LASIK Eye Surgery

Modern LASIK, or Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis, is the most well studied and popular vision correction procedure available today, improving, or in most cases, fully restoring vision. Our doctors were the first in the US to perform both LASIK and blade-free, All-Laser LASIK. LASIK is an effective treatment used to correct mild to moderate cases of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

LASIK is a 2-Step Process

First, Dr. Slade will choose which of our advanced, femtosecond lasers is a better fit for your eye to create a flap on the surface of your cornea. The flap’s benefit is that it functions as a natural bandage when the procedure is finished. Very few practices have multiple femtosecond laser options for flap creation, but Dr. Slade does not use the typical “one-size-fits-all” approach for laser vision correction.

LASIK Eye Surgery Procedure Diagram

Second, after the flap is created, an excimer laser is used to create your unique refractive prescription on your cornea, giving you your best possible vision. The corneal flap is then returned to its original position where it bonds without the need for sutures and acts as a natural, protective bandage.

While each laser treatment is very fast, lasting only 30-60 seconds, you should expect to spend a total of 10-15 minutes in the procedure room.

LASIK Procedure Diagram

Ideal LASIK Candidates

  • People who are 18 and older with a history of stable vision
  • People who are nearsighted, farsighted, and/ or have astigmatism
  • Healthy eyes with no history of the disease or certain autoimmune conditions
  • Normal corneal topography (corneal thickness and treatable shape)

Questions to Ask Your LASIK Surgeon

When you are interviewing LASIK surgeons in Houston or having a pre-operative LASIK eye surgery evaluation, you may want to discuss the following LASIK questions:

  • How long have you been performing LASIK?
  • Does the price of your LASIK vary depending on my visual parameters?
  • Do you only do LASIK or do you offer other refractive surgery procedures?
  • Do you have access to more than one laser for LASIK?
  • What do you think is the best LASIK technology and why?
  • What are the risks of LASIK?
  • What are your credentials and educational history?
  • What makes a great LASIK surgeon?

LASIK on the Frontlines

This program features a former Navy SEAL who owes his career to laser vision correction and demonstrates the important role laser vision correction plays in the lives of U.S. servicemen and women.


Why do you have multiple different lasers to do LASIK and Laser Vision Correction?

Stephen Slade MD: We have two different lasers that make the ablation, two different lasers that make flaps. There’s a very simple answer to why we have four lasers for LASIK. Because we have more than one patient. And by that I mean our patients are so varied. People are different. Some people have a lot of nearsightedness. Some people have a lot of astigmatisms, while some have this requirement or that requirement.

So we find that we use different lasers for different eyes. Different prescriptions. And we find the sweet spot. So we’re able to better offer the patient what might be a solution that suits their eye, their individual eye better. The more tools you have – it just makes sense. And it’s helped us with our results.

What is all-laser Lasik and why do you think it is better?

Stephen Slade MD: All-laser Lasik is using two lasers on each eye. Both components. Remember, LASIK is making a very thin flap of corneal tissue, laying the flap back and then reshaping the eye with a laser, replacing the flap. Initially, we used a metal blade to make that flap. And that was back in 1991 when we started Lasik and did the first ones. And then [we use] the laser to reshape. All-laser LASIK is using a laser to make the flap, and then a second laser to reshape the eye.

We actually have the nation’s longest experience in all-laser LASIK as well as LASIK. We went to it early. Well, we went to it earlier than anybody, because it simply made sense. A laser can make a flap more precisely with unique safety factors that you simply do not have in a metal blade. The metal blade was great. But the laser was an improvement in technology. It gave us so many different options.

There are many practices in Houston that offer LASIK. What kind of homework should a patient do who is considering having LASIK?

Stephen Slade MD: There are a lot of LASIK doctors in Houston. Some very good ones. And, it’s important for any patient, though, to do their homework. To make the choice that’s best for them. Luckily the technology is good. The doctors are good. What I would do, if I were a patient, and I think that’s the best way to answer it, is I would want first to know if I was a candidate. Again, go in, have an exam.

Find out if this is something that really is an option. Then start investigating it, finding out, you know. “Is this something for me?” So what are the questions that I ask? I certainly want to know how long the doctor’s been doing the procedure. That would be important to me, that he is experienced. I would want to know does he have different options for me? Does he have different lasers? Might one laser fit my eye better than another? Rather than sort of everybody getting the same tool, you know. I would want to know is he at the forefront? This is rapidly moving stuff.

