Welcome to Kentucky Center for Vision

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What is LASIK?
Answer: LASIK stands for laser-assisted intrastromal keretomileusis. This is the formal term for Excimer laser correction of refractive errors that include nearsightedness, myopia, hyperopia, farsightedness, and astigmatism under a corneal flap.

2. My glasses are thick. Can LASIK work for me?
Answer: There is a good chance that LASIK can reduce or eliminate your nearsightedness or farsightedness if your prescription falls within the candidacy range. LASIK can correct a much higher degree of nearsightedness than previous refractive surgery techniques, such as RK.

3. How old do you have to be?
Answer: You must be 18 years of age or older and have a stable eyeglass prescription.

4. Is Lasik investigational?
Answer: The Excimer last has been approved in the United States for correction of nearsightedness, astigmatism and small amounts of hyperopia by the FDA. The making of a corneal flap with a microkeratome has been performed since the 1960s. Results have shown that 98% or better of qualified candidates have improved vision to 20/40 or better, which meets the driver’s license criteria in most states.

5. I have astigmatism. Can LASIK correct this?
Answer: The FDA has approved astigmatism correction by the Excimer Laser. Up to 5 diopters of astigmatism can be corrected. Astigmatism and myopia can be corrected at the same time.

6. I cannot wear contact lenses. Will I be able to have LASIK?
Answer: There is a good chance that you may qualify for LASIK. This will be determined upon completion of a comprehensive eye examination.

7. How do I know if I am a candidate for LASIK?
Answer: In general, patients with nearsightedness or myopia worse than 1.0 diopters who have less than 5 diopters of astigmatism fall within the guidelines for LASIK. Hyperopia of less than 4 diopters is correctable. During your examination, we will discuss the best options for improving your vision.

8. How much time do I need to take off from work after LASIK?
Answer: This is dependent on your job. Many patients can go back to work in 2-3 days following LASIK.

9. How does LASIK work?
Answer: A flap of corneal tissue is folded back. Then a concentrated beam of cold ultraviolet light reshapes the central part of the cornea. The laser is guided by a computer, and the corneal tissue is vaporized one microscopic layer at a time.

10. How experienced is your surgeon in doing refractive eye surgery?
Answer: Dr. Koffler is a corneal specialist, having completed a corneal fellowship at Georgetown University School of Medicine in 1979. He became Board Certified by the American Academy of Ophthalmology in 1979. Dr. Koffler has been performing refractive procedures since the mid 1980s and has presented several papers at the national meetings on the use of RK and AK techniques in reducing corneal transplant astigmatism. He has been doing PRK since March of 1996. The LASIK program was started at the Koffler Vision Group in October of 1997. Dr. Koffler has been an instructor for the International Society of Refractive Keratoplasty.

11. Will I have to be hospitalized to have LASIK?
Answer: No. LASIK surgery is performed in an outpatient ambulatory surgical center. Generally, from the time a patient arrives to the time he/she goes home, is usually no more than 1 to 2 hours.

12. What about ultra-violet light protection after surgery?
Answer: We encourage the use of good quality sunglasses with total ultraviolet protection to protect the eyes and surrounding tissue. Several good studies have shown that blocking UV light protects you from certain eyelid tumors and protects the eye from cataract formation and macular degeneration.

13. Does surgery hurt, and will I know what is going on during the procedure?
Answer: Prior to the surgery, you will be given numbing eye drops. In the laser room, you will be lying face up toward the microscope and ceiling. The numbing drops prevent you from feeling any significant pain. You will be asked to fixate on colored lights in the center for the microscope and go through a practice session to familiarize yourself with the lights and sounds of the equipment s you will know what to expect. The surgery will take approximately 10-20 minutes; however, the use of the laser beam lasts only 15-40 seconds.

14. Can I drive myself home?
Answer: No, you cannot. You need to have a responsible adult with you on that day of the procedure. They will need to drive you home afterwards. Please do not bring children.