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Laser Eye Surgery Consultation in Santa Ana, California

Name: North Tustin Ave Optometric Center
Address: 2390 North Tustin Ave. Suite B, Santa Ana, CA, 92705
Telephone: (714) 543-3167

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A Life Without Glasses or Contacts

If you are farsighted, nearsighted, or have some other form of refractive error, you understand how frustrating it can be to have to rely on glasses or contact lenses to see clearly.

Laser eye surgery can provide vision correction with minimal downtime and discomfort, providing patients with a permanent route to clear vision.

At North Tustin Ave Optometric Center, we can provide you with the insight and answers you need to make an informed decision about the procedure. Laser eye surgery can be a good option for most people with refractive errors, but is not a good choice for all patients.

Types of Refractive Surgery

There are several different types of refractive surgery that can be used to correct vision. Depending on your unique situation, one type may be better suited to your needs than another. It is always best to consult your optometrist to determine what your options are.

LASIK

LASIK is the most commonly performed refractive surgery. A flap in the clear outer surface of your eye (called the cornea) is made using a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser and gently lifted and folded back. Then, your ophthalmologist will use an excimer laser to reshape the cornea to correct your refractive error (myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism) before replacing the flap. The flap acts as a natural bandaid, protecting your cornea while your eye heals.

PRK

PRK does not involve creating a flap. Instead, the outer layer of the cornea is removed with a laser or scalpel, so the inner layers of the cornea can be accessed for reshaping. The outer layer grows back over the next few days. Since the cornea is exposed, your ophthalmologist will give you contact lenses to wear, which act as a bandage and protect the eye during the healing process.

LASEK

LASEK eye surgery combines the benefits of both LASIK and PRK surgery, and in some cases, can be used to avoid the dry eyes associated with LASIK. LASEK involves loosening the top layer of the cornea (the epithelium), which is then temporarily removed to reveal the inner layers of the cornea. The cornea is then reshaped, the surface layer is repositioned, and a contact lens is used to hold the loose portion of the epithelium in place until it heals.

Our Consultation Process

Before your surgery, we will perform a comprehensive evaluation to ensure your eyes are healthy. We will also test your visual acuity to see what type of refractive correction you will need and discuss any risks, benefits, and alternatives to surgery that you should know.

We recommend that you do not wear your contact lenses for at least a few weeks before your consultation as they may change the shape of your cornea.

If possible, it would be best to avoid using creams, makeup, or perfume before the procedure to lessen the chance of infection or irritation both during and after surgery.

Post-Operative Care

After the procedure, you may experience some discomfort while your eyes heal. You may also temporarily experience dry eyes or overly teary and watery eyes, and your vision may be blurry.

Do not touch your face or eyes or rub your eyes if they are itchy, as this could dislodge the flap or damage your eyes. You should also avoid using makeup or face creams for a few weeks following your surgery.

Before you go for surgery, we will book a series of follow-up appointments with you, the first of which will be for a day or 2 following surgery. We will use these appointments to monitor your eye health and to pinpoint any issues that may present themselves during the healing process.

If you experience any severe pain or your vision does not improve, please request an appointment so we can examine your eyes and determine the cause of your pain or vision problems.

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