General FAQs
How safe is LASIK surgery?
LASIK surgery has been around for over 20 years with millions of successful surgeries done throughout Canada and the USA, it is the safest elective surgery possible. With every surgery there is a possibility of complications however these tend to be very minor and short term which can be treated and corrected locally by your surgeon and team of professionals.
A 2016 study in the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery found that LASIK has a 96% patient satisfaction rate. The latest research indicates that LASIK has a 99% success rate in achieving 20/40 vision or better, and a 90% success rate in achieving 20/20 vision or better.
Do you use a blade in surgery?
Prior to 2009 all LASIK surgeries where a corneal flap was created were done with an instrument called a microkeratome. This procedure uses a very thin blade to make a precise incision along the edge of the cornea prior to the laser treatment. Millions of very successful surgeries were done this way and it remains the most used method today. Later a new device called a Femto Laser was invented to create the flap by using a laser to create the incision for the flap. Both methods are extremely safe and proven and at Lens & LASIK we are happy to offer our patients their choice of treatments.
Does it hurt?
Many patients comment on how surprised they are of not feeling pain with their LASIK surgery. Anesthetic drops are used to fully numb the eye before LASIK eye surgery begins; during the laser correction you may feel a light pressure sensation around your eye. Prior to surgery you may be given a mild sedative to help you relax. After your laser eye surgery, your eye may feel a bit irritated for a few hours, but most patients are quite comfortable after taking a short nap. You will be prescribed drops for your eyes to provide comfort and healing in the days following your surgery.
I have Astigmatism – am I a candidate
Yes. Astigmatism causes overall blurry vision. When the cornea curves or flattens unevenly, the result is astigmatism, which disrupts focus of near and distant vision. By using a laser to reshape the cornea itself it will provide the necessary refraction and vision correction to remove the astigmatism.
How long does it take?
Very little. LASIK is a state-of-the-art procedure, which requires a minimal time commitment for the patient. The actual procedure lasts less than 10 minutes per eye.
Will I go blind? I’m afraid to lose what eyesight I have left
No. There have been zero reported cases of total loss of vision.
What is the cost?
LASIK surgery is an investment in your future and overall wellness. The cost of surgery will vary depending on the amount of prescription you may have plus the type of surgery you are best suited for or prefer. LASIK surgery is TAX FREE and may also be tax deductible. We are happy to offer a free consultation to see if you are a candidate, and our Lowest Price Guarantee policy will ensure that you are getting the best and lowest priced surgery available.
How much is covered under insurance?
Some individual insurance plans may cover part of the cost so always check with your benefits provider before surgery.
Is there direct billing and financing?
We understand that laser vision correction is an investment. We offer various financing options to suit your needs. We currently do not offer any direct billing.
What is the wait time for surgery?
Wait times for surgery can sometimes depend on current availability or season, but generally surgery can be scheduled within 2-4 weeks of your consultation.
What is the recovery time?
There are some minimal restrictions in the first weeks following laser surgery, but many LASIK patients resume normal activities the following day! Vision corrective results from LASIK surgery are typically very rapid and many patients can see clearly 24-48 hours after surgery. Further vision improvement may continue over several months. Your doctor will recommend avoiding certain activities, like swimming or contact sports for several weeks.
What is the difference between All Laser LASIK and iLASIK?
The name All Laser LASIK and iLASIK are simply different brand names used by some providers. Both procedures use what is called a Femto Laser to create a flap in the cornea and this process is identical. All Laser has become the accepted terminology among medical professionals when talking about the use of a Femto Laser to create a flap.
Out of Town patients – can they see their own OD for follow ups?
Yes. Lens & LASIK has a Co-Management Program with many of the optometrists throughout the province that will allow you to visit your own OD for follow ups during the first year at no cost to you. Speak with your optometrist prior to booking your consultation and if they are not part of our program already have them contact us to join.
What if I blink or sneeze during surgery?
This is a commonly asked question. A device holds the eyelids open during the procedure and blinking is not possible. Your head fits snugly into a head rest and cannot move. Your head will also be held by the surgeon while the treatment is taking place all you will need to do is look at a blinking light. The laser also has a recognition tracker that follows the eye ensuring laser treatments are accurately delivered even with very fine and rapid movements of the eye.
LENS FAQ’s
Is Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) covered by insurance?
Every insurance company and plan are different, so it is always safest to check with your insurance company. Typically, RLE is not covered by insurance, but this will vary with providers.
Is RLE covered by provincial health Care Insurance, like MCP?
RLE is not covered by provincial Health Care insurance plans, like MCP. It is considered elective and not medically necessary. It is treated the same as Laser Vision Correction procedures like LASIK.
