Frequently Asked Questions

It is important to know as much as you can about the experience of the surgeon who will be performing the actual surgery. While there are qualifications that every surgeon must achieve, each surgeon’s experience varies.

Do your research on your surgeon. Make sure you’re comfortable with their qualifications, experience, and track record.

LASIK is an elective laser eye surgery procedure used to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.  It stands for laser in situ keratomileusis. 

LASIK is a permanent form of vision correction. It reshapes the surface of the eye, the cornea, and this will have a lasting impact on your vision. It changes your eyes and permanently corrects the prescription you had before the surgery. According to recent statistics , after LASIK, 99 percent of patients achieve better than 20/40 vision and more than 90 percent achieve 20/20 or better.

LASIK involves creating a flap and reshaping the middle layer of the cornea to correct one’s prescription.  Early, older technology involved using a semiautomated instrument to create the flap whereas today’s technology should involve using a femtosecond (bladeless) laser to create the flap.

The advantages of the modern laser are simple: Precision and Safety.  The laser allows for more customization of the flap size, hinge location, edge design as well as thickness of the flap. Simply put customization, is greater personalization of LASIK for your eyes. This enables eyes with flaps created with lasers to withstand more force as well as to allow for people with thinner eyes to undergo LASIK.

At Clearview, we believe that LASIK should be personalized for your eyes and your lifetstyle. Be sure to ask about our advanced technology during your consultation. 

LASIK is a permanent form of laser eye surgery. It reshapes the surface of the eye, the cornea, which has a lasting impact on your vision. It changes your eyes to permanently correct the prescription you had before the surgery. According to recent statistics, after LASIK, 99 percent of patients achieve driving vision better than 20/40 vision and more than 90 percent achieve 20/20 or better.

According to the American Refractive Surgery council, a recent study in the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery of patient-reported data concluded quality-of-life and satisfaction rates remained high 5 years after LASIK1.  The study also reported more than 94% of patients stated they were not wearing distance prescription lenses 5 years after having LASIK.

It is important to remember that your eyes, like the rest of your body, age. And the natural aging process can affect your vision.

1. Patient reported outcomes 5 years after laser in situ keratomileusis. SC Schallhorn, JA Venter, D Teenan, SJ Hannan, KA Hettinger, M Pelouskova, JM Schallhorn. J Cataract & Refractive Surgery:42(6).2016.879-889.

LASIK has one of the highest patient satisfaction rates of any medical procedure.  Worldwide, an average of 95.4% of patients are satisfied with their vision after LASIK.1 
At Clearview Eye and Laser Medical Center, 98-99% of patients would recommend LASIK to their family members and friends!  We use advanced LASIK technology (bladeless, all laser) to permanently reshape the front surface of the eye. We have found this allows us to perform the most appropriate surgery for your eyes. As a result of our technology and personalized approach, our patients are very happy!

  1. LASIK world literature review: quality of life and patient satisfaction Kerry D Solomon, Luis E Fernández de CastroHelga P SandovalJoseph M BiberBrian GroatKristiana D NeffMichelle S YingJohn W FrenchEric D DonnenfeldRichard L LindstromJoint LASIK Study Task Force10.1016/Ophthalmology.2008.12.037 
  2. Patient Surveys, 2012, 2015.

More people are satisfied with their vision 3 years after LASIK than those wearing contact lenses. Although dry eyes do commonly occur in the months following LASIK, dry eye symptoms did not increase over time as compared with increased symptoms such as eye infections, abrasions, and ulcers that occur with contact lens use.  
Three-Year Longitudinal Survey Comparing Visual Satisfaction with LASIK and Contact Lenses Marianne O Price  1 David A Price  2 Frank A Bucci Jr  3 Daniel S Durrie  4 William I Bond  5 Francis W Price Jr  6 0.1016/j.ophtha.2016.04.003 

Both wearing contact lenses and having LASIK can be associated with a small risk of side effects and visual loss. However, LASIK poses less risk of loss of vision1.

In a study of 32,000 LASIK procedures, the risk of two lines or more of visual loss was 1 in 1,250 people. Vision loss in contact lens wearers was more significant and more common, 1 in 1,000 people. And the risk of a bacterial infection was as high as 1 in 100 for individuals who wear contact lenses for 30 years.  

1Risk of LASIK surgery vs contact lenses.  Mathers WD, Fraunfelder FW, Rich LF. Arch Ophthalmol. 2006 Oct;124(10):1510-1.

There are many criteria to consider if you are a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery.
These are some of the criteria that we at Clearview Eye & Laser Medical Center will evaluate when we examine your eyes. After all, it’s all about you and your eyes:

1. Your Prescription Must Be Within Certain Limits

Your prescription should fall within a certain range. If your prescription is extremely high, because of nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism, you may not be a good candidate for LASIK. Other procedures such as PRK [photorefractive keratectomy] or ASA [advanced surface ablation] or the EVO implantable collamer lens [ICL] might be right for you.

