New York LASIK FAQ's - Frequently Asked Questions

What is LASIK?

LASIK is a remarkable advancement in refractive surgery for nearsightedness, astigmatism, and farsightedness, and is a treatment offered at both our Westchester County and Manhattan, New York offices. LASIK vision correction evolved from a long line of refractive surgical procedures and combines the precision of two established procedures that have long been performed by ophthalmic surgeons:

(1) The creation of a 160-180 micron flap of corneal tissue via an instrument called a microkeratome (a procedure known as keratomileusis).

(2) The use of the excimer laser to reshape the corneal tissue beneath the flap. This enables light rays to be more accurately focused on the retina at the back of the eye, thereby improving vision. The flap is then returned to its original position.

How do I know if I am a candidate for LASIK in New York?

A thorough eye examination is performed to assess the health of the eye. The corneal contour and thickness are precisely measured in order to rule out any unseen abnormalities. New York LASIK surgeon Dr. Eric Mandel personally answers all of your questions and reviews all of your options. The results of this evaluation will help Dr. Mandel customize the treatment for your specific procedure. Schedule a consultation with our New York LASIK practice to find out if you are a good candidate for LASIK surgery or another vision correction procedure.

How long does LASIK surgery take?

LASIK surgery lasts less than five minutes per eye. The procedure is performed in one of our New York LASIK Surgery Offices.

How does LASIK differ from PRK?

With PRK, or Photorefractive Keratectomy, the reshaping of the cornea is done directly on the surface of the eye, without the creation of a flap.

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What are the advantages of LASIK?

• Rapid recovery
• Both eyes can be safely treated at the same time
• Much less discomfort than with older/other refractive procedures
• Better anatomical location

What results can I expect at New York's Mandel Vision®?

Results vary according to the surgeon performing the laser eye surgery. Under the care of Manhattan LASIK surgeon Dr. Mandel, 95 percent of patients achieve eyesight within one line of 20/20 and at least 99 percent of patients are able to pass a driving test without glasses or contact lenses.

Is LASIK a safe procedure?

In the hands of a skilled LASIK surgeon who has performed thousands of procedures, LASIK is a very safe procedure. To learn more, contact our Westchester County or Manhattan offices in New York to schedule your LASIK vision correction consultation.

Is LASIK approved by the FDA?

The VISX® Star S4 laser is FDA approved to treat nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. New York LASIK expert Eric Mandel, M.D. has extensive experience using the VISX® Star S4 Laser System.

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How soon after LASIK eye surgery will I achieve my best corrected vision?

Generally patients will see better, albeit blurry, immediately following the LASIK procedure. More than 99 percent of our patients are able to drive, return to work, and resume most of their normal daily activities the very next day.

What kind of follow up care is needed following LASIK?

New York LASIK surgeon Eric Mandel closely monitors the healing process in order to ensure optimal visual improvement. Unlike some other/older refractive procedures, patients usually do not need to wear a bandage or a contact lens after LASIK. Instead, we recommend that you wear your sunglasses or goggles home from the office and while you sleep that evening. Patients are provided with medicated eye drops for approximately one to two weeks following the procedure. All patients then continue with rewetting drops and other lubricants for approximately three to six months.

Is LASIK vision correction covered by my insurance?

LASIK is considered an elective procedure and is therefore usually not covered by insurance companies. However, there are some insurance companies who do cover LASIK and we would be happy to check with your insurance company at the time of your evaluation. Contact our offices in Westchester County or Manhattan, New York to find out more about your LASIK payment options.

Are there any major eye surgery advancements on the horizon?

-Extremely nearsighted patients, over 15 diopters, may benefit from intraocular implants. These are currently investigational.

- Wavefront technology custom lasers may offer customized laser treatments in those with irregular astigmatism and keratoconus.

-Intrastromal rings can correct for low degrees of nearsightedness, but don't appear to offer any advantages over LASIK. In addition, they are more invasive than the LASIK procedure.

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What is PRK?

PRK was the first approved laser vision correction procedure in the United States. It uses the same laser as in the LASIK procedure except that there is no corneal flap created. In PRK the excimer laser works on the surface of the cornea to reshape the eye and creates a surface abrasion. Patients wear a bandage contact lens for corneal healing for approximately seven to 10 days.

What are the advantages of PRK?

PRK avoids all associated LASIK flap complications because no flap is created. Post- operative dry eye is also sometimes decreased.

What are the disadvantages of PRK?

The PRK procedure produces a large corneal abrasion. A contact lens is needed to heal this abrasion and therefore optimal visual acuity is delayed. Patients are usually more uncomfortable for the first seven to 10 days.

What is LASEK?

LASEK is a procedure that tries to preserve the epithelial layer of the cornea and thereby decreases the healing time of surface laser procedures. It is the PRK procedure with its decreased risks but with the goal of decreased healing time.

Are there different types of LASEK?

There are two types, manual and Epi-LASEK. Manual LASEK uses alcohol and surgical manipulation to create the epithelial flap. Epi-LASEK is an automated creation of the epithelial flap. Mandel Vision® is the first center in the New York Metropolitan area to offer Epi-LASEK as a refractive surgical option.

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