1. How will I know if I’m a good LASIK candidate?
    
   • A complete eye exam will confirm what kind of refractive error you have. As part of our stringent screening methods, several diagnostic procedures are routinely performed to measure the amount of near- or farsightedness, astigmatism, the detailed shape and thickness of the cornea, pupil size, and the unique optics of your entire eye (wavefront measurement). You should not have any concomitant ocular health problems, such as cataracts, retinal detachments or untreated glaucoma. Our fellowship-trained refractive surgeons will then determine if subtle eye problems that can affect your surgery are present and advise you of your options.
     
     
2. Is Excimer Laser Surgery painful?
    
   • The laser treatment is painless. However, you may experience some ocular discomfort, “scratchiness”, and tearing during the first 24 hours after PRK or LASEK surgery. It will gradually resolve by the second and third days. You will be given painkillers and sedatives to ease the pain and discomfort. If LASIK is done, eye discomfort usually dissipates in less than 12 hours; painkillers are not necessary.
     
     
3. How safe is the procedure? Are there any complications?
    
   • The procedures are very safe which is why their demand has grown at an incredible rate. However, as in any procedure, there may be complications. 
     
     Although extremely rare, vision-threatening complications are possible. These include infections and an irregular healing process which results in irregular astigmatism that requires contact lenses or further surgery. There are also complications which may lead to temporary dependence on glasses or contact lenses, temporary blurred vision, or need for further surgery. In most cases however, the patient still does well and recovers with good vision.
     
     
4. What are the side effects?
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     Common ones are light sensitivity, glare, halos, and corneal haze during the first few months; most will subside over time.
     
     
5. How long is the treatment?
    
   • The laser treatment usually takes about 30 seconds for the MEL-80 and about 1 minute for the Technolas 217z. The whole procedure takes less than 5 minutes for PRK and15 minutes for LASIK & LASEK. Treatment is done as a day surgery procedure without the need for admission to hospital.
     
     
6. How long does it take to recover?
    
   • For PRK and LASEK, the surface of the cornea takes 2 to 3 days to heal, with vision improving thereafter. Stability of the vision is usually attained in 1 to 3 months. It may take longer if very high myopic corrections are performed. For LASIK, vision usually improves within 24 hours and stabilizes in 1 to 3 months. Most patients return to work in 1 to 3 days.
     
     
7. Can Excimer Laser Surgery eliminate the need to wear reading glasses?
    
   • PRK, LASEK, and LASIK are usually done to correct distance vision. If done on a patient 40 years old and older, he/she will most likely need reading glasses. However, the ability to functionally read without glasses can be achieved by leaving one eye nearsighted and fully correcting the other eye. This is known as “monovision” or “blended vision”. Your doctor will discuss these options with you.
     
     
8. When can I exercise or swim?
    
   • Normal activities can be resumed after a week. Engaging in active sports should be deferred for about 2 weeks or until the eye is fully healed. Refrain from swimming or any water sports and stay away from hot tubs or saunas for 3 weeks.
     
     
9. When can I have the other eye done?
    
   • Both eyes are usually done on the same day to avoid the imbalance of one eye needing treatment while the other eye no longer does. It may, however, be done sequentially on separate days if the patient wants.
     
     
10. What if I blink or move my eye during the procedure?
     
    • During the procedure, an eyelid support prevents your eyelids from closing. An eye tracking system that matches the position of the eye with each laser pulse will also be activated in case you accidentally move your eye.
      
      
11. What is the success rate?
     
    • St. Luke’s Vision Laser Center is equipped with the FDA-approved, cutting-edge MEL-80 laser for vision correction surgery. The FDA approval was based on results of clinical studies showing that 93 percent of patients who underwent laser eye surgery using MEL-80 were corrected at three months to 20/20 or better visual acuity while 41 percent were corrected to 20/12.5 or better at six months. Results also showed that 85 percent of patients achieved within one-half of a diopter (optical power measurement) of the intended correction at three months post-operative follow-up.
      
      Enhancement procedures may be done if the patient does not achieve his or her goal with one procedure. The enhancement procedure often improves vision to a satisfactory level.
      
      
12. Is the laser correction permanent?
     
    • LASIK, PRK, and LASEK are permanent procedures. Some patients’ eyes may change throughout their lifetime, but this naturally happens even with glasses or contact lenses.
      
      
13. Can the treatment be repeated?
     
    • In some cases with under-correction after the initial laser treatment, enhancement can be performed. This can only be done 3 to 6 months after the initial treatment to allow refraction stability to be achieved before enhancement surgery.
      
      
14. Can I still use glasses or contact lenses if treatment does not give satisfactory results?
     
    • Yes, one can always wear glasses to improve vision if the treatment does not give satisfactory unaided vision. In some but not all cases, contact lenses can also be prescribed. It may not be possible to wear contact lenses in all cases as the shape of the cornea has been changed by the laser surgery.
      
      
15. Can excimer laser surgery be done if I am pregnant?
     
    • It is not advisable to have excimer laser surgery if one is pregnant. Changes in the shape of the cornea may occur during pregnancy, which may affect the result of the treatment. Excimer laser surgery itself is not known to harm the unborn baby.
      
      
16. Can I use my PhilHealth or my HMO to pay for the surgery?
     
    • PhilHealth deduction is not allowed as this treatment is classified as cosmetic surgery. HMO’s usually don’t pay for laser refractive surgery either.