Is RLE permanent?
The good news is RLE is permanent and will last for the rest of your life. Your vision improvement will not decrease over time as there is a new lens inside your eye which will not change or degrade over time.
Do I have to be awake for the procedure?
Yes, you are awake during the procedure. If you would like some mild sedative, then this will be offered to you. Dr. Jackman and his team will guide you through the whole process to make it as easy and as comfortable as possible. It is very quick and will be over before you know it.
Are there any risks involved with RLE?
Like any surgery, there are always risks. However, we are very fortunate to have excellent technology and experience to minimize these risks as much as we possibly can. We will review the very rare risks that are possible with you on your consultation with us.
Are there blades involved in RLE?
No. We only offer LASER Assisted Lens Surgery for our RLE patients at LENS & LASIK, and thus our surgery is Bladeless. We feel that you only deserve the best and we want to ensure your best possible outcome.
Will LASER Assisted Lens Surgery hurt?
No. It will not hurt. Any surgery on the eye is ‘weird’ and this is the best way to describe it. It is very quick, which makes it much easier for you. There are no needles, no stitches and no patches on the eye afterwards to make you as comfortable as possible.
How long will the surgery last? Is it guaranteed to work?
The surgery will last forever, meaning for the rest of your life. Your vision improvement will not decrease over time as there is a new lens inside your eye which will not change or degrade over time. Unfortunately, like with any medical procedure, there is no guarantee on the outcome, but we do guarantee that we will do whatever we can to give you the best possible outcomes. Dr. Jackman always says we only like “Happy Patients” and we will always strive to give you the best outcome.
How is LASER Assisted Lens Surgery different than LASIK?
LASER Assisted Lens Surgery uses is a laser help remove the LENS of the eye, i.e. surgery inside the eye, as opposed to LASIK, which is a corneal based surgery, on the surface of the eye.
What conditions benefit most from LASER Assisted Lens Surgery?
LASER Assisted Lens Surgery will benefit all patients who are looking for the most accurate and best possible outcomes with their lens based procedure. It is especially important when using Advanced Technology Intraocular Lenses (ATIOLs) and for patients with astigmatism.
Will my vision be perfect after RLE?
That is always our goal! We truly want patients to be doing, and seeing, as well as they possibly can after their surgery. We constantly strive for excellence and we want you seeing the best you can possibly see. There are many things which can affect one’s vision, and we strive to ensure patients get the best result for their particular eyes.
LASIK FAQ’s
What is the success rate of LASIK?
LASIK has a success rate of 99%!! The latest research reports 99 percent of patients achieve better than 20/40 vision and more than 90 percent achieve 20/20 or better. In addition, LASIK has an unprecedented 96 percent patient satisfaction rate – the highest of any elective procedure. (Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, Vol. 42, Issue 8, August 2016, Pages 1224-1234).
Is LASIK painful?
NO! Typically, our patients feel pressure around the eye but thanks to the use of anesthetic or numbing drops, most of our patients are very comfortable during the procedure. The procedure is very weird, and not normal for someone who has not had it before, but it is we want to ensure that the experience is as painless as possible.
How long will my recovery take?
Typically, the recovery after LASIK will take 24 hours. There will still be healing after this time but resting for the first 24 hours will allow you to have the best possible outcome. By the next day, you can then begin to enjoy the benefits of life-changing laser vision correction.
Can I go blind or lose my vision with LASIK?
No! Fortunately, no one has gone blind after surgery with us and LASIK is considered one of the safest medical procedures performed today. Fortunately, any complications are very rare, minor and treatable.
What is the difference between LASIK and PRK
PRK, or photorefractive keratectomy, laser eye surgery is similar to LASIK eye surgery in that both procedures use the same laser to reshape the cornea or front surface of the eye. However, during the LASIK procedure, the surgeon preserves the epithelium or ‘skin’ of the eye (the outermost protective layer of the eye) by creating a ‘flap’. During PRK vision correction, the epithelium, or ‘skin’ of the eye, is removed by gently scraping the surface (i.e. no flap is created). Anesthetic or numbing drops are used in the eye ensure that the patient is comfortable for the entire procedure. PRK laser eye surgery typically has a longer healing time and greater postoperative discomfort than LASIK.
How is LASIK different than RLE?
LASIK is a corneal based surgery where a laser reshapes the front surface of the eye. RLE is a LENS based surgery, where surgery is done inside the eye on the lens of the eye. RLE also involves the insertion of a permanent intraocular lens.
Do you do Blade-Free LASIK surgery?
Yes, we offer All Laser Correction for our patients. We have the latest technology, including the Intralase Femto Second iFS laser to provide our patients with a Bladeless LASIK surgery.