Frequently Asked Questions

 Am I a good candidate for Laser Vision Correction / LASIK?

The first step in answering this critical question is to see Dr. Friedman for a comprehensive eye examination if it has been a year or more since your last exam or if you are new to the practice (If you have been seen at Moorestown Eye for a comprehensive exam within one year, then schedule a free LASIK consultation). We will explain the LASIK procedure, answer all of your questions, and advise you what the next step should be if we determine that you are a good candidate.  In general, candidates must be at least 21 years old, in good general health, and have no diseases such as cataracts or glaucoma. Laser Vision Correction can correct nearsightness, farsightness and astigmatism.   

 What is the difference between LASIK and Laser Vision Correction (LVC)?

Laser Vision Correction (LVC) refers to any procedure that utilizes the excimer laser to reshape the cornea to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism.  LASIK (Laser-Assisted-In-Situ Keratomileusis) is currently the most common type of laser vision correction procedure. It is an extremely effective outpatient procedure that is suitable for low, moderate, and high prescriptions. It is currently one of the most commonly performed healthcare procedures in North America . Two other common LVC procedures are PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) or LASEK (Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis).

 What is the difference between LASIK, PRK and LASEK?

The difference lies in how the cornea is prepared prior to applying the laser. In LASIK, the laser is applied to the inner layers of the cornea.  In PRK and LASEK, the laser is applied very close to surface. Recovery is generally much more patient-friendly in LASIK. With LASIK, patients rarely have the discomfort during the first few days that PRK / LASEK patients have. Also with PRK or LASEK, patients are required to instill medicated eye drops for a few months as opposed to less than a week with LASIK. Finally, the vision usually stabilizes faster after LASIK. Thus, LASIK is still the most dominant of the procedures. However, there are patients who are not candidates for LASIK that are able to have one of the other procedures. The ultimate results for all the procedures have been very good and are similar to each other.  The remainder of these FAQs refer to LASIK although many of the answers apply to PRK and LASEK too. Ask our doctors about the specifics.

 What is the difference between Standard LASIK and CustomLASIK?

 Standard (or Conventional) LASIK and Custom LASIK are identical except in one very important way. In both versions, the digital information that is programmed into the laser instructs it exactly how to gently reshape your cornea in order to correct your vision. This information in Standard LASIK only allows it to correct your nearsightedness (or farsightedness) and astigmatism, which are known as Lower Order Aberrations.

Custom LASIK correction is not limited to correcting only the Lower Order Aberrations. In CustomLASIK, the laser is provided with information required to correct Higher Order Aberrations as well.  Higher Order Aberrations are complex optical distortions of the eye, which reduce clarity of vision. Every human eye has Higher Order Aberrations.

Correcting both lower AND higher order aberrations more fully corrects your eyesight. Thus, Custom LASIK provides a better chance of obtaining 20/20 vision, less chance of nighttime glare and less chance of needing an enhancement (a second laser procedure).  Standard LASIK is still a very good choice for many patients, though most will prefer the higher level of customization that CustomLASIK can provide.

 Is the CustomLASIK procedure performed any differently than Standard LASIK?

No. The patient experience is the same (as is the surgeons), although the actual lasering time may be a few seconds more in CustomLASIK. The difference is in the programming of the laser. In CustomLASIK, additional and powerful information is provided from a device called a wavefront analyzer which provides a 3-D mapping of your eye. This allows the Higher* Order (as well as Lower* Order) aberrations to be defined and corrected.   * See above for definitions

 I’m confused! Custom vs. Standard. LASIK vs. PRK? How will I know what procedure I need to have?

 This will be discussed with Dr. Friedman as well as the doctors at Kremer Eye Center. Before any recommendation can be made, we need to analyze all the various data that we collect. Because of the reasons stated above, most patients that can have LASIK  do have LASIK (versus PRK / LASEK). However PRK / LASEK are viable procedures for those who are not candidates for LASIK. Once the procedure is determined, the next question is: Standard vs. Custom. CustomLASIK is necessary for some and desirable for many. While clinical outcomes indicate that CustomLASIK  can provide a higher quality visual result, everyone’s eyes are different.  Together, we will determine what is right for you.

 I’ve heard a lot of great things about LASIK. What can LASIK do for me?

