If you are unhappy with the hassle, discomfort, and cost of glasses or contact lenses, LASIK laser vision correction can help. With one short treatment you can permanently eliminate the nearsightedness, farsightedness, and even astigmatism you have lived with all your life. Imagine life without sand in your contacts or fumbling for glasses to see clearly in the middle of the night or first thing in the morning.
This page contains some information that can help you understand the LASIK procedure, but many people prefer to have the information explained in person. If you are interested in LASIK, please call 888-514-2020 or email Armin Vishteh, MD for a free LASIK consultation.
What Is LASIK?
LASIK is a procedure that uses a laser to improve the ability of your eye to focus on objects. Your eye is like a camera that uses two lenses to focus on images. The outer lens, called the cornea, is the clear part of the eye over your iris and pupil. The cornea has a fixed shape that it achieves in your late teens or early twenties. If it’s the right shape, you can see clearly, but if it’s the wrong shape, images can’t be brought into focus.
LASIK uses a laser to reshape the cornea so your eye can properly focus on objects. Because the cornea retains a fixed power throughout your life, once nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism is eliminated from the cornea, it’s gone forever.
LASIK Results
LASIK’s popularity is explained in part because the results are very good. According to clinical trials of the FDA-approved laser Dr. Vishteh uses, a large majority of patients (92%) achieve 20/20 or better vision, and almost all (99%) achieved 20/40 vision (the legal standard for driving) without glasses or contacts. Dr. Vishteh’s experience has been similar, and we are delighted with the results we are able to achieve for our patients.
Although almost all patients get great results from LASIK, like all surgeries, LASIK has risks. These risks are extremely unlikely, and the good news is that most complications from LASIK are temporary or treatable, especially by an experienced LASIK surgeon. Read more on our LASIK risks page.
Choosing a LASIK Surgeon
When you are choosing a LASIK surgeon, it’s important to select one that is dedicated to ensuring you and your vision are well cared-for. You want to find a LASIK surgeon who will be there, just to answer a question, put your mind at ease, and be prepared to treat you in the unlikely event that you have a complication. And you will want to select a surgeon who has experience treating complications.
Dr. Armin Vishteh has performed thousands of LASIK procedures and learned how to treat many different kinds of complications, including complications from LASIK performed by other surgeons. He believes that personalized care is an essential part of ensuring patients get the best results from laser vision correction. As a doctor, Dr. Vishteh’s dedication is to his patients’ health, and he knows that proper care of patients takes empathy, effort, and, above all, time. He is prepared to give you all three from your first consultation through your final follow-up and beyond.
Our free consultation makes it easy for you to talk to us. Please contact Armin Vishteh, MD today for a free consultation at our offices in: Rancho Cucamonga, Burbank, Santa Monica.
Nothing will make more of a difference in your LASIK experience than your choice of LASIK surgeon. There are many LASIK surgeons in Santa Monica, Rancho Cucamonga, Burbank, and surrounding areas. It’s important to take the time to consider your options and find the one that’s right for you.
Here are some tips for finding the best LASIK surgeon for you.
Talk to Friends and Family
LASIK and other laser vision correction procedures are very popular. The odds are good that you know several people who have had or considered LASIK surgery. You should talk to these people about their procedures, including their surgeons, their experiences, and their results.
If they would recommend their surgeon, add them to your list of candidates.
You can also talk to your regular eye doctor for recommendations. Your eye doctor will likely be able to give you qualified recommendations, but don’t forget to ask your doctor why they are recommending this particular LASIK surgeon to make sure it’s based on actual qualifications and not just a paid referral.
Go Online to Evaluate LASIK Surgeons and Add to Your List
Next, it’s important to go evaluate surgeons that have been recommended. Just because a surgeon was right for a friend doesn’t mean he will be right for you. Instead, you want to look at a surgeon’s qualifications.
When you go to a LASIK surgeon’s site, you want to look for:
- Qualifications
- Experience
- Options and alternatives
- Practice philosophy
You want a board-certified ophthalmologist with extensive experience who has the technology to offer you procedures like wavefront / topography LASIK and PRK along with other alternatives if you need them. You also want to find a patient-centered practice that will give you the long-term care that will give you reassurance against worries for complications, which are rare, but always possible. The role of your surgeon in your post-operative care should always be a strong consideration in decision making.
