Frequently Asked Questions

What are the odds of eliminating my glasses?

Overall, 99% of patients will see well enough without glasses to pass the DMV eye test (20/40), 90% will have 20/25 or better vision without glasses, and 84% will have 20/20 or better vision without glasses. The results are even better with the wavefront-guided custom cornea technology: 99% have 20/25 or better uncorrected vision, and 96% have 20/20 or better vision without glasses. The general rule is: more accurate results will be obtained in people who require less treatment.

What will my vision be after the LASIK procedure?

This varies among patients. Studies, in which we have participated show that in general, 95 percent of patients in general achieve 20/40 or better vision (that needed to pass the driver's test) and about two thirds achieve 20/20 or better. Results may be better or worse depending on a patient's degree of refractive error.

Will I need glasses or contact lenses after the procedure?

The LASIK procedure is designed to decrease your dependency on glasses and contact lenses, not necessarily eliminate them for all tasks. For instance, some patients may need glasses for reading, night driving, or other specific tasks. Most patients note that they can do most things without glasses or contacts after the procedure.

Can I lose much vision from excimer laser treatment?

This is the most important concern that patients have. No patient in any of the extensive FDA tests and none of our patients have ever lost their vision from excimer laser treatment. Even if it were to occur, the vision could usually be restored by a repeat laser procedure or by an additional surgery.

Does the treatment hurt?

There is only mild discomfort during the Lasik procedure, usually less than having your teeth cleaned. During the first few days after Lasik, there is minimal discomfort.

How much time must I take off from work following the procedure?

This depends on your job. In general, LASIK patients can return to work either the day after the procedure or they take one day off. For those jobs in which good visual acuity in both eyes is critical, it may take several days for vision to return to a level in which you can perform your job properly.

How often do I return for follow-up examinations after the procedure?

In general, there are short checkups one day and two weeks after the procedure. We then examine you at three months, and six months and one year if necessary. The examination schedule is tailored to your specific situation.

How long does the procedure take?

Expect to be at the center for about one to two hours the day of the procedure. The treatment takes about 20-30 minutes.

How soon will I notice improvement in my vision after the treatment?

After LASIK, visual improvement is usually noted the day after the procedure and continues for a few weeks. After PRK, most patients start to notice visual improvement after about three days.

Are the results achieved from LASIK permanent?

Based on results of a clinical trial we published in 1998, approximately 93% of patients achieve stable improved vision 6 months after LASIK. For most patients, the visual results of LASIK appear to be permanent. A few patients may have long term changes, but such changes are generally small compared with the original visual problem.

After LASIK, how will my vision be at night or in low light?

Depending on your night vision with glasses or contact lenses before LASIK, some patients will note improved night vision, others little change, and others worse night vision. Testing before LASIK can help to identify patients who may have night vision problems. If so, the treatment plan may be modified to minimize any night vision effects, or we may decide that you are not a good candidate. If you do have night vision problems after LASIK, many resolve over time. Night driving glasses, contact lenses, or laser retreatment may help the problem in others.

If I'm corrected for distance will I lost my ability to see well close up?

The need for reading glasses is age dependent. As you get older, the natural lens in the eye becomes less flexible and less able to focus up close. LASIK is used to improve distance vision without glasses or contact lenses. Since it is like wearing permanent contact lenses, your reading vision after LASIK will be similar to that with your contact lenses.

If I wear bifocals now will I still need to wear reading glasses even after LASIK?

If both eyes are corrected the best possible for distance vision, then you will still need reading glasses. In some cases, monovision, or blended vision, is used for older patients to retain some reading vision without reading glasses. In this approach, one eye is made as good as we can for distance vision, and the other eye is tuned for reading vision. There is one drawback to this approach. Although reading vision is retained, since the reading vision eye is not as clear for distance, overall distance clarity may not be quite as good. In such cases, glasses for driving may be necessary.

Will my eyes be dry after LASIK?