Your prescription should be stable for a year.

2. The Thickness of your Cornea

LASIK reshapes the cornea, the surface of your eye. The cornea must be thick enough for the surgery.

3. The Health of your Eyes

If you have or had other eye conditions and problems such as glaucoma or severe dry eye, you need to discuss them with us during your consultation and eye examination before your procedure. We will discuss how LASIK might affect your eyes with these conditions.

4. Conditions and Medications

Some conditions such as autoimmune diseases, type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or other major illness may have an effect on healing or affect your eyes. They may change how you heal, slow healing or even prevent healing.

Some medications such as isoretinoin (Accutane), steroids and immunosuppressants may also prevent healing.

It is important to discuss any illnesses or medical conditions with us at your consultation.

5. Pupil Size

The size of your pupil is less important than it once was with LASIK. However, it may still influence certain side effects such as night glare and haloes after surgery. We will evaluate your pupil size prior to surgery.

Newer surgical techniques which personalize the treatments for your eyes such as iDesign refractive surgery LASIK and wavefront guided LASIK may help to minimize night vision complaints. In the FDA studies of wavefront guided LASIK [CustomVue] LASIK, participants were four times more likely to say that they were satisfied with their night vision after Custom Vue LASIK surgery than before with glasses and/or contact lenses.

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf/P930016S016d.pdf
https://www.clearvieweyes.com/files/fda-patient-information-booklet-customvue-low-myopia.pdf

6. Your general health is important.

You should be healthy

7. Age

You must be at least 18 years old. In addition to age, your eyes must have a stable prescription.

There is no upper age limit for LASIK. Clear vision with glasses or contact lenses is needed and your eyes should be healthy.

8. Pregnant or Nursing

If you are pregnant or nursing you should wait to have LASIK surgery.

9. Expectations

After your eye exam, you and the doctors at Clearview Eye & Laser Medical Center will discuss the results of your eye exam, your activities and lifestyle and what you want from the surgery. If you are one of the many people who are a good candidate for successful LASIK eye surgery, the expected benefits and potential risks of the recommended surgery will also be discussed. You will be able to set realistic expectations.

About 19 million people have had LASIK surgery1 and recent studies report a success rate of 99% for improving vision to at least 20/40 and patient satisfaction. In the CustomVue FDA LASIK study for low to moderate myopia with and without astigmatism, 94% of individuals achieved 20/20 or better vision and 74% experienced better than 20/20 vision.2

  1. https://www.statista.com/statistics/271478/number-of-lasik-surgeries-in-the-us/
  2. https://www.clearvieweyes.com/files/fda-patient-information-booklet-customvue-low-myopia.pdf

Dr. Feldman believes that laser correction surgery is personal. She is passionate about helping you to achieve your goals of clear vision. That is why our consultation and examination are thorough. With the advanced LASIK laser technology, her surgical expertise and a caring, dedicated team, Clearview Eye & Laser Medical Center takes pride in delivering superb care for your eyes and you.

At Clearview, you will be getting surgery by a doctor that San Diegans trust.  Dr. Sandy T. Feldman and Clearview have been voted San Diego’s Best LASIK surgery center by Spectrum Awards, City Beat Magazine, UT San Diego, Forbes and Newsweek Magazine as well as Goldline award.  Her experience, leadership and caring for patients make her one of the top surgeons in the U.S.

Dr. Feldman has been featured as an expert in local San Diego TV, such as FOX News, KUSI, Channel 8 and 10 as well as national and international TV.  The inventor of the wavefront device used in custom LASIK flew over from Germany to have Dr. Sandy T. Feldman and the Clearview Team do his LASIK surgery.

Unlike other LASIK centers, you will have surgery by a surgeon known to you.  This is not a LASIK-for-hire surgeon that travels in and travels out of town. Dr. Feldman is in San Diego!

She and her team do their best to make you as relaxed and comfortable as possible during your procedure.  It is normal for patients to have fear, as sight is the most precious of all senses.

Yes. Firefighters can have LASIK surgery. Firefighters usually must meet visual standards specified by the National Fire Protection Association guidelines. Having LASIK usually means seeing without visual aids and for most people LASIK can correct unaided vision to the guideline levels. This can help people achieve their dream of entering the brave field of firefighting.

LASIK is also helpful for firefighters as after LASIK, you won’t have to wear glasses so you won’t have to worry about eyeglasses slipping down the nose during critical moments nor foggy glasses underneath the goggles. Our firefighter patients have told us, LASIK has made it a bit easier for them to perform their duties.

