LASIK in Rhode Island

LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is the most popular refractive surgery in the eye health industry. Laser vision correction surgery improves or corrects myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism by reshaping the cornea, which causes light to focus more properly on the retina. Our team of ophthalmologists at Koch Eye Associates know that eyesight has a tremendous impact on the quality of life. We also realize that the choice to have LASIK surgery is one that can have life-long effects. Our skilled refractive surgery specialists have extensive experience performing the procedure, which is very quick and comfortable and is highly effective. LASIK surgery can decrease or even eliminate the need for patients to use glasses or contact lenses.

At Koch Eye Associates, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to find out if their life can be changed for the better with LASIK. That is why we offer free, in-office evaluations. All pre-operative and post-operative testing and exams are done at our Cranston, RI LASIK and Aesthetics Center. Schedule online, call, or visit our Cranston facility today to schedule your complimentary LASIK evaluation with an experienced ophthalmologist.

Only a skilled ophthalmologist can accurately decide whether a patient is a candidate for refractive surgery, like LASIK. However, due to technological advances, the number of eligible patients continues to increase, and almost everyone could be a candidate. The exceptions to this are patients with certain eye diseases or medical conditions, but they may still be eligible patients for PRK. The most common reason a patient may wish to undergo refractive surgery is to reduce the need to use prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses. At your initial evaluation, we will discuss your medical history, lifestyle, and realistic expectations, and we will recommend the best treatment plan for your specific circumstances.

Is LASIK safe?

• Yes. Over twenty million people all over the world have had LASIK, and statistics show that no one has ever gone blind.

Are there any associated risks?

• Glare or halos are a reaction to light and can be experienced by some patients. This can last for an unpredictable amount of time but usually subsides within six months.
• An irregular flap may occur in a few cases, approximately 1 in 700. If this should happen, it is not dangerous, only disappointing, as the flap must be placed back in its original position and the eye allowed to heal before proceeding. There is no loss of vision during this time.
• After three to six months, the procedure can be rescheduled.
• Infection is always a risk when you are considering any type of surgery.
• Over-correction or under-correction many occur in a small percentage of patients. If this should happen, an enhancement will be done.

LASIK is performed using the Alcon EX500 Wavelight Contoura Excimer laser system to correct even severe refractive errors. Laser vision correction with the Wavelight Laser System is designed to adapt to the unique curvature of your eye, reshaping it more closely to the curve of an ideal, natural eye. As a result, OptiLasik helps preserve the quality of your vision, ensuring your eyes are at their most natural and their most useful.

Prior to the LASIK procedure, we will apply three different anesthetic eye drops to numb your eyes and make you as comfortable as possible. These drops typically take about 15 minutes to take full effect, and then you will be brought into the procedure room. You will lie down in a comfortable procedure chair, and your surgeon will place a special device on your eye to keep you from blinking or moving your eyeball. Due to the anesthetic eye drops, you will feel the pressure from the device but no discomfort or pain. Using the Alcon Wavelight FS200 femtosecond laser technology, your surgeon will then create a thin flap in your cornea and fold it back to expose the middle corneal tissue. This middle tissue will be precisely reshaped into an optimal curve. When the surgeon has completed the reshaping, he or she will lay the corneal flap back in place, which will self-heal with no stitches. If you are having both eyes done, the process will be repeated on the other eye with the whole procedure not lasting more than a few minutes at most. Though you may notice improved vision right away, you will be required to have someone drive you home.

When your surgery is complete, you will rest with your eyes closed for a few minutes. After you have rested your eyes, we will perform one more brief eye exam before you are released. Once the numbing eye drops wear off, you will begin to experience some irritation and discomfort in your eyes, but it should only last a few hours. We recommend that you go directly home and try to nap through this period as blinking or opening your eyes can make the discomfort worse. It is also extremely important that you do not touch or rub your eyes at all for several days as your corneas heal. Some patients notice improved vision immediately while some have blurred vision or fogginess for about 24 hours. Your vision should be noticeably improved by the next day, and it will continue to heal and stabilize over the next several weeks.

Our patients are usually asked to return the next day for their first follow-up appointment and then again in about a week. Depending on your healing progress, you may need to continue with follow-up visits from four weeks up to six months.

Laser surgery of the eye is one of the safest and most common elective procedures. Schedule a consultation with Koch Eye Associates if you think you might be eligible for LASIK eye surgery. We are here to provide you with the clearest and most precise vision possible for your eyes, and we love helping our patients improve their quality of life. The expert team at our Cranston, RI LASIK and Aesthetics Center looks forward to guiding you through the process.