LASIK is a well-known eye surgery. According to the American Refractive Surgery Council (ARSC), it remains the most popular vision correction procedure in the U.S. At Lotus Vision, Dr. Nemi performs some of the best LASIK Alpharetta has to offer, so a person can live life ahead free from the hassle of wearing glasses or contact lenses.
What Is LASIK?
LASIK is laser eye surgery performed to correct myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism (deviation from a spherical curvature in the eye or lens causing distorted images). All these conditions are caused by focusing errors that can be corrected by changing the shape of the cornea (the transparent layer forming the front of the eye).
A cornea that is too steep causes myopia. A cornea that is too flat causes hyperopia. A football-shaped cornea is called an astigmatism.
LASIK Vision Correction in Atlanta, GA
As an Alpharetta LASIK surgeon with extensive training and experience, Dr. Nemi can reshape the cornea using a laser. After creating a protective flap of tissue in the outer layer of the cornea, he uses the laser to remove cells in the layer underneath. When cornea reshaping is complete, he replaces the flap, which serves as a natural bandage protecting the eye as it heals.
How Good Is LASIK Today?
ARSC reports that, in a review of more than 4,400 clinical studies of LASIK between 2008 and 2015, researchers found that patients are experiencing better than ever visual outcomes . This data pool also showed that the LASIK procedure has improved over time, and, with technical advances, it ranks among the safest and most effective surgeries today. This scientific review also found that global patient satisfaction with LASIK has increased to more than 98 percent.
Is LASIK Surgery Painful?
Laser eye surgery may seem like a scary prospect, but our LASIK in Atlanta is a virtually pain-free procedure. Some people experience mild discomfort from a vibrating sensation or slight pressure, but most report feeling no pain at all. Before treatment, we administer anesthetic drops to numb the eye and intravenous sedation to make treatment more comfortable.
How Long Does a LASIK Procedure Take?
LASIK is not a lengthy procedure. The average time for this treatment, including prep, can range from 60 to 90 minutes. The laser vision correction itself only takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
What is the Average Cost of LASIK in Atlanta?
The cost for LASIK varies based on a number of factors, but the average cost for LASIK in Atlanta, GA, including pre-surgery consultation and post-surgery care, is between $1,000 to $4,000 per eye. The average estimate for LASIK on both eyes at once is between $3,900 to $4,500.
Lasik Videos
Is LASIK For Me?
LASIK with WaveLight Excimer Laser System
Patient Testimonials
"I can not speak highly enough of this office and my experience here today. I truly felt like everyone was kind and invested in the care I received. I will definitely be back and recommend this doctor to anyone needing excellent eye care. "
"I’m a new patient of Dr. Nemi and I could not be happier that I chose Lotus vision over other large Eye Groups in the area. Dr. Nemi is young, super-smart, professional and kind - from patient care to the overall patient experience, one gets the sense of personalized medicine and that you’re in very good hands in this practice. Highly recommended."
"Lotus Vision with Dr. Nemi is my go to ophthalmologist. He is the best eye doctor I have ever used. I highly recommend him. He is very thorough and his staff are very well trained and personable. Anyone would have a difficult time finding a better eye doctor. "
What Is Recovery Like after LASIK?
You may have irritation or a foreign body sensation in the eye for a few hours after surgery. For most people, the recovery time for our Atlanta LASIK procedure is minimal. Most patients are able to resume many of their normal, daily activities within a day or two after the procedure and return to work within two days.
Although side effects are minimal and dissipate quickly, full recovery after LASIK surgery can take between three and six months. Post-op follow-up visits begin within one to two days after surgery and continue throughout the recovery process.
Reasons to Have LASIK
Thousands of people are having LASIK today for a variety of reasons, including:
- Demand for high-quality vision that only LASIK can provide
- Convenience of corrected vision always available without the bother of glasses or contacts
- Lifestyle choices among athletes and outdoor enthusiasts when glasses or contacts might get in the way
- Professional necessity for first responders such as police officers for whom the ability to see clearly can mean the difference between life and death
Who Is a Good Candidate for LASIK?
