No. The procedure takes less than five minutes per eye, and the anesthesia is accomplished with eye drops. Some people may experience tearing and burning sensation following surgery for few hours. At California Center for Refractive Surgery (CCRS), we provide our patients with post-treatment drops that will minimize discomfort.

Almost everyone may resume their normal activities the next day following surgery. Washing your face and taking shower the next day are also fine as long as you do not rub your eyes. Patients should mainly be careful about avoiding trauma to the eye immediately following surgery. This means that although there is no problem with playing sports within few days after surgery, you should wear protective goggles if there is a risk of getting hit in the eye. Also, getting sweat in the eye is not a problem and will not affect the recovery.

Yes, within couple of days following surgery make-up including the eye make-up can be worn. Once again, taking care not to rub the cornea where the surgery was done should be observed.

Loss of vision as a result of LASIK or other vision correction surgery is extremely rare. Thorough evaluation followed by a precise surgery should not result in loss of vision. This fear, although justified, is more of an emotional issue rather than one based on science. At CCRS, we take great pride in our results. Dr. Paul C. Lee was recognized for his outstanding work by being awarded the Centurion Surgeon Award which is given to the top 5% of doctors with the best visual outcome. Dr. Paul C. Lee also underwent LASIK eye surgery himself more than ten years ago and has performed this surgery on his family members, friends, and medical colleagues. More relevant questions may relate to the symptoms that a patient may experience following LASIK surgery such as glare or halo at night time, dry eyes, and change in vision following surgery.

Cause of dry eyes can be due to several factors. Generally speaking, the eye has a self-monitoring and self-regulating system to keep itself lubricated. When an intervention is done especially to the surface of the eye (this would also include wearing contact lenses), this self-regulating mechanism can be altered causing dryness. Approximately two to four weeks following surgery, this balance is reestablished and dryness returns to its baseline. However, in some people, dry eye therapies may be required. At CCRS, Dr. Paul C. Lee will evaluate the eyes for possible need of such treatment. Although development of dry eyes in some people cannot be prevented, patients need not suffer nor the outcome of the surgery be adversely effected due to dryness if proper care is administered.

Most people with dry eyes still can get the surgery done. Depending on the severity of dryness, treatment for dryness may be done before or soon after surgery. Treatments are simple and may involve using artificial tears, medication drops, or minor painless procedure which takes less than five minutes.

The causes of halos or glare following vision correction surgery are due to multiple reasons. However, the common underlying reason is from scattering of the light as it passes through the cornea. This is why corneal surgeries such as LASIK, PRK, and LASEK will tend to cause more glare and halo than non-corneal surgeries such as ICL (Implantable Contact Lens). Dry eyes which result in uneven corneal surface can also cause glare and halo. It is normal for people to experience some glare in the early phase of recovery. This is due to normal inflammation that occurs following surgery. At CCRS, Dr. Paul C. Lee uses the latest technology laser, 400 Hz Wavelight Allegreto System. This Wavefront-optimized Perfect Pulse technology delivers smooth ablation that is customized for each individual eye. This results in minimal inflammation, glare, and halo. This technology has also been shown to increase stability of vision following surgery. This patented technology is not found in other systems such as VISX or NIDEK. However, for those patients with high correction and for those who are particularly concerned about glare and halo, ICL may be a better choice. This procedure can result in better clarity and better night time vision than corneal surgery such as LASIK. This is especially true for high correction.

Difference in price of surgery can be due to several reasons. Part of it is a result of the actual cost involved in performing day to day operations, and the other is the "premium" that the center places over its service. The operating cost can be affected by the types of system utilized (i.e. type of laser, diagnostic devices, proper maintenance of the equipment, etc) as well as the basic office overhead (i.e. rent, staff, etc). The "premium" is an intangible portion that the patients are willing to pay to receive treatment at that particular center by that particular doctor. Most important factor from patient's perspective is to get the best care possible at an affordable price. The "best care" means best surgical outcome through a personalized care by a doctor and staff with sincere interest in providing optimal results. At CCRS, we are very proud of this value oriented approach and believe that the finest care should also be affordable to most people. Dr. Paul C. Lee is a highly skilled and respected doctor and a surgeon with great depth of experience, knowledge, and compassion. His staff is also recognized for their professionalism and caring attitude. While utilizing the most advanced system for best surgical outcome, we have eliminated the ineffective measures that merely add to the cost.

LASIK involves creating a corneal flap that serves as a protective layer following surgery. This flap can be created using different devices. Either a laser (commonly referred to as Intralase) or a microkeratome can be used to create a flap. There has been significant amount of marketing touting "Bladeless" or "NO CUT" LASIK. However, this is a misinformation for, whether a laser or a microkeratome is used, a "CUT" in the cornea must be made to create a corneal flap if LASIK surgery is to be performed. There are other procedures that do not involve making a "CUT" in the cornea, but then the procedure is no longer called LASIK. It is also a misperception that the laser can create a corneal flap more safely or accurately. At CCRS, Dr. Paul C. Lee utilizes a microkeratome called Moria One Use-Plus System. This latest microkeratome technology has been compared in head to head studies with Intralase showing accuracy and safety profiles to be superior to those of Intralase. Part of the reason is that, contrary to general perception, the laser does not completely create the corneal flap. The laser starts the procedure but the actual separation of the flap is done manually by the surgeon. During this process, a surgeon must break apart the remaining adhesions that still hold the flap to the underlying corneal tissue following application of laser. When compared to the microkeratome used at CCRS, creating a flap with laser in this way can be more traumatic to the eye and cause more inflammation resulting in longer recovery time. This is one of those measures that does not serve to improve the surgical outcome but merely adds to the cost.

Vision correction is permanent, but your vision can change following surgery. There are two reasons why your vision may change. First is the change in vision as part of your healing response to the surgery. This is referred to as regression. This process usually manifests itself during the first three to six months following surgery. This is why at CCRS we have a free follow up for one year after the surgery to ensure that the patients have a stable vision. Second reason why the vision may change is from the natural change that may occur with the aging process. Although this is unrelated to the surgery, it can still result in change in your vision.

A lifetime guarantee does not mean that you will have desired vision for the rest of your life. Although the concept of lifetime guarantee may seem reassuring, it is not a realistic or a practical solution for your lifetime visual needs. This is because your vision may change throughout your life and there is a finite number of LASIK surgeries that can be done to your eyes. For most people, one time surgery with possibly one enhancement procedure will suffice. Lifetime guarantee is usually a marketing strategy often used to justify the higher cost. Rarely, patients will need to or want to go through LASIK surgery more than twice.