There may be some dryness in the first few weeks after LASIK. This is usually well controlled with artificial teardrops. In rare cases, dryness may persist. During the examination before the laser, we will check to see if you are at particular risk for a dry eye.

What about the long-term results?

Will my eyes deteriorate in the future?

Excimer laser surgery was first performed in 1988. Lasik is a more accurate variation of ALK, which has been performed for over 25 years, and has been proven safe in long-term studies. Extensive testing has been performed around the world by many different sources and it has been determined that there are no long-term health problems to the eye from these procedures.

Will I be able to see anything during the procedure?

Yes. During the procedure, you will be asked to look at a light. Seconds after the procedure is completed, you will notice a dramatic improvement in your vision. Many of our patients say that this is one of the most memorable moments in their entire lives.

What if I blink during the procedure?

The eye is held open by a device known as a retractor, which doesn’t usually hurt.

Will I need to wear an eye patch after the procedure?

No. However, some patients will wear a contact lens overnight to promote healing.

Will scars form from the procedure?

There are only extremely faint scars that cannot be seen except with a microscope.

Will the treatment cause cataracts, or influence the treatment of cataracts?

Laser vision correction does not cause cataracts and does not affect the removal of cataracts.

If I don't get a full correction, will I be able to wear contacts after the treatment?

Very rarely, patients do not get a full correction and will want to wear contact lenses. The general rule is: if you could wear contact lenses before the procedure, then you should be able to wear them afterwards.

If I don't get a full correction, will I be able to have a repeat procedure to improve the results?

Approximately 7% of our patients return for an enhancement procedure. These patients have had a dramatic improvement in their vision, but have not achieved a full correction. "Touch-up" procedures are extremely quick and easy, and there is no additional charge.

Will my insurance cover the procedure?

Although most insurance companies consider laser vision correction procedures to be elective surgery (which isn't covered), all plans and individual policies are a little different.

How safe is laser treatment?

When performed by the proper surgeon, Lasik treatments are extremely safe.  Like any laser or surgical procedure, these treatments are subject to complications, but the complication rate is very low.  The complication rate is much lower when a doctor very experienced in Lasik, performs the treatment.  Most complications can be corrected through eye drops or a repeat procedure. In order to decrease the risk of complication, we at Georgia Eye Consultants take many steps that go far beyond the minimum standards of most laser centers.  Our laser is calibrated before every single procedure to ensure the most accurate results, whereas many laser centers only calibrate the laser every six patients, or even just once per day.  We monitor and control the temperature and humidity in our laser room, which improves the accuracy of our results. One of the more important steps to avoid complication is in the rigorous testing of our patients.  After the brief initial screening exam and prior to undergoing a procedure at Georgia Eye Consultants, we will perform a most thorough evaluation; some important measurements will be performed two or more times, and will be further repeated if necessary. At Georgia Eye Consultants, we will only perform Lasik on you if we believe that we can obtain an excellent result.  Approximately 30% of the patients that come to us for Lasik are advised not to have the procedure, because we believe they are less than ideal candidates. By far the most common complication is under-correction or over-correction.  In the case of an under-correction or over-correction, the vision will be dramatically better, but a small amount of focusing error still remains.  Further laser treatment, known as an “enhancement” or a “touch-up”, can then be used to improve the vision further by decreasing the remaining nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. About 25% of excimer laser patients will experience optical aberrations during the initial healing phases, including glare, halos at night, or ghost images.  In 99% of cases, this will disappear within several months.  Careful attention to detail in centration and calibration of the laser, as well as measurement of pupil size, substantially lessens the incidence of optical aberrations.

How can I find out if I am a candidate and which procedure is best for me?

Call (404) 765-2020 to arrange an appointment.

The Most Commonly Asked Questions About Contact Lenses

How long does it take to get used to new contact lenses if you have never worn them before?

Depending on your eye sensitivity and whether you have soft or rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses, your eyes could adjust to wearing contact lenses from a day to two weeks.

Are contact lenses difficult to care for?

