LASIK and Refractive Eye Surgery

woman lying on couch with phone calling the lasik and refractive eye surgery clinic.

Take Our LASIK Self-Test

We have many vision correction options available for you at Regional Eye Associates. Even if you have been told in the past you are not a candidate for LASIK laser vision correction. You may now be a candidate for LASIK. Or, another advanced vision Correction option! We encourage you to take our self-evaluation test to get started!

Lasik eye center employees.

LASIK and Refractive Eye Surgery

The LASIK surgeons at Regional Eye Associates realize each client needs individual care. Especially, when it comes to LASIK and refractive eye surgery in Morgantown, WV.

 Our experienced eye physicians are experts in LASIK surgery and vision correction procedures that restore and correct your sight. In addition, our physicians create an individual treatment plan for each patient to ensure each person receives the best vision correction available. 

LASIK and Refractive Eye Surgery in Morgantown, WV.

At Regional Eye, we strive to provide the highest level of refractive vision treatment to our patients. This is why we continue to invest in the latest technology to continually improve every aspect of the refractive surgery experience. 

This state-of-the-art technology includes our own on-site laser used to perform LASIK Vision Correction located in our LASIK Suite at our Morgantown location. The Wavelight laser technology combines newer surgical advancements. Advancements with personalized treatments provide a treatment that is fast, safe and precise. The Wavelight laser can deliver the treatment faster. Which, translates into less dehydration of the cornea during the procedure for improved predictability. 

While there are many factors in sculpting the cornea using lasers. The Wavelight laser offers Contoura Vision, which, is a customized procedure that accounts for and maintains the natural shape of your cornea to ensure good vision in the daylight and night. In addition, the zone of treatment of the laser is optimal for minimizing glare, halos, and potential night vision problems often found with older technology laser platforms. 

Providing LASIK to our Community for nearly 25 Years

We have been providing LASIK to our community for nearly 25 years. Moreover, we continue to provide our local community with the latest technology in LASIK and Refractive eye surgery. Comprehensive patient education, compassionate care, experienced physicians and excellent visual results are the foundations of our LASIK practice. When you visit our office we take the time to know you and create a patient experience that is customized and tailored to your specific needs.

How do I know if LASIK Eye Surgery is right for me? 

Before scheduling LASIK eye surgery, you must have a LASIK consultation with your ophthalmologist. The only way to know if you’re a good candidate for LASIK is to have a consultation. This will involve a complete eye examination, as well as taking your medical history. Then, an experienced physician from Regional Eye Associates will explain how the procedure works. And, discuss what you can expect during and after having LASIK, if you qualify for it.

LASIK is the most popular elective medical procedure to correct refractive errors. Refractive errors not only include nearsightedness. But also, farsightedness and astigmatism. LASIK works by reshaping the cornea. Which, is the round dome at the front of the eye. LASIK helps light entering the eye focus correctly onto the retina. Creating a better vision for each person. 

One reason that LASIK surgery is so popular is that most patients end up with 20/20 vision or better after having it. This means finally achieving visual freedom and no longer needing to wear glasses or contact lenses. A LASIK patient can save thousands of dollars throughout their lifetime by no longer needing to buy glasses or contact lenses.

The only way to know for sure if you qualify for LASIK is to schedule a LASIK consultation. Some common factors to consider include:

Age: You must be at least 18 years old to undergo LASIK. But, most LASIK surgeons recommend waiting until your mid to late twenties. More so to ensure your prescription is stable enough.

Health: Though you don’t need to be in perfect health. You must be in good health if you want to have LASIK. If you have any autoimmune conditions, such as Sjogren’s syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis. These will make it less likely that you’re a LASIK candidate.

Corneal shape and thickness: A vital part of the LASIK procedure involves reshaping the cornea. To reshape the corneas safely, they must be thick enough. If your corneas are too thin, you cannot undergo LASIK.

Eye health: Just like it’s essential to be in good health before having LASIK. You also need healthy eyes. You cannot have any conditions like cataracts, glaucoma or dry eye syndrome. If you have dry eyes, they need to be under control before you can have LASIK.

Unchanged prescription: Depending on the LASIK surgeon, your eyes need to remain unchanged. For at least 1-2 years before you can have LASIK. LASIK can only treat prescriptions up to a certain point. If your prescription is especially strong, LASIK may not be the correct procedure for you.

