Frequently Asked Questions

Patients considering vision correction often have questions concerning procedures, costs and personal concerns. Following are some of the most common questions and responses.

Q: What brand of Excimer Laser™ do you use?

Dr. Brumm uses the state-of-the-art WaveScan® WaveFront® System and the VISX® Star S4TM ActiveTrak® Excimer Laser System that incorporates VISX exclusive Variable Spot Scanning (VSSTM) laser technology with Iris Recognition and an active 3-D eye-tracking system to help him deliver the best possible treatment.

Q: What if I move or blink my eye during the procedure?

Relax with 3D ActiveTrak.TM Now, the 3D ActiveTrak follows the tiny motions of your eye instantaneously and automatically, in all three dimensions, repositioning the laser to ensure accuracy. At last, you can relax during your laser vision correction, knowing that you're obtaining a correction that's precisely centered on your eye.

Q: Is LASIK covered by my insurance?

We recommend that you check with your individual insurance policy or benefits department at work. Many patients also utilize flex benefit plans.

Q: Does the procedure hurt?

Due to the fact that the cornea is easily numbed with "eye drops" (anesthesia), most patients say they have little to no discomfort both during and after the procedure.

Q: Will I need glasses after the surgery?

With any medical procedure there is not a guarantee of perfect vision or that you will not need distance or reading glasses again. However, almost everyone experiences improved vision, and 95% of patients see well enough to pass a driver’s test without corrective lenses.

Q: Are both eyes treated during the same appointment?

With LASIK, both eyes are done at the same time almost all of the time.

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Q: How long does the vision correction last?

LASIK is a permanent procedure. However, there can be a chance for needing an enhancement procedure. The chances are higher if you have higher amounts of correction. The enhancement procedure is done to take care of any nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism that may be left.

Q: What about reading glasses?

It is important to know that LASIK does not eliminate the need for reading glasses, due to the normal aging process of the eye. Reading glasses are eventually needed in most patients beginning around age 40. No surgical procedure at this time can permanently correct this problem. However, “menuvision” is a very successful technique that corrects vision in one eye for distance and corrects the other eye (the non-dominant eye) for reading vision. For instance, using both eyes together allows you to read a menu and see across the restaurant. With LASIK this may be an option for you to reduce or "put off" the need for reading glasses. We will discuss this option with you during your free consultation.

Q: What is the success rate?

Depending on your prescription, Dr. Brumm can determine your likelihood of reaching 20/25 or better vision. To date, 95% of our patients reach 20/25 or better vision. 20/40 is the requirement for getting your driver’s license without a correction.

Q: How will LASIK affect with my active lifestyle?

Playing contact sports should be postponed for two weeks or until the eye is fully healed as determined by Dr. Brumm. Swimming, hot tubs, and saunas also need to be postponed.  Following surgery, your normal activity can continue, but we do advise patients not to increase their activity until it is discussed with Dr. Brumm.

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Q: I’ve heard it takes six months to improve my vision?

Visual fluctuation is normal and can occur, but visual improvement is almost immediate following the procedure. Within two weeks most patients say major fluctuations have stopped. Depending upon your original refractive error, it may take several months for all of the swelling in the eye to resolve and vision fluctuation to cease.

Q: How does the laser work?

The excimer laser uses a computer-guided cool light beam to sculpt the cornea’s surface to the desired shape, which brings your vision into a sharper focus. You will not actually see or feel the laser beam during the procedure.

Q: I hate to have anything in my eye. What if I am really nervous?

Valium is available prior to surgery to help you relax before and during the procedure. Dr. Brumm and our LASIK technicians explain each step during the procedure which will put you at ease.

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Q: What are other types of refractive surgery?

LASEK (EK)

LASEK is a modification of the PRK and LASIK procedures. This procedure is used for patients requiring a greater amount of correction. The microkeratome is not used in LASEK and a temporary bandage contact lens is used during healing.

PRK

Photorefractive Keratectomy was the first procedure to treat nearsightedness with the excimer laser. The PRK procedure corrects the shape of the cornea with the precision of the excimer laser by altering layers of the corneal tissue. Unlike LASIK, no flap is made during this procedure. Post-operative pain and visual recovery tends to be higher with PRK.

AK (LRI = Limbal Relaxing Incisions)

Astigmatic keratotomy (AK) is a surgical procedure which is used to correct astigmatism (an irregularly shaped cornea which causes blurring). The surgeon makes incisions in a curved pattern in the outer perimeter of the cornea. As the incisions heal, the cornea reshapes correcting astigmatism.

CK

Conductive Keratoplasty, or CK, is a temporary procedure for patients over 40 who want to lessen their dependency on reading glasses or bifocals. This procedure uses low-level, radio frequency waves, rather than a laser or scalpel, to shrink the collagen and change the shape of the cornea. A probe that is smaller than a strand of hair is used to apply the radio waves around the outer cornea. This creates a constrictive band that increases the curve of the cornea and improves vision at near.

LTK Thermokeratoplasty

This is a temporary procedure for patients over 40 who want to lessen their dependency on bifocals. The procedure uses a special laser, a Holmium YAG laser, to warm and shrink the collagen-protein structures within the corneal tissue. As the collagen shrinks, the curvature of the cornea is changed. LTK may compromise distance vision to accommodate close vision.

CLE Clear Lens Extraction

This procedure is used to reduce severe cases of either nearsightedness or farsightedness. As with cataract surgery, the crystalline lens of the eye is removed and a plastic intraocular prescription lens is inserted. Reading glasses or contact lenses are usually still needed for close-up vision.

ICL Implantable Contact Lens

This procedure involves implanting a tiny prescription contact lens within the eye. Several types of lenses are available to correct various vision problems.

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