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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Laser Vision Correction? Laser vision correction, also known as laser refractive surgery, is an outpatient procedure to correct refractive errors. It uses a cool ultraviolet laser to reshape the cornea (the clear tissue through which light enters the eye). BACK TO TOP Who is a Good Candidate? Adults with up to 14.00 diopters of myopia, up to 6.00 diopters of hyperopia and/or up to 4 diopters of astigmatism are usually good candidates provided they have otherwise healthy eyes. BACK TO TOP What is a Diopter? A diopter is a unit used to measure refractive error, but it differs from the 20/20 visual acuity measurements most people are familiar with. Visual acuity is highly subjective and two people with the same refractive error as measured in diopters may still have different visual acuity if one person is better able to compensate for their refractive error. For instance, if two people have -0.5 diopters of myopia, one person may have 20/25 vision, while the other might only see 20/40. As a general rule, a person with -1.0 diopters of myopia will have a visual acuity of about 20/40. A person with -5.0 diopters of myopia will be unable to read any lines on the eye chart and will be completely dependent on corrective lenses. BACK TO TOP Is Laser Vision Correction Right For Me? Attend a seminar at Casey Eye Institute. Our medical staff will thoroughly discuss current surgical techniques and their associated risks and benefits and will help you to understand your options. If you think laser vision correction is the right choice for you, book a pre-op appointment. This appointment costs $100, which will be deducted from the cost of surgery when you book your procedure. During the pre-op appointment, your eye will be thoroughly examined and you can discuss your options one-on-one with the doctor. BACK TO TOP Will My Age Affect My Results? Not significantly. While you must be over 18 years of age and have stable vision to undergo LASIK, there is no other age requirement. If you are in your mid-40s or older, laser vision correction will correct your distance vision, but you will still need reading glasses. Younger patients can expect to enjoy good near and distance vision, but will likely need reading glasses in their 40s or 50s. In some cases, monovision may be an appropriate alternative to reading glasses. Sometimes the natural hardening of the lens and/or weakening of the muscles supporting the lens associated with presbyopia, cause corrected vision. Some people who have myopia can see their condition improve naturally with age. Sometimes the hardening of the lens and/or the weakening of the muscles supporting the lens that naturally occurs with age can help correct myopia. By getting laser correction now to treat myopia, some patients later require corrective lenses for reading at age 40 to 50 when they otherwise might not need them until into their 70s or 80s. BACK TO TOP What Results Can I Expect? This chart shows Casey Vision Correction Center's results for all patients who underwent LASIK for myopia over the past year. It is impossible to precisely predict individual results, but these statistics can be used as a basis for forming realistic expectations. The central columns in the chart show the results for all patients after their primary procedure. The columns to the right adjust the figures to include the improved results for the 7% of patients who underwent an enhancement surgery. Because the difference between 20/20 and 20/25 vision is highly subjective, the more conservative 20/25 figure is used in this chart. of Casey Vision Correction Center
of Casey Vision Correction Center
BACK TO TOP Why Can't You Guarantee Perfect Results? No reputable surgeon can promise that you will have 20/20 vision or be forever free of glasses or contact lenses. Each eye is unique and not all eyes heal in the same way. If results are not satisfactory after a first procedure, a second surgery can be performed to fine-tune the results. Approximately 10% of our patients undergo a second procedure, known as an enhancement. This is most common in people whose eyes required greater levels of correction. This being said, the overwhelming majority of our patients are very happy with the results of their laser vision correction. BACK TO TOP Can Both of My Eyes be Treated on the Same Day? Yes. Most of our patients elect to have both eyes done in one visit. However, this decision should be discussed during your pre-operative appointment at Casey Vision Correction Center. BACK TO TOP Is Laser Vision Correction Painful? No. Your eye is carefully anesthetized with drops before the surgery. You won't feel any pain during the procedure. If you are very nervous, you can request a prescription for a sedative to take before the surgery. Some patients report minor discomfort after the surgery. BACK TO TOP How Long Does the Surgery Take? The laser portion of the surgery takes about one minute. However, you can expect to be in the laser suite for 15 to 30 minutes per eye, and to be at CEI for about 2 hours total on the day of surgery. BACK TO TOP What Does Laser Vision Correction Cost? Conventional LASIK with Intralase, PRK, and CustomCornea all cost $1975 per eye at Casey Vision Correction Center. During your pre-operative examination, your physicians will discuss with you the best procedure(s) for your specific situation. The fee for a pre-operative examination and consultation is $100 and is deducted from the cost of surgery. All fees include all surgical care, post-operative care, and any enhancement procedures (if needed) for a period of one year. Will My Insurance Cover Laser Vision Correction? This is an elective procedure and is not covered by most insurance plans. Check with your insurance carrier for details of your plan. Is Financing Available? Casey Vision Correction Center offers 6- and 12-month interest-free financing options. Please contact the Casey team for more information. BACK TO TOP What If I Live Outside the Portland Area? If frequent visits to Casey are inconvenient for you, you may be able to complete your pre-operative evaluation and post surgery follow-up care with your regular eye care provider. Physicians at Casey Vision Correction Center regularly train other eye care professionals to co-manage the care of refractive surgery patients. We will gladly refer you to a Casey-trained eye care professional in your area. Just call 1-800-842 EYES (3937). If you choose the co-management option, you only need to stay in the Portland area for one night after surgery so that you can see your surgeon the following morning for a post-operative check. You can also discuss your post-op care with our staff at that time. Details of your procedure and specific post-op instructions will be forwarded to your co-managing eye care professional. We will remain in communication with your co-manager throughout your recovery. Choosing the co-management option reduces your surgery fee by $195 per eye. You will, however, be responsible for paying your co-managing eye care provider according to his or her fee schedule. BACK TO TOP What is Co-management? Physicians at Casey Vision Correction Center regularly train other eye care professionals to co-manage the care of refractive surgery patients. We will gladly refer you to a Casey-trained eye care professional in your area. Just call 1-800-842 EYES (3937). If you choose the co-management option, you only need to stay in the Portland area for one night after surgery so that you can see your surgeon the following morning for a post-operative check. You can also discuss your post-op care with our staff at that time. Details of your procedure and specific post-op instructions will be forwarded to your co-managing eye care professional. We will remain in communicaton with your co-manager throughout your recovery. Choosing the co-management option reduces your surgery fee by $195 per eye. You will, however, be responsible for paying your co-managing eye care provider according to his or her fee schedule. BACK TO TOP |