When it comes to LASIK vision correction, who doesn’t want a LASIK guarantee of 20/20 vision? While a lifetime guarantee is ideal after LASIK surgery, it is simply unrealistic. Our extremely unique and complex bodies change with age and evolve based on how we care for ourselves. In the same way, the healing process is different for every LASIK patient.
Qualified LASIK eye surgeons are excellent at predicting results through their extensive experience but cannot guarantee that their patient's vision will not see any change over time. While LASIK enhancement policies do not make claims to be LASIK guarantees, they are the next best thing and provide a realistic and safe way for patients to regain 20/20 vision or better without incurring the full price of another surgery.
A patient may be eligible for LASIK enhancement surgery when the desired vision correction is not achieved from an initial LASIK procedure or if there is a decline in your vision over time.
Your eye surgeon’s assessment should be the most important factor when evaluating LASIK enhancement surgery. Does your surgeon feel confident that a second procedure is the right medical decision? Does your eye surgeon think LASIK enhancement surgery will improve your vision? Is this the right time to have LASIK enhancement surgery for the longest possible results?
Not all patients qualify for LASIK enhancement surgery due to newly onset eye or health problems, but many do. Great surgeons set reasonable and clear expectations, listen to their patients and offer medical recommendations that are best for each patient. Before you select your LASIK eye surgeon, read the fine print regarding “LASIK guarantees” or “LASIK enhancement surgery”, vision requirements (must your vision decline to a certain point to qualify?), LASIK technology and annual eye exam requirements.
There are two situations when LASIK enhancement surgery may be considered for Providence Eye patients. The first LASIK enhancement surgery consideration is within the first year of the LASIK procedure.
When your surgeon, Dr. Mozayeni or Dr. Nunnery examines a patient’s eyes, he will be able to set reasonable expectations for each individual’s situation. 97% of the time, LASIK patients achieve 20/20 vision or better. Those patients who fall into the other 3% can typically still see well and on average range between 20/25 or 20/30 vision, which is legal to drive.
When 20/25 or 20/30 vision occurs after a LASIK procedure, it usually indicates that the patient needs a bit more laser correction through LASIK enhancement surgery. When your surgeon performs LASIK enhancement surgery, the results are almost always perfect, and there are no additional costs within the first year. Some higher prescriptions have a slightly higher chance of needing this enhancement within the first year.
The second time LASIK enhancement surgery is considered is if a patient has seen a slight decrease in their vision over time (typically a minimum of 10-15 years) and is unsatisfied with how they see each day.
At Providence Eye & Laser Specialists, Dr. Mozayeni and Dr. Nunnery believe in the 20/happy plan. There are no “vision requirements” to qualify for LASIK enhancement surgery with Dr. Mozayeni or Dr. Nunnery. Our enhancement policy does require you to have annual eye exams either with your regular eye doctor or with one of our optometrists at Providence Eye. If Dr. Mozayeni or Dr. Nunnery performed your LASIK eye surgery and you find yourself in this situation, review the enhancement policy that was provided to you, make sure you have a current eye exam and then call to schedule an appointment to discuss LASIK enhancement surgery.
If you are not 20/happy and are medically suited for LASIK enhancement surgery, Dr. Mozayeni or Dr. Nunnery will be happy to perform your enhancement for a nominal fee, which will cover laser royalty fees and materials. This is typically a couple of hundred dollars per eye.
When selecting a LASIK medical practice for your laser eye surgery, it is important to understand the practice’s “guarantees” or enhancement policy.
Contact Providence Eye today to schedule your LASIK enhancement surgery conversation.
