Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Refractive Surgery
- What is refractive surgery?
- What are the goals of refractive surgery?
- Why do some people undergo refractive surgery?
- How quickly will good vision return after surgery?
- How will I know if refractive surgery is a possibility for me?
- How long does this consultation exam take?
- I wear contact lenses. Must I remove them before the surgery?
- How long does the surgery take?
- Can I eat or drink before the surgery?
- What about makeup?
- Can I drive myself to the Phillips Eye Institute for the procedure?
- Does the surgery hurt?
- Where do you perform these surgical procedures?
- Which excimer laser do you use and why?
- After the surgery, what are my activity limitations?
- How much does the surgery cost?
- Does insurance cover the surgery?
- Is financing available?
Q: What is refractive surgery?
Refractive surgery changes the way light focuses on the retina. It is not a cosmetic procedure as it changes the function of the eye. There are a number of refractive surgical procedures.
Q: What are the goals of refractive surgery?
The goal of refractive surgery is to decrease dependence on optical devices. After PRK laser vision correction surgery, many patients do not need glasses or contacts; other patients may need a minimized prescriptive pair of eye glasses or contacts for specific activities, such as night driving or reading.
Q: Why do some people undergo refractive surgery?
Most individuals want to experience life to the fullest, and have the visual freedom to accomplish that goal. Some people just don't like the way they look in glasses, or feel that wearing contact lenses is bothersome and time consuming, or they may have developed intolerance or allergies to contact lenses and solutions. Contact lenses can also cause serious vision threatening eye infections. Glasses are expensive, can fog or get wet outside and can be lost. They also limit side vision. Eye glasses and contacts often interfere with a person's enjoyment of their chosen activities or their work performance.
Q: How quickly will good vision return after surgery?
With PRK laser vision correction surgery, the surface cells of the cornea grow back in about a week. After these cells have re-grown, and the soft contact lens bandage is removed; vision improves rapidly. There is continued improvement over the next several months.
Q: How will I know if refractive surgery is a possibility for me?
After a complete comprehensive eye exam and a personal consultation with Dr. Sher, he will be able to tell you if refractive surgery is an option to improve your vision, and which procedure would be best for you.
Q: How long does this consultation exam take?
A minimum of 2 hours is required to complete a full medical eye exam, usually with the administration of eye drops. Standard tests are performed and additional personalized testing may be necessary. In addition, there may be a need for follow up exams to retest certain aspects of your vision.
Q: I wear contact lenses. Must I remove them before the surgery?
Do not wear soft contact lenses for two weeks prior to your comprehensive eye exam and consultation with Dr. Sher. Do not wear rigid or gas permeable contact lenses or toric (astigmatic) soft contact lenses three weeks prior to your exam. For some patients, this time may need to be extended longer than 2 or 3 weeks, and a return visit may be necessary. In general, the longer the contact lenses are discontinued the better. Contact lens wear can be restarted after this visit but must be stopped 72 hours before the surgery.
Q: How long does the surgery take?
The process takes about 10- 15 minutes from the time you walk in, to the time you walk out of the surgical suite. The excimer laser is activated for only 10 to 60 seconds, depending on the extent of refractive correction needed.
Q. Can I eat or drink before the surgery?
Most procedures are performed in the morning and eating a light breakfast is suggested.
Q. What about makeup?
Starting 3-5 days before surgery, please diligently remove all traces of makeup from around the eyes. On the day of surgery, do not apply any makeup, lotions or creams.
Q. Can I drive myself to the Phillips Eye Institute for the procedure?
No. A mild sedative may be administered preoperatively, and is recommended that you do not drive. Please have someone drive you or make arrangements for a taxicab.
Q. Do you perform PRK surgery at the same session on both eyes?
Dr. Sher recommends performing PRK surgery on one eye at a time, with a 2-4 week interval between surgeries. Patients can wear their contact lens on the non operative eye, and function well with one eye until the operative eye heals. This allows the patient to return to work the next day, after a brief postoperative visit with Dr. Sher. Also, if the initial outcomes were slightly over or under corrected in the first eye, Dr. Sher can make adjustments to the laser input formulas for the second eye, In the rare event of a healing issue or infection, only one eye is affected and this simplifies treatment.