These lasers are developing, the different algorithms, the ways of applying them, the pharmacology. The drops we use. All of this is rapidly evolving stuff. I would want to know, is this a doctor who is engaged? Is he out there nationally, internationally, giving talks, learning from other doctors? I would be impressed if he was teaching other doctors. If he had the latest information that he was sharing with other doctors.

Probably one of the most important things I’d want to know is, what do the other doctors, his peers, think of him? Does he do surgery on other doctors? Have other doctors come to him, specifically eye doctors, to have their own surgery done? And then, since I’m probably going to spend a lot more time with [the] staff than with [the surgeon], what’s the vibe there? How do I feel about them? What messages are they giving me? Are they proud to be where they are? Are they happy to be where they are? Are they enthusiastic to be working for this doctor? All those things, I think, are important.

Who would you consider a good candidate for LASIK?

Stephen Slade MD: The best thing for anybody who’s thinking about this technology, who’s looking at our website, is to come in, have a screening evaluation. There’s no charge to it. You come in, it doesn’t take that long. It doesn’t cost anything. I’ll talk to you. Dr. Baker will talk to you. You’ll have the exam. We’ll run you through the machines. And we’ll be able to give you a good idea of whether you’re a candidate or not. Then, you can go home, research it. Get more information from the website, and kind of start thinking about whether you want to have it done.

Who typically is a candidate? Most people with nearsightedness. Most people with farsightedness. Importantly, we have wonderful ways now to treat astigmatism as well. Up to very wide ranges. Very, very high ranges. Now, there are people who are too nearsighted for LASIK. Luckily, there are little tiny soft contact lenses now, the ICL that can be implanted for those people. So there are options.

It’s very important to go to a doctor who has other options other than LASIK so that he or she is not trying to fit everybody into something that might not be for everyone. In any case, you want to learn what your options might be and if you’re a candidate. Most people are indeed candidates.

Are there people who are not candidates for LASIK?

Stephen Slade MD: There are people who are not candidates. Perhaps, you know, the first person that I would think of as not a candidate is somebody who has an unrealistic expectation of what the surgery can do. The surgery is a wonderful surgery. But it is not perfect. It is not going to make every single person see 20/20. If a person is over 40, they might still need reading glasses. If a person has a very large correction, or if a person has any other problem in their eye. If their retinas are weak, they might not be a perfect candidate. Might not have a perfect result. And of course, nobody can be guaranteed to have any particular result.

So that would be one person. Somebody who’s just hoping, or expecting more out of it. Somebody who simply would come up and say, “I’m not going to be happy unless I’m absolutely perfect and never have to wear glasses again for the rest of my life.” Maybe not a good candidate. There are people with retinal diseases that are not good candidates for LASIK. There are people with corneal diseases of the front part of the eye, the part that we’re operating on – inherited diseases, such as keratoconus that are not necessarily good candidates for LASIK.

They may have other options now. We’re doing a wonderful trial with cross-linking. It’s a vitamin trial with ultraviolet light that’s specifically for people with keratoconus. But those people may not be candidates for LASIK, certainly. There are people that have other different conditions of the eye or diseases of the eye that would rule them out. But in general, most people are candidates for LASIK or PRK. And the majority of the patients we do, we do LASIK with. On the other hand, there are patients who really do better with PRK. So that’s why we do both. [Update, SMILE for myopia is now fully FDA approved!]

Which is safer, LASIK, or contact lenses?

Stephen Slade MD: That’s a great question. Which is safer, LASIK, or contact lenses? Interestingly, there was a study by the University of Oregon that confirmed what many of us cornea specialists have always believed. In terms of several conditions, LASIK is safer. Now, I’m thinking specifically of infections. We see more eyes that have infections from patients wearing contact lenses than we do from LASIK. And this is borne out by this recent study from the University of Oregon. Certainly, if you want the absolute safest choice, then you would wear glasses and stay inside, and never leave your house, so that nothing could ever hit you in the eye and break the glasses and shatter them.

If you really wanted the very safest option you wouldn’t buy a car. You’d walk. If you really wanted the very safest option you wouldn’t go out at night. You’d stay inside. If you really wanted the very safest option, you probably wouldn’t live in Houston. You’d probably live somewhere out in the country. So, you know what we do with our lives is we take risks and benefits, and we balance them. And we decide, will the benefit of anything, you know, living in Houston, driving a car, going outside, wearing contacts, having LASIK, will the risks of that outweigh, or will they be balanced by the benefits? And the benefits of LASIK are just tremendous. The potential benefits of LASIK are just tremendous.

