FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT LASER VISION CORRECTION (LVC)

Where are patients seen for their initial consultation?

Patients are seen for initial consultations at two convenient locations: 

UHHS Laser Vision Center 29001 Cedar Road, Suite 203 Lyndhurst, Ohio 44124 (440) 720-0331

University Health Center at Westlake 950 Clague Road Westlake, Ohio 44145 (440) 720-0331

However, all surgeries are performed at our Laser Vision Center at Chagrin Highlands.

What is LVC?

LVC is the surgical alteration of the cornea to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. There are different types of refractive surgery, each with a specific purpose. Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is a laser procedure that flattens the central portion of the cornea by removing a thin layer of cells from the surface of the cornea. PRK is effective in reducing mild to moderate levels of nearsightedness. For all levels of nearsightedness, laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is another laser procedure. During LASIK, a flap is created in the cornea and a thin internal layer of corneal cells are removed. To treat farsightedness, PRK or LASIK can be performed to remove cells from the peripheral corneal surface to lengthen the central portion of the cornea.

Who is a candidate for LVC?

Generally, patients should be at least 18 years or older, there is no upper age limit. It is important that the prescription is stable for 12 months before surgery. There can be no active eye disease. LVC involves procedures that can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Many LVC patients are contact lens wearers who can no longer wear contacts comfortably or are tired of the hassles of lenses. Still others are unable to wear contacts and feel burdened by eyeglasses.

How long has the LVC been available?

Laser vision correction has been available in the United States since 1995.  Millions of people in the US and worldwide have undergone the procedure.

How successful is LVC?

New surgical techniques and instruments have introduced a variety of methods for correcting virtually any refractive error. As a result, LVC is more effective, predictable and stable today than ever before.

What are some common side effects after LVC?

As with any type of surgery, complications are possible. Serious or long-term complications are rare. It is important that you recognize that all surgery carries some inherent risk and you should investigate fully potential side effects and complications. These are outlined in the patient informed consent form you will review before you are scheduled for surgery. Common short term side effects include but are not limited to: glare, halos, cloudy vision, haze, light sensitivity, and tearing.

How painful is the procedure?

Before the surgery, you will receive an oral sedative.  The eye will be numbed with topical drops similar to Novocaine. While you are aware of the activity and may feel pressure on the eye, there is rarely significant discomfort. You have the option of being mildly sedated with an oral sedative to help relieve the anxiety most people feel before surgery. After PRK, a soft contact lens is placed over the site to protect the area while the cells grow back. This lens is left in place for about 5 days. After LASIK, many patients report a gritty feeling similar to a foreign body sensation. Patients can use Ibuprofen if necessary. We recommend that our patients sleep for 4 to 6 hours after their procedure to rest the eye and allow it to heal.

How long does the procedure take?

The surgery itself takes 30 to 90 seconds of laser time, and the entire procedure usually takes less than 10 minutes per eye to perform. You should expect to be at the surgery center for a total of 2 hours including pre- and postoperative time.

When can I go back to work, drive, etc...?

This varies from patient to patient due to differences in biologic healing patterns. Because the cornea's surface cells are removed in PRK, vision is blurry until they grow back.  Usually the re-growth of these cells take at least 5 days. We recommend that you schedule your surgery when your time is flexible to allow for at least 5 days of healing. LASIK visual recovery is generally much quicker. Many patients are able to drive within the next day or two with only mild blurriness. With higher levels of nearsightedness and/or astigmatism, we have found that while vision is noticeably improved, some blurriness remains for a few weeks postoperatively. Some people may necessitate the use of a temporary eyeglass prescription until the vision stabilizes, but this is uncommon.

I wear reading glasses / bifocals. Will I still need these after surgery?

Because the eye's natural aging process effects the lens and its muscles, most people will eventually need some help reading, usually beginning between the ages of 40 and 50. While LVC changes the shape of the outer cornea, it does not effect the lens. So, if you currently wear reading glasses, you will still need them after surgery unless we purposely leave one eye nearsighted to create monovision. With this correction, one eye predominantly sees up close and the other sees at a distance.  This does not correct the aging process, but it will prolong the time before reading glasses are necessary.

What are the restrictions after LVC?

There are no restrictions on daily activities. Be aware not to rub or bump the eye. We do advise that patients avoid swimming and hot tubs for two weeks. Soap and tap water should be kept out of the surgical site for about 2 weeks, depending on the procedure.  Avoid eye makeup for 2 weeks as well. As always, wear protective eyewear during sports activities.

Will my insurance cover it?

We usually ask patients to call their insurance company and ask if LVC is covered. Some policies will pay for all or part of the cost, but these are rare. Payment is due prior to the day of the procedure. We accept cash, checks, and major credit cards.  In addition, we offer a variety of payment plans for your convenience.

Is there anything I need to do before the consultation appointment?

Soft contact lens wearers must have their lenses out for three (3) days prior to their consult and again before the surgery. Rigid gas permeable and hard lens wearers must keep their lenses out for a full four (4) weeks prior to their consultation. Rigid gas permeable and hard lens wearers need to be out of their lenses for such an extended period of time due to the fact that these lenses can change the shape of the cornea so dramatically. This time period is needed for the cornea's shape to normalize before accurate measurements can be taken. Some patients opt to purchase a pair of soft lenses to wear during the four (4) week interim before the consult and again before the surgery. After four (4) weeks in soft lenses rather than rigid gas permeable or hard lenses, the soft lenses need to be kept out for three (3) days prior to the consultation appointment.

How long does the consultation appointment take and what will be done?

A prescreening is generally performed to ensure there is no obvious contraindication for LVC.  This normally takes 20 minutes.  If the prescreening shows no contraindications, then the consultation appointment usually takes 1 hour. A full eye exam will be done including having your eyes dilated. A topography and wavefront analysis will be performed. 

Please feel free to call with any other questions or to schedule a free consultation:

(440) 720-0331

...or you can email your LVC questions to: refractive@caseeyes.com