We hope you will find the following information helpful. If you have any questions after reading this information, write them down and bring them with you to your consultation and our experienced staff will help answer them. If you have not scheduled a consultation, your next step is to call our office at (843) 769-6655 to schedule an appointment.

WHAT IS LASER VISION CORRECTION?

The term LASIK stands for Laser Assisted In–situ Keratomileusis. It corrects myopia, hyperopia and
astigmatism. Bluestein Custom Vision uses only FDA-approved lasers with the newest technologies to perform LASIK. Our LADARVISION laser is the first laser approved for custom cornea treatment to offer even surpassed individualized treatment with LADARWave Custom Cornea.

The procedure combines two sophisticated techniques of surgery to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism giving you the best of two worlds. The first technique uses an automated microsurgical instrument, the microkeratome, to create a protective flap of corneal tissue that covers the area sculpted by the laser. The protective flap eliminates corneal haze and scarring, allows early recovery of vision, and reduces discomfort after surgery. The second technique uses a computer-controlled excimer laser – a non-thermal (or cold) invisible, ultraviolet laser – to reshape the cornea by removing microscopic amounts of tissue in a prescribed shape. This changes the focus of the eye and corrects nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

AM I A CANDIDATE FOR LASIK LASER VISION CORRECTION?

Virtually everyone above age 18 with a stable refraction could be a candidate for LASIK. We’re now able to treat broad ranges of correction for nearsightedness, farsightedness and/or astigmatism. However, only an in-office evaluation will determine if you’re an ideal candidate for LASIK.

HOW LONG WILL THE PROCEDURE ACTUALLY TAKE TO PERFORM?

You will be at the laser center approximately two hours for your LASIK procedure. You will spend approximately 15-20 minutes in the laser suite during your procedure, with the actual laser treatment taking less than 3 minutes per eye.

IS THE LASIK PROCEDURE PAINFUL?

Because of special medication and eye drops administered before, during and after your procedure, most LASIK patients experience little - if any - discomfort. After the procedure, your eyes may feel scratchy, gritty, or watery, but these are temporary symptoms and normally subside within 24-48 hours.

WHAT KIND OF VISION CAN I EXPECT THE DAY AFTER SURGERY?

Our results at Bluestein Custom Vision meet or surpass the national averages. The majority of our patients enjoy 20/20 distance vision following their LASIK procedure, with more than 95% of patients enjoying 20/40 vision or better...good enough to pass their drivers’ test without glasses or contacts. Although your vision will be dramatically improved within 24 hours of your procedure, it will continue to improve during the weeks following your procedure.

WILL I HAVE 20/20 VISION AFTER MY LASIK PROCEDURE?

We cannot guarantee 20/20 vision. However, we can let you know the probability of achieving clear vision. Ninety-five percent of our patients with low to moderate ranges of nearsightedness achieve normal or near normal clear vision from just one surgery. This means that most of our patients are able to do almost everything that they want to do during their daily activities without glasses or contact lenses. While we can not guarantee crisp, clear, 20/20 vision, we do have an excellent chance of providing freedom from being dependent on glasses or contact lenses. A thin pair of glasses may still be needed for some activities such as driving a car in the evening, or perhaps watching TV.

HOW LONG WILL THE CORRECTIONS LAST?

The goal is for permanent correction, for the rest of your life. Laser vision correction is creating a permanent change to the exterior shape of your cornea. We cannot however, stop the normal processes that occur within your eye. Occasionally, the refractive power of your eye may continue to change over time, unrelated to any eye procedure. To ensure the most stable results it is best to wait to have laser vision correction performed until your vision has been stable for at least one year. There are some instances where a patient’s vision may regress, but this is not common. It may happen in about 1 - 3 percent of the population and can be treated with a refinement.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE COMMON SIDE EFFECTS I MAY EXPERIENCE
FOLLOWING MY LASER VISION CORRECTION?

During the healing process, most people can experience at least some of these effects:
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Halo effects to ghosting effects from lights at nighttime
• Decreased visual clarity in dim light
• Slightly drier eyes

For most cases, these side effects decrease or disappear as the eye heals, usually in the first month. Occasionally, some of these may persist.

Why should I choose Bluestein Custom Vision for my LASIK procedure?

• We are the only LASIK center in the area where you will meet with the surgeon at every visit.

• Personally devoted to every patient. This is not an assembly line...we spend quality time with our patients to make sure they receive the best care available. Dr. Bluestein tries to make a personal connection with each of her patients.

• Dr. Bluestein is always available to her patients 24 hours a day. You will have access to her office phone, home phone, cell and pager. What other doctor would give you their home phone and cell number?

• You will always receive excellent results from Bluestein Custom Vision.

• Dr. Bluestein owns and operates Lowcountry’s newest, most state-of-the-art eye care & laser center.

• At Bluestein Custom Vision your Laser Vision Correction is more than a procedure...it’s an experience.

To review more in depth information about LASIK in Charleston, specialized LASIK procedures like monovision LASIK Surgery or LASIK Eye Surgery of any type at Bluestein Custom Vision in Charleston, South Carolina. You may also want to visit www.seewithlasik.com