At Boydvision, every prospective patient gets personal attention and treatment specifically suited to their individual needs. But there are some common concerns we hear that apply to anyone considering laser eye surgery. Here are answers to those questions:
Can LASIK help with nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism?
Yes, LASIK procedures can be used with all three conditions to improve vision.
LASIK is an effective solution for mild to moderate nearsightedness (myopia). It’s also considered an ideal way to deal with cases of more extreme nearsightedness (greater than 7 diopters). LASIK treats nearsightedness by reshaping the cornea to deliver clear vision at close-up distances. In addition, Boydvision also offers PRK and intra-ocular lens implants as solutions to myopia. The same procedures and techniques are also used when treating farsightedness (hyperopia), although the cornea will be reshaped to correct for distance rather than near vision.
Astigmatism is a condition where the cornea’s abnormal shape creates vision distortion and blurriness regardless of distance. Many people don’t realize that it can be treated with laser eye surgery, but LASIK can be used to reshape the inner layer of the cornea to correct an astigmatism. Astigmatism can also be treated with PRK and intra-ocular lens implant procedures. We can recommend the best option for you during our free initial consultation. If you have been relying on glasses or contacts to deal with astigmatism, hyperopia, or myopia, LASIK could very well offer you an effective, long-term solution.
How does ‘Blended Vision’ work?
Blended vision works by creating an overlap in your field of vision. This makes it possible to let your dominant eye take care of regular and distance vision, with your non-dominant eye optimized for close-up vision. This ‘blend zone’ is created using a state-of-the-art excimer laser technology, which can make small, precise changes to the shape of your cornea. At Boydvision we use the Zeiss MEL-80 laser, unmatched for accuracy and the best tool for this exacting procedure.
A typical blended vision patient is someone over the age of 45, who is experiencing the natural loss of close-up vision that accompanies aging. If you don’t want to rely on reading glasses as you get older, blended vision is a natural choice. And if you’re already relying on progressive lens (aka bifocals) to address an existing vision problem, a blended vision procedure is a great solution. An important benefit of blended vision – you can undergo additional treatments as time goes by… and maintain freedom from glasses for years to come.
Are there risks associated with laser eye surgery?
It’s true. Just like any surgical procedure, there have been cases where patients are unhappy with the outcome, or suffered from side effects after having their eyes treated. But, these unfortunate situations are very rare. In fact, when you consider that hundreds of thousands of people in North America undergo laser eye surgery every year, Canada’s strong rules for ensuring patient safety, and the expert, non-rushed care you will receive at Boydvision, it becomes clear; people who want to experience the freedom of life without glasses or contacts should put laser eye surgery at the top of their list of potential solutions. One thing is certain. At Boydvision, we won’t perform any procedure if we don’t think you’re a suitable candidate. As our testimonials show, patient safety and satisfaction are the prime considerations at our clinic.
Is laser eye surgery covered by BC Medical?
Sadly, the provincial government does not cover laser eye surgery (or eye glasses and contacts). But if you are a union member or have an extended health benefit plan, partial or complete coverage may be included. Our blog post Is LASIK in Your Contract can help you to determine if you are covered. Another option is Boydvision’s interest-free financing. At the time of booking, you will be asked to provide a $500 initial payment. The rest can be financed free of charge. The application forms are available at our office or you may apply directly on-line at www.medicard.com.
Does laser eye surgery hurt?
A topical anesthetic is administered to your eyes before the procedure, so there is very little, if any, pain during surgery. If you feel that the operation will be discomforting you also have the option of choosing a sedative to help you relax. It is during the recovery that there is potential for discomfort or pain. With LASIK, if there is any discomfort, it may last about six hours. PRK takes longer for initial healing to occur, so any discomfort experienced (ranging from feeling like there is something like an eyelash in the eye to a stinging / burning sensation) can last a few days.
How long will it take to recover from the procedure?
The actual time required for a laser eye surgery procedure are very short (typically about 10 minutes per eye) but you should plan to be at the clinic for about an hour – to take care of the necessary paperwork, allow time for the optional sedative to take effect and to go over any last minute questions or concerns. Both LASIK and PRK procedures have relatively short post-operative recovery times. For LASIK, it takes about a day before your new and improved eyes return to normal. PRK takes longer – we recommend patients plan to take a week off work. You will be required to have eye exams at predetermined intervals following the surgery. The regular schedules for follow-up visits are:
PRK – Day 4, Day 10-14, 1 month, 3 month, 6 month, 12 month.
LASIK – Day 1, 1 week, 1 month, 3 month, 6 month, 12month.
When these examinations are done at BoydVision, they are included in the cost of the procedure. If you live too far from BoydVision to return, you can see an optometrist close to home (they will charge you a fee for this service). These examinations are essential to confirm the eye has recovered well from surgery.
Still have questions? Contact us to take advantage of Boydvision’s free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll let you know if you’re a suitable candidate for our services and can answer any additional questions you might have at that time.