It is an outpatient treatment that uses a cool beam of light to gently reshape the surface of the eye-the cornea - thereby improving vision. The light gently pulses to remove a microscopic amount of tissue, flattening the curvature of the cornea, allowing images to be more sharply focused on the retina.

Laser surgery has been approved by the FDA for use in treating nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. This approval means that the FDA has recognized that laser vision correction is a safe and effective procedure.


Laser vision correction for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism is designed to be a onetime treatment that should reduce the condition overall, while also reducing or eliminating your dependence on glasses and contact lenses.


You may have heard about PRK, which stands for Photo refractive Keratectomy, the medical name for laser procedure. PRK and LASIK (Laser in-situ Keratomileusis) both utilize the VISX Laser System to remove corneal tissue in order to flatten the cornea. With LASIK, we first create a flap on the cornea and then use the laser for treatment below the corneal surface. RK (Radial Keratotomy) is a non-laser procedure where we use a knife to make a series of radial cuts into the cornea. These cuts are intended to produce a bulging effect in order to flatten the corneal surface. Both PRK and LASIK have now been approved by the FDA. Because of increased patient comfort, less chance of haze, and faster recovery times, most of our patients choose LASIK.

Yes. Over one million patients worldwide have had this treatment performed on them successfully. The FDA has recognized laser vision correction for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, and found the treatment safe and effective for eligible patients.


No, the treatment itself is quick, and the patient feels some mild pressure around the eye while the laser creates the flap.  Some patients may experience discomfort for one to three days after treatment.  Many patients compare this to a sensation of sand in the eye. We can prescribe pain medication to alleviate any discomfort during the recovery.


No. You can have laser vision correction as soon as you're ready and eligible to do it. You can ask us about laser vision correction at any time.


We will conduct a thorough examination to determine whether your eyes are healthy and suitable for the laser procedure. Your eye will be photographed and a computerized map, called corneal topography, will be made. This will assess the shape of your cornea and is one of the many diagnostic tests that we use to help ensure precise results.


This is an outpatient procedure. The laser treatment takes less than one minute for most patients. The entire procedure usually takes fifteen minutes, and your visit should be complete in less than an hour.

First, you will relax in a reclining chair. We will then place anesthetic drops in your eye and position your head under the laser. We will place a retainer to gently and comfortably hold your eyelids open during treatment.

The treatment begins when you focus on a blinking light. Microscopic amounts of tissue, less than the thickness of a human hair, will then be removed from your cornea by the gently pulsing light. Afterwards, some drops or ointment will be placed in your eye for protection and comfort.

You'll walk out of the treatment center with new vision, immediately!
You'll visit us for follow-up exams periodically during the first year.


Results vary with each individual. In a recent study, 100% of patients treated for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and/or astigmatism with the VISX STAR Excimer Laser System saw well enough to pass a driver's test without glasses. Your vision should be improved immediately after treatment. Some patients may experience small vision changes during the first several months, which is a normal occurrence.


Many people go back the day after treatment.


We can tell you if laser vision correction is right for you. Schedule a free consultation with our patient care coordinator to discuss your eligibility. Some general guidelines:

You must have healthy eyes, and be at least 18 years old for nearsightedness or farsightedness, and 21 years old for astigmatism.

Your vision must be stable for at least one year before the laser procedure.

You may not be a good candidate if you have degenerative or autoimmune diseases, or if you're pregnant or nursing, or if you have a condition that makes healing difficult.