These are only some of the factors that go into LASIK candidacy. To find out if you qualify for LASIK. You must schedule a LASIK consultation with an eye doctor at Regional Eye Associates.

Before having LASIK, you will receive numbing drops for your eyes. These drops ensure that you won’t feel any pain during the procedure.  

Using our state-of-the-art excimer laser system. Your LASIK surgeon will create a flap in the cornea to reshape your corneal tissue. Then, to correct nearsightedness. Your surgeon will flatten the cornea. To correct farsightedness, they will make the cornea steeper. If you have astigmatism, the surgeon uses a laser to smooth an irregular cornea into a rounder shape. 

LASIK is an outpatient procedure. It only takes about 15 minutes to complete. After your surgeon finishes reshaping the cornea. They will reposition the flap. Which, heals naturally in place without needing any stitches.

Vision will begin to improve immediately for most people. Most discomfort is gone and the vision is greatly improved by the following morning. The vision will continue to change and improve over the days and weeks following your surgery.

Patients should not drive themselves home after they receive sedating medication. It’s recommended to have a friend or family member who can ensure you get home safely. 

You may experience dry eyes and slight irritation as the numbing drops wear off.

You’ll need to attend a follow-up appointment the day after having LASIK. For the purpose of, ensuring your eyes have started healing and there are no complications. After Lasik surgery, you probably should not do the following!

  • Putting your head underwater to go swimming, including in pools, saunas, and other bodies of water like lakes or rivers
  • Wearing any makeup near your eyes can introduce bacteria or cause an infection while your eyes continue healing
  • Strenuous exercise or any contact sports that could result in a face or eye injury
  • Getting any particles in your eyes like pollen, dust, smoke, or other harmful contaminants

You may receive an eye shield. If your eye doctor gives you one. Make sure to wear it as directed to protect your eyes. You’ll also be given eye drops. Which, will help reduce inflammation and prevent infection. 

It’s necessary to use these exactly as prescribed. If you notice halos, glare, or have dry eyes, these are all temporary side effects. They will go away over time. Most LASIK patients find that they can go back to work the day after the procedure. 

It can take up to a year before you’ve fully healed after having LASIK, But, most people find that their eyes are already in great shape after a month. By this point, they already have better vision than ever before!

It’s rare to experience complications after LASIK. But it can happen. Most complications are mitigated by pre-screening. But, like any other surgery, there are risks.

The most common complications from LASIK are:

  • Dry eye
  • Infection
  • Poor night vision
  • Corneal flap problems

 

Do you have more questions? Or, are you ready to schedule a LASIK consultation?

 

Call 1-87-REA-LASIK to speak with our LASIK and Refractive Surgery Coordinator. She will be able to answer any questions you may have. In addition, she can schedule you for a consultation with one of our LASIK doctors!

Alternatives to LASIK Surgery

Although LASIK is a popular procedure, it is not the only method for correcting vision. If you’re not a LASIK candidate, you may qualify for another refractive procedure like PRK.

Another option for correcting vision and eliminating the need for glasses is called PRK. PRK stands for photorefractive keratectomy, and can be used to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. 

Blocks numbered 1-4 of animated eyes showing alternatives to lasik and refractive eye sugery.

This procedure may be a good option for patients who are not good candidates for LASIK. Especially those with thin corneas. Your surgeon will numb your eyes using drops. Then, the surgeon will use an eyelid holder to keep your eyes open during the procedure. The outer layer of the cornea, called the epithelium is removed during the PRK procedure. 

After removing the epithelium, an excimer laser reshapes the cornea. PRK is an outpatient procedure that takes around 10 minutes to complete.

Are you interested in learning more about LASIK and Refractive Eye surgery?

Schedule a LASIK consultation at Regional Eye Associates and determine if visual freedom could be in your future! We offer LASIK evaluations at our offices located in West Virginia that include, Morgantown and Bridgeport, as well as Oakland, Maryland. Learn more https://www.webmd.com/

LASIK and Refractive Eye Surgery Doctors

Dr. Allison Bardes
Allison Bardes, MD
Dr. Lauren DiGiovine
Lauren DiGiovine, MD
Edgar Gamponia, MD
Edgar Gamponia, MD
Dr. Heath L. Lemley
Heath L. Lemley, MD
Dr. Mark D. Mayle
Mark D. Mayle, MD

 

*As with any surgical procedure there are risks along with benefits. It is important to discuss your surgical procedure with your surgeon to fully understand the risks and benefits.

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