What is LASIK? Does the surgery hurt? How long does the LASIK procedure take? How will I keep my eye open during the LASIK procedure? Will I experience pain or discomfort after the LASIK procedure? Can you guarantee 20/20 vision? How long will the correction last? What are my chances of needing glasses even after surgery? Can both eyes be treated on the same day? When can I drive? When can I return to work? If I need to, can I wear contact lenses after the procedure is performed? Will I still need reading glasses after the laser vision correction? What is monovision? If I choose to try monovision and do not like it, can anything further be done? If I am over 60 years of age, will the surgery still work for me? How much experience does the Magill Laser Center have with excimer laser surgery? What are the risks and side effects? What are the common side effects following vision correction? Can my vision be worse after the procedure? Why should I choose Magill Laser Center for vision correction surgery? What is LASIK?
LASIK is an acronym for laser assisted in situ keratomileusis, which refers to creating a flap in the cornea with a microkeratome and using a laser to reshape the underlying cornea. Only qualified surgeons can perform LASIK surgery. Does the surgery hurt?
The laser procedure itself is not painful although a slight pressure may be felt during the procedure. How long does the LASIK procedure take?
The procedure time is approximately 30 to 90 seconds per eye, in most cases, although patients are in the surgery suite for about 10 minutes. How will I keep my eye open during the LASIK procedure?
The eye is held open gently with a lid speculum. This will prevent your eye from closing. You do not even have to think about “not blinking” ... in fact, it is okay if you do blink. Will I experience pain or discomfort after the LASIK procedure?
LASIK patients sometimes experience very mild discomfort, if any, for the several hours after laser vision correction. There may be some mild burning or stinging during this time, but by the next day the discomfort will typically be resolved. The discomfort feels like there is something in the eye. With the introduction of anti-inflammatory eye drops and the use of a protective soft contact lens, the incidence of discomfort has been greatly reduced.
Can you guarantee 20/20 vision?
No. We cannot guarantee 20/20 vision. However, we can tell you that approximately 95% of our patients with low to moderate ranges of nearsightedness achieve normal or clear vision from just one surgery. Excellent vision after surgery may range from 20/15 to 20/40. While most patients are free from glasses after surgery, some patients still use them for 5-10% of their day , such as when driving a car in the evening or perhaps watching TV.
How long will the correction last?
The goal is for permanent correction, however, Magill Laser Center cannot guarantee that your vision will not change as you age. Current research data shows excellent stability for LASIK patients to date. What are my chances of needing glasses even after surgery?
Though uncommon, there are a few patients that may not achieve complete spectacle independence after surgery. This is most often due to an under-correction or an over-correction although under-corrections are more common. The treatment for either an under/over correction is to perform an "enhancement", or additional LASIK, for the remaining amount of nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. Most importantly, patients who do not achieve spectacle independence are still usually pleased with the results of their laser vision correction, because their vision is still much improved in comparison to their natural sight prior to the procedure.
Can both eyes be treated on the same day?
Yes. Because certain patients have clinical criteria that increase risk of potential side effects, your surgeon will advise you on what is best for your condition and situation.
When can I drive?
A patient is legal to drive when one eye is 20/40 or better. This means that most patients can typically drive the following day after surgery. However, a patient should refrain from driving until they feel comfortable with the vision in the operated eye.
When can I return to work?
Most people can return to work one day following LASIK surgery. If I need to, can I wear contact lenses after the procedure is performed?
Depending on your level of nearsightedness prior to LASIK, you may be able to wear contact lenses again after the procedure. If you are able to wear a contact lens comfortably prior to surgery, you should be able to wear them again post surgery. Will I still need reading glasses after the laser vision correction?
Laser vision correction does not currently treat the need for reading glasses. As we age, (usually after 40 to 50 years of age), the inside fine focusing lens of your eye hardens and no longer provides clear reading vision (presbyopia). This means that even if you have LASIK surgery, you will still need reading glasses to see clearly up close. There are, however, treatment options to treat presbyopia, such as 'near LASIK' (known as monovision), or refractive lens exchange, where the patient's natural lens is replaced with an artificial lens that has been fitted with the person's eyeglass prescription thus removing the need for reading glasses. What is monovision?
