Contact our San Antonio or Floresville offices if you have any questions about LASIK, laser eye surgery, or PRK. Arrange a comprehensive vision examination to determine if you are a candidate.






LASIK — Laser Eye Surgery for Vision Correction

Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis ( LASIK) is a revolutionary surgical procedure intended to reduce a person’s dependence on glasses or contact lenses to see clearly. Using IntraLase® technology, our Gonzales, San Antonio and Floresville LASIK surgeons provide safe laser eye surgery. By reshaping the cornea with the precision and accuracy of laser technology, LASIK has proven to be a dramatically effective technique for correcting many visual aberrations, including myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. Most patients experience a virtually painless procedure, rapid recovery, and immediate vision improvements.

The LASIK Procedure — Using IntraLase®

The first step of the LASIK procedure is the creation of a micro-thin flap in the outer layer of your eye, the cornea. Precise and accurate flap creation is an important factor in healing, comfort, and results. Although complications with LASIK laser eye surgery are rare, often they are associated with the use of a hand-held microkeratome blade traditionally used in this step of the procedure. IntraLase® replaces the doctor’s hand-held microkeratome with a computer-guided laser that delivers micron-level accuracy over 100 percent greater than a traditional blade. IntraLase® allows our Gonzales, San Antonio and Floresville LASIK surgeons to provide safe eye surgery and precise results.

The second step of the laser eye surgery involves the use on an excimer laser on the inner cornea, removing microscopic layers of corneal tissue to change its shape and allowing light rays to focus more directly on the retina. The flap is then returned to its original position where it naturally seals, without the use of stitches. For more information about the LASIK procedure or about IntraLase®, contact our LASIK surgeons today.

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Benefits of Laser Eye Surgery

LASIK offers a number of benefits over other forms of laser vision correction because it is performed under a protective layer of corneal tissue. Benefits of LASIK laser eye surgery include:

  • Treats a wide range of refractive errors
  • Fast healing time
  • Rapid recovery of vision — often within a day
  • Less discomfort following surgery
  • Less surface area to heal
  • Less risk of scarring

Risks of Laser Eye Surgery

Although LASIK complications do sometimes occur, they are often resolved through re-treatments or enhancements. Studies have shown that an experienced LASIK surgeon can hold complication rates below one percent when candidates are selected carefully. It's very rare for laser eye surgery to cause permanent, significant vision loss to the point that eyesight with contact lenses and eyeglasses is worse than it was before surgery. Possible complications include:

  • Incomplete corrections
  • Decentered ablations
  • Oversize pupils
  • Haze
  • Irregular flap (folds, wrinkles, striae)
  • Dry eye
  • Diffuse lamellar keratitis
  • Epithelial ingrowth
  • Infection

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Postoperative Care

Following the LASIK procedure, your vision should return very quickly. Most patients are well enough to return to work and drive within one or two days. However, because there are individual variations in healing, some patients may take up to a week or more to reach their final vision. During your consultation at our Gonzales, San Antonio or Floresville offices before your LASIK laser eye surgery, your ophthalmologist will develop an individualized postoperative care plan. General post-op guidelines include:

  • Protect Your Eye — Since the corneal flap is not sutured, stitched, or glued (it will adhere naturally within one to two weeks) it is very important that you do not rub the eye or go swimming until it has healed. Patients may wipe the eye with a tissue or washcloth gently. Temporary eye shields are also available.
  • Bathing —You may shower or bathe the morning after the procedure, but do not allow the water from the shower head to strike you directly in the face for at least one week after surgery.
  • Makeup — Do not use mascara or eyeliner for at least one week after the laser eye surgery.
  • Activities — Take it easy the day of the surgery. Most patients are able to return to desk work and driving within the first day or so. Physical activities can be resumed as soon as you feel able.

Follow-up appointments and medications will be scheduled/prescribed on a case-by-case basis. Slight irritation, blurred vision, and redness on the first day of the procedure is normal. If you notice severe or increasing pain or a significant change in your vision, contact us immediately.

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Am I a Candidate?

The ideal candidate for LASIK is over 18 years of age and has healthy corneas. Candidates must not have had a significant increase in their prescription in the last 12 months. People with certain medical conditions or women who are pregnant may not be good candidates for laser eye surgery. The goal of LASIK is to reduce your dependence on corrective lenses. LASIK does not always create 20/20 vision postoperatively. It is important to have realistic expectations and discuss your specific case with your doctor.

Only after thorough examination and testing can your doctor determine whether or not you are a good candidate for the procedure. To arrange a comprehensive eye exam with our Gonzales, San Antonio or Floresville LASIK surgeons, contact our ophthalmology offices today. Our surgeons, Dr. David Shulman and Dr. Fernando Trujillo, are extensively experienced in many corrective procedures (including photorefractive keratectomy and conductive keratoplasty) and can help find the right option for you.

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Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)

Photorefractive keratectomy, or PRK, is a surgical procedure in which the surface of the cornea is reshaped using an excimer laser. PRK may be used to treat nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. Unlike LASIK, PRK does not involve the creation of a corneal flap. Therefore, the protective superficial layers of the cornea must heal post-operatively. Generally this requires PRK patients to undergo significantly more recovery time than LASIK patients. Vision will improve gradually. In most cases, patients may resume driving a car two to three weeks after this type of laser eye surgery, but your best vision may not be obtained for up to six months.

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Contact our Gonzales, San Antonio, and Floresville LASIK Surgeons

If you would like more information about any of our surgical procedures, contact our Gonzales, San Antonio, or Floresville offices today. Find out if you are a candidate for LASIK, PRK, or another type of laser eye surgery by arranging a thorough ophthalmology exam. Rid yourself of corrective lenses or eyeglasses. You can have clear vision. Contact us for LASIK surgery today.

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