Since LASIK usually means that you won’t have to wear contacts, you will no longer have to worry about taking out your lenses while on 24 hour shifts at the station. Also while wearing contact lenses, your become more irritated due to the smoke and chemicals in the air and it is intensified while fighting the fires for days in a row in difficult conditions.

We encourage you to ask us any questions you may have about LASIK for firefighters during your consultation. We can discuss expectation for your eyes and as with any surgery, we can coordinate the best time for your healing.

The team at Clearview Eye and Laser Medical Center believes that LASIK should be personalized for your eyes and lifestyle. We strive to give you clearest vision possible so you can achieve your dreams.
Sandy this is what I could find from this link that quotes the NFPA 1582 standard. https://www.ofai.ca/candidate-testing-information/stage-two-vision-assessment

The following outlines the NFPA 1582 vision requirements candidates must meet:

1. Visual Acuity
Minimum Requirement:
20/30 corrected OR 20/40 uncorrected.
Both eyes tested together.

2. Color Vision
Minimum Requirement:
Sufficient colour perception to safely perform all essential job tasks
Individuals with abnormal color perception (i.e. red-green deficiency) do meet the color vision requirement
Individuals with monochromatic vision do not meet the requirement

3. Binocular Vision
Minimum Requirement:
Sufficient binocular vision to safely perform all essential job tasks

4. Peripheral Vision
Minimum Requirement:
At least 110 degrees along horizontal meridian in better eye

5. Ocular Health
Minimum Requirement:
Sufficient ocular health to safely perform all essential job tasks

6. Category A Medical Conditions

The following medical conditions would preclude a person from performing as a member in a training or emergency operational environment.

  • Best corrected distance visual acuity with glasses or contacts that is worse than 20/40 binocular
  • Uncorrected distance visual acuity worse than 20/100 for individuals who wear hard contacts or glasses only
  • Monochromatic vision (resulting in inability to use imaging devices such as thermal imaging cameras)
  • Monocular vision
  • Any eye condition that results in the candidate not being able to safely perform one or more of the essential job tasks 

7. Category B Medical Conditions

The following medical conditions, based on their severity or degree, could preclude a person from performing as a member in a training or emergency operational environment.

  • Diseases of the eye such as retinal detachment, progressive retinopathy, or optic neuritis
  • Ophthalmological procedures such as radial keratotomy, LASIK procedure, or repair of retinal detachment
  • Peripheral vision in the horizontal meridian less than 110 degrees in the better eye or any condition that significantly affects peripheral vision in both eyes
  • Amblyopia

Candidates with a Category B medical condition shall be certified as meeting the medical requirements of this standard only if they can perform the essential job tasks without posing a significant safety and health risk to themselves, members, or the public.

The following outlines the 13 essential job tasks of a firefighter as detailed in Chapter Five of NFPA 1582:

  1. *While wearing personal protective ensembles and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), performing firefighting tasks (e.g., hoseline operations, extensive crawling, lifting and carrying heavy objects, ventilating roofs or walls using power or hand tools, forcible entry), rescue operations, and other emergency response actions under stressful conditions including working in extremely hot or cold environments for prolonged time periods
  2. Wearing an SCBA, which includes a demand valve-type positive-pressure facepiece or HEPA filter masks, which requires the ability to tolerate increased respiratory workloads
  3. Exposure to toxic fumes, irritants, particulates, biological (infectious) and nonbiological hazards, and/or heated gases, despite the use of personal protective ensembles and SCBA
  4. Depending on the local jurisdiction, climbing six or more flights of stairs while wearing a fire protective ensemble, including SCBA, weighing at least 50 lb (22.6 kg) or more and carrying equipment/tools weighing an additional 20 to 40 lb (9 to 18 kg)
  5. Wearing a fire protective ensemble, including SCBA, that is encapsulating and insulated, which will result in significant fluid loss that frequently progresses to clinical dehydration and can elevate core temperature to levels exceeding 102.2°F (39°C) 2013 Edition 1582-10 COMPREHENSIVE OCCUPATIONAL MEDICAL PROGRAM FOR FIRE DEPARTMENTS
  6. While wearing personal protective ensembles and SCBA, searching, finding, and rescue-dragging or carrying victims ranging from newborns to adults weighing over 200 lb (90 kg) to safety despite hazardous conditions and low visibility
  7. While wearing personal protective ensembles and SCBA, advancing water-filled hoselines up to 21⁄2 in. (65 mm) in diameter from fire apparatus to occupancy [approximately 150 ft (50 m)], which can involve negotiating multiple flights of stairs, ladders, and other obstacles
  8. While wearing personal protective ensembles and SCBA, climbing ladders, operating from heights, walking or crawling in the dark along narrow and uneven surfaces that might be wet or icy, and operating in proximity to electrical power lines or other hazards
  9. Unpredictable emergency requirements for prolonged periods of extreme physical exertion without benefit of warm-up, scheduled rest periods, meals, access to medication(s), or hydration
  10. Operating fire apparatus or other vehicles in an emergency mode with emergency lights and sirens
  11. Critical, time-sensitive, complex problem solving during physical exertion in stressful, hazardous environments, including hot, dark, tightly enclosed spaces, that is further aggravated by fatigue, flashing lights, sirens, and other distractions
  12. Ability to communicate (give and comprehend verbal orders) while wearing personal protective ensembles and SCBA under conditions of high background noise, poor visibility, and drenching from hoselines and/or fixed protection systems (sprinklers)
  13. Functioning as an integral component of a team, where sudden incapacitation of a member can result in mission failure or in risk of injury or death to civilians or other team members 

