspect of the eyeball just like the film of a camera lines the back wall of the camera.

      The retina  converts the light rays into nerve impulses which are transmitted through the optic nerve to the brain.  Our cornea and lens focus the light rays entering the eye onto the retina.   If the image is not focused properly and the retina does not recieve a clear image this condition is called a REFRACTIVE ERROR.  There are three types of refractive errors each of  which can be corrected  with excimer laser