If geographical considerations or work time frames present a problem, Dr. Sher will operate on both eyes during the same session to accommodate the needs of his patients.
Q. Between surgeries, how will I see in the non-corrected eye?
Your best options are to wear a contact lens in the non-corrected eye, or choose to cope with one "good" eye. With eye glasses, depth perception and focusing become problems if you attempt to wear eye glasses with one lens removed.
Q: Does the surgery hurt?
One drop of anesthetic numbs the eye, so PRK surgery is virtually painless. You may feel some tugging on the eyelids which are not anesthesized. When you arrive home, after surgery; you should relax, perhaps nap, and avoid strenuous activities for the rest of the day. There may be some discomfort; usually tearing and a foreign body sensation, which lasts for 3-5 days and disappears after the surface cells have re-grown.
Q: Where do you perform these surgical procedures?
The renowned Phillips Eye Institute (PEI) in Minneapolis is where Dr. Sher performs surgical procedures, using the excimer laser. PEI is a dedicated eye hospital, with an outstanding safety record, and a very dedicated, experienced, caring staff. Dr. Sher prefers this hospital’s ambulatory care environment because they maintain the most advanced laser equipment, and he knows his patients will receive excellent care and benefit from the added quality assurance of a dedicated eye hospital.
Q: Which excimer laser do you use and why?
Dr. Sher uses the VISX STAR™ S4 excimer laser system made by VISX Inc, now a subsidiary of Abbott Laboratories. It is considered one of the best lasers available. Millions of procedures have been performed worldwide using the VISX laser. Dr. Sher has great confidence in VISX’s high quality and superior engineering, and he has been a consultant to VISX Inc. for matters relating to laser vision correction.
Q: After PRK (advanced surface ablation) surgery, how soon can I:
- Wear makeup?
- Wait at least 10 days for eye makeup or makeup close to the eye.
- Drive?
- For most patients, it's the next day or two.
- Work?
- Depending on your job, usually you can return the next day. With PRK, there is a soft contact lens bandage placed in the eye. It must be worn continuously and it is very important that it is NOT be exposed to chemicals and other noxious fumes, such as chlorine from hot tubs or swimming pools, smoke, cooking fumes and any environmental factor which can increase risk of infection. The lens bandage will be kept in the eye from 4 to 7 days, depending on your healing. Before exposing your eye, it is important to ask about specific situations that may pose risks to your healing eye.
- Go swimming?
- Wait at least 5 days after the soft contact bandage is removed from your eye after PRK surgery.
- Read and watch TV?
- Usually you can read and watch TV the same day as your surgery. Our doctors recommend that patients rest for 24 hours after surgery.
- Dance, jog, run or ride a bicycle?
- Avoid jogging, running and being out in the very cold, which may dry out the soft contact lens bandage. Typically, less stressful activities can be resumed in a couple of days after surgery. Always wear sunglasses while outdoors.
- Ride a horse, snowmobile, motorcycle or go water/snow skiing?
- Dr. Sher recommends that you wait at least one week, before resuming these activities, and that you wear protective goggles or face masks during these activities.
Q: How much does the surgery cost?
The cost of the surgery is based on a fee, calculated from Dr. Sher’s findings, after your comprehensive exam is complete. The total cost will include the laser center facility fee, the surgeon's fees, supplies and all pre-operative and post-operative visits at Eye Care Associates for 12 months. If an enhancement procedure is necessary, all related fees are waived when it is performed within 12 months of your initial procedure. If performed after that time, the fees will be discounted.
Q: Does insurance cover the surgery?
Most insurers consider this an elective procedure, and do not provide coverage for this surgery. It is worth contacting your insurance carrier or plan administrator to discuss your specific policy coverage.
Q: Is financing available?
Yes. Please contact our refractive surgery coordinator for financing details.
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