Common Questions

Q. Who is a good candidate for LASIK

A. LASIK can treat a very broad range of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. The best way to determine who is a good candidate is with a thorough dilated eye exam. Candidates must be 18 years of age or older, in good general health, and have good eye health with no diseases such as cataracts or glaucoma. Pregnant or woman who are breast feeding must wait at least 3 months for their corneas to stablize before considering LASIK.

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Q. How long will the LASIK procedure take?

A. The LASIK laser vision correction procedure usually takes approximately 51/2 minutes in our LASIK Suite is located in the lower level of our main office and surgery center in Wilkes-Barre. The actual laser time is approximately 1 minute. You will go home and rest for remainder of the day/night and return the follow day for your post-op exam before resuming  full activity.

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Q. Are there any risks associated with LASIK?

A.  LASIK іs оnе оf thе bеѕt аvаіlаble options for thе improvement of Eye Vision, but thеre arе ѕome risks;

1. Flap Related Risk – during the surgery а flap iѕ created in thе cornea bу the surgeon using a laser, a normal flap ѕhould hаvе a suitable thickness аnd evеn edges but occasionally a flap that is tоо thick or doеs nоt hаvе еvеn edges is created. Your surgeons experience and the equipment being used is often a factor. Another cause maybe the patient rubbing or disturbing the flap during their first night after surgery. This is why we provide post op goggles and recommend that the patient rest for the remainder of the evening. Thiѕ complication haѕ bеen reduced to аlmost  zеro bу thе use of advanced bladeless laser technology.
2. Nighttime Vision – After LASIK surgery somе LASIK patients may experience halos at night time, overtimes ( a few weeks) this diminishes. Advancements in technology have also greatly reduced this from occurring.
3. Infection – Dr. Bucci is very agressive in treating the health of the eye prior to and after LASIK with drops , if these instructions are followed by the patients the risk of infection is minimal.
4. Dry Eye – Thіѕ condition causes eyes to feel dry, scratchy аnd ѕomеtimеѕ painful. It is not always related to LASIK. Many other factors, such as hot dry or windy climates, high altitudes, air conditioning and cigarette smoke, contact wearers, certain medications, physical or hormonal changes may also cause dry eyes. Recommended treatment is often eye drops, punctal plugs or Omegas. Dr. Bucci is a dry eye specialists and will treat any dry eye symptoms prior to having LASIK, or post-op LASIK induced.
5. Under correction/Over correction – During LASIK, Dr. Bucci usеѕ advanced  technologies to accurately determine the amount of the laser energy to bе focused оn the cornea to remove the exact amount of tissues frоm thе cornea, but ѕоmеtimеѕ due to the healing/re-growth of the cornea it results in undеr correction оr оvеr correction. If this occurs, а free  LASIK enhancement within your first year of follow up care is performed tо correct the problem.

Although thеrе аrе risks linked with LASIK , proper research of the surgeons experience, equipment and advancements іn medical technology, thе occurrence of thеѕе is reduced to аlmoѕt  zero.

Compare surgeons, experience, equipment, and the technological advancements provided by the practice before having LASIK.

Dr. Bucci offers free consultation screening exams to anyone considering CustomVue Bladeless LASIK. During this two hour fully dilated exam he will determine if you are a candidate and discuss any concerns you may have.

The FDA recognizes Laser Vision Correction as proven, safe, and effective. LASIK, as any surgical procedure, has limitations & risks. Only a very small percent of LASIK patients experience complications or side effects. The risk of a serious vision - threatening complication is less than 0.1%.

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Q. Does the LASIK procedure hurt?

A. There is almost no pain involved with LASIK, but many patients find the procedure to be slightly uncomfortable. Anesthetic drops are used to numb the eye just before surgery begins and patients may be given a mild sedative to relax. After the procedure, the eye may feel a foreign body sensation or slight irritation for a few hours, like a grain of sand in your eye, but most patients are very comfortable shortly thereafter.

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Q. What is the recovery process like?

A. Most LASIK patients usually see quite well the day following their procedure and may be able to resume most of their normal daily activities. Although the speed of visual recovery depends on personal healing patterns, most patients notice dramatic visual results within the first few days following their procedure.

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Q. What is the difference between Conventional LASIK and Custom LASIK?

A. Custom LASIK is an individualized laser vision correction treatment that is wavefront guided. With the Custom LASIK procedure, nearsighted, farsighted and astigmatic individuals have the potential to achieve a new level of vision.

Custom LASIK uses wavefront-guided technology to measure unique imperfections in the eye. The technology then produces a treatment for the eye and the information is transferred to the laser. The doctor then uses that information to fine-tune the procedure thereby providing a new level of precision and accuracy, providing a more personialized result.

Combined with the addition in 2009 of the advanced technology of IntraLase - Bladess LASIK the spectrum of candidates has expanded as well as the surgical outcomes.

Conventional LASIK was the original procedure performed in the late 90's. It offered advancements that PRK didn't which in turn improved outcomes and patient satifaction. Now with todays advancements including CustomVue and IntraLase the patient is even more satisfied in a shorter painless period of time.

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 Q. What does LASIK cost?

A. LASIK is highly cost effective when compared to purchasing multiple pairs of glasses or contact lenses. In fact, over a 20 year period, the average patient would spend between $12,000 to $16,000 on contacts and $6,000 on glasses.

Please click here to go to the financing page.

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Q. Will I have perfect vision after the procedure? Will I still need glasses?

A. 98% of typical patients achieve 20/40 vision or better. The degree of improvement may vary from individual to individual.

LASIK cannot correct a condition known as presbyopia, or aging of the eye. This occurs normally around age 40 and may require the use of reading glasses. So any one over the age of 40 who has LASIK may need reading glasses after the procedure. Or may wish to consider Multi-Lx Elite, a multifocal lens implant which has the potencial to eliminate yur need for reading glasses or bifocals. Dr. Bucci has been named the #1 Multifocal Surgeon in Pa- Top Ten iin the USA.

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Q. Does LASIK hurt?

A. There is no pain during the procedure. Some patients may experience slight pressure from the speculum which holds the eye open during the procedure.

* Individual results may vary.

Directly following the procedure patients can experience light sensitivity, picking, burning and watering eyes.

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Q. How do I know if I am a candidate?

A. You must be at least 18 years of age with a prescription that has not changed within a year. You must have healthy corneas, and a common pupil size. Pregnant or woman who are breast feeding must wait at least 3 months for their corneas to stablize before considering LASIK.

A complete eye exam performed by your surgeon including corneal topography is necessary. * compare all surgeons before choosing your practice.