Schedule Consultation
Next, you will want to schedule consultations with LASIK surgeons. Your vision is very important, and you don’t want to make a decision without understanding what separates surgeons.
During your consultation you will want to evaluate:
- The surgeon’s dedication: Did he/she devote his attention to you? Did you even get to meet him/her? Never schedule LASIK with a surgeon you haven’t met.
- Ask surgeon about complications, risks, and corrections. Make sure the surgeon is experienced in handling all types of LASIK complications.
- Overall care: was the staff attentive to your needs and answer all your questions about the procedure?
- Quality of exam: do you feel the LASIK surgeon did a sufficiently detailed exam to make informed recommendations about your treatment?
- Cost, financing, and payment options. You never want to select a LASIK surgeon because of price, but it’s important to make sure you can afford the procedure.
Select the surgeon that gives you full confidence in his/her ability to give you the LASIK results you desire. If you don’t find one that gives you full confidence, start your search again–your vision is too precious to risk with anything less than full confidence.
Dr. Armin Vishteh offers complimentary consultations to make it easier for you to compare LASIK surgeons. Please contact Armin Vishteh, MD today for a free consultation at our offices in: Rancho Cucamonga, Burbank, Santa Monica.
LASIK Questions
What is LASIK?
LASIK (laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis) is a form of laser vision correction where a thin flap is created in the cornea exposing the stromal bed where the laser is delivered. Following the laser treatment, the corneal flap is repositioned. The active pump in the cornea helps to keep the flap in position; therefore, no stitches are needed. Most people notice immediate results and are able to return to work the following day.
What is PRK?
PRK (Photorefractive keratectomy) also referred to as surface ablation uses the excimer laser to reshape the cornea after the epithelial (surface) cells are removed . Like LASIK, PRK can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. No flap is created during PRK therefore the reshaping of the cornea takes place at a more superficial level. In some patients, due to individual anatomic variations, PRK may be the procedure of choice for safety reasons. PRK patients typically have a longer recovery time and may experience more post-operative discomfort.
Am I a candidate for LASIK and PRK?
The only way to tell for sure if you are a candidate for LASIK or PRK is to have a detailed eye exam, included in our complimentary LASIK consultation. In general, you should:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be in good general health
- Have no condition affecting the eyes, including eye infections and pregnancy
- Have a prescription that is stable for at least one year
Other qualifications (such as the shape of your cornea and the type of visual errors) may make you a better candidate for wavefront LASIK or PRK.
How long does LASIK take?
The LASIK procedure only takes a few minutes for each eye. Generally less than 10 minutes for both eyes. You should count on being at our office for about an hour.
Does LASIK hurt?
Generally not. Numbing drops are used during the procedure, and if you feel discomfort later, over-the-counter medication is typically adequate.
When will I see improvement in my vision?
Most people see improvement from LASIK right away. It may take several months before your vision completely stabilizes.
Are there complications associated with LASIK?
Yes as with any surgical procedure complications are possible. Minor side effects like temporary dry eyes affect many patients. In some cases under-correction, over-correction, or regression may occur. This may necessitate a touch-up. Infection and inflammation are very rare. Night vision symptoms such as glare, haloes, starbursts, and ghosting are common early on but improve and subside. Long-term complications of LASIK like dry eyes or night vision problems are more rare.
Is LASIK FDA-approved?
Yes. Dr. Armin Vishteh uses only FDA-approved LASIK technology. You can read the FDA’s Information on LASIK to help you understand more about the procedure.
Why should I choose Dr. Armin Vishteh for my LASIK procedure?
Nothing will have more of an impact on your LASIK experience than your choice of surgeon. Dr. Armin Vishteh has been performing LASIK since 1998, and has the experience of more than 25,000 procedures performed to help him make the best decisions about your laser vision correction. He uses only the most up-to-date technology available, and gives each patient his full personal attention. This will help you get a better LASIK experience and means he can provide help and assurance if you have any questions or concerns before, during, or after your LASIK procedure.
If you have more questions about LASIK, please contact Armin Vishteh, MD today for a free consultation at our offices in: Rancho Cucamonga, Burbank, Santa Monica.
Are You a LASIK Candidate?
For the right candidate, LASIK is a great option for freeing yourself from the burden of glasses or contacts. Most people with healthy eyes and a stable prescription are candidates for LASIK or another laser vision correction procedure.
