Huntington Beach LASIK

Atlantis Eyecare is a leading ophthalmology and optometry facility, delivering our high quality cataract surgeries and LASIK vision correction procedures in the city of Huntington Beach. We have one of the most state-of-the art eyecare facilities in Huntington Beach that allows us to perform the latest eye care techniques. Housing some of the best eye doctors Huntington Beach has to offer, they are among the most qualified vision correction specialists you could find, each one with extensive experience and unparalleled competence to get you the best results possible. All of our doctors have travelled abundantly to educate other South Bay & OC eye doctors on their innovative breakthroughs in the ocular health practice.

LASIK FAQ / Common Questions

What is laser vision correction?

It is a surgical procedure that uses a cool (non-thermal) beam of light to gently reshape the cornea, the surface of the eye, to improve vision. The laser removes microscopic bits of tissue to flatten the cornea (to correct nearsightedness), steepen the cornea (to correct farsightedness) and/or smooth out corneal irregularities (to correct astigmatism).

The goal of laser eye surgery is to change the shape the cornea so it does a better job of focusing images onto the retina for sharper vision. LASIK and PRK are two types of laser vision correction.

Are LASIK and PRK safe?

The FDA recognizes LASIK and PRK as proven, safe and effective. Laser vision correction uses a cool (non-thermal) beam of light that is computer controlled. The surgeon turns the laser on and is able to turn it off at any moment. Many safeguards are in place to reduce the risk of error. However, risks are associated with any surgical procedure.

Although no one knows the exact number of complications, studies suggest that the incidence of minor difficulties such as dry eyes and nighttime glare is around 3 percent to 5 percent, while the risk of serious incidents such as lost vision is thought to be less than 1 percent. There are no known cases of blindness from LASIK or PRK. Again, outcomes generally are very good.

Does laser vision correction hurt?

You won't feel pain during LASIK or PRK, because your surgeon will place anesthetic eye drops in your eye first. Afterward, he or she may prescribe pain medication if necessary. Many LASIK patients report no more than mild discomfort for a day or so after surgery. There is more discomfort after PRK because the procedure exposes the deeper layers of the cornea. For clear and comfortable vision after PRK, protective surface cells have to grow back over the treated area. This process can take a week or two, sometimes longer.

How long does LASIK take?

The laser treatment itself usually takes less than a minute, while the entire procedure takes approximately 15 minutes per eye.

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What happens before laser eye surgery?

Your eye care practitioner will give you a thorough eye exam to make sure your eyes are healthy and you're a suitable candidate for laser vision correction. He or she will test for glaucoma, cataracts and other disqualifying conditions. He or she also will use a machine called a corneal topographer to photograph and electronically map your eye. The surgeon will use this map to plan your surgery for the most precise results possible.

What happens on the day of treatment?

LASIK and PRK are outpatient procedures, which means you'll spend around an hour at the surgeon's office and walk out afterward. Someone else must drive you home, because your vision will be a little blurry right after surgery.

You'll lie down in a reclining chair. The surgeon will place anesthetic drops in your eye, position your head under the laser and place an eyelid speculum (retainer) under your lids to hold your eye wide open.

In LASIK, the surgeon creates a thin flap in the top of the cornea, folds it back out of the way, uses the laser to remove some corneal tissue and then puts the flap back in place. If you're having PRK, no flap is created: The laser simply removes the outer layer of the cornea (epithelium), which grows back after surgery.

What happens afterward?

The surgeon will place eye drops or ointment in your eye. You may relax for a little while then go home and rest. You'll probably notice clearer vision immediately, and typically it will improve even more as the weeks go by.

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What to expect?

On the day of surgery your eyes may burn, sting and tear excessively.

You may feel a foreign body sensation and tearing in the operated eye(s) for the next 12 hours.

Your vision may fluctuate slightly over the next 2 months (especially with reading or using a computer).

You may initially notice loss of detail at night with glare and starbursts. These symptoms tend to resolve gradually over the next few months.

When may I resume driving?

You may begin driving as soon as you see well enough, excluding the day you had LASIK or PRK performed.

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Can I go back to work right away?

Most people who have LASIK return to work the next day. With PRK, many surgeons recommend two or three days of rest instead.