While there are risks, the risks tend to be one-time risks, clustered around the surgery itself. And with all-laser LASIK, they’re low. Now, consider the benefits. The benefits are the wonderful vision without glasses or contacts that you enjoy every waking moment of the day. Typically for the rest of your life. I don’t know of a procedure other than eye surgeries, such as cataract surgery, LASIK or PRK, where you get the benefits, you get to enjoy the benefits of these surgeries, as a group, cataract surgery, LASIK surgery, PRK surgery.

You get to enjoy the benefits of these procedures every waking moment of your day. And, you know, there’s a lot of things that I enjoy. You know, whether it’s golf, riding bikes, sports, a nice dinner. But certainly, it’s not every waking moment of my day. So the potential benefits of eye surgery are phenomenal. Yes, there are risks. But for many people, in many different situations, the benefits far outweigh the risks.

Top 10 LASIK Myths – Fact vs. Fiction

It can be hard to know where to turn for information about laser vision correction. In the recent past, the media has been peppered with conflicting stories about this procedure. As a result, a lot of myths about the surgery have developed. Below, we will address some of the most common myths about LASIK. For more information or to find out if you are a good candidate call us today!

  1. Fiction: LASIK is not real surgery.

    Fact: LASIK is surgery and should be treated as such. With proper care, it is not a dangerous or risky procedure. There are risks associated with LASIK, as there are with any procedure. However, several clinical studies have identified the chance of serious vision-reducing complications as being extremely low.

  2. Fiction: Complications and side effects, such as night glare and dry eyes, should be expected after having laser vision correction.

    Fact: As with any other surgery, there are risks associated with laser vision correction. Clinical studies of laser vision correction have documented the risk of having a serious vision-reducing complication as being extremely low. Many complications can be treated if diagnosed and treated at the early stages.

    Moderate glare and dry eyes are common side effects immediately following the procedure but typically last just three to six months. Proper testing before the procedure can identify patients who are at high risk for long-term complications.

  3. Fiction: Laser vision correction is so new that no one really knows if there are any long-term side effects.

    Fact: Although laser vision correction became widely available in the United States in the mid-1990s, the technology was first developed in the early 1980s. The first patient was treated in the United States in 1987. To date, no long-term ill effects of the procedure are known. It has been over twenty years.

  4. Fiction: There is only one type of laser used to treat all patients.

    Fact: Actually, there are a variety of lasers that can be used to treat a patient’s eyes. After a proper screening and confirmation of the condition that needs to be corrected, a surgeon can identify the most appropriate laser needed to treat your condition. Surgeons who have access to a wider variety of lasers, ensure that their patients are treated with the laser best suited for their condition. At Slade & Baker Vision, we have different lasers to choose from. It is not one-laser-fits all.

  5. Fiction: It does not matter which doctor performs your procedure, the outcomes are all the same because the laser does all the work.

    Fact: The surgeon’s skill and the level of care he/she offers is an essential element in the success of any surgical procedure. The laser is one of the tools that the surgeon uses to perform the procedure. The surgeon must also create and manipulate the corneal flap, a delicate surgical procedure.

    Two important contributors to the success of the surgery are the pre- and post-operative care. This is best achieved if your surgeon works closely with your own personal eye doctor, who is most familiar with your eyes and will continue to care for you years after your procedure. The surgeon, the LASIK technicians, and your own eye doctor should work as a team to provide you with a quality outcome.

  6. Fiction: The best indication of a surgeon’s ability is the number of procedures he or she has performed.

    Fact: While the number of procedures performed by a surgeon can be a good indication of his or her level of experience, surgeons should not be judged solely on the number of procedures they have completed. Anyone considering the procedure should do their homework before selecting a surgeon. Potential patients should first consult their own eye doctor to determine if they are a candidate and for recommendations on surgeons. You should also consult your family and friends who have had LASIK to ask them about their experiences with surgeons.

  7. Fiction: LASIK can forever end patients’ needs for glasses.

    Fact: While LASIK has proven to be overwhelmingly successful in reducing dependence on glasses and contact lenses, the degree of improvement may vary depending on the individual. Each patient’s need for glasses depends on how well he/she heals and the severity of the patent’s original prescription. Most patients with mild to moderate prescriptions can achieve 20/20 vision or within 1 to 2 lines 20/20 on the eye chart. Such success can end a patient’s dependence on vision aids for driving, sports, and watching television or movies. During the pre-surgical screening, your doctor should be able to determine the range of your probable outcomes. Keep in mind, as patients age, the need for reading glasses is quite common.