Although no medical procedure is perfect, the excimer laser allows for an unparalleled degree of precision and predictability. Each pulse of the laser can remove 39-millionths of an inch of tissue in 12-billionths of a second. This enables an experienced surgeon to achieve remarkable accuracy while maintaining excellent control throughout the procedure. While laser vision correction has proven overwhelmingly successful in reducing dependence on glasses and contact lenses, the degree of improvement may vary among individuals. How well and how quickly your vision improves depends on how well you heal and the severity of your prescription. Although no one can promise patients “perfect” or 20/20 vision, most laser patients with mild to moderate prescriptions do achieve 20/20 vision or are within 1 to 2 lines of 20/20 vision on an eye chart. This means they no longer need glasses or contacts to drive, play sports, watch movies and TV, or participate in careers requiring excellent vision.

 Additionally, CustomLASIK has proven to be an exciting development. CustomLASIK corrects the unique imperfections in each individual’s vision Clinical studies have shown that CustomLASIK can improve not only what you can see but how well you can see it. Many patients who have had CustomLASIK are reporting being able to see clearer than ever before.

 So will I ever need glasses again?

 Most laser vision patients do not need glasses or contact lenses for distance viewing, as in driving a car. For those infrequent times, we have prescribed a thin pair of glasses to be worn as needed for night driving. But what about close vision, as in reading a book?....

 Keep in mind, there is a normal aging process that occurs in everyone’s eyes which usually starts to affect vision between 40 and 50. The human lens inside the eye loses some of the flexibility that allows it to focus on near objects such as newspaper print. This is called presbyopia . Because laser vision correction is designed to reshape your cornea and does not affect the lens of your eye, it can not correct presbyopia Thus, reading glasses are usually required to solve this problem.  This shouldn’t minimize, however, the benefits of dramatically improved vision that laser vision correction can provide

 Will the procedure hurt?

 Most patients find the procedure to be very slightly uncomfortable. One good way to learn more about how it might feel is to talk to someone who has had the procedure, such as a friend, relative, or a staff member at our doctor's office. For most patients, the feeling of anxiety and the fear of the unknown is worse than the actual procedure. Anesthetic drops are used to numb the eye just before surgery begins, and you may be given a mild sedative. After your procedure, your eye may feel a scratchy sensation or irritation for a few hours, but most patients are quite comfortable after taking a short nap.

 What will my recovery be like?

 Most LASIK patients usually see quite well the day following their procedure and may be able to resume most of their normal daily activities, but patients with higher prescriptions may recover more slowly. Although the speed of visual recovery depends on personal healing patterns, most patients notice dramatic visual results within the first few days following their procedure.

 What are the risks?

There are risks with the LASIK procedure. However, the chance of having a vision reducing complication has been documented in a number of clinical studies to be minimal. Remember, millions of people have had excellent results from LASIK. Some potential complications include conditions such as dryness, complications in making the surgical flap, night glare, under- or over-correction, and loss of best-corrected vision. Prior to your procedure, these and other risks of the surgery are discussed fully with the patient prior to the procedure. Proper pre-operative care helps to minimize these risks and ensures that we proceed with the procedure only when it is medically advisable. As well, diligent post-operative care helps to identify and address any potential healing complications. Finally, choosing an office that is experienced and respected is another way to reduce risks. This is one of the advantages of choosing Moorestown Eye and Kremer Eye Center. Kremer Eye Center is affiliated with the TLC  nationwide network which has performed more LASIK than anyone else in the country. 

 Why have we affiliated with Kremer Eye Center?

 Our experience has been that their focus, like ours, is on outcomes and ethical decision-making. They understand the importance of the input of a patient’s doctor. The pre-procedure evaluation report that we send to Kremer Eye Center provides invaluable information that helps ensure appropriate and excellent care. So does each post-procedure visit report that we send.Kremer Eye Center is a high quality company with ample resources to effectively run a laser vision center. There are upgrades to hardware and software that must be made to stay on the cutting edge. Fortunately, we have found that they have always been able to do this. Having access to different technologies allows us to choose the right technology for each individual.

The Kremer/TLC Lifetime Commitment is also a big plus for our patients. Kremer/TLC stands behind its patients’ distance vision results for life. The Kremer/TLC Lifetime Commitment program ensures free enhancement procedures for life for qualified nearsighted patients – and this commitment will be honored by any Kremer/TLC location in North America . All other patients receive a 12 month commitment.

 Excellent results in a caring environment make Kremer Eye Center an easy recommendation for us to make. It is noteworthy that the same surgeon at Kremer Eye Center that performed LASIK on Dr. Les Friedman as well as 2 staff members has performed virtually all of our patients’ laser procedures.