Precautions and Returning to Normal Activities After LASIK

Many patients return to work within a day or two of their LASIK procedure. Be sure to follow the restrictions below. Otherwise, as long as you follow your doctor's instructions, you should be free to resume all of your normal activities.

Do not read, watch television or work on a computer AFTER your surgery for the rest of the day
Follow the prescribed course of eye drops
Your doctor will tell you when it is safe for you to drive following surgery, typically after one day.
Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes for at least the first week after LASIK surgery.
Wear your eye shields at night for one week. Use the tape to fasten shields to your eyes
Do not rub your eyes for 3 weeks
Read in moderation for the first few days after your LASIK procedure
Do not wear eye makeup for one week
Do not rub your eyes for one month after you have LASIK.
Avoid excessive workouts for 5 days
Avoid swimming, hot tubs and whirlpools for one week after your procedure
No Scuba diving for 3 weeks
Avoid gardening and dusty environments for one week.
Avoid contact sports that could result in an eye injury for one month.
Smoking is allowed, but the smoke may irritate your eyes

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If you had PRK performed

DO NOT REMOVE CONTACT LENSES!
If the contact lenses happen to fall out, DO NOT try to put them back in! CALL 888-678-4341
The doctor will remove contact lenses about 5 to 7 days after surgery;

When may I go back to wearing makeup?

You may resume wearing makeup about one week after your surgery. However, throw out your old makeup and buy new to decrease your risk of infection.

Are there any side effects?

Some people experience dry eye after LASIK, which usually is relieved with eye drops and disappears over time. Others may experience starbursts or halos around lights, especially at night. Usually this effect lessens or disappears over time, too. In a small number of people (probably less than 1 percent), their vision worsens rather than improves.

How many checkups will I need after LASIK?

Depending on your surgeon, you will probably return the next day, then one week or one month later and then three months later. Your doctor will let you know if more visits are necessary.

What if time passes and I'm not seeing better?

A small number of patients see well after surgery then experience regression, a gradual worsening of vision. If this happens, consult with your eye care practitioner to determine the cause and to see if retreatment (enhancement) is appropriate. Atlantis offers a free lasik enhancement one year following the procedure date.

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Will I still need glasses after LASIK or PRK?

While most people see very clearly without glasses after laser vision correction, you still might need or desire corrective lenses for certain activities (driving at night, for example) if you have mild residual refractive error after surgery.

If you're over age 40 and have signs of presbyopia, eyeglasses with progressive lenses will give you clear vision at all distances and also shield your eyes from dust, debris and drying wind or air conditioning.

We always encourage Photochromic lenses because they protect your eyes from 100 percent of the sun's UV rays and darken automatically in sunlight. (This is particularly helpful if you are sensitive to light after surgery.)

Whatever type of glasses you choose to wear after LASIK or PRK (including reading glasses), you will experience the best clarity and comfort if the lenses include anti-reflective coating. Ask your optician for details.

Can Lasik make you go blind?

Millions of LASIK procedures have been performed worldwide with very high levels of safety and effectiveness. It would be extremely unusual for anyone to go blind from LASIK - especially if you follow your surgeon's instructions and attend all follow-up visits as directed.

That said, it's important to remember that LASIK is surgery; and like with any surgical procedure, unexpected complications can occur.

Most LASIK risks and complications are mild and can be managed successfully. The most frequently reported complications from LASIK surgery are dry eyes, halos, glare and other visual disturbances. These problems typically are temporary but rarely can be permanent. More severe complications, including significant vision loss, are possible but very uncommon. The risk of sight threatening complications is less than 1% overall.

When choosing a LASIK surgeon, it's important to ask plenty of questions during your eye exam and preoperative consultation and feel comfortable that the doctor you choose will do everything possible to decrease your risk of LASIK complications and manage any post-operative symptoms you have.

What If I Blink or Move During Lasik Surgery?

This is a common concern, but rest assured that blinking and moving during LASIK surgery usually is not a problem.

Numbing drops are applied to your eyes prior to surgery to make your LASIK procedure comfortable and decrease your natural urge to blink. Also, a small device will hold your eyelids open during the procedure so you can't accidentally blink and your eyelids cannot interfere with any step of the surgery.

