Lasik Eye Surgery FAQ

Are you a Windham or Londonderry, NH resident looking to invest in your eye health with LASIK eye surgery? If you answered “yes,” Spindel Eye Associates is here to help. For those who are unfamiliar with the term or process, LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) eye surgery is a procedure to correct a plethora of vision-related problems. Today, LASIK is one of the safest and most commonly performed surgical procedures in the United States. Once a person undergoes LASIK eye surgery, they will experience a significant increase in sight. This will not only allow them the ability to see the world around them more clearly, but it will also eliminate the need for contacts, glasses, or an eye prescription.

What Should I Expect Before the LASIK Procedure?
Before undergoing LASIK eye surgery, you will go through a careful examination to see if you’re an appropriate candidate for the procedure. Our eye care specialists will ask you questions regarding your medical and surgical history, as well as give you a comprehensive eye examination. Our team will look for any eye-health conditions and note the measurements, shape, contour, thickness, and any irregularities surrounding your cornea. We will then determine if you are suitable for LASIK eye surgery, and what type of reshaping will take place. If you regularly wear contact lenses, which can work to change the shape of your cornea, you will need to only wear your prescription glasses leading up to your final evaluation and surgery. Below are some additional notes to help prepare for LASIK eye surgery:

• Since LASIK is still considered elective surgery, many insurance companies do not cover the cost of the procedure. Though we encourage our patients to prepare for this, we do offer financing options to help patients pay for this necessary procedure.
• Once the surgery is complete, you will likely still feel the effects of the medicine given to you before the operation. Since your vision will be blurred after we finish, it is best to arrange a ride home from our office for safe travels.
• Refrain from using eye makeup, cream, powders, lotions, or perfumes the day before and the day of your surgery. Cleaning your eyes regularly with mild soap and warm water will prep your eyes for LASIK eye surgery and decrease the risk of infections.

Check out our “Preparing for LASIK” page for more information.

What is the LASIK Process
During LASIK eye surgery, our surgeons will use a femtosecond laser to create a thin flap in the cornea. The surgeon will then fold the flap back. Folding back the flap allows your surgeon to access the part of your cornea you are looking to have reshaped. The tissue is then reshaped and removed using an excimer laser. After reshaping the cornea to permit the light entering the eye to be correctly focused onto the retina, the flap is laid back into place to cover the area where the corneal tissue is removed. The flap will typically heal without the need for stitches.

How Safe is the LASIK Procedure?
Many of our patients wonder how safe this surgical procedure is for your eyes. Since its genesis in the late 1990s, LASIK has shown minimal risks of complications. In fact, the overall complication rate is a fraction of one percent; meaning a very small number of issues have occurred. However, as with any surgery, there are no guarantees something could not potentially go wrong. This is why we stress the importance of receiving LASIK eye surgery from a reputable eye surgeon who has the knowledge and experience to carry out LASIK safely and successfully. For any questions about the potential complications, give us a call, and we would be happy to assist.

Is LASIK Eye Surgery for Me?
If you are the type of person who does not mind or have any complications from wearing contacts or glasses, LASIK may not be for you. Most surgeons agree, if you are comfortable wearing either, or don’t mind being dependent on them, you should avoid undergoing surgery altogether. LASIK is intended for those who would rather go through the process than have to use contacts and glasses. If you are not comfortable with your contacts or glasses, we recommend you fill out our online LASIK self-evaluation test.

Who Cannot Have Their Vision Corrected with LASIK?
There are some who should not undergo LASIK eye surgery. There are several factors doctors must evaluate before determining if you are a potential candidate for LASIK. Some preexisting conditions will keep certain individuals from being able to undergo this procedure, such as:

• Certain autoimmune disorders
• A weakened immune system caused by specific medications or HIV
• Persistent dry eyes
• Unstable vision due to medications, hormonal changes, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or age
• Keratitis, glaucoma, herpes simplex affecting the eye area, uveitis, cataracts, eye injuries, or lid disorder

We want to make sure we keep your risk for complications as low as possible for this operation. Therefore, we do occasionally have to turn people away if they do not meet the standards for the surgery.

Do I Need a Referral from a Doctor?
A referral for this procedure will not be necessary. You can schedule your preoperative consultation and even undergo LASIK eye surgery without having to contact your eye or family doctor. We do recommend, however, you seek outside advice from those familiar with your health and eye care needs. Getting a medical professionals’ thoughts on the surgery who already knows your health history is never a bad idea. Our doctors will assess your vision correction needs otherwise.

What Types of Eye Issues Can LASIK Eye Surgery Help Fix?
The types of eye issues LASIK can fix include:

• Nearsightedness (myopia)
• Farsightedness (hyperopia)
• Astigmatism (retinal disorder)
• Keratoconus (thinning corneas)
• Enlarged pupils
• Age-related eye changes causing vision problems (presbyopia)

Is LASIK eye surgery FDA-approved and regulated?
Yes! LASIK eye surgery is FDA-approved, and the FDA regulates the lasers used during the procedure.

Contact us for LASIK eye surgery or call us at 603-421-6489.