LASIK — Frequently Asked Questions

The physicians at Wolfe Eye Clinic are leaders in laser vision correction and have performed thousands of refractive surgeries since 1984. In fact, they were the first in Iowa to perform laser vision correction for nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Today they continue their commitment to serve patients across Iowa with offices spanning the state in communities such as Ames, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Fort Dodge, Marshalltown, Waterloo and West Des Moines. To learn more or to speak with our LASIK Patient Service Representative, call 1-800-237-5393 and see how good your life can be.

Frequently Asked Questions about LASIK

Q. What is LASIK surgery?

A.

LASIK surgery is designed to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contacts. An excimer laser gently reshapes the cornea with computer-controlled precision to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

Q. What conditions of the eye can be corrected with LASIK surgery?

A.

There are three kinds of vision disorders that can be corrected or reduced in some manner with LASIK. These are refractive vision disorders including nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and astigmatism. If you currently need to use reading glasses due to presbyopia (loss of accommodation due to aging), you will most likely still need to use reading glasses after LASIK surgery.

Q. How is LASIK surgery performed?

A.

At the beginning of the procedure, the patient is given a mild sedative and the eye is anesthetized with eyedrops. LASIK surgery is then performed in two steps. First is the creation of the corneal flap - a very precise, thin flap of tissue about a few human hairs thick on the front surface of the cornea. In the second step, the flap of tissue is folded back and the excimer laser gently reshapes the cornea. The flap is then folded back to its original position. This two-step process allows for rapid visual recovery with little or no discomfort.

Q. Where will my LASIK surgery be performed?

A.

Wolfe Eye Clinic offers LASIK evaluations and follow-up care at each of its seven full-service locations in Des Moines, Ames, Fort Dodge, Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids and Marshalltown. Your surgery will be performed in our West Des Moines or Cedar Rapids locations.

Q. What type of anesthesia is used for LASIK surgery?

A.

LASIK surgery does not require any needles or shots for anesthesia. Anesthetic eyedrops will be placed in your eye. You will be awake and comfortable throughout the procedure.

Q. Is there any pain during LASIK surgery?

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No. The anesthetic eyedrops make the procedure painless. You may experience a sensation of pressure during a portion of the procedure. Depending upon the procedure performed, you may experience some discomfort for a few days following the procedure.

Q. How long does LASIK surgery take?

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The laser treatment usually takes 1 - 2 minutes per eye. You will be awake and comfortable during the procedure. Plan to be in our office for 60 - 90 minutes on the day of surgery.

Q. What happens after LASIK surgery?

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You will be fitted with a protective plastic shield to wear home and through the night. It is best to rest for the remainder of that day. The doctor will see you the next day and remove the shield. You will receive complete written instructions for your postoperative care.

Q. How soon can LASIK patients return to their normal activities?

A.

Most LASIK patients can return to normal activities the following day. The visual results of LASIK are usually very rapid, and the patient is able to see more clearly within minutes of the procedure. Further improvements may continue over several months.

Q. What is the success rate of LASIK surgery?

A.

Nationally, 95 to 98 percent of laser vision correction treatments have resulted in at least 20/40 vision without correction. This means that these patients no longer need to wear glasses or contacts to pass a driving test or to perform most everyday functions.

Q. What is Wolfe Eye Clinic’s laser experience?

A.

Wolfe Eye Clinic, founded in 1919, has always been on the forefront of advanced technology, while maintaining an emphasis on personal patient care close to home. We introduced Iowa to refractive surgery in 1984, and were the first Iowa clinic to use the excimer laser for laser vision correction in 1994. Likewise, we were the first in Iowa to offer all-laser IntraLase and wavefront custom ablation. Our dedicated team of refractive surgeons have performed over 25,000 laser vision correction procedures. Today, we continue to evaluate and invest in the latest and best technologies to assure Iowans the safest and best possible surgical procedures available in eye care.

Q. How long will my LASIK results last?

A.

The reshaping of the cornea is considered a permanent change. We are, however, biological creatures and cannot be certain that there will not be future changes in our eyes. Other conditions affecting your vision such as presbyopia (loss of accommodation with age), glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts or other eye conditions can still develop over time.

Q. Does LASIK have any negative side effects?

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The risks associated with LASIK are minimal. It is important to note that the chance of having a serious vision-threatening complication is less than 1 percent. It is also important to know that, to our knowledge, there have been no reported cases of blindness after LASIK. The risks associated with LASIK are more likely to occur at the time of surgery and are often related to creation of the corneal flap. The use of a laser significantly reduces the risks associated with the creation of the corneal flap. We feel that it is very important to inform you of potential risks regarding these procedures. It is beyond the scope of this Web page to list all potential risks. These will be discussed in detail during the consultation process. Potential risks include overcorrection and undercorrection, infection, scarring, regression, glare, irregular flaps, epithelial ingrowth and loss of best corrected vision. Many of these complications can be corrected or tend to improve over time, often without effect upon the final visual outcome.

Q. Does insurance cover LASIK surgery?

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LASIK is considered an elective procedure, and most insurance plans do not cover the procedure. It is wise to check with your insurance company however, to find out if yours has any benefit.

Q. Is financing available?

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If you choose not to pay for the procedure all at once, you can take advantage of our easy monthly payment plan, or the 90 days same as cash option. Many people use flexible medical reimbursement plans offered by their employer (cafeteria plan) to help finance the procedure. Check your plan to see if LASIK surgery qualifies.

Q. Am I a candidate for LASIK surgery?

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You should be 18 years of age or older with stable vision, healthy eyes and a refractive error within the range of effective treatment. To find out if you’re a candidate, you will need a thorough evaluation by one of our experienced surgeons. Most people who have nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism are candidates for LASIK surgery.

Q. What can I expect during my LASIK evaluation?

A.

The first step toward LASIK surgery is having a comprehensive evaluation by one of the Wolfe Eye Clinic surgeons. Here are a few things you can expect during your evaluation.

  • For a period of time prior to your scheduled evaluation, you will be asked to refrain from wearing contact lenses.
  • You will participate in a thorough discussion of laser vision corrections as it pertains to you and your eyes.
  • Your pupils will be dilated, which results in blurry vision that could last 24 hours or more. Please bring a driver with you.
  • During the exam, you'll receive a detailed corneal evaluation (curvature, topography mapping and thickness), a retinal exam, a glaucoma screening and measurement of refractive error.
  • Expect to be at Wolfe Eye Clinic for two to three hours for your evaluation due to the special testing used to measure and evaluate your eyes.

*Note: you may choose to schedule a shorter version of our LASIK evaluation at first to simply see if you are a LASIK candidate. You will however need a thorough examination before proceeding with surgery.

If you and your surgeon decide you are a candidate for laser vision correction, you will meet with one of the surgical scheduling nurses to set a date and time for your LASIK procedure. At that time, you will receive a packet of instructions and complete preoperative medications.

Q. How do I schedule a LASIK evaluation?

A.

To schedule a LASIK evaluation at any of Wolfe Eye Clinic's seven main offices in Ames, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Fort Dodge, Marshalltown, Waterloo, or West Des Moines, call Wolfe Eye Clinic’s LASIK hotline at 1-800-237-5393 to speak with our LASIK Patient Service Representative.

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