  8. Fiction: Anyone who wants to have LASIK is a candidate.

    Fact: Not everyone is an appropriate candidate for LASIK. In fact, potential patients evaluated by many reputable providers are routinely rejected as candidates for the surgery. The best way to determine if you are a candidate is to undergo a thorough screening by your eye doctor. LASIK can treat patients with nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Appropriate candidates must be at least 18 years old, in good health, and have healthy eyes free of diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma. Appropriate screening is the first, and one of the most important steps in preventing complications. Often complications result when surgeons operate on patients who are not appropriate candidates.

  9. Fiction: Because the outcomes are all the same, the cheapest surgery is no different than the most expensive one.

    Fact: The old adage, “You get what you pay for,” also applies to laser vision correction. Patients should remember that they only have one set of eyes and it’s probably not a good place to compromise. Patients should be cautious of discount centers that may not be as focused on patient screening and care. Consumers should make sure they are comparing equivalent care and experience when doing their research. Often the more expensive procedures include added benefits that discounters do not offer. These added benefits can include lifetime commitments and follow-up care with your personal eye doctor.

  10. Fiction: LASIK is still being developed, and new technologies are being introduced every year. Patients might be best served to wait until doctors find the best one.

    Fact: The current LASIK technologies provide better outcomes than ever before. Many LASIK surgeons themselves have had laser vision correction performed on their own eyes. New technologies introduced in the future may make LASIK available to a wider group of potential patients whose vision cannot currently be corrected.

Don’t Live in Houston?

Not to fear! We see patients from all around the globe. Please CLICK HERE to find out more about traveling to Slade & Baker Vision for LASIK and all eye procedures.

LASIK Eye Surgery Reviews

Victoria

“I love my new LASIK eyes! Dr. Slade was the first in the US to do LASIK and has the latest technology. It only took a few minutes and didn’t hurt at all. I went out to dinner that first night!”

Anonymous

“I am writing this to express my appreciation for what you and your staff have done for me.

Glasses and contact lenses have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Last year I was faced with the possibility of no longer being able to wear contacts. The vision I had with glasses was so poor that I could not pass a driving eye test. This left me with two options: wear glasses and give up driving and my livelihood or have surgery on my eyes and pray.

The latter was my choice, so after some research, I scheduled LASIK surgery…All the pain, worry, and money were of no consequence when compared with the results.

For the first time in over fourteen years of marriage, I can actually see my husband’s face when I kiss him goodnight right before we turn the lights off.

…My gratitude is so deep that to speak of it always brings me to tears…Still, I am unable to find the correct words to express how I feel for the wonderful difference you have made in my life. Most people would think that you are just doing your jobs, but just choosing this type of work shows what special people you are.”

Anonymous

“If you are having any doubts about having the LASIK procedure, read on.

I am a board-certified ophthalmologist with a busy cataract-refractive surgery practice in New York City. I have been doing for a long time, and probably know too much about refractive surgery. So who more nervous and scared about having refractive surgery on themselves than me – nobody. I thought about everything – my wife and kids, home and mortgage, career, playing tennis, etc.

I thought about it long and hard for 3 years. But I could not wear my contacts anymore – I became intolerant. Sure I wore glasses – sunglasses all the time (even at night) yet I became depressed. As a friendly outgoing person, I became withdrawn. I even worked without glasses and contacts. Having been a Rhodes scholar – world-class Olympic fencer I even stopped sports. Even worse.

So when I decided to go for it – who? Didn’t have to research as an outsider – patient but I knew. Didn’t trust anybody in NYC – either ophthalmologists I trained or ones who trained me in LASIK I decided (don’t forget I’m also very neurotic) without reservation on Dr. Stephen Slade – a colleague, highly respected refractive surgeon and a superb technician. Also, he’s a good Southern guy. Over 100 ophthalmologists picked him for a reason.

My life has changed – a major transformation in terms of psyche, career, and life. A decision even I can’t neurose about. I can’t thank him and his staff enough. I went for it and it was a success.”

If you have questions, please do not ever hesitate to call our office at 713-626-5544 and speak to our experts and schedule a consultation today!


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