What to Expect

How long have Pacific Eyecare surgeons been doing LASIK?

Dr. Kremer has been performing excimer laser procedures since 1996, soon after the excimer laser was approved for use in the USA. He has performed
LASIK since 1998. He has completed thousands of laser procedures, and has treated over 70 local doctors.

Do you treat both eyes on the same day or separately?

Generally, both eyes are treated the same day.

How long does the procedure take?

Since both eyes are usually treated during the same appointment, you are in the LASIK suite for approximately 10 minutes. However, the procedure takes less than 5 minutes for each eye.

Will I feel any pain or discomfort during LASIK?

There is no pain during the actual treatment since eye drops numb your eyes. If needed, you may also be given a mild sedative. You will feel some pressure when a tiny instrument is placed on your eye and your vision may dim for a few seconds while the flap is being created, but you should not feel any pain. After the procedure, some people experience mild irritation, light sensitivity and watery eyes for a few days.

Are my eyes patched after surgery?

Your eyes are not patched after LASIK, but you will be given clear plastic eye shields to wear at night for the first week.

Do I need to use eye drops after the procedure?

You will use medicated eye drops for 1 week after your treatment, and artificial tears are recommended for a longer period.

How long will my vision be blurry?

It is normal for your vision to be a little blurry for a few days after LASIK. While your eyes are healing, it is normal for your vision to have mild fluctuations.

Will I eventually see 20/20?

The majority of people see 20/20 without correction after LASIK, but not everyone. No one can guarantee your exact vision after LASIK, but we can give you an idea of your chances of obtaining 20/20 vision during your evaluation.

If I don't get full correction, can I be retreated?

Your LASIK correction may be fine-tuned with retreatment, known as
enhancement. This is generally performed within the first few months. With an enhancement, the flap is simply lifted back to allow the laser beam to remove a little more tissue. Then the flap is gently smoothed back into place again. Although retreatment may further improve your ability to see, perfect vision is still impossible to guarantee.

Will I have to wear glasses or contact lenses after surgery?

LASIK is not a miracle procedure. It does not promise perfect vision or that everyone will be totally free of corrective lenses. The more correction you require, the greater the chance that you may still need glasses or contacts for certain activities.

How long will I be off work?

The amount of time you are off work often depends on how important good vision is to performing your tasks, but most people miss only 1 or 2 days.

Can anyone have LASIK performed?

If you would like to reduce your dependence on corrective lenses and you are nearsighted, farsighted or have astigmatism and are 18 or older with a stable prescription and healthy eyes, you may be able to benefit from LASIK. Call our office to schedlue a no-obligation complimentary evaluation to find out if LASIK is for you!

How can I find out if I'm a candidate for LASIK?

Call Pacificeyecare for a free, no obligation evaluation. If you already have an eye doctor, we may be able to see them for much of your evaluation for surgery and care after surgery.

Can my optometrist perform the after-surgery care?

Your family doctor of optometry may be able to perform many of the evaluation steps, and after surgery care with LASIK. Of course, your surgeon at PacificEyecare is always available in the event of a problem.