Yes. You can have LASIK after the age of 40.

One of the factors we will discuss with you is presbyopia, one of the most common age-related changes to the eyes. Presbyopia, which usually occurs in the early to mid-40’s is when the lens in the eye becomes less elastic and can no longer change shape to bring close things into focus clearly. (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/presbyopia/symptoms-causes/syc-20363328)

This happens to almost everyone and may result in the need for reading glasses or lenses as you age. Presbyopia can be treated non-surgically and surgically.

If you are in this age group, during your consultation we will show you options so that you may not require reading glasses.

It is important to note LASIK does NOT usually make reading vision blurry, make presbyopia worse or cause it to happen sooner.

LASIK corrects nearsightedness or myopia so that your distance vision is clearer. You will see far away objects better. Myopia is a vision condition in your eye which causes objects far away to be blurry and up-close clear. (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nearsightedness/symptoms-causes/syc-20375556)

You might notice blurriness for close vision after LASIK if you were taking off your glasses and using your nearsightedness to help you read. During your consultation, we will discuss your vision and show you options for your reading vision if you may experience presbyopia shortly.

Surgery to address the change in vision you have experienced over two decades may be possible.

We will need to evaluate your eyes to determine whether laser vision correction, [LASIK or modern PRK [photorefractive keratectomy], ASA advance surface ablation or other refractive surgeries such as implantable lenses are best for you. Being able to have a LASIK enhancement may depend on the health of your eye, your age, the shape and thickness of your cornea and the prescription that is now present.

We will carefully evaluate your eyes, and then discuss the procedure(s) that are appropriate for you so that you may once again achieve the vision you want.

We treat patients who have had LASIK surgery 20 years ago and come back to be treated again by Dr. Sandy T. Feldman.

Yes, LASIK Eye Surgery is usually performed on both eyes during the same surgical session - one eye after the other. The entire procedure takes approximately 10 minutes per eye. We usually recommend having LASIK on both eyes on the same day if you need corrective surgery on both eyes. However, the choice is always yours.

However, there are times in which surgery is performed on only one eye:

If you have one eye that sees well for distance but the second eye requires an eyeglass prescription, doing LASIK on only one eye is indicated.

Above the age of 40, people with no distance prescription often have trouble seeing closeup. cell phones and computers. This is known as presbyopia. If you are mildly nearsighted in one eye, and above the age of 40, doing LASIK on only one eye for distance (blended vision or monovision) may be the best option for you. To determine whether this option might work for you, a trial will be performed during your consultation. Don’t worry if it sounds odd, many people like this option.

It is always possible to have both eyes done on separate days if you have a strong personal preference. However, most patients have stated that they prefer doing LASIK on both eyes at the same day. During the consultation we will discuss any preference you may have for two separate procedures. We want to ensure your comfort and will honor your request. Doing surgery on both eyes on the same day should never be forced upon you.

We understand that eye surgery on both eyes at the same time may seem scary, and we strive to provide you with excellent, personalized, and kind care every step of the way to visual freedom.

Yes, you are awake! During the surgery, you focus on a blinking light. This along with the sophisticated eye trackers help you keep your eye fixed while the laser reshapes your cornea to achieve visual independence.

LASIK usually takes about 10-15 minutes, and the laser is on the eye for less than one minute. The exact time will depend on the strength of your prescription. We do not rush the surgery and you will get as much time as you need during the procedure. During the procedure we explain in a calm voice what is being done before each surgical step, so you know what to expect in nonmedical terms.

You receive eyedrops before the procedure to anesthetize the eye and many patients take a relaxing medication to be comfortable. This makes the entire process from the patient’s viewpoint easy. Many patients are surprised how quick the procedure is and how comfortable they felt. In fact, most of Clearview’s patients remark after surgery that if they had known it was this easy, they would have gotten surgery sooner!

At Clearview, Dr. Sandy T. Feldman and the entire team do our best to deliver the best medical care in a personal, supportive, and comfortable environment.

