Lasik

LASIK

For 25 years, laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis, or LASIK has helped million of people see clearly without glasses or contact lenses

Advanced technology

At Intermountain Eye Center, we provide the newest, safest and advanced LASIK technology with wavefront-optimized and topography-guided LASIK

Who is Eligible?

The ideal candidate for wavefront or topography-guided LASIK has had a stable refractive prescription for at least a year and is ready to eliminate their dependency on glasses and/or contacts. Factors that can affect candidacy are the degree of the refractive error as well as the thickness and shape of the cornea.

LASIK may not be right for you if you have the following:

Thin corneas
Large pupils
Corneal scarring
Pregnancy or nursing
An eye condition such as cataracts, glaucoma, or diabetic retinopathy
A medical condition such as uncontrolled diabetes or a condition that compromises the immune system It is important to discuss your medical history and concerns during your free consultation. Our experienced surgeons will be able to recommend a procedure that meets your vision correction needs.

Treatment process

STEP ONE

Flap Creation

The surgeon creates a small corneal flap on the surface of the eye using the FS200™ laser. It takes only 10 seconds for the laser to make the flap by creating microscopic cavitation bubbles underneath the surface of the cornea. The flap created is thinner and more uniform than those created by the microkeratome blade method.

STEP TWO

Treatment Begins

The surgeon carefully folds back the corneal flap. The surgeon then applies the excimer laser to reshape the cornea, thereby correcting the refractive error. Intermountain Eye Center uses the Wavelight EX500™ excimer laser, the newest, fastest, most precise vision correction laser in the United States for all LASIK and PRK procedures. Once treatment is complete, the protective corneal flap is repositioned into place, acting as a natural bandage so vision can be restored more rapidly.

STEP THREE

After Treatment

After the laser treatment is completed, the corneal flap is carefully put back into place, acting as a natural bandage to help the eye heal from the procedure.

After your LASIK procedure

You can expect your vision to be blurry the first few hours after surgery followed by a rapid and significant improvement in vision; however, each patient heals differently, and your progress will be checked on your one-day follow-up appointment. Our surgeons will prescribe eye drops to improve your comfort after surgery and help speed recovery.

Upon returning home, you should take it easy and relax. You will be given clear, protective plastic shields to wear when sleeping so you won’t inadvertently rub your eyes, which could cause wrinkles and folds in the flaps. You will be given antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops to put in your eyes every few hours while awake. You will also use moisturizing or artificial tear drops to help lubricate your eyes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is LASIK safe?

Yes. It is one of the safest procedures and has the highest satisfaction rate of any surgery. LASIK is safer than wearing contact lenses. Long term contact lens wear increases your risk for vision loss from infection.

Is LASIK painful?

No. You will notice blinking lights during the procedure, but there is no pain

How long does LASIK take?

The procedure usually takes 10 minutes. The laser only takes seconds to correct your vision based on your glasses prescription.

What if I blink or move during LASIK?

The laser is designed to track your eye and head movements. The laser moves with you. If your eye moves too much the laser will temporarily stop and restart where it left off when your eye is back in the correct position.

Am I a candidate?

LASIK is an excellent procedure for the right person. A number of factors are used to determine whether you are a candidate for LASIK including refractive error (nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or presbyopia), thickness and shape of the corneal tissue, and a number of ophthalmic and general health conditions. Many of the eye tests and measurements needed to determine LASIK candidacy are beyond the scope of a routine eye exam, and require interpretation by a doctor specialized in LASIK surgery. We provide a free LASIK screening to help determine if you are a good LASIK candidate.

How much does LASIK cost?

Your LASIK investment is $2250 per eye, or $4500 for both eyes regardless of whether or not you have a high prescription, astigmatism, or need a topography guided treatment. We are the only Idaho practice to publish our prices. Invest in yourself and own your vision instead of renting it from the contact lens and eye glass industry. HSA and FSA accounts can be used to pay for LASIK. Financing is also available.