LASIK is a successful surgery for patients who meet certain criteria. You may be a good candidate for this procedure if:
- You have healthy eyes, with no injury, infection, or conditions such as dry eye syndrome or conjunctivitis
- Your cornea is thick enough. A cornea that is too thin, extremely irregular, or misshapen could compromise results in LASIK surgery.
- Your pupils are not overly large. Large pupils can increase the risk of side effects such as glare, halos, and starbursts in low light.
- Your prescription for correction is within certain limits. If your prescription to correct myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism is very high, you may not be a good candidate for the procedure.
- You are 18 or older. As the eyes keep changing into early adulthood, it makes sense to not have LASIK before age 18.
- You have had stable vision for at least two years. Refractive errors should be stable for a minimum of 24 months before refractive surgery is performed.
- Your general health is good. People with certain conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and Type 1 diabetes should not have LASIK surgery.
- You are not pregnant. Hormonal changes can alter the shape of the cornea. Wait until pregnancy and nursing are complete and your hormones have returned to normal before undergoing LASIK.
What to Look for in a LASIK Surgeon
LASIK is a proven, popular procedure with a long and successful track record. Nevertheless, it is important to choose the right surgeon to perform the procedure. Traits that make a good LASIK surgeon include:
- Extensive experience
- Advanced technology
- Excellent communication
- Board certification
Why Choose Lotus Vision
Dr. Nemi at Lotus Vision is a board-certified, fellowship-trained LASIK surgeon in Alpharetta and the greater Atlanta, Georgia area. With his extensive training and long experience, he brings a high standard of expertise to his patient-focused practice. Dr. Nemi provides laser vision correction, cataract surgery, and comprehensive eye care, and he is known for his trustworthiness and his warm, compassionate approach. He always takes the time to listen to and communicate with his patients and gives personalized care to each individual. As an authority in the field of eye care and LASIK surgery, Dr. Nemi is a provider to whom you can truly trust your eyesight
Lasik FAQs
Are there any side effects of LASIK?
The satisfaction rate of LASIK is remarkably high, with 96 - 98 percent of patients achieving 20/20 vision and 40-50% achieving better than 20/20 vision. But as with any surgical procedure, there are some potential side effects that patients should be aware of. Some patients can experience dry eyes, glares, halos, and starbursts in their field of vision as a result of LASIK. Many of these are short-term complications, but the possibility that they will remain a concern for longer periods of time can not be ruled out entirely.
Are there nighttime side effects of LASIK?
The side effects mentioned above are most commonly experienced at night due to lighting conditions. Street lamps and headlights can be surrounded by glares, halos, or starbursts at night. Some patients who have worn contact lenses will be familiar with what this looks like. With LASIK, a majority of patients experience these side effects only briefly and they do disappear.
Who cannot have LASIK surgery?
Despite its widespread appeal, LASIK isn’t for everyone. If you are under 18-years-old, are pregnant, taking certain prescription medications, have unstable vision, or chronic dry eye syndrome, these may need to be addressed before having LASIK. In some cases (pregnancy, age, vision stability), time may simply need to pass before you can have the procedure.
Will I have 20/20 Vision?
20/20 vision can’t ethically be promised as that may not occur for all patients due to a variety of factors. Generally speaking, up to 98 percent of patients may achieve 20/20 vision and up to 50 percent of patients may achieve better than 20/20 vision.
Are there limitations to LASIK Surgery?
Before undergoing LASIK, your eye surgeon will ensure you are a candidate for the procedure and that you don’t have any of the relatively few conditions that LASIK can not effectively treat including certain thickness and curvatures of the cornea, presbyopia, or very large pupils. Some of these conditions can be treated with LASIK after a separate procedure is done to address them.
Are there alternatives to LASIK Surgery?
There are a number of alternatives to LASIK that may be a great option for patients who aren’t ideal candidates, or who are trying to resolve other eye conditions. Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), LASEK (with an “E,” standing for epithelial), and small incision lenticule extraction are possible treatment alternatives.