Movement of your head and body also is not a significant concern. You will be lying down on a comfortable, flat, cushioned surface during the relatively brief surgery (1 minute actual procedure time and 10 minutes laying down for each eye)

Most lasers used for LASIK surgery performed in the United States have an advanced feature called an "eye tracker" that automatically monitors the position of your eye and adjusts the laser treatment to compensate for any small, involuntary movements your eyes might make during surgery. This technology is essential for custom LASIK and to provide the most accurate laser treatment of your eyes.

Will I have 20/20 vision after my LASIK surgery?

Although some of our world renowned LASIK surgeons can provide you with data on the outcome of your surgery, no one can guarantee you perfect vision. However, we are pleased to announce that following laser vision correction, a vast majority of our patients are able to drive, play sports and watch TV without glasses! Our patients are overwhelmed with this life-changing event and enjoy referring their friends and family.

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Can You Accept Reasonable Risk?

Like all surgical procedures, LASIK has the risk of complications and is not for everyone. Even when performed on the right patients, a complication-free laser eye surgery can result in less than 20/20 vision. A good candidate for LASIK is willing to accept reasonable risk and the possibility of rare complications.

Age?

Whether young or young at heart, good candidates for laser eye surgery must have a stable prescription for at one year. While LASIK is FDA-approved for people aged 18 and older, young adults are commonly encouraged to wait until their mid-20s when their prescription may be more stable.

Around age 40, eyes start to change and a condition known as presbyopia can set in, making it difficult to see things within an arm's length. LASIK cannot correct presbyopia, but surgeons can perform monovision laser surgery which leaves the non-dominant eye slightly nearsighted so that the patient can see items up close. As patients get older, eye diseases such as cataracts or glaucoma can keep them from being good candidates for LASIK.

Wearing Contact Lenses Before LASIK - What You Need to Know

When considering LASIK surgery, or any other kind of laser vision correction procedure, it's important to understand how the everyday use of contact lenses can affect the procedure:

Long-term wear: Continued long-term wear of contacts can alter the shape of your corneas, creating an inaccurate measurement of the shape of your cornea and wavefront scan of your visual system. You should discontinue use of contact lenses for TWO WEEKS before surgery to allow your corneas to go back to their original shape.
The Custom process: When undergoing Custom LASIK surgery, we map your eyes for the procedure. If your eyes are measured for your LASIK procedure before they have returned to their natural shape, the laser programming will not reflect your true visual state.
Open communication: It is important to advise your optometrist/ophthalmologist about the length of time you have been using contact lenses and what type of contact lenses you are currently using.

Is it guaranteed for life?

Lasik is permanent for the treatment for the existing vision prescription at the time of surgery. However, our eyes like other parts of our body change over time. For example, when we hit our forties, everyone will develop presbyopia (Greek for aging eyes). LASIK does not prevent "aging eyes," which is essentially the hardening of the lens, making it difficult to focus on reading or tasks requiring near vision (especially in dimly lit rooms). Even if you were born with perfect vision in both eyes, you will very likely need reading glasses at some point in your forties.

If a regression of this sort occurs and becomes bothersome, a follow-up procedure called a LASIK enhancement usually can be performed to restore clear vision. We offer lasik enhancements (touch up) for one full year following the initial Lasik surgery at no additional charge.

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How does PRK compare to LASIK?

In many situations PRK surgery and LASIK surgery can have comparable results although your doctor can discuss which is most appropriate for your condition during your free consultation. PRK is a predecessor to LASIK so many doctors have lots of experience with both procedures using the latest excimer lasers. A major difference is that in LASIK surgery a hinged flap is created on the cornea while in PRK, rather than creating a flap, it involves polishing the surface of the cornea. In general, custom LASIK patients report minimal irritation, and their vision stabilizes more quickly than PRK. PRK recovery can take a few days with hazy vision and some discomfort. PRK is often recommended when the patient's cornea is too thin for LASIK.

What will happen during my LASIK consultation?

For your LASIK consultation, plan to be at The LASIK Vision Institute for approximately 2-3 hours for the special testing used to measure and evaluate your eyes.