Our short answer:
No, it would be extremely rare.

LASIK surgery is very safe and effective.1 According to a recent study an average of 95.4% of patients were satisfied with their outcome after LASIK surgery, making it one of the most successful surgeries performed.

There have been over 20 million LASIK surgeries2 performed in the United States with a success rate of improving vision to at least 20/40 and patient satisfaction of 99%. More than 90% of patients reported achieving vision rates of 20/20 or better!3 And in 2021, the American Refractive Surgery Council stated that there has never been a case where LASIK was the primary cause of blindness.4 Going blind because of Lasik would be extremely rare.

Like any surgery, LASIK carries risks of side effects, the unintended results of medical treatment. These are usually mild, temporary, go away on their own or can be managed successfully. Severe complications can occur, but they are very uncommon.

One of the best ways to understand and reduce risks of LASIK is to choose a surgeon with deep knowledge and expertise in performing LASIK surgeries, who uses current technology and importantly, explains and recommends the right procedure for you as an individual. Ask lots of questions.

At Clearview, we - Dr. Sandy Feldman, our doctors, and the whole team - strive to make you feel comfortable and trust that we will do everything possible to minimize risks and care for you at all stages of your LASIK journey - before, during and after the surgery. It is our passion to change our patients lives by giving you great vision!

 

  1. Kerry D Solomon , Luis E Fernández de CastroHelga P SandovalJoseph M BiberBrian GroatKristiana D NeffMichelle S YingJohn W FrenchEric D DonnenfeldRichard L LindstromJoint LASIK Study Task Force. Ophthalmology 2009 Apr;116(4):691-701. LASIK world literature review: quality of life and patient satisfaction
  2. https://www.statista.com/statistics/271478/number-of-lasik-surgeries-in-the-us/
  3. Helga P. Sandoval, Eric D. Donnenfeld, Thomas Kohnen, Richard L. Lindstrom, ... Kerry D. Solomon. Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery 2016, August;42:1224-1234. Modern laser in situ keratomileusis outcomes.
  4. https://americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org/lasik-complication-rate-latest-facts/

NO! LASIK does not cause cataracts.

Cataracts are an age-related change in the eye. At some point in time, usually in one’s 60’s, the lens becomes stiffer and cloudy, causing blurry vision. Again, this is not a result of LASIK, nor does LASIK or laser eye surgery speed up its onset.

Some cataracts may remain small, while others may affect vision significantly. Implantable lens surgery can be done to remove the lens and replace it with an artificial lens (intraocular lens implant -IOL) to make you less dependent on glasses and/or contact lenses. Both conventional and newer femtosecond laser surgery are very effective treatment options to remove the lens of the eye. Refractive lens replacement or cataract surgery can be performed after having had LASIK surgery.

It is important to remember that LASIK treats one of the structures of the eye that is necessary for good vision - the cornea - and lens implant surgery treats the lens, a different part of the eye that also contributes to good vision. Both surgeries can reduce or free you from the dependance on glasses and/or contact lenses.

Dr. Sandy T. Feldman knows how precious sight is and how clear vision enhances the quality of life, no matter your age!

Read Nina A.'s review of Clearview Eye And Laser Medical Center on Yelp

You will need to stop using contact lenses prior to LASIK surgery and all laser vision correction procedures.

FDA studies recommend that you stop wearing soft contact lenses two weeks before surgery. However, in practice, we have found that the amount of time may vary depending on whether the soft lenses were toric [correct astigmatism] or not. During your consultation, we will evaluate your eyes to determine how long is needed for you. The amount of time usually varies from 3 days to 2 weeks.

For hard lenses, the FDA studies recommend that you stay out of hard lenses for four weeks before surgery.

At Clearview Eye & Laser Medical Center, we will make a recommendation for you based upon your testing. We will follow the changes in the shape of the cornea and prescription over time to determine when it is safe for you to proceed with surgery.

You need to give your cornea some time to stabilize prior to surgery and have the surface of the smooth and ready to heal well.

Contact lenses rest on the surface of the eyes and can cause some swelling to the cornea that could reduce the accuracy of the important measurements of your eyes done for your surgery. We at Clearview Eye & Laser Medical Center want those measurements to be as accurate as possible so that you will have the best possible outcome from your LASIK surgery.

During your consultation, we will tell you what the testing shows and will give you more specific, detailed advice for your eyes.

LASIK surgery reshapes the front surface of the eye to reduce one’s prescription for glasses.  LASIK is permanent; however, our eyes may change as we age. Some people’s eyes do not change prescriptions at all each year while others experience small changes as they age. The length of time LASIK lasts may also vary with the type of prescription treated by the surgery.  Additional laser vision correction procedures may be performed years later if needed on your eyes assuming your eyes have a normal shape and thickness.