This page gives general information about who is a LASIK candidate, but the only way to know whether you are a candidate is with a thorough eye exam. Dr. Armin Vishteh offers complimentary consultations that include an evaluation of your candidacy. To schedule your complimentary consultation at our Santa Monica or Rancho Cucamonga office, please call 888-514-2020 or email Armin Vishteh, MD today.
Are You a Candidate for Laser Vision Correction?
Laser vision correction is a highly successful and safe procedure when performed on the right candidate. To be a good candidate for any laser vision correction procedure, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be in good general health
- Not have a condition that affects your eyes
- Have a stable prescription for at least one year
Most people achieve stable vision at around the age of 19, but for some people it is a few years earlier or later. Conditions that can affect your eyes and postpone or prevent laser vision correction include eye infections like conjunctivitis (pink eye) or ocular syphilis, or pregnancy, which causes temporary instability in the eye’s focus.
LASIK or Other Laser Vision Correction Procedures
LASIK is the right laser vision correction procedure for most people. In some cases, though, another option might be right for you.
If you have certain types of refractive errors (including higher-order aberrations (HOAs)), Dr. Vishteh will likely recommend wavefront or custom LASIK.
In certain cases, i.e. thin corneas or topographical abnormalities, PRK or topography guided LASIK / PRK may be the procedure of choice. PRK does not require a flap creation like LASIK, and can therefore be a safer alternative.
In patients with very high prescriptions with or without thin corneas, intra-ocular contact lenses (ICL’s) may be the best choice.
A Complimentary Evaluation
It’s important to get a thorough evaluation before making a decision about LASIK or other laser vision correction procedures. Dr. Armin Vishteh makes it easy to get an appropriate evaluation by offering a complimentary consultation.
Please contact Armin Vishteh, MD today for a free consultation at our offices in: Rancho Cucamonga, Burbank, Santa Monica.
LASIK Risks
LASIK is one of the safest surgical procedures in modern medicine, but like all surgery, it does have risks. These risks are extremely unlikely, and most are treatable by an experienced surgeon. The potential for complications is the main reason why you want to find a surgeon dedicated to your eye care and dedicated to having a long-term relationship with patients through and beyond the standard six-month follow-up.
This page contains descriptions of the basic risks associated with LASIK, but many people find this information easier to understand when explained in person. For a personal discussion about the LASIK procedure, including its risks and complications, please call 888-514-2020 or email Armin Vishteh, MD today and schedule a free consultation.
What Are the Risks?
LASIK offers incredible benefits for almost all patients, but a small number of people do experience complications.
- Loss of visual acuity
- Visual symptoms: glare, halos, and double vision
- Undertreatment or overtreatment
- Regression of effect
- Dry eyes
- Farsighted patients may lose quality of results
Most complications are temporary or treatable. Some complications are more likely for people with certain types of visual errors or variations in eye anatomy.
How Common Are Complications?
Lasers have been approved for LASIK since 1998, which is when our best data about risks and complications begins. It’s possible we don’t fully understand the scope of complications, but the current data suggests these complications are extremely uncommon.
Overall, studies suggest that complication rates occur in less than 1% of cases at 1 year or more after surgery. However, short-term side effects are much more common. About half of LASIK patients will experience some side effects during the first 3-6 months after surgery. By far the most common side effect is dry eyes, which can be managed using eye drops. Other short-term complications will naturally work themselves out as your vision stabilizes. At about six months, we can decide whether you will benefit from retreatment. About 4% of patients benefit from enhancement.
The FDA also notes that a doctor’s experience can have a significant impact on your risk of complications, and urges patients to select surgeons with care. See How to Choose a LASIK Surgeon for tips on finding the right doctor for you.
Talk to a Doctor and Take Time to Make a Decision
If you are considering LASIK, it’s crucial that you take advantage of a doctor’s insight. Come prepared to a consultation with a list of questions, and make sure you ask them all. Feel free to call back if additional questions occur to you. A practice that won’t take the time to answer your questions before the procedure will not take the time to help you when you need it later. Never agree to a procedure until you have had time to talk to the doctor who will be performing it.
Our free consultation makes it easy for you to talk to us. Please contact Armin Vishteh, MD today for a free consultation at our offices in: Rancho Cucamonga, Burbank, Santa Monica.