If you wear contacts, prior to your scheduled consultation, you will be asked to refrain from wearing contact lenses for a period of time.

Your eyes may be dilated in preparation of a detailed eye exam that will evaluate refractive error, pupil size, corneal consultation and more.

There will be a thorough discussion of laser eye surgery and whether or not you may be a good candidate for LASIK.

What are the side effects and risks with LASIK or PRK surgery?

Temporary side effects following laser vision correction can include dryness of eyes, sensitivity to light or halos at night. Glares or halos at night usually resolve within a few weeks. Night vision disturbances associated with imperfections in the eye prior to LASIK are now able to be reduced or eliminated with the Custom technology. During the healing process dry eyes can easily be treated by using artificial tears to keep the surface of your eyes moist. You are advised to wear sunglasses when outdoors following eye surgery to reduce light sensitivity and to protect your eyes. As with other elective procedures, individual results may vary. There may be additional risks associated with LASIK or PRK, such as over correction or under correction. The risk of having vision-reducing complications is minimal and the Independent surgeons and staff members can provide you with additional information and answers to your questions.

What kind of laser do you use?

Investing in the most advanced technology is part Atlantis Eyecare's commitment to provide our patients with the highest level of patient care. That's why we were among the first to purchase the new VISX STAR S4 ActiveTrak Excimer Laser System that incorporates an active eye tracking system, in addition to many other benefits. Atlantis Eyecare also provides the "All LASER LASIK, iLASIK " experience, using the combination of the Excimer laser with the Blade-Free Intralase laser.

Do you have financing plans?

We offer various financing options, with approved credit, and are here to help find the right option for you. Our counselors will be happy to go over the details with you when you come in for your free evaluation, or view our financing options.

Does insurance cover refractive surgery?

Most insurance companies consider refractive surgery an elective surgery, therefore it is not usually a covered benefit. However, it is certainly worth checking with your insurance company and we encourage you to call them. If you have vision insurance, you may qualify for a discount through your vision plan.

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Eye care services

With our cutting edge technology here at our Huntington Beach location, we are allowed to stay up-to-date on the latest eye care procedures and methods of vision preservation. We provide routine eye exams and prescriptions, but we also provide an assortment of surgical vision correction procedures, including:

Cataract surgery in Huntington Beach

Cataracts can cloud your lens, which can lead to blindness and should not be taken lightly. With a team of top cataract surgeons in Huntington Beach, Atlantis Eyecare offers some of the most effective cataract surgery around. Some of the best ways to prevent cataracts is by keeping up with your regular eye exams. This allows your ophthalmologist to keep steady records of your vision health and provide proper preventative & maintenance care for your eyes.

LASIK

Our Huntington Beach LASIK procedure fixes eyesight and frees patients from the burdens of glasses or contacts. It is one of the most popular of all medical procedures, and has helped innumerable people attain perfect vision. Our surgeons deliver this LASIK safely to our Huntington Beach patients, rapidly and with minimal downtime. For some of the best results from LASIK patients can rely on, visit our Huntington Beach optometry center.

Best Dry Eyes Treatment

Dry eyes is one of the most common eye disorders to affect the residents of Huntington Beach. This is why we offer some of the most comprehensive dry eyes treatment can lay claim to. Learn more about how you can manage your dry eyes by scheduling an appointment with one of our Huntington Beach optometrists.

Cosmetic Eye Surgery

Our eye surgeons are additionally trained in cosmetic eye procedures. They are able to remove excess skin or fat in the eyelids, restoring a more youthful appearance. This rejuvenating eye procedure is most often referred to as a blepharoplasty in Huntington Beach.

Glaucoma treatment

The eye doctors at Atlantis Eyecare Huntington Beach are leaders in glaucoma treatment. They are competent in all methods of restoring the optic nerve to its full function and handling glaucoma. Glaucoma is often referred to as the "silent disease" because of its inability to be diagnosed without a comprehensive eye exam by a certified professional optometrist. If you go years without an eye exam, you could be developing glaucoma without even realizing, so be sure to stay on top of your eye health and get some of the best glaucoma treatment at Atlantis Eyecare's Huntington Beach location.