Can I go blind?	top
We have experienced ZERO cases of blindness due to Laser Vision Correction.

Is there any pain?	Top
The surgery is nearly painless. During the creation of the flap you will feel a pressure like sensation. Otherwise, there is very little discomfort.

How much does it cost?

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Laser Vision correction is $1850 per eye for IntraLASIK - the bladeless, all-laser LASIK procedure with LADARVision. The fee for IntraLASIK with LADARVision plus WAVEFront is $1,990. The difference in cost is due to a per-procedure royalty fee that applies to the IntraLASIK laser and the WAVEFront technology. We offer convenient payment plans through the Vision Fee Plan. The Vision Fee Plan is the first patient financing plan designed exclusively for laser eye surgery, providing convenient low monthly payments, no down payment required, and no early payoff penalties. Vision Fee Plan does require good credit standing. Click on the individual plan for more information. Vision Fee Plan  |  CareCredit

How much time off of work do I need to take?	Top
The day of surgery, you need to go home and rest. The next morning, many patients drive in for their one day post op visit and then go on to work. You will note great improvement in your vision on the first morning post op, but crystal clear vision may take a week or more.

How long does the surgery take?	Top
The laser treatments themselves take only a few minutes each, but you will be at the center for about two hours to allow enough time for your eyes to dilate and for the valium to relax you.

What are the postoperative restrictions?	Top
The day of the procedure, you are requested to keep both eyes closed for 4 hours and rest as much as possible. Every night for a week, you will place the shield over your eye for additional protection. Swimming is not recommended for a month following your procedure unless you wear watertight goggles. Avoid hot tubs for one month. You will use antibiotic drops for one week.

Are both eyes corrected at the same time?	Top
Dr. Wright allows each patient to make their own decision.  Your options are: simultaneous, 2 days apart or 1 week apart. If you have surgery a week apart you may wear a contact lens in the unoperated eye in the interim.

How does the doctor know how much surgery to do?	Top
The doctor programs the amount of nearsightedness determined from your pre-surgical exam into the laser's computer. The laser is accurate to the level of .25 microns! (A human hair is 50 microns in diameter.)

What are the side effects of LASIK?	Top
The most common side effects are temporary light sensitivity and halos. Undercorrection or over correcting may occur, and an enhancement may be necessary to attain your best correction. A more detailed discussion of these issues will take place during your comprehensive pre-surgical consultation.

Will I ever need glasses again?	Top
Usually not for distance vision, although some patients may still require thinner glasses for fine tuning. When you are in the age range where bifocals or "readers" are normally required for close vision (usually 40-45 and beyond) you will most likely need reading glasses. This is a natural process known as presbyopia.

Are there any long term side effects?	Top
This procedure has been performed with the use of the laser since 1991 in Europe, but is based on the lamellar keratomileusis technique that has been used for over forty years.

How old do I have to be for LASIK?	Top
Age 18 is the youngest age we recommend.  There is no upper age limit.

I am currently wearing contacts. Do I need to do something special?

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Yes! Remove your lenses at least one week prior to your pre-surgical evaluation if you have daily wear soft lenses. If you have extended wear lenses, you must leave them out two weeks. Patients who wear rigid gas permeable lenses must leave them out four weeks prior to the pre-surgical testing, or until stable. Once you have your detailed exam you can wear your contacts right up to the night before surgery without affecting your result. We will base the laser treatment on the results of your exam.

Does the laser affect the inside of my eye?	Top
No. The pulses of the laser do not enter the eye at all. The laser treatment will not cause glaucoma or cataracts. If later in life you develop glaucoma or a cataracts, these conditions can be treated as though you had not had the laser treatment.

Who is not a candidate?	Top
Anyone with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, keratoconus, herpes simplex of the cornea (herpes elsewhere is of no consequence), AIDS, autoimmune diseases, or anyone with unrealistic expectations.

How can I hold my eye still for the treatment?	Top
There is a blinking light inside the laser that you focus on during the procedure. The LADARVision eye tracking system will follow any eye movements during the procedure.

How will I keep my eye open during the treatment?	Top
We hold your lids open with a small lid holder.

Will I see everything the doctor is doing during the treatment?	Top
When the flap is created, your vision will be dark.  You won't see this step of the procedure.  During later steps we often hear patients say that it is like having someone work on a window above you, or perhaps working on your glasses surface.

Why won't I get any shots or have any stitches?	Top
We use topical anesthetic drops to numb your eye during the procedure. No stitches are necessary because the two layers of the cornea are naturally "sticky" and will adhere to one another very well once the flap has been put back into position.

I am interested! What is my next step?

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Call our office in Colorado Springs at 719-634-2001 or 800-888-3937, or your local eye doctor for a complimentary evaluation to discover if you are indeed a candidate. There is no charge for this evaluation. The pre-surgical testing is the next step and takes about an hour and a half. This eye exam consists of a thorough evaluation and analysis of your eyes and costs $100. This is an ideal time to have all of your questions answered by one of our doctors.