Laser Eye Surgery

The first step is making sure your are a candidate for Laser eye (refractive) surgery and which one is best for your needs and desires. We offer free consultations to discuss this. One of the most important factors is discussing realistic expectations for outcomes concerning your procedure and knowing what risk factors are involved.

The second most important factor is the stability of your prescription. This matters because no surgery can predict or stop how the eye will change over time. We can only correct what is wrong today. This is why Dr. Tate does not allow any of his patients to get refractive surgery. You may have multiple types of surgeries that will work for you, at your consultation we will discuss what we feel is best and why. Once you know the risks and know what to expect, you most likely can find a refractive surgical procedure that will meet your prescriptive needs. The goal of any corrective surgery is comfortable and clear vision. We can never promise 20/20, even though our patients routinely see better. The goal should be good vision and freedom from glasses or contacts as much as possible. Even if your vision does change in the next few years, there are options to redo (or touchup) your procedure as long as the eye is healthy enough. Every time a procedure is performed, it removes some of the tissue of the cornea thus thinning it. If left to thin, this could lead to serious problems that require specialty contacts to see clearly. If your doctor says you are not a canidate with current technologies, it is for your safety. Refractive surgical correction procedures include Laser procedures (PRK, LASIK), Intacs Corneal Rings (Intrastromal Corneal Ring Segments), clear lens extraction/intra-ocular lens implantation, , Astigmatic Keratotomy and in the future-Gel Injection Adjusted Keratoplasty.

Contraindications for LASIK surgery include Keratoconus (a corneal thinning disease), rheumatoid conditions including some of autoimmune conditions, recurrent uveitis, glaucoma, or patients who have irregular corneas or corneal epithelium.