There are certain steps you need to take in order to ensure that your eyes stay healthy and your contacts last as long as possible. For the exact care of your contacts, please refer to the following articles: • Soft Contact Lens Care • Rigid Gas Permeable Contact Lens CareThe exceptions are daily disposable contact lenses and extended wear contacts. With these, you throw them out when you're done wearing them, so there's no care regimen at all. [top] Inserting contact lenses is easy.   Can a contact get lost behind my eye?

No. At worst, you might have trouble finding it under the lid; if need be, you can have your eye doctor help you get it out.

Do you think I'm old enough to wear contact lenses?

That depends on how responsible you are; this decision is best made jointly between you, your parents and your eye doctor.

What kinds of contacts are available?

Contact lenses come in different material types, replacement schedules and wear schedules. Plus, many special kinds are available. Material Types: soft, RGP and hard (very rarely prescribed). Replacement Schedules: • Conventional soft contacts last about a year; conventional RGPs last several years. • Frequent or planned replacement contact lenses last one to several months. • Disposable contacts last from one day to two weeks.Wear Schedules: daily wear (the ones you take out at night) and extended wear (the ones you can sleep in). Special Contact Lenses: bifocals, colored contacts, ortho-k contacts (correct your vision even when you're not wearing them), special-effect contact lenses, torics for astigmatism and UV-blocking contacts.

Are disposable contact lenses worth the extra money?

Many doctors highly recommend both disposable and frequent replacement contact lenses: they are an excellent choice health-wise, because there is less opportunity for protein and bacteria to build up on them. Also, if you wear daily disposable contact lenses, which are discarded at the end of the day, you won't need to buy cleaning solutions for them. Learn more about disposable and frequent replacement contact lenses.

Is there really a big difference between daily and extended wear contact lenses?

Yes! Extended wear contacts are made of materials that allow more oxygen to reach your eye, which means it's safer to sleep in them than in daily wear contact lenses. You can wear extended wear lenses without removal for up to seven days, or 30 days in the case of one brand.

Where is the best place to buy contact lenses?

You can order contact lenses from your eye doctor, over the phone or off the Internet. The best place to buy them depends on availability, cost and more.

My doctor refused to give me my contact lens prescription. Is this legal?

Until recently, laws on this issue varied from state to state in the United States. Some eye doctors felt that if they gave out contact lens prescriptions, some of their patients would stop going in for regular eye exams. These check-ups are important, because they not only determine prescription changes, but they can also catch serious diseases in their early, more treatable states. But in late 2003 a federal law was passed that gives all U.S. consumers the right to have a copy of their contact lens prescription. The law went into effect in February 2004.

I'm looking for a specific type of contact lens. Do you know where I can find it?

We get two different types of questions like this: some people describe the type of lens they're looking for and want to know if it exists; others know that the lens exists and want to know how to get it (usually, they are looking for special-effect contact lenses). If you want to know whether a lens exists, try our Contact Lens section and our What's New pages. If you know the lens exists, you must visit your eye doctor to get it, even if you don't need vision correction. Why?

The FDA considers contacts to be medical devices because you put them in your eyes, and has put guidelines in effect for your safety. Plus, each contact lens and each person's eyes are a little different, so the doctor needs to perform a specialized fitting for you.   Why did my doctor tell me to come back after he has already fitted me with my contacts?

If he asked you to come back about a week later, it's because he wants to be sure that you're not having any problems, such as an improper fit or too much bacteria building up on the lenses. If it's about a year later, it's to check whether your prescription has changed and to check for any eye diseases, which are best treated in their early stages before any vision loss can occur.

Frequently Asked Questions About Paragon CRT

What is Paragon CRT?

Paragon CRT is a specially designed oxygen permeable therapeutic contact lens used in Corneal Refractive Therapy.  Corneal Refractive Therapy is a sophisticated, non-surgical process, which reshapes the cornea while you sleep.  You remove the lenses when you awake and are able to go throughout the day without any other correction.

How new is Paragon CRT?