Monovision refers to correcting one eye for distance and the other eye for near vision to address a person's need for reading glasses. Monovision can be achieved through contact lenses or laser vision correction. One eye can be surgically corrected to provide good distance vision, and the other eye can be left slightly nearsighted for reading vision. If this option seems desirable, people may wish to determine their suitability for monovision with contact lenses first, prior to LASIK laser vision correction.
The advantage to monovision is that for most daily activities -including sports, reading a menu, or labels on consumer goods - people do not need glasses. Monovision is an exciting option or alternative and should be discussed with your eye doctor.
If I choose to try monovision and do not like it, can anything further be done?
Yes, should you choose monovision and become unhappy with it, a LASIK enhancement surgery can be performed to correct the “near” eye for distance.
If I am over 60 years of age, will the surgery still work for me?
Each eye has two lenses to focus light. The cornea is the first lens, and the lens in the eye is the second lens. Laser vision correction works effectively to correct the general focus of the eyes, no matter what your age. After 55 to 60 years of age, the early development of cataracts may begin so we usually recommend that patients wait to have their vision corrected at the time of cataract surgery. If you are an older patient interested in vision correction surgery but do not yet have cataracts, exciting options are still available to you. Through a procedure called refractive lens exchange, your surgeon can replace your natural lens with an artificial lens that has been customized with your eyeglass prescription to eliminate your need for glasses. Options are now available to treat both near and distance vision and may eliminate the need for reading glasses as well. How much experience does the Magill Vision Center have with excimer laser surgery?
Magill Vision Center is the first laser center in South Carolina. It was established in 1994 by a donation from Arthur and Holly Magill of Greenville, South Carolina. The first LASIK and PRK procedures in South Carolina were performed at Magill Vision Center. Thousands of patients have been successfully treated at Magill Laser Center. VISX, the most recognized developer of excimer lasers in the United States, presented Magill Laser Center the "STAR" award for being nationally ranked in the top 5 percent for overall LASIK volume.
What are the risks and side effects?
As with any surgical procedure, potential patients must be aware of possible risks associated with laser vision correction. Potential patients should remember that a specific end result cannot be guaranteed.
Although rare, serious complications can occur. Infection is the largest risk but is extremely rare and can often be effectively treated with medications. Other rare, but possible,complications include haze, scarring and induced astigmatism. And, because each patient's healing process is different, too much or too little healing
response may also occur. Most of these complications are treated with either medications or further surgery.
What are the common side effects following vision correction?
During the healing process, most people will experience at least one of the following effects: - Increased sensitivity to light
- Halo or ghosting effects from lights at night
- Decreased visual clarity in dim light
- Slightly drier eyes
For most cases, these side effects decrease or disappear as the eye heals, usually in the first month after surgery. Occasionally, some of these side effects may persist. Can my vision be worse after the procedure?
In very rare cases, yes. National studies have shown that less than 1 percent of patients experience a slight reduction in quality of vision associated with irregular astigmatism or haze. Decreased vision occurs with the loss of at least two lines of vision on the eye chart. Almost all patients, even with haze or irregular astigmatism, are legal to drive following LASIK. Often, haze or irregular astigmatism clears over time, but, sometimes, it does not. Why should I choose Magill Vision Center for vision correction surgery?
The Magill Vision Center has been using excimer laser technology since it opened its doors in 1994. Magill surgeons have been actively involved in FDA-approved United States clinical trial studies since before PRK was approved and continue to participate in investigational studies to provide the newest technologies and latest advancements in our state. Magill surgeons are currently treating low and high levels of nearsightedness, astigmatism and farsightedness. We have trained and credentialed more than 200 eye care providers in South Carolina and serve as a complication center, meaning that external LASIK surgeons rely on our expertise when problems arise in their practice or they need consulting services. The Magill Vision Center for Vision Correction is setting the standard of care for South Carolina and has gained national and international recognition. | 
