A: No. During pregnancy, the increased hormones soften the collagen of the cornea, resulting in variable vision and unpredictable surgical results. Also, performing LASIK on a patient who is nursing is not recommended.

A: Monovision is a correction in presbyopic patients (over 40 years of age) of the dominant eye for distance and the non-dominant eye for near. This is a common method of correcting vision in patients requiring bifocals after reaching their 40s. This method of vision correction can be done with refractive surgery or with contact lenses. In fact, President Reagan [...]

A: There is a charge by Eye Care Professionals for the use of the laser for enhancement surgery. The vast majority of patients do extremely well following their initial surgery and will not need any enhancements.

A: Usually not, but some plans are beginning to pay a portion of LASIK surgery. Our insurance department keeps current on these coverage changes. Please contact us to arrange authorization.

A: You will have one or two examinations prior to your surgery. You will be examined by your surgeon one day post-op. Also, you will have exams one week, one month and three months after your surgery day. Of course, if you have or the surgeon has any concerns, you will have examinations as needed.

A: Most patients have LASIK done on both eyes at the same surgical setting. There is convenience for the patient in having both eyes done simultaneously. LASIK has a very low complication rate; however, it is a surgical procedure. For example, there have been cases reported of vision loss from infection or retinal hemorrhage. Dr. Mills may, on occasion, encourage [...]

A: We usually perform our LASIK surgeries on Tuesdays. Most patients return to work by Thursday or Friday of the same week although depending on healing, treatment parameters, as well as your job, this may vary from patient to patient.

A: Dr. Mills has done cataract surgery on patients who have had RK, PRK and LASIK surgeries in the past without complications. It is more difficult to determine the power of the intraocular lens (IOL) used during cataract surgery after refractive surgery.

A: Dr. Mills has been performing refractive surgery since 1995 and LASIK surgery since 1999. Our surgeons have performed over 5,000 refractive surgeries, including LASIK, PRK (photorefractive keratectomy), AK (astigmatic keratotomy) surgeries for astigmatism and RK (radial keratotomy) and more recently ICL (implantable collamer lens) surgery and Refractive Lens Exchanges (RLEs). In addition Dr. Mills has performed KAMRA Corneal Implant [...]

A: Although the eye is made numb with eyedrops, there is some pressure on the eye and the eyelids while the laser keratome is used. To decrease a patient’s stress and discomfort during that part of the procedure, patients are given Valium preoperatively. There is no discomfort during the laser’s use. You will be given one pain pill after completion [...]

A: Most often, we wait to ensure that the vision has stabilized at three months. Occasionally, earlier intervention is required.

A: Most often, the original flap is lifted, the laser correction performed and the flap allowed to re-adhere. Rarely, other surgical procedures such as AK, RK or PRK will be recommended for further treatment. On occasion, the flap will have to be recut and the laser repeated.

A: Yes. Twenty staff and family members have had refractive surgery by Dr. Mills . The office staff has seen the excellent results and the happy, satisfied patients and decided also to have the procedure.

A: Yes. LASIK can be performed one year after RK surgery. The results are generally very good, but there may be a slight increase in surgical risk. Also, not all blurred vision after RK surgery can be corrected by more refractive surgery.

A: Virtually all patients have much better uncorrected vision the morning after surgery. However, very nearsighted or very farsighted patients may take a week or longer before achieving their best vision.