Contact lens corneal reshaping is not a new concept.  Previous corneal reshaping designs were only as successful as technology allowed.  Paragon Vision Sciences has taken the recent advancements in computerized corneal mapping, computerized manufacturing, and oxygen permeable contact lens materials and produced a therapeutic contact lens design that is like no other.  This has allowed Paragon CRT to become the one corneal reshaping modality that truly stands out and the first to earn FDA approval for nighttime Corneal Refractive Therapy.  Is Corneal Refractive Therapy Permanent?

No. It’s temporary.  If you stop wearing the lenses regularly while you sleep, your vision will return to its original state in as little as 72 hours.

Can everyone wear Paragon CRT?

Not everyone can wear Paragon CRT.  This lens is designed for individuals with low to moderate myopia (nearsightedness up to –6.00 diopters) with or without astigmatism (up to –1.75 diopters).  Paragon CRT therapeutic lenses are not yet available in bifocal prescriptions for presbyopia (which requires reading glasses or bifocals).  At your doctor’s discretion you may be fitted in a monovision mode (one eye corrected for near vision and one corrected for distance vision).  You might still need reading glasses.  However, since there are variations in patient physiology and visual needs, the decision for CRT, at any age, can only be made after a thorough eye exam and the recommendations of the eye care professional.  At this time, hyperopia (farsightedness) is not correctable with CRT. How long does it take to reach good vision?

Most patients have rapid improvement in the first few days of treatment and achieve nearly their optimum vision in 10 to 14 days. What do I do to see adequately in the period of time between when I start Corneal Refractive Therapy with Paragon CRT and when I achieve full treatment?

It’s important to understand that for a time after you have begun treatment, but before sufficient treatment is realized, your old glasses or contacts will no longer be the appropriate prescription.  It may involve insertion of your Paragon CRT lenses for part of the day or some use of temporary soft lenses in different prescriptions as an option. Your eye care practitioner will discuss your options for visual correction during that transitional period of time. Are there any risks involved with wearing Paragon CRT?

There is a small risk involved when any contact lens is worn.  It is not expected that the Paragon CRT lenses for contact lens Corneal Refractive Therapy will provide a risk that is greater than other contact lenses.  There were no serious adverse events reported in the Paragon CRT FDA clinical study. Can I see with my Paragon CRT lenses in?

Yes.  One of the great features of the Paragon CRT lens is that if you have to get up in the middle of the night, you will be able to see where you are going.  Or, if during the initial treatment phase, you find you need some form of vision correction, you can put in your Paragon CRT lenses and see clearly. How often will I have to replace my Paragon CRT lenses?

Generally speaking the Paragon CRT lenses will have to be replaced once a year.  However, depending on factors such as protein build-up, how well the lenses are taken care of, etc., the lenses may have to be replaced more frequently.

How do I care for my Paragon CRT lenses?

Your lenses should be chemically disinfected after every use (not heat).  Your eye care practitioner will instruct you about which care system is best for you. How much does Corneal Refractive Therapy with Paragon CRT cost?

The cost for your initial fitting, professional care, follow-up and Paragon CRT therapeutic lenses varies.  After your first year, the annual cost of CRT is about the same as wearing contact lenses or glasses.  Many eye care Practitioners also offer optional payment plans, which they will be happy to review with you.  You should consult your Paragon CRT eye care practitioner for further specific information.  Is Corneal Refractive Therapy painful?

The therapy is not painful.  Initially, you may have a slight awareness of the therapeutic lens.  You will not feel the lenses when you sleep and there is no sense of physical corneal change…. just visual improvement when the lenses are removed. Is Corneal Refractive Therapy or Paragon CRT FDA approved?

Paragon CRT is the first therapeutic lens design approved by the FDA for overnight contact lens Corneal Refractive Therapy for the temporary reduction of myopia.  Paragon Vision Sciences, the manufacturer of Paragon CRT, received the final written approval on June 13, 2002.  The issuance of this approval is the culmination of the most extensive clinical study to date to establish the safety and efficacy of contact lens corneal reshaping in overnight use. What is the difference between Corneal Refractive Therapy and Paragon CRT?

