LASIK
Schedule a free consultation for LASIK in Saskatoon
Freedom from Glasses With LASIK
74 percent of Canadians required vision correction in 2016. With that number continuing to rise, an increasing portion of Canadians must choose the corrective option best-suited to their lifestyle. Laser eye surgery is a premium solution, optimizing vision to maximize your quality of life.
True Independence
- Financial. LASIK is a long-term solution, meaning although it requires an initial financial investment, it eliminates the ongoing costs of glasses and contacts for refractive errors.
- Lifestyle. A busy schedule requires smooth transitions from activity-to-activity. Laser eye surgery eliminates the hassle of contacts or glasses from your routine, whether it be getting ready in the morning, changing for the gym or even driving.
- Health. Laser eye surgery offers the most effective treatment for your vision. An estimated 85-93 percent of patients who undergo LASIK improve their vision to 20/20 or better. Also, the risk of permanent vision loss is lower with LASIK than contact lenses.
Ready to Get out of Glasses?
Book your complimentary consultation for LASIK in Saskatoon at the Conlon Eye Institute. NO REFERRAL NECESSARY.
LASIK FAQ
Q: What is LASIK surgery?
A: Known as laser eye surgery, Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK), is a corrective procedure for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Reducing or eliminating the need for corrective eyewear, it is the most common vision corrective surgery. LASIK refocuses light entering the eye to a single point, using a thin corneal flap, thus sharpening vision. With minimal discomfort, vision is typically restored within 24 hours.
Q: What requirements make a good LASIK candidate?
A: We offer complimentary consultations to assess eligibility for LASIK and to answer patient questions. To be considered for LASIK a candidate must exhibit:
- Healthy eyes
- Adequate corneal thickness
- Age of 18 years or above
- Stable vision for a year or more
- Overall good health
- Realistic surgery expectations
Q: How safe is LASIK?
A: Health Canada recognizes laser eye surgery as an effective treatment for refractive vision errors. Studies suggest that long-term minor complications occur at a rate of 3% to 5%. Potential complications include:
- Dry eyes
- Halos/glare
- Fluctuating vision
- Ectasia – weakening and bulging of the cornea (rare)
- Infection (0.050-0.033% chance)
- Over or under treatment (<2% chance)
Any specific risks for individual cases will be discussed in detail at the complimentary consultation. It is important to highlight pre-existing medical conditions and lifestyle choices during this time, as certain conditions/lifestyles may impact risk levels.
Q: What equipment is used for LASIK?
A: As a laser eye surgery leader, it is integral to remain on the cutting edge of the field’s latest technology. Equipment advancements facilitate the highest quality procedure results. Combined use of the iDesign Refractive Studio, IntraLase, and Star S4 IR® Excimer Laser technologies facilitates these results:
iDesign is a wavefront-guided mapping tool used to measure vision imperfections. It takes a precise measurement or “fingerprint” of the eye, incorporating wavefront aberrometry, corneal topography, autorefractometry, keratometry and pupillometry, for optimal accuracy. This fingerprint improves diagnosis, allowing for a more specialized treatment plan and superior procedural results.
IntraLase® is a brand name femtosecond (one quadrillionth of a second) laser used to make the LASIK corneal flap. IntraLase® is the first technology to create a corneal flap blade-free, using tiny, rapid laser light pulses instead. This technology replaces the microkeratome, an oscillating blade instrument. It eliminates microkeratome associated risks, improving safety and precision while providing improved patient visual results.
STAR S4 IR® Excimer Laser uses ultraviolet energy to disrupt chemical bonds in the cornea without causing any thermal damage to surrounding tissue. Modifying the corneal surface enables light to be focused on the retina, thereby reducing or eliminating the dependence on external eyewear. The ablation is personalized as this laser uses the “fingerprint” collected from the iDesign system, to ensure the most effective outcomes for a variety of patients.
Q: Will it hurt?
A: Undergoing the procedure itself is painless; it does not require general anesthetic, just local anesthetic eye drops. After LASIK, mild irritation for a few hours is common but most LASIK patients don’t need any pain medication.
Q: What will my recovery look like?
A: People can usually return to work one to three days following LASIK. Excluding the day of surgery itself, people may begin driving as soon as they see well enough. Patients can typically drive after their one-day-post-operative visit, where their vision will be checked and confirmation provided. A week post-surgery, makeup may be worn, but to prevent infection, it is advised to wear only new cosmetics.
Q: Are the effects of LASIK permanent? If not, can I have LASIK redone?
A: Post-healing, laser vision correction results are permanent. But laser eye surgery does not protect against natural vision changes that occur post-surgery. Vision may change unrelated to the laser treatment. LASIK and PRK do not interfere with the natural lens and thus do not affect visual conditions developed due to lens aging. Instead, Refractive Lens Exchange is recommended to eliminate such conditions. Therefore, depending on the vision change’s cause, retreatment may be a viable solution, while other treatment options also exist.
Q: How much does laser eye surgery cost?
A: Fees vary depending on the treatment option chosen. We can provide the most accurate cost assessment during a complimentary consultation. At the Conlon Eye Institute, LASIK and PRK is priced at $2200 per eye. Equalized pricing allows for treatment decisions based on the predicted outcomes for best treatment rather than on price differences.
Q: Can I pay in monthly instalments?
A: Laser eye surgery is an investment in your vision, and thus your overall quality of life. At Conlon Eye Institute, we understand that cost may seem prohibitive; however, we can help make your visual goals meet your budget. We offer financing through Medicard, Canada’s Patient Financing Company. Apply here or by brochure in our office. To meet almost every patient’s budget, plans start out at as little as $70 a month. Our trained staff can also work through the process with you. Enquire today.