At Clearview Eye & Laser Medical Center, once Dr. Sandy T. Feldman has finished the procedure, you and the person taking you home, will be given the postoperative instructions for immediately after LASIK. Then you will go home to nap and relax.

NO! After your LASIK eye surgery, you must have someone pick you up and bring you home to relax or take a nap.

Driving is not recommended immediately after surgery and until your vision is checked that you can legally drive without corrective lenses/glasses. For thesereasons, it is best and safest to leave the driving to someone else immediately after your surgery!

While some patients notice clearer vision immediately after LASIK surgery, the vision is not sharp. It is like looking through water. Additionally, the mild sedative we give before the LASIK surgery to help you relax will also make you feel a little drowsy.

When the effect of numbing drops starts to fade later (4-5 hours after surgery), you will have some blurriness and sensitivity to light causing your eyes to water which will also affect your vision for driving safely.

We will provide you with eyewear after your LASIK surgery, we recommend you wear these after your surgery until you are seen in the office the next morning. During this immediate post-surgery period, we recommend you sleep and rest your eyes as much as possible.

By the next morning, your eyesight should have greater clarity. It will continue to stabilize and improve within a few days. Healing and vision improvement will continue over the next 3- 6 months.

You will usually be evaluated the morning after your LASIK eye surgery. We will also review postoperative instructions with you. During this visit, we will address your questions as well.

Should you ever have any questions after LASIK surgery, we at Clearview encourage you to call us or come in to visit us so we can address all your questions.

Do enjoy your new vision free of corrective lenses!

For 24 hours after surgery, let your eyes rest and concentrate on the recovery process:

Do not strain your eyes.
Do not get water in your eyes.
Do not rub, touch, or put pressure on your eyes.
Do not watch tv or look at computer, tablets, and smartphone screens for 24 hours.
Do not read.
Do not exercise as perspiration will irritate your eyes and make it more likely that you will rub your eyes.

Do follow the postoperative instructions given to you at Clearview.
Do remember to be gentle with your eyes; they need some time to heal.
Do look forward to enjoying all the days ahead with your clear vision!

After LASIK eye surgery, like any medical procedure, it will take some time to fully heal. Immediately after surgery you will feel some discomfort, but these symptoms should improve rapidly.

We at Clearview Eye & Laser Medical Center, give you postoperative instructions to ensure the best results of your surgery. Follow these postoperative instructions carefully. Healing is an important part of the process.

During your recovery, contact Dr. Feldman immediately if:

  • You experience severe eye pain.
  • Symptoms that are supposed to be temporary, such as foggy vision and burning, are getting worse or lasting a long time.
  • You get hit or poked in the eye.

During the postoperative period, you will have follow-up appointments. We at Clearview Eye & Laser Medical Center will monitor the progress of your recovery. Be sure to discuss any changes, issues, or questions during these appointments. Contact us if you have concerns in between these appointments.

Remember healing is a process. Most people have dramatically improved vision immediately but healing is not complete until 3 - 6 months after surgery. For some people the full benefit of the surgery might take longer to occur depending on their initial prescription and their healing.

Follow-up appointments are necessary and critical to your recovery. Your doctor at Clearview needs to monitor your progress to evaluate the results and healing after LASIK vision correction surgery. It is essential that we work together to attain the best outcome.

The first follow-up appointment is usually the day after surgery. Your eyes will be examined, visual acuity measured and confirm that the postoperative regimen is being followed. You may be given the ok to drive. This is also an opportunity to talk about any concerns and ask questions.

Over the course of the six-month healing period, you will have several additional follow-ups to check the progress of your healing and assess your vision. These appointments are also an opportunity for you to ask your doctor about anything you are experiencing, which activities you can resume, and any advice specifically based on your eyes and symptoms.

These follow-ups are important to your healing so that you will achieve your best vision. We at Clearview are dedicated to your comfort before, during and after surgery.

It’s okay to cry after your LASIK surgery.

Whatever the reason you may want to cry, natural tears won’t harm your eyes or delay the healing process. Crying may actually keep your eyes lubricated and that helps the healing process.

In fact, many patients cry immediately upon sitting up after LASIK. They are usually tears of joy when patients realize that they can see without glasses or lenses!

However, if you do cry, remember DO NOT touch your eyes or wipe away your tears. Putting pressure on your eyes and rubbing your eyes can harm your eyes while they are healing, that is why we place goggles over your eyes immediately after laser eye surgery. To ensure the best outcome, it is best avoid rubbing your eyes for one month after LASIK.

Most patients go back to work a few days after having LASIK.  

The vision the day after LASIK is often very good so it may be possible to resume work the next day. However, since some light sensitivity may occur, we at Clearview Eye & Laser recommend taking the weekend off.  

