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If you inquired about LASIK surgery in the past and were told you weren’t a good candidate, we should talk. Misconceptions about LASIK are plentiful, because many people – even some eye doctors – don’t realize new technology has paved the way for more people to have safe, successful laser eye surgery.According to Key-Whitman Eye Center’s President and Chief Surgeon Jeffrey Whitman, “The wonderful thing about LASIK today is patient outcomes are the best they have ever been, even for many people who were previously told they couldn’t get LASIK. Why? At Key-Whitman, we use the most advanced laser technology and the latest diagnostic equipment.”
Dr. Whitman explains how the WaveLight EX500 Excimer Laser makes LASIK faster and more comfortable for patients.
The Truth About LASIK today
While only an experienced eye surgeon can determine if LASIK is a good option for the individual patient, the best candidates for LASIK surgery today are typically people who:
- Have healthy eyes.
- Are 18 years of age and older.
- Have stable vision for at least 12 months.
- Don’t suffer from certain underlying health conditions, such as uncontrolled degenerative conditions or autoimmune diseases.
- Are not pregnant.
What many people don’t realize is LASIK surgery has come a long way since it was introduced more than 20 years ago. We asked Dr. Whitman to shed some light on the truth about LASIK today, and here’s what he had to say.
Truth No. 1: Thanks to new technology and eye health treatments, many people who weren’t candidates for LASIK in the past can safely undergo LASIK today.
“You’re too nearsighted.”
“Your cornea isn’t thick enough.”
“You have dry eye symptoms.”
These are common reasons people were ruled out for LASIK in the past that do not apply to all patients today.
As Dr. Whitman explains, “The WaveLight® EX500 Excimer Laser – the fastest laser in the U.S. – allows us to perform surgery much more quickly, while removing less tissue, so we can treat patients with higher degrees of nearsightedness now. We also offer Contoura® Vision Topography Guided LASIK procedures that offer the precision needed to perform LASIK on patients who have issues such as irregular shaped corneas.”
INTERESTING FACT: Research on patients following the Contoura procedure revealed that one-third of patients said their vision following treatment was better than their best vision with glasses or contacts. In addition, more than 60 percent experienced vision better than 20/20 after the procedure.
Patients with dry eye symptoms also have an increased likelihood of becoming successful candidates for LASIK eye surgery today.
According to Dr. Whitman, “At Key-Whitman we have our own dry eye clinic with eye doctors on staff who specialize in dry eye disease. By using advances in dry eye treatments like prescription eye drops, steroid drops, ointments, Lipiflow and others, we can help many patients overcome dry eye symptoms, so they are suitable candidates for LASIK.”
Plus, those patients who are not a good fit for LASIK do have other options.
“Some patients with extreme myopia may not be good candidates for LASIK, but we have other treatments available – like intraocular contact lenses (ICLs), which work well,” Dr. Whitman says.
Truth No. 2: No need to fear. LASIK is one of the safest surgical procedures available in the U.S. today – especially at Key-Whitman.
According to an FDA survey, patient satisfaction with LASIK has skyrocketed to 96 percent. This is a huge increase compared to the 60 percent patient satisfaction of years past. The report concluded the drastic change was due to advanced screening techniques and new technology.
“The single biggest reason people put off LASIK surgery is because they are afraid. Fortunately, new technology allows us to rule out people who are not good candidates and perform LASIK very quickly. Our patients are continually amazed at how fast and painless the procedure is,” says Dr. Whitman.
Dr. Whitman discusses the care patients can expect when they choose Key-Whitman for LASIK surgery.
Choosing an experienced eye surgeon who is board certified in LASIK surgery by the American Board of Eye Surgeons also helps ensure the best outcomes following eye surgery.
As Dr. Whitman explains, “All of the surgeons who perform LASIK at Key-Whitman’s Dallas surgery center are board certified LASIK surgeons. That’s a big deal and not the case with the vast majority of LASIK practices in Texas. Getting board certified involves a lengthy, arduous, peer-review process. Why not trust your eyes to the best of the best?”
Truth No. 3: Eye surgeons can treat astigmatism during LASIK surgery.
Dr. Whitman regularly hears an untruth – that people can’t have LASIK due to astigmatism. “That’s just not the case. In fact, we’ve been treating astigmatism with LASIK for years. If astigmatism was holding you back from getting LASIK, come talk with us,” Dr. Whitman says.
Truth No. 4: Patients can get LASIK after cataract surgery.
Another question people often ask about LASIK is “How old is too old to get LASIK?” The answer? Age isn’t a defining factor when it comes to LASIK.
As Dr. Whitman explains, “I have performed LASIK on patients from the ages of 18 to 90+. The biggest vision issue for patients in the later years is cataracts. LASIK is not a treatment for vision loss due to cataracts. However, for patients who have already had cataract surgery with a lens implant, LASIK can be used to fine tune distance vision to decrease the patient’s dependence on glasses.”
Truth No. 5: LASIK is more affordable than ever before.
“As LASIK surgery has become more readily available and more eye surgeons have become skilled at performing the procedure, prices have become more reasonable. We even offer financing options for patients. Price just isn’t an issue for most people today,” Dr. Whitman says.
NOTE: Before you start price shopping for LASIK, read this important story first:
Buyer Beware: Why Price Shouldn’t Come First When Shopping for LASIK
For full details, visit our LASIK Special pageor call (214) 220.3937 to learn more about LASIK surgery at our state-of the-art Dallas eye surgery center. If you prefer to connect with us online, please fill out the handy online appointment form here.
ABOUT DR. WHITMAN
Jeffrey Whitman, M.D., is a nationally renowned eye surgeon, board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. He has been the President and Chief Surgeon of Key-Whitman Eye Centers in Dallas since 1996 and is currently President of the Outpatient Ophthalmic Surgery Society.Dr. Whitman is a frequent participant in clinical trials and is known as a respected researcher, innovator and leader in refractive cataract surgery, LASIK eye surgery and for his extensive experience implanting high-technology lenses. He is frequently called upon to serve on the boards of local and
national medical associations and organizations and has been recognized as D Magazine’sBest Ophthalmologist/Lasik Surgeon in Dallas for 15 years running. Dr. Whitman and his wife reside in Dallas and enjoy fitness, playing tennis, snow skiing and traveling.