Corneal Refractive Therapy is the process of using a therapeutic contact lens to reduce myopia by reshaping the corneal surface while you sleep.  Paragon CRT is the product for this therapy. Are there age restrictions for Corneal Refractive Therapy with Paragon CRT?

No.  The FDA placed no age restrictions on candidates for Corneal Refractive Therapy with Paragon CRT.   CRT is being successfully performed on children 12 years old and younger.  It can be a great option for children and teens that are active in sports activities or any other extra curricular activities. Those who are older and presbyopic (requiring reading glasses or bifocals) may still be candidates for CRT.  They may correct their distance vision with CRT and wear near-vision reading glasses for close work.  At the doctor’s discretion you may be fitted in a monovision mode (one eye corrected for near vision and one corrected for distance vision).  Visual requirements due to age or activities can only be assessed after a thorough eye exam.  Your Paragon CRT certified eye care professional will recommend what is best for you.   Are the Paragon CRT lenses difficult to insert or remove?

These lenses are generally no more difficult to insert or remove than any other similar contact lens.  You may want to instill comfort or rewetting drops prior to insertion of the lenses and immediately upon waking.  The lenses must move freely prior to removal.  If you have difficulty removing the Paragon CRT lens, there are lens removal aids available to assist this process. If I discontinue CRT, will my vision to return to normal?

There are no recorded permanent corneal changes post-treatment.  Generally, the more myopia being reduced, the longer it will take for the corneal curvature to return to normal.  For instance, if your pretreated correction was - 4.50D, it would take a few days longer to return to normal than if the pretreated correction was -1.50D. 

My driver’s license is marked that I need corrective lenses to operate a motor vehicle.  What do I do about that?

Your eye care professional will supply you with a document that states you are participating in a visual therapy program that eliminates the need for corrective lenses during working hours.  The document should have an expiration date and you should have your driver’s license updated with a new vision screening through your local DMV office to reflect this change, before the expiration date. What happens if I lose or damage a lens?

Corneal Refractive Therapy is different than wearing regular contact lenses.  If you discontinue wear for one night, your vision may be impaired the next day.  Previously worn glasses or contact lenses may not help.  Immediate replacement is necessary!  Having a spare pair of lenses is strongly recommended. Do benefit programs cover Corneal Refractive Therapy?

This is an elective procedure, and to the best of our knowledge is not usually covered by benefit programs.  If regular contact lenses are covered under your vision care plan, Corneal Refractive Therapy may be partially covered.  You should check with your benefits plan administrator.  I suffer from “dry” eyes, am I a candidate for Corneal Refractive Therapy?

Only your eye care professional can determine if you are a CRT candidate.  Many patients with slightly dry eyes do well with CRT.  Since you are wearing the lenses only while sleeping, the closed eye state minimizes evaporative loss of tears and can give dry-eye patients suitable vision without compromising the ocular surface. I used to wear contact lenses, but stopped due to discomfort.  Am I a candidate for Corneal Refractive Therapy?

Paragon CRT lenses are worn at night while you are sleeping.  This greatly reduces any discomfort normally experienced while wearing contact lenses during the day.  I have astigmatism.  Am I a candidate for Corneal Refractive Therapy?

Paragon CRT is designed to correct myopia with to 1.75 diopters of astigmatism.  Each individual should be evaluated by a certified eye care professional to determine if CRT is right for your visual requirements. I wear glasses.  Am I a candidate for Corneal Refractive Therapy?

The transition from wearing only glasses to Paragon CRT should not be a concern.  About 18% of the patients in the FDA study were non-contact lens wearers.   The dropout rate related to discomfort was only 3.9%. How can I tell if I have the original Paragon CRT lenses?

Each lens is laser marked to assure you and your eye care practitioner that you have the original Paragon CRT therapeutic contact lens.