To make things easy for many patients, we do surgery on Fridays, so people have the weekend to recover.

Headaches do NOT usually occur after LASIK. Sometimes eye strain does occur, and some patients call this a “headache”. Our written postoperative instructions and regimen are designed to help prevent eye strain and dry eye.

Over time, it is important to use preservative free drops to keep eyes moist, wear sunglasses while outside, take breaks while working on the computerusing smart phones and tablets screens, and protecting your eyes as they continue to heal. Because your eyes have changed so much, it will take some time for you to get used to the new vision, causing some strain until your vision completely stabilizes. Discuss any strain or headaches with us during your follow-up appointments.

If you have strong, persistent headaches after LASIK, immediately see us so we can determine the cause and give you proper treatment.

We want you to feel comfortable before, during and after surgery. Please call us if you have any questions.

We do not recommend that you drive without corrective lenses until we check your eyes the day after LASIK and confirm that you meet the legal requirements of 20/40 or better. Most patients receive the OK to drive the day after laser vision correction but the length of time may depend on your initial prescription and your individual healing.

Once we confirm that your eyesight meets the legal requirement of 20/40 to drive without corrective lenses and your eyes are comfortable, it may be safe to drive. As you heal, some patients may experience glare at night so we recommend that you feel comfortable with your night vision before driving at night.

We at Clearview take pride in providing you with the best care to set you on the road to clear vision and freedom from corrective lenses!

Usually, it is considered safe to do light exercise after about three days to one week after LASIK. Keep it light, so sweat doesn’t run into your eyes, risking irritation and infection in your eye. Do NOT rub your eyes.

The time you need to wait before getting back to your normal routine depends on how your eyes are healing and the kind of activity you want to do. We at Clearview will advise you what is best for you, so be sure to ask us during your postoperative visits. Many workouts can be resumed after one week; however, variations exist depending upon the sport.

According to the FDA, more strenuous exercise is usually recommended after about a month. (FDA: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/lasik/what-should-i-expect-during-and-after-surgery)

No matter which exercise you do and when you start, remember that for 3-6 months after surgery your eyes are still healing.
To protect your eyes from the sun, dust, debris and dirt, we recommend that you wear sunglasses or clear athletic glasses.

Stay hydrated and remember to use your preservative-free tear drops to avoid dryness of your eyes.

Swimming after LASIK is satisfying as you can have clear vision without having to worry about your contact lenses or struggle to find your towel on the beach.

The FDA recommendations suggest that you should wait at least four weeks after surgery before swimming and going into hot tubs. Not all patients need to wait four weeks. We will give you a more precise time frame when we think you have healed sufficiently to swim as it can depend upon the healing of your eyes as well as where you swim - pool, ocean, or fresh water. Taking care of your healing eyes is your first priority during the healing period and ensuring your safety is our concern.

When possible, wear goggles to help protect your eyes while swimming. In San Diego, run off may drain directly into the ocean, making it unsafe to swim after recent rains. Check the local beach bacterial counts to see if an advisory is in place.

And don’t forget to don UV protective sunglasses as well! Sometimes, goggles have lenses that also block UV light.

At Clearview, we believe that LASIK should be personalized for your eyes and lifestyle, so we make recommendations that are right for your eyes and your healing.

Most people can resume wearing eye makeup or using any cosmetics that could run into your eyes one week after LASIK eye surgery.

Makeup can often be contaminated with bacteria, so to reduce any risks of an infection, we advise you to NOT wear makeup for at least a week. In addition, cosmetics such as foundations, lotions, and sunscreens contain chemicals which can also irritate the eye. Applying and removing eye makeup can put pressure on the eyes, something that could adversely affect healing, so use caution when removing make up.

Once you do resume using makeup, we often advise using only new makeup to minimize the risk of bacterial infection. Be wary about using artificial eyelashes and eyelash extensions as the glues can harm your eyes especially during your healing.

Treat your eyes gently, do not rub them or put pressure on them during the healing process. IT may take some time, but you want your eyes to clearly see how good they look!

San Diego Lasik Surgeon Dr. Sandy T. Feldman
Dr. Feldman on KUSI TV About Eyelash Extensions
Dr. Sandy T. Feldman of the Clearview Eye and Laser Medical Center in San Diego was featured on KUSI TV San Diego discussing eyelash extensions tips and safety.

Take Caution With Eyelash Extensions To Avoid Potential Health Risks
While women have long been enhancing their eyelashes since the days before Cleopatra, this practice has grown in popularity in recent years, with singers such as Adele, Rihanna, and Katy Perry sporting longer lashes to enhance their appearance.

Smoking can have a negative impact on LASIK recovery.

People who smoke are more prone to infection and heal more slowly than non-smokers.Cigarette smoke and marijuana smoke are both known eye irritants and causes of dry eyes.Smoking can also suppress the immune system, constrict blood vessels and slow healing.

To prevent infection and complications, most doctors advise patients to not smoke although that is not always feasible. Please make sure to discuss smoking with us during you consultation.

After having LASIK, many patients decide that it’s a good time to fully quit smoking and see themselves to a clearer, healthier future.

Environmental Smoke
Smoke in the environment is irritating to the eyes and can also cause dry eyes. We advise you to avoid the outside environment when it is smoky or polluted. Protect your eyes with protective eyewear as much as you can, and try to avoid the irritants. Keep your eyes lubricated by using the recommended eye drops.

The first hours after LASIK are very important for your healing. Your eyes will be very light sensitive and need more protection than normal. We recommend that you be keep your eyes closed and be screen-free for the first 24 hours, so your eyes can be relaxed, not strained or tired. This means NO television, computers, tablets, smart phones, electronic readers such as Kindles, or any other screen device. You may also want to keep the lights low in your home.

After 24 hours, watching TV is usually ok, but we still recommend that you limit the amount of time you watch as your eyes may get tired, strained and/or dry. If you are watching TV, liberally use the lubricating eye drops per your doctor’s instructions.

After approximately 48 hours, it is usually ok to use your electronic devices. Try to limit screen time by taking frequent breaks to limit eye strain. Use your preservative free tear drops to keep your eyes lubricated and make a conscious effort to blink more often too. This will make your eyes feel better, along with spreading the tear film over the entire eye’s surface and help in healing.

If you have questions be sure to ask them when you see us after your surgery or call our office. At Clearview, our goal is to ensure that you feel informed and comfortable throughout the whole LASIK process.

LASIK usually corrects vision to 20/20 in 95% of patients and to at least 20/40 in 99% of all patients, so contacts are no longer needed to correct vision for most patients. However, some people might have specific reasons to want to wear contacts.

One reason is that some people may want to wear color contact lenses to heighten or change the color of their eyes for a special occasion or holiday.

Another common reason is the result of the aging process. While LASIK may have fully corrected your vision, as you age, you may develop presbyopia and may need reading glasses. This is a natural part of getting older and usually happens somewhere in our 40's. Some people may want contact lenses in either one eye, monovision, or both eyes instead of wearing reading glasses.

In some uncommon instances, patients may experience an over or under response during the healing process. This is a little bit more common with farsighted prescriptions. We may then recommend a contact lens to aid in the healing after LASIK as well as improve the vision. Usually, over time the vision improves and the lenses may not be needed. An enhancement may also be performed to improve the uncorrected vision.

In most cases, it is safe to wear contact lenses once your cornea has healed. However, prior to wearing contacts, it is important that we examine your eyes to make sure they have healed.
At Clearview, our goal is to provide you with excellent, personalized medical care that is right for your eyes and your lifestyle.

The recovery time for ASA or modern PRK is longer than for LASIK. 

At Clearview, surgery is often done near the weekend to allow for rest and recovery.   During the consultation, our team will go over with you the preoperative and postoperative instructions as well as recommended time off of work for you.

Following the instructions and resting for a few days helps the recovery.

At Clearview, we do a thorough examination of your eyes and your health to determine the best, safest procedure for your eyes. We will make our own recommendations during the consultation and show you why your testing reveals that you are a better ASA or PRK candidate than LASIK. If in the past you were told that you were not a candidate for LASIK, please inform us. The visual outcomes of ASA or PRK are similar to LASIK1,2.

The initial healing time of ASA or PRK is longer and there may be more discomfort.  Oral and topical medications are used to assist the healing and to help the recovery.  At Clearview, we have found also found that using frozen peas over your eyelids and placing eyedrops in the refrigerator assists as well. 

The implantable collamer lens [ICL] may also be a good option which enables less discomfort and faster visual recovery so be sure to ask about this procedure if it is not discussed with you.

1.       Edward E Manche  1 Weldon W Haw
Wavefront-guided laser in situ keratomileusis (Lasik) versus wavefront-guided photorefractive keratectomy (Prk): a prospective randomized eye-to-eye comparison (an American Ophthalmological Society thesis) Trans Am Ophthalmol Soc. 2011 Dec;109:201-20.
2.       Toam KatzLars WagenfeldPeter GalambosBenedikt Große DarrelmannGisbert RichardStephan Johannes Linke LASIK versus photorefractive keratectomy for high myopic (> 3 diopter) astigmatism J Refract Surg . 2013 Dec;29(12):824-31.

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LASIK is a medical procedure with risks involved and isn't right for everyone. Individual results may vary. Talk to your eye doctor and consider both the risks and benefits before having the procedure. Additional information can be found at our website